Festo Msoffe was born in the shadow of the Pare Mountains close to Kilimanjaro. With the bush all around, it was no wonder really that he chose a career that would enable him to live in it.

He spend his early days working as a Game Scout with the Tanzania Wildlife Department, involved in their anti-poaching and game control work in the northern Selous. It was here that he met Richard Bonham who was then leading his portered walking safaris into the remoter parts of the reserve. Festo became Richard's chief guide and scout and was one of the first Sand Rivers Selous guides when the lodge opened in 1995.

He helped to pioneer the Selous Walking safaris, and still prefers being on foot over a vehicle. He now spends much of his time in the northern circuit and is one of our most senior guides.