About Us

Wouter Vergeer

NL

Co-owner

Wouter has a history as an internet entrepreneur and is one of the owners of SafariBookings. His first safari, in Tanzania, made him feel like a guest in a world ruled by animals. It was a humbling moment that sparked his passion for Africa. Wouter firmly believes in the SafariBookings project: making it easier for people to find their perfect safari, and linking specialized safari operators with clients all over the world. Wouter’s closest friends describe him as a realistic idealist. He can chat for hours about a fairer world where people and wildlife do more than coexist... they thrive.

Jan Beekwilder

NL

Co-owner

Jan is a serial entrepreneur. Since 1992, he has started more than 15 companies in 6 different countries, and initiated over 10 innovative online concepts-- most in partnership with his brother, Jeroen Beekwilder, and business partner, Wouter Vergeer. Jan was CEO, investor, and board member for several of those companies. He has backpacked the world, and made his home in both the US and South America for several years. Jan's favorite continents are Asia and Africa. He has been an avid birder since childhood and enjoys Africa's bird-life just as much as its wildlife.

Jeroen Beekwilder

NL

Co-owner

Jeroen is one of the owners of SafariBookings. He has a heart for people and a mind for business. His desire to feel connected powers his love of travel. He will always remember his first African safari with his family in Tanzania. The thundering hooves of the wildebeest migration over the endless plains made him feel like Dr Livingstone himself! In years to come Jeroen would like to focus his energy into helping other people. He would simply like to live in a more sustainable world with less focus on consumption and a greater tolerance and respect toward people... and animals.

Debbie Stubbs

UK

Customer Support

Debbie’s personable manner and her 20-plus years of experience in the safari industry make her ideal for the Customer Support role at SafariBookings. Whether walking with her dogs across the tors and rugged moorland of Dartmoor in Britain’s southwest or indulging her passion for gardening, the outdoors is where Debbie likes to be. She has enjoyed safaris in East and southern Africa – highlights include canoeing the Zambezi and witnessing the great migration, with thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River. Life is nature.

Alan Murphy

AU

Director of Content

Alan has lived and breathed travel all his adult life. As a travel writer he wrote many guidebooks for Lonely Planet. Alan is responsible for SafariBookings’ content and honestly thinks he works with the nicest people in the world (or at least in Holland). Alan strongly believes that a key part of travel is giving back – he runs an international NGO called RoundTrip Foundation. He lives in Australia with his wife, Alison, who is his strength and his home.

Ariadne van Zandbergen

ZA

Photographer, Travel Writer & Safari Expert

Ariadne creates and updates the park and country content on SafariBookings. She and her husband are a photographer/guidebook-writer team and make regular trips to most of the parks covered on SafariBookings. Ariadne also owns The Africa Image Library, a comprehensive photo library. Her work is her hobby but when at home she enjoys outdoor pursuits, including trail running and mountain biking in South Africa where she is based.

Tania Paschen

TZ

Compliance Officer

Being on safari is Tania’s preferred state of being. Living in Arusha, Tanzania, she gets out into the wild as often as she can – many of Africa’s amazing natural wonders are right on her doorstep. Having worked in conservation and development in Africa and globally for more than 20 years, she’s a big advocate for community conservation and tourism done right. Tania makes sure the safari companies featured on SafariBookings are legitimate, and offer great experiences for their clients.

Bas van Bockel

NL

Online Marketeer

Bas spent 15 years teaching guitar and is now an online marketing specialist at SafariBookings. He is the type of colleague that people like sitting next to for his quick mind and gentle manner. On a recent safari, to the Serengeti in Tanzania, Bas was thrilled to see a stalking lion in hunting mode. Bas values working with a team that is highly motivated. He also likes to be connected and colleagues joke that he can’t go anywhere without WiFi or 4G.

Matthijs Verberkmoes

NL

Concept Creator & Project Manager

Matthijs was just 16 years when his parents took him to Africa and it left an indelible impression on him. Painted (wild) dogs and efforts to save the species captured his imagination. For Matthijs, SafariBookings combines a passion for African travel and wildlife conservation with his expertise in the digital world. Outside of work Matthijs likes ultra-trail running. He would like to see the gift of travel available to all, with its ability to open minds and positively change perspectives on the world.

Joris van Ekert

NL

Designer

Joris has been working with the owners of SafariBookings for a long time. A creative talent, his drive to produce quality work is combined with a competitive streak, which provides the focus for getting the best out of himself. Also known as the cook and grillmeister, Joris is exceptional on the BBQ, a fact his workmates highly appreciate. Joris is a family man, living with his lovely wife and their two naughty boys! He also loves playing soccer and watching movies.

Machiel Hulsbosch

NL

Front-end Developer

Machiel loves the development challenge at SafariBookings. His first African adventure was in Namibia. The experience was more awesome than he could have imagined. The trip included seeing large herds of elephants in Etosha NP, and camping in the middle of the desert. His favourite moment was spotting lions at a watering hole one evening. Machiel loves spending time with family and friends, and wants to explore more travel opportunities. He also enjoys pursuing creative activities when relaxing at home.

Martijn Segers

NL

Senior Developer

Work is mainly a social thing for Martijn, who loves the small, international tribe who are his colleagues. Martijn is a developer and one of the owners at SafariBookings – he is an extremely likable figure, with a big heart and a passion for cats and computer games. He is one of the driving forces behind the SafariBookings Foundation that focuses on giving back to Africa. If he could change the world he would bring a more human, spiritual focus to life. And there’s no prouder Dad in Holland – a big smile comes to Martijn's face when his 'lovable daughter' is mentioned.

Dennis van Rooij

NL

Senior Developer

Dennis is the captain of the web developer team and a key component of SafariBookings. Dennis loves the vastness of the Serengeti in Tanzania, which embodies his love of clean air and tranquility. In the office he is both loved and hated for playing Christmas music in October! Dennis loves to spend time with his wife and three beautiful daughters. He hopes for a world without borders so that people recognize their common humanity and consider themselves part of the same community.

Joris Leermakers

NL

Senior Developer

Joris is a brilliant web developer and highly valued member of the team at SafariBookings. He has a gift for making people feel at ease and a manner that exudes natural warmth. His first safari was in Tanzania where the stunning girth and bountiful wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater will stay with him for a long time. In his next life Joris wants to take it down a notch and be a gardener. Joris is very involved with his local community and lives with his wife and three gorgeous children.