Meet Our Dedicated Team
The Owners
LFGA is owned and managed by husband and wife team, Mark and Linky Stavrakis, a dynamic duo with many years of industry experience. Mark’s passion for training was the inspiration behind LFGA, while Linky has brought finesse and attention to detail to the product. Together they welcome new students to the industry and are always there to help before, during and after your stay at LFGA. Indeed they are the head of the Limpopo Family!
Born in Namibia and raised in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa, Mark was exposed to the bushveld at an early age by his geologist father. Regular field trips cemented the youngster’s dream of becoming a game ranger, and after completing University, that’s exactly what he did. Mark has been active in the guiding industry since 1996 and has spent most of that time involved in training and mentorship of guides.
Mark now focuses on General Operations for the company, yet is still active with specialist training and assessment.
Linky grew up on a farm in Mpumalanga, South Africa, where her father ran an animal rehabilitation centre. With many different indigenous and exotic animals as her companions growing up, Linky had no desire other than to work in the field with people and animals. She established a successful guiding career before joining LFGA in 2006.
Linky’s experience in the field, has enabled her to approach Sales and Marketing and student matters with inside knowledge. She is always available to assist with any student queries, before, during or after a course.
Trainers
Pioneer Moyo
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Pines initially worked in the hospitality sector in that country, before moving to South Africa in 2008.
He attended the FGASA level 1 (now NQF2) course through LFGA and immediately began work as a guide and field ranger on a local game reserve in the Waterberg area. After several years of experience, Pines achieved the FGASA level 2 (NQF4) qualification, also through LFGA and at that point joined our company as a guide and apprentice trainer, in 2016.
Pioneer quickly leveled up and achieved many higher qualifications while at LFGA, including Professional Field Guide (old FGASA Level 3), Professional Trails Guide and TG Mentor, SKS Birding and CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist to complement his Tracker level 3.
With guiding experience from the Lowveld, Kruger National Park region in subsequent years, Pines now works part-time at LFGA while remaining a FGASA ambassador in Zimbabwe, where he is involved in various developmental projects.
It is an honour to have Pines on our trainer team.
Enrico Testi
Born in Italy, Enrico grew up visiting Africa on many safaris with his family. After a brief stint in the music industry, Enrico followed his passion and attended the FGASA NQF2 course at LFGA in 2019.
After several guiding stints in East Africa, Greater Kruger National Park, Lowveld and the Central Bushveld regions of South Africa. Enrico spent time interning at LFGA while going through the higher levels of FGASA.
Now a Professional Field Guide (Level 3) and Lead Trails Guide, with Birding and Tracking Specialist. Enrico freelances as a trainer for LFGA in South Africa and Namibia. At other times he is guiding in Kruger National Park and many other safari destinations throughout Southern Africa.
Andrea Scaramuzza
Originally from Italy, Andrea has spent most of his life exploring the African continent, from North and East Africa, down to Southern Africa.
With work history involving skydive instructing, digital marketing and influencing, as well as leading motorcycle tours, Andrea entered the guiding industry several years ago and transitioned seamlessly.
Currently interning at LFGA, Andrea is an Apprentice Trails Guide with Level 3 CyberTracker track and sign and working towards higher levels.
Lucas Berg
Growing up in the back-country of Alberta, Canada, Lucas has wilderness at his core.
Outdoors is where he has always been and several African Safaris later, he decided to immerse in the guiding industry.
Lucas began his FGASA Apprentice Field Guide journey at LFGA, qualified and moved on to Trails Guide. With experience from East Africa and the Greater Kruger Park, Lowveld, South Africa, Lucas joins as this year as LFGA's latest intern.
With strong birding and tracking skills, Lucas is well into his development phase and has proven to be an asset to students and trainers alike.
Support Staff
Theko Matlala
Theko is in charge of our camp kitchen and ensures that students and staff are well catered for at all times.
Theko has gained experience from various game lodges and guest houses in Southern Africa and puts her skills to work by running the kitchen efficiently throughout the course phases.
Students have the opportunity to learn and practice bush cooking skills under Theko's watchful eye.
Theko is also from our local community and part of our social investment commitment.
Jan Mathye
Jan is the mechanic and maintenance supervisor. He is in charge of running of the game viewers and general camp maintenance. With a wealth of experience from more than 30 years in the game lodge industry, Jan always has a smile on his face. Whether it is driving camp deliveries, servicing vehicles or fixing camp – Jan is always available.
He is from the local Hammanskraal community and part of our social investment.
We Boast The Best Trainers In The Field – Their Impressive Qualifications Are:
FGASA: Professional Field Guide (Formerly: FGASA level 3) – Minimum requirement for lead trainer
FGASA: SKS (Special Knowledge and Skills) – Dangerous Game and Birds
FGASA: Level 3 Tracker
FGASA: Endorsed Trainer and Evaluator of Field Guides (extremely important)
CATHSSETA: Accredited Trainer and Assessor of Nature Guides
CATHSSETA: Highest Level Dangerous Game, Tracking and Birding Guides
CyberTracker: Track and Sign Specialist and Professional Tracker
ETDP: Education and Training Department – Assessor of Nature Guides
PFTC: Weapon Handling (Professional Firearms Training Council)
AFGA: Trainers and Assessors of Field Guides
Note: We also use FGASA qualified Field Guides and Trails Guides for field excursions.