+27(0) 72 625 4709 or +27(0) 14 007 0621
MEET THE TEAM
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!
Mark
Director
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
Sales & Marketing Manager
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
Jason van Zyl
Senior Trainer
Jason was raised on the grassy plains of the Free State province of SA and always had a yearning for wide open spaces. Kick-starting his guiding career in 2006 with a FGASA course at LFGA, Jason quickly moved through the ranks at various high profile game lodges in Limpopo, North-West and the Greater Kruger National Park.
With guiding, training and management experience from these premier wildlife destinations, as well as higher FGASA, AFGA and CyberTracker levels, Jason fits right in to our top-level requirements for trainers at LFGA.
Passionate about tracking, birding and Dangerous Game guiding, Jason is a FGASA Professional Trails Guide and Mentor, Professional Field Guide, CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist and also an ETDP Assessor of guides. His wealth of experience is there to be tapped by all students who are fortunate to rub shoulders with him during their stay at LFGA.Val Graus
Trainer
Val was raised on various parts of the African continent, with Mozambique and South Africa being the most prominent. It was an early dream to work in the bush and after University and a short career as a Professional Golfer, Val followed his heart and signed up at LFGA for the entry level courses. After several years of guiding and conservation management in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, Val found himself back at LFGA, completing higher Guiding and Tracking levels, as well as entering our induction program for trainers.
Val is a FGASA Lead Trails Guide with NQF 4, an AFGA Level 2 Guide and Dangerous Game Walking Guide and CyberTracker Track and Sign Level 3. His special interests are in Birding, Tracking and Dangerous Game and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience in mentoring entry level guides.
We Boast The Best Trainers In The Field – Their Impressive Qualifications Are:
Note: We also use FGASA qualified Field Guides and Trails Guides for field excursions.
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.
FGASA Training Courses