Gondwana Team

Mark & Wendy Rutherfoord

Directors

Mark & Wendy started Gondwana Game Reserve four and a half years ago, transforming a series of cattle and sheep farms into a 10,000 hectare safari destination. Their goal is to provide people with the same romantic and exhilarating experience they have had living in the bush together.

Wendy and Mark met in the Kalahari Desert where Mark was managing the wildlife for Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, the largest private game reserve in South Africa, and Wendy was on a business trip from New York City for De Beers Diamonds. They were drawn to the seaside of Mossel Bay by a beautiful piece of land they now call Gondwana Game Reserve and home.

Read Mark´s Wildlife Corner column

Neil Davison

General Manager

Gondwana is proud to announce its new General Manager, Neil Davison who brings to the reserve a wonderful mix of boutique lodge experience with Hunter Hotels and Legacy Hotels as well as large hotel management systems with Southern Sun.  Neil has a highly disciplined and guest centric operational approach and a strong environmental background with a BSc honours degree.   Owners Mark and Wendy Rutherfoord have every confidence he will take Gondwana Game Reserve to the next level and establish it as the preeminent Safari destination in the Western Cape.

Joe Erasmus

Reserve Manager

Joe Erasmus joined Gondwana in April 2008 and made a major impact from the start. He has endless knowledge and experience in many areas. He comes from George with experience in irrigation, agriculture, management, maintenance and other talents. He Is joined by is wife Zelda Erasmus.

Louise Illman

Sales and Marketing Manager

Having moved from Johannesburg to George, in January 2009, Louise brings with her substantial knowledge and experience in the hospitality sector. Specializing in advertising and having an absolute zeal for marketing Louise plans on taking Gondwana Game Reserve to new heights.

Cobus Mostert

Lodge Manager

Born and bred in Heidelberg, Western Cape. With a passion for the outdoors and the diversity of Gondwana Game Reserve I decided to join the team in this exciting new Game Reserve. Cobus has recently moved from field guiding to Management of our newly opened Fynbos Kwena Camp.

Zelda Erasmus

Administration Manager

Zelda & Joe have settled into their home on Gondwana and offer much support to the staff village incl. their farm shop which was much needed. She has experience in various fields of financial administration, guest relations as well as computer graphic design.

Nadia Swart

Reservations Manager

Born and bred in the Kruger National Park, she qualified herself as a field guide to further her passion for nature. Nadia brings with her lodge experience gained from a variety of locations to head up the reservations department.

Jannie Leonard

Maintenance Foreman

Jannie and his family are next door neighbours to Gondwana. Gondwana was lucky to recently have Jannie join the reserve Maintenance team. His local knowledge and dedication to his work is invaluable to the team. If you’re lucky his wife Amelia’s baked goods may just end up on your door step.

Alessandro De Bortoli

Executive Chef

Alessandro was born in Venice, Italy and trained as a chef there. He moved to England where he gained 12 years´ experience in working at top hotels and restaurants. He relocated to South Africa with his wife Chantelle and their two boys.

Chantelle De Bortoli – Operations Manager

Chantelle joined us in Nov.2008 with her husband Executive chef, Alessandro and their two boys. After training in Cape Town she worked as a pastry chef in London until promoted to front office. We welcome her family to Gondwana Game Reserve.

Albert Swart

Wildlife Conservator

Albert is a local farm boy who has a immense passion for nature. He first qualified himself with a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Tourism and then moved on to qualifying himself as a field guide in 2008 with The Nature College. He brings his bubbling personality, passion for nature and agricultural background to enrich the guiding experience at Gondwana. Albert has now moved to a wildife position, from where he will be monitoring and managing all wildlife projects on Gondwana.

Julian Hepple

Head Guide

Grew up on a farm in the eastern cape where his passion for the outdoors was nurtured, also spent most of his teenage years in Wilderness enjoying an outdoors lifestyle. Left the corporate world of Cape Town to start a new career as an adventure guide and field guide.

Nature is my life and passion and I am proud to have joined the Gondwana family!

Forget Ndlovu

Game Ranger

Forget’s origin is Zimbabwe. He has been in South Africa for the last 5 years where he trained and worked as a field guide. He joined Gondwana at the end of 2008. He will be taking you on unforgettable game drives at Gondwana.

“Sharpen up on your collective nouns for the drive!”

Trevor McCall-Peat

Game Ranger

Born in Johannesburg and raised in Mpumalanga, I have always had a great passion for wildlife. After I studied field guiding I started my career as a young enthusiastic Guide in a reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, where I gained some practical experience. I enjoy the great outdoors and I´m always up for a good challenge. I feel honoured and privileged to be able to work in such an amazing setting such as Gondwana Game Reserve.

Theo Kluits

Head of Security

Born a Karoo donkey from Graaff-Reinet. Former presidents unit for state President, Theo has a passion to maintain law and order on Gondwana and to provide a positive influence to all his colleagues and guests. When driving on the reserve, keep a weary eye for our resident traffic officer.

Marelize van Rensburg

Front of House

Born and bred in the Karoo, Beaufort West. With a passion for the hospitality industry and several tourism experience, I’ve decided to take the challenge to join Gondwana as Front of House Manager.

Tracey Hepple

Front of House

Grew up in Wilderness on the Garden Route. After years in finance in the city I decided to follow my dreams and studied to be a field guide. After several years managing lodges I am excited to join the Gondwana family!