Professional Hunters
Julian Moller
Julian grew up with a fascination for firearms and hunting. In 1995 Julian started his hunting apprenticeship and in 1998 became a registered guide. In 1999, Julian started guiding for Game Hunters Africa and Zambeze Delta Safaris. He has many years of experience in hunting big game throughout Southern Africa and is one of the more experienced guides in hunting the forests of Mozambique.
Dylan Holmes
Dylan grew up in a rural farming district of South Africa. This privilege provided him the opportunity to develop a great understanding and respect for nature. In 1997 Dylan joined ZDS as an apprentice and continued on to become an accomplished professional hunter. His love and understanding of the animals and areas he hunts is tremendous. Dylan’s attention to his clients is exemplary and he is a great asset to ZDS.
Poen Van Zyl
Poen started hunting with us as an assistant during his school holidays, so he knows the area extremely well. Coming from a farming community he has hunted from a very young age. He has hunted Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.
Ben Rautenbach
Ben grew up on a farm in Northern Zululand, South Africa. Hunting and fishing was part oflife on the farm. Becoming a Professional Hunter in 2003, he gained valuable big game experience in the following two years in Tanzania while doing his apprenticeship. Successfully guiding in most of the East and Southern African countries. He has worked for Zambeze Delta Safaris and Game Hunters Africa since 2009.
Brandon Winterton
Brandon grew up in the hunting industry, part of a family of professional hunters spanning three generations. He started his formal apprenticeship with Zambeze Delta Safaris in 2016 and obtained his PH License in 2017 since then he has been guiding in Coutada 11. Brandon has an avid passion for the outdoors, hunting and wildlife photography.
Staff Mbata
Staff Mbata is a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the safari industry and over 20 years spent in Mozambique’s renowned Zambeze Delta. Staff is widely recognized for his exceptional tracking abilities and his patience hunting the deltas mini 4.
Bredger Thomason
Bredger, a native Texan has been a bowhunter his whole life. A veteran of many African safaris, he is now the Zambeze Delta Safaris master bowman. Bredger prides himself in guiding spot and stalk safaris in Mozambique for bowhunters seeking the ultimate in free range bowhunting. There are few people in life who love hunting and the outdoors as much as this man. He has been part of the team since 2015.
Hamish Skead
Hamish grew up on Lowlands Farm in the Natal Midlands and was game farming by the age of 10 and guiding by 12. He went on to study Nature Conservation at Cape Technikon and has hunted across Africa, North America, and Europe. He joined ZDS in 2025, and his life has always been about the outdoors whether it’s hunting, guiding, or behind the camera.
Rye Pletts
Growing up on a farm in Zululand, South Africa, Rye started hunting from a very young age with his Zulu friends. He has a passion for building guns and loves the outdoors and nature. Professional hunting was the obvious choice for Rye when he started hunting in 2009 and has worked for Zambeze Delta Safaris since 2012. He is passionate about hunting buffalo in the Delta swamps.
Xavier Schutte
Scientific Research and Wildlife Monitoring
Willem Briers-Louw
Tamar Kendon
Tamar grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and has been fascinated by African wildlife since she was a small child. She completed her BSc in Zoology at the University of Pretoria in 2018. She then furthered her studies by completing her Hons in Zoology, during which she investigated cheetah home ranges in fenced protected areas in South Africa. She later completed her MSc in conservation biology in 2021, where she looked at the spatial dynamics of wire-snare poaching in the Boland region.
Dario Ngalijuane
Dario grew up in the Dondo district in the Sofala Province, Mozambique. From a young age he developed an interest in wildlife. In 2019 he enrolled at ISPM (Polytechnic Higher Institute of Manica), where he took a course in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management. In 2021 he spent time studying the fire propagation speed in areas of low and high fire density in Chimanimani National Park, as well as conducting environmental education classes at the local schools. He currently works as a junior ecologist in Coutada 11.
The Ladies
Anita Ouzman
Anita has worked at ZDS since 2002. She is the “go-to” person, on the other side of the emails, making the safaris happen, from the booking of flights and accommodation, to sorting out the licenses on the Mozambique side of things. She will assist you from the beginning to the end of the safari. Anita is passionate about keeping in contact with our clients, and promises to do so as quickly as possible.
Coreen Scholtz
Coreen is an invaluable team player who contributes a certain set of abilities and traits to our company. She works diligently and constantly goes above and beyond. Her devotion and hard work are genuinely admirable. She gives our camp a unique touch that improves the whole experience. Despite not always being in the spotlight, Coreen is an important backstage player. She is in charge of overseeing many facets of our business to make sure everything functions properly and effectively
Pops Holmes
Pops is currently based in the South African office after spending 14 years managing our camps in Mozambique. She still oversees accounts and administrative operations while helping with the day-to-day running of the camp. With a deep love for nature and a passion for hospitality, Pops creates a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every guest feels at home. Her remarkable ability to remember names means that guests leave with lasting memories and also never seems to forget her name. Pops is also the operations manageress for Wildlife Helicopters. Her organisational skills and positive attitude contribute to seamless operations and exceptional service. Balancing both roles, she remains dedicated and always has a smile on her face.
Barbara Rautenbach
Barbara Rautenbach a remarkable individual with a passion for cooking, people and the great outdoors. Her love for cooking is in every dish she creates, by using flavors and textures to craft. Barbara has worked most of her life in Botswana as a camp manager. She is fluent in German and has a genuine affinity for people. In addition to her love for cooking and people, Barbara has a deep appreciation for nature. She finds solace and inspiration in nature and her connection with the natural world is a driving force of her life.
Lizelle Cameron
Since 2017, Lizelle (Lizzy) has been employed with ZDS as an accounts manager and bookkeeper. She maintains the accounts with accuracy and care, helping to guarantee our company’s financial stability. Her actual interest is wildlife and conservation, even though her position mainly puts her in the background. She is honored to be able to support initiatives that safeguard and conserve our natural environment by working for a company that shares her values.
Pilots
Sara Amad
With years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sara combines a passion for cooking, creativity, and a deep appreciation for both people and nature. Born in Mozambique and of Portuguese descent, she is known for sharing the rich flavors and traditions of her culture, offering guests a unique and memorable experience. You will definitely gain a few pounds after spending time at her camp following a safari because of her kind heart, which makes everyone she encounters feel at home and leaves a lasting effect long after their visit.
Mark Haldane
The founder of Wildlife Helicopters. Mark is passionate about helicopters as a conservation tool and has logged many hours over his beloved delta. Mark started flying in 2000.
Heather-Lynn Haldane
Having grown up in the safari and conservation industry, Heather spent many school holidays in Mozambique. From an early age she showed a natural ability when it came to flying the company’s helicopters. She received her Helicopter license in 2018 and now assists with lion tracking and anti-poaching flights.
Bernard Verryn
Bernard Verryn is an enthusiastic aviator with a lifelong dream of flying helicopters, inspired by his father. Based in Mungari, he dedicates his efforts to anti-poaching initiatives and wildlife conservation, reflecting his deep commitment to preserving nature. Known for his strong work ethic and passion for the environment, Bernard strives to make a positive impact on wildlife preservation and conservation efforts in his community.
Peter Perlstein
Peter Perlstein is a partner in Wildlife Helicopters and our Chief Pilot. Having a lifetime of experience flying across Africa in remote areas we are extremely fortunate having him run the flying side for us. He started out his flying career in 1978 and today has over 10 000 hours of helicopter time, all in the Wildlife and Tourism industry. Pete is passionate about flying, the wilderness and its wildlife. Whether on the ground or in the air, you will be in good hands when in his company.
JJ Kooy
JJ is based in the South of Mozambique and flies at Karingani. He is mainly involved in flying that is wildlife related, which is perfect as he grew up with a family who’s business envolves game capture and translocation. He has a great work ethic and passion for flying. Conservation and protecting wildlife is a big part of who he is and he takes great pride in his contribution towards it.
Dustan Haldane
From an early age, Dustan spent most of his holidays in Coutada 11. Having spent many hours in a helicopter, by the age of 14 he was familiar with how things worked. He received his pilots license in 2015. In 2019 he also received his Helicopter technicians license, a handy addition when working in remote areas like we do. Having grown up around helicopters and wildlife, Dustan is a great addition to the team. Dustan flys charter, he does wildlife work and anti-poaching patrols.
Megan Du Plessis
Megan flies and runs our Vilanculos operation. She is a very bubbly and fun loving person, who is also very conciencious about her flying and her love and passion for it shows. Megan grew up on a farm and enjoys outdoor activities. She also has a fixed wing licence and is a qualified helicopter instructor.
Professional Hunters
Julian Moller
Julian grew up with a fascination for firearms and hunting. In 1995 Julian started his hunting apprenticeship and in 1998 became a registered guide. In 1999, Julian started guiding for Game Hunters Africa and Zambeze Delta Safaris. He has many years of experience in hunting big game throughout Southern Africa and is one of the more experienced guides in hunting the forests of Mozambique.
Dylan Holmes
Dylan grew up in a rural farming district of South Africa. This privilege provided him the opportunity to develop a great understanding and respect for nature. In 1997 Dylan joined ZDS as an apprentice and continued on to become an accomplished professional hunter. His love and understanding of the animals and areas he hunts is tremendous. Dylan’s attention to his clients is exemplary and he is a great asset to ZDS.
Poen Van Zyl
Poen started hunting with us as an assistant during his school holidays, so he knows the area extremely well. Coming from a farming community he has hunted from a very young age. He has hunted Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.
Ben Rautenbach
Ben grew up on a farm in Northern Zululand, South Africa. Hunting and fishing was part oflife on the farm. Becoming a Professional Hunter in 2003, he gained valuable big game experience in the following two years in Tanzania while doing his apprenticeship. Successfully guiding in most of the East and Southern African countries. He has worked for Zambeze Delta Safaris and Game Hunters Africa since 2009.
Brandon Winterton
Brandon grew up in the hunting industry, part of a family of professional hunters spanning three generations. He started his formal apprenticeship with Zambeze Delta Safaris in 2016 and obtained his PH License in 2017 since then he has been guiding in Coutada 11. Brandon has an avid passion for the outdoors, hunting and wildlife photography.
Staff Mbata
Staff Mbata is a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the safari industry and over 20 years spent in Mozambique’s renowned Zambeze Delta. Staff is widely recognized for his exceptional tracking abilities and his patience hunting the deltas mini 4.
Bredger Thomason
Bredger, a native Texan has been a bowhunter his whole life. A veteran of many African safaris, he is now the Zambeze Delta Safaris master bowman. Bredger prides himself in guiding spot and stalk safaris in Mozambique for bowhunters seeking the ultimate in free range bowhunting. There are few people in life who love hunting and the outdoors as much as this man. He has been part of the team since 2015.
Rye Pletts
Growing up on a farm in Zululand, South Africa, Rye started hunting from a very young age with his Zulu friends. He has a passion for building guns and loves the outdoors and nature. Professional hunting was the obvious choice for Rye when he started hunting in 2009 and has worked for Zambeze Delta Safaris since 2012. He is passionate about hunting buffalo in the Delta swamps.
Xavier Schutte
Xavier has been working for Zambeze Delta safaris since 2017. He served a 2 year apprenticeship and in 2019 received his full Professional hunters license. A strong love for the outdoors, an intimate knowledge of Coutada 11 and his attention to detail with clients makes him a great PH.
Scientific Research and Wildlife Monitering
Willem Briers-Louw
Willem heads up our scientific research and wildlife monitoring in Coutada 11. Highly qualified, having completed his BSc in Conservation Ecology at Stellenbosch University in 2015. He then furthered his studies by doing a MSc on the ecology of reintroduced lion and leopard and resident spotted hyena in Majete Game Reserve in Malawi. We are now fortunate enough to have him as our wildlife ecologist based in Coutada 11.
Tamar Kendon
Tamar grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and has been fascinated by African wildlife since she was a small child. She completed her BSc in Zoology at the University of Pretoria in 2018. She then furthered her studies by completing her Hons in Zoology, during which she investigated cheetah home ranges in fenced protected areas in South Africa. She later completed her MSc in conservation biology in 2021, where she looked at the spatial dynamics of wire-snare poaching in the Boland region.
Dario Ngalijuane
Dario grew up in the Dondo district in the Sofala Province, Mozambique. From a young age he developed an interest in wildlife. In 2019 he enrolled at ISPM (Polytechnic Higher Institute of Manica), where he took a course in Ecotourism and Wildlife Management. In 2021 he spent time studying the fire propagation speed in areas of low and high fire density in Chimanimani National Park, as well as conducting environmental education classes at the local schools. He currently works as a junior ecologist in Coutada 11.
The Ladies
Anita Ouzman
Anita has worked at ZDS since 2002. She is the “go-to” person, on the other side of the emails, making the safaris happen, from the booking of flights and accommodation, to sorting out the licenses on the Mozambique side of things. She will assist you from the beginning to the end of the safari. Anita is passionate about keeping in contact with our clients, and promises to do so as quickly as possible.
Coreen Scholtz
Coreen is an invaluable team player who contributes a certain set of abilities and traits to our company. She works diligently and constantly goes above and beyond. Her devotion and hard work are genuinely admirable. She gives our camp a unique touch that improves the whole experience. Despite not always being in the spotlight, Coreen is an important backstage player. She is in charge of overseeing many facets of our business to make sure everything functions properly and effectively.
Pops Holmes
Pops is currently based in the South African office after spending 14 years managing our camps in Mozambique. She still oversees accounts and administrative operations while helping with the day-to-day running of the camp. With a deep love for nature and a passion for hospitality, Pops creates a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every guest feels at home. Her remarkable ability to remember names means that guests leave with lasting memories and also never seems to forget her name. Pops is also the operations manageress for Wildlife Helicopters. Her organisational skills and positive attitude contribute to seamless operations and exceptional service. Balancing both roles, she remains dedicated and always has a smile on her face.
Barbara Rautenbach
Barbara Rautenbach is a remarkable individual with a passion for cooking, people and the great outdoors. Her love for cooking is in every dish she creates, by using flavors and textures to craft. Barbara has worked most of her life in Botswana as a camp manager. She is fluent in German and has a genuine affinity for people. In addition to her love for cooking and people, Barbara has a deep appreciation for nature. She finds solace and inspiration in nature and her connection with the natural world is a driving force of her life.
Lizelle Cameron
Since 2017, Lizelle (Lizzy) has been employed with ZDS as an accounts manager and bookkeeper. She maintains the accounts with accuracy and care, helping to guarantee our company’s financial stability. Her actual interest is wildlife and conservation, even though her position mainly puts her in the background. She is honored to be able to support initiatives that safeguard and conserve our natural environment by working for a company that shares her values.
Sara Amad
With years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sara combines a passion for cooking, creativity, and a deep appreciation for both people and nature. Born in Mozambique and of Portuguese descent, she is known for sharing the rich flavors and traditions of her culture, offering guests a unique and memorable experience. You will definitely gain a few pounds after spending time at her camp following a safari because of her kind heart, which makes everyone she encounters feel at home and leaves a lasting effect long after their visit.
Pilots
Mark Haldane
The founder of Wildlife Helicopters. Mark is passionate about helicopters as a conservation tool and has logged many hours over his beloved delta. Mark started flying in 2000.
Heather-Lynn Haldane
Having grown up in the safari and conservation industry, Heather spent many school holidays in Mozambique. From an early age she showed a natural ability when it came to flying the company’s helicopters. She received her Helicopter license in 2018 and now assists with lion tracking and anti-poaching flights.
Bernard Verryn
Bernard Verryn is an enthusiastic aviator with a lifelong dream of flying helicopters, inspired by his father. Based in Mungari, he dedicates his efforts to anti-poaching initiatives and wildlife conservation, reflecting his deep commitment to preserving nature. Known for his strong work ethic and passion for the environment, Bernard strives to make a positive impact on wildlife preservation and conservation efforts in his community.
Peter Perlstein
Peter Perlstein is a partner in Wildlife Helicopters and our Chief Pilot. Having a lifetime of experience flying across Africa in remote areas we are extremely fortunate having him run the flying side for us. He started out his flying career in 1978 and today has over 10,000 hours of helicopter time, all in the Wildlife and Tourism industry. Pete is passionate about flying, the wilderness and its wildlife. Whether on the ground or in the air, you will be in good hands when in his company.
JJ Kooy
JJ is based in the South of Mozambique and flies at Karingani. He is mainly involved in flying that is wildlife related, which is perfect as he grew up with a family whose business involves game capture and translocation. He has a great work ethic and passion for flying. Conservation and protecting wildlife is a big part of who he is and he takes great pride in his contribution towards it.
Dustan Haldane
From an early age, Dustan spent most of his holidays in Coutada 11. Having spent many hours in a helicopter, by the age of 14 he was familiar with how things worked. He received his pilot’s license in 2015. In 2019 he also received his Helicopter technician’s license, a handy addition when working in remote areas like we do. Having grown up around helicopters and wildlife, Dustan is a great addition to the team. Dustan flies charter, does wildlife work and anti-poaching patrols.
Megan Du Plessis
Megan flies and runs our Vilanculos operation. She is a very bubbly and fun loving person, who is also very conscientious about her flying and her love and passion for it shows. Megan grew up on a farm and enjoys outdoor activities. She also has a fixed wing licence and is a qualified helicopter instructor.