Our Team
At Kamba African Rainforest Experiences, we are proud to have a diverse team of expert Guides who embody our mission of conservation, sustainability, and adventure. These remarkable individuals come from different corners of the world, sharing a deep passion for nature and a commitment to preserving the Congo Basin at the forefront of eco-tourism, helping travelers forge meaningful connections with one of the world’s last pristine ecosystems.
Glance Eloye-Nzoutani
Josh Duffus
Meet Josh Duffus – Kamba’s Head Nature Guide in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, whose lifelong passion for wildlife and exploration has taken him across some of Africa’s most remote and remarkable regions. Born in Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara, Josh was destined to become a guide. Growing up in game reserves across Africa, his early years were spent surrounded by the wonders of the wild, fostering a deep connection with nature. For Josh, becoming a guide was a natural progression. He began his formal training at Campfire Academy in South Africa and gained extensive experience guiding and managing lodges in renowned wildlife areas such as the Greater Kruger, Madikwe Game Reserve, and Tswalu Kalahari.
But it was the untamed beauty of the Congo Basin that truly called to Josh. “Exploring some of the wildest places left on our planet has always been a passion, and being able to do that here is a life dream come true,” he says. As Head Guide at Odzala, Josh leads guests through one of the most remote and biodiverse ecosystems in the world, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the wildlife that inhabits the rainforest. One of Josh’s specialties is helping photographers capture the perfect shot, whether it’s a rare bird or a majestic elephant. While he loves guiding guests to some of the Congo’s most iconic wildlife, Josh is equally passionate about showcasing the smaller, often overlooked aspects of the environment. “There is a magic here in the Congo that cannot be described,” he reflects, “and we are blessed to be able to experience that.”
Pedro Lopes
One of the key members of our team is Pedro Lopes, our Assistant Head Guide, who brings his wealth of experience, love for wildlife, and dedication to sharing the magic of the natural world with every traveler who visits. “The day I finally traveled to Africa, I found out that the magic was real,” Pedro recalls. “I could see it, smell it, feel it.” This transformative experience ignited Pedro’s journey toward becoming a guide and deepened his connection with the wild.
For Pedro, becoming a field guide in the heart of the Congo Basin was the perfect way to test his senses and immerse himself fully in the natural world. His interests span across birds, trees, elephants, and conservation efforts, and he finds immense joy in sharing this knowledge with others. “Being able to share my passion for the natural world with people is such a rewarding feeling,” he says. “My insatiable hunger for learning keeps me kicking, and I’ve never felt more alive since I made that life-changing decision.” Pedro’s multilingual abilities—he speaks English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish—allow him to connect with travelers from around the world, enhancing their experience by making the wonders of Odzala-Kokoua National Park accessible and understandable to all.
Helen Duffus
At the heart of Kamba African Rainforest Experiences is a remarkable team of female field guides, each dedicated to conserving the Congo Basin while providing life-changing experiences for travelers. These women are bold leaders in their field, pushing boundaries and sharing their passion for nature and adventure with the world. One such trailblazer is Helen Duffus, a Senior Field Guide in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, whose love for the outdoors has shaped her career and continues to inspire others. Born and raised in Germany, Helen’s passion for the outdoors was sparked early on, thanks to her parents who believed in spending as much time in nature as possible. “I grew up loving it,” she recalls, and this childhood experience laid the foundation for her future career. In 2012, Helen discovered the guiding industry in South Africa, where she worked across various landscapes, from the thickets of the Eastern Cape to the expansive Kalahari Desert and the lush hills of KwaZulu-Natal. “It quite simply clicked with me,” she says, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Helen’s adventurous spirit and desire to push herself out of her comfort zone led her to the Congo, where the massive, wild expanses of Odzala-Kokoua National Park offered her a new challenge. “The excitement of building guest experiences in such a massive and truly wild region of Africa, and the fascinating ecology of this area, make it an absolute privilege to work here,” she explains. For Helen, the rainforest is a playground for exploration, and her passion for walking and discovering untouched areas has only deepened over time.
Odzala, she believes, is possibly the best place in Africa for anyone with an interest in walking safaris and discovering the ecological processes which shape our planet, two of her greatest passions. Helen’s superb tracking skills, keen eye for nature’s jewels within the forest, combined with her love for photography, makes her an invaluable guide for guests seeking a deeper connection with the intricate ecosystems of the Congo Basin. Whether it’s leading guests on foot through the dense rainforests or capturing Odzala’s vibrant wildlife with her camera, Helen’s enthusiasm for the wild is infectious.
Andrew Hay
Meet Andrew Hay, a Kamba Nature Guide whose journey from the UK to the heart of the Congolese rainforest has been driven by a lifelong passion for the natural world. Growing up in the countryside of Great Swinburne, UK, Andrew Hay’s love for nature was cultivated early on. His experiences in the outdoors sparked a deep curiosity about the natural world and our place within it. With a degree in History, Andrew brings a unique perspective to his work as a guide. “History provided the human element,” he explains, “helping me understand how we fit into the natural world, but also how we impact it—unless we change.”
After working in the Australian Outback, Andrew found clear direction in his mission: to educate others about the importance of nature and to help protect it. But Africa was always the ultimate destination, deeply embedded in his family history and tied to his desire to reconnect with the world’s remaining wildernesses. His first rainforest experience came at age 15 during an exercise in the Bornean Jungle, where his passion for rainforest biodiversity was born. “I saw how people lived in harmony with the forest,” he recalls, “and how these wild places are under constant threat from the industrial world.”
Dylan Smith
Meet Dylan Smith – a Senior Nature Guide who is passionate about sharing the wonders of the Congo Basin with our guests in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dylan’s love for the natural world started early. He spent his childhood and teenage years immersed in Africa’s wild spaces, visiting reserves across the continent at every opportunity. “I took every chance I could to spend time in reserves, developing a passion for wildlife,” Dylan recalls. His fascination with the natural world didn’t stop at just observation—it grew into a lifelong goal to work in Africa’s most untamed areas, surrounded by the animals he has loved since childhood.
Dylan’s dedication to his dream led him to become a FGASA-qualified guide and a certified tracker, skills that have propelled him to an exciting decade-long career in the wildlife industry. His extensive experience and deep knowledge of Africa’s ecosystems make him an invaluable asset to Kamba and its guests. “My honest passion for this continent has led me to some of the most wild and incredible adventures,” he says, reflecting on his journey through Africa’s diverse landscapes. From deserts to dense forests, Dylan’s career has taken him to some of the most remote and captivating places on Earth.
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