Meet the Guides at RiverBend

Steve Meihuizen

Steve has joined our Guiding staff at River Bend.

Steve grew up and was educated in Cape Town. He has a Diploma in Game Ranging and Lodge Management. Steve joined River Bend in August 2011 after a year at Nguni Lodge which was also part of the Nyathi Concession - so Steve knows the area well.

With his great sense of humour and gentle demeanour Steve will be sure to take you on an entertaining and informative Game Drive tailored to suit your requirements.

Michael Mouton

Michael Mouton has joined our Guiding Team at RiverBend.

Michael completed his schooling at Grey High in Port Elizabeth and went on to study Conservation. He has a great passion for all things natural and will enjoy sharing his knowledge with or guests.

Darlington Chaonwa

Born in Zimbabwe in the Eastern Highlands in a small town called Chimanimani, Darlington started in the guiding industry as a porter carrying bags for campers from the rest camp to the deep forests of the mountain ranges, which are one of the highest peaks in the country.  After two years, Darlington started to show an interest in nature and seeked training from an experienced guide by the name of Pete Baxter, who then showed him the ropes of the guiding industry. With tourism reaching its lowest level, many hotels and touring companies in Zimbabwe closed so Darlington chose to move to the Eastern Cape in South Africa where he joined the tourism Industry in Addo. With a growing interest for the bush, he did a course at the Addo Elephant National Park and got to know the history of the area and has now been guiding in the Addo Elephant National Park since 2005. In January 2009 Darlington joined the team at RiverBend. He has a tremendous passion for nature, in particular the 'Small Five" and birding and always says he loves the bush.  That’s why they call him, "darling of the bush".

Joe Pringle

Joe grew up in the scenic surrounds of the Baviaans River Valley on his parents' farm.  It is here where he developed a love for all things wild, spending most of his time exploring the indigenous Eastern Cape Mountains and bush on foot.  Joe has spent many holidays with family in Botswana on mobile safaris through the Okavango Delta and surrounds.