-Completed 3 Year Diploma in Nature Conservation at the University of the Free State
1977
- Started career in Nature Conservation.
- Stared the first Conservation Area in the old Transvaal - Makwassierante Conservancy.
- Involved in Youth Wildlife Education
- Ecological planning for Game Farms
- On the Panel for Professional Hunting, Transvaal Province
- Involved in official training of Amateur Hunters for different Amateur Hunting Associations
- Involved in Opening of Public Hunting in Provincial Nature Reserves, Orange Free State and Transvaal Provinces
1981
-Qualified as Professional Hunter and Outfitter
1981-1985
-Completed Degree in Public Administration and Law at UNISA
1982
-Established Jannie Otto Safaris
1991
-Attended America Wilderness Leadership School, Teacher Session
1995
-Board Member of SCI Africa Chapter
1996
-Qualified as SCI Master Measurer
1997
-Acknowledgement from SCI Sables for Youth Education
2004
-SCI Outstanding International Professional Hunter of the Year, 2004, Runner Up
Member of various Organizations including, Safari Club International and PHASA (Professional Hunters Association of South Africa)
The Jannie Otto Safaris Team:
Ronel Otto
Happily married to Jannie. The all-in-one of the Jannie Otto Safaris team. Ronel cooks, acts as camp manager, handles administration, greets clients at Airport, guides you on hunts and photographic tours, and acts as the photographer and many more. She gained valuable experience of the Hunting Industry while working at PHASA and qualified as Professional Hunter in 2004. Member of PHASA.
Ian
Ian is a highly knowledgeable and experienced dangerous game hunter. He received his professional Hunters Licence in 1993, where after he hunted extensively in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Ian studied as a medical doctor for four years before he started to hunt professionally.
Theron Conradie
Theron started hunting with Jannie Otto Safaris in 2006. He qualified as a Field Guide in 1998, and gained valuable experience about Africa and its people while operating as a Guide on Overland Safaris in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Theron started hunting at the age of 11 in Harrismith. He has experience in game capturing, game farm management and culling, and qualified as a Professional Hunter in 2002. Member of SCI and PHASA.
Hugo du Plessis
Started hunting as an 8 year old in the Northern Cape. He completed his Diploma in Lodge Management, qualified as a Field Guide, including horse-, quad and trail guiding. Hugo is also a qualified Gold Smith. In 2005 he successfully completed his Professional Hunters School and started hunting with Jannie Otto Safaris in 2006. Member of SA Hunters.
Charles Schmidt
The fishing champion! Charles was the South African Junior Bass Fishing Champion in 1976 and 1979, received his Springbuck colors and has not stopped fishing since! He started hunting as a 10 year old. After receiving his 3-year Degree in Tourism and Recreation, he continued to qualify as an Instructor in White Water Rafting, Ab sailing, and River Rafting. Also FEDHASA Field Guide Level One and First Aid level two qualifications. Charles has been hunting professionally since 2004.
Beyers de Klerk
Started hunting as a 6 year old in Potgietersrust. Fortunately for the hunting industry Beyers resigned as a Captain in Military Intelligence in 1996 and started hunting as a Professional Hunter in 2001. Beyers have two sons (age 7 and 9) who are also avid hunters.
Kannas Kannemeyer
No team is complete without another fishermen. Kannas is a serious fisherman, both fresh and salt water. He started hunting as a 6 year old in Marienthal, Namibia. He has a Diploma in Agriculture and started hunting full time in 2001. Kannas has hunted professionally in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He has valuable Big Game experience. Member of PHASA.
Swannie Swanepoel
Swannie started hunting as a 12 year old in Tzaneen. After 2 years of Military training he successfully completed a 3-year Diploma in Nature Conservation Management. Swannie is an experienced African Safari Guide who guided clients in Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Namibia. He has valuable experience in Game Reserve Management and Game Capturing. He started his Professional Hunting career in 2007.
Siegfried (Ziggy) Dühring
Youngest member of the Jannie Otto team. Started hunting at the age of 9. After school, successfully completed the Professional Hunters School in 2006 and started as apprentice professional hunter with Jannie Otto Safaris in 2007. Ziggy will wake you up with coffee at 5 in the morning and still be skinning when you go to bed at night – always with a smile! We will welcome Ziggy as a qualified Professional Hunter in 2008.
Andries Maritz "Super"
Born in Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Started hunting as a 6 year old. He received his professional Hunters Licence in 2001.
Has experience in culling and game capturing. Hunted professionally in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and
Zimbabwe. He's a member of the South African Hunters Association.
Doctor Tshikwalila
Doctor started as a gardener in 2002. Showing interest in professional hunting, Jannie Otto Safaris recognized his potential and after successfully completing a professional skinning course at a Professional Hunting School, is now the manager of our Skinning Department. Field member of PHASA. Doctor speaks 5 languages
Dube
If you find a crocodile, snake, elephant or scorpion folded towel on your bed, you will know that Dube added her personal touch to your room. Dube is our Chef and Camp Manager. She qualified as a Chef and taught at a Training College for a couple of years where after she gained valuable experience at various Safari Lodges throughout Africa. Her friendly smile will always make you feel at home.
Skinners, Trackers and camp staff
Santjie and Jeanine, our camp staff, welcomes you with a warm smile at the base camp in the Northern Cape. Doctor, Jan and Hendrik are the experienced skinning and tracking team. In the different areas we make use of local assistant skinners and trackers from that specific area because of their specific experience in that area.
