Dougal MacTavish
Chief Warden
Dougal is the founder of Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, and has been running an ever growing team and site ever since its creation in 1992. He has build up a thriving and highly diverse ecosystem from the buffer zone of an explosive factory. Dougal's passion and knowledge has created a loyal and friendly community within the reserve. He has lots of knowledge to share and lots of stories to tell.
Click on his name for more information
Chief Warden
Dougal is the founder of Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, and has been running an ever growing team and site ever since its creation in 1992. He has build up a thriving and highly diverse ecosystem from the buffer zone of an explosive factory. Dougal's passion and knowledge has created a loyal and friendly community within the reserve. He has lots of knowledge to share and lots of stories to tell.
Click on his name for more information
Dr. Lynne MacTavish
Operations Manager
Lynne joined her father in 2000, and has helped make this reserve a thriving research center. Over many years she has managed to co-ordinate 13 different universities, assisting with and teaching many components of the field course. In 2018 she received her honorary doctorate for her extensive contribution to conservation over the years. She has many published research paper; some through the different universities she and worked with, and many through her extensive work with the Earthwatch Institute.
Click on her name for more information
Operations Manager
Lynne joined her father in 2000, and has helped make this reserve a thriving research center. Over many years she has managed to co-ordinate 13 different universities, assisting with and teaching many components of the field course. In 2018 she received her honorary doctorate for her extensive contribution to conservation over the years. She has many published research paper; some through the different universities she and worked with, and many through her extensive work with the Earthwatch Institute.
Click on her name for more information
Luke Levitt
Assistant Operations Manager
Luke is Assistant Operations Manager at Mankwe and is in charge of the Nkombi Volunteer Programme; he has lived and worked at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve for most of his life. Luke studied BCom Business Management at the University of Pretoria majoring in Marketing and Strategic Supply Management. He has a keen interest in conservation and his strengths are working with volunteers and students; he is very much a people’s person and is always willing to make volunteers feel at home.
Assistant Operations Manager
Luke is Assistant Operations Manager at Mankwe and is in charge of the Nkombi Volunteer Programme; he has lived and worked at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve for most of his life. Luke studied BCom Business Management at the University of Pretoria majoring in Marketing and Strategic Supply Management. He has a keen interest in conservation and his strengths are working with volunteers and students; he is very much a people’s person and is always willing to make volunteers feel at home.
Brendon Schimmel
Assistant Reserve Manager
Brendon Schimmel is employed as Assistant Reserve Manager, he first worked at Mankwe in 2014 and returned to work for us again in 2018 full time. He mainly works around the reserve with the conservation team, but Brendon is always on hand to assist with maintenance and is eager to teach any volunteers plumbing, electric or building skills which he has learnt over the years. Brendon loves all outdoor activities, he loves sky diving, hunting and all adrenaline filled sports. He is very much a people person and is very easy to talk to, providing much entertainment at camp.
Assistant Reserve Manager
Brendon Schimmel is employed as Assistant Reserve Manager, he first worked at Mankwe in 2014 and returned to work for us again in 2018 full time. He mainly works around the reserve with the conservation team, but Brendon is always on hand to assist with maintenance and is eager to teach any volunteers plumbing, electric or building skills which he has learnt over the years. Brendon loves all outdoor activities, he loves sky diving, hunting and all adrenaline filled sports. He is very much a people person and is very easy to talk to, providing much entertainment at camp.
Melissa Dawson
Research Co-ordinator
Melissa first came to Mankwe Wildlife reserve in 2013 and has returned on and off since. She has a BSc in Biology from Durham University and a MScR on “The effect of burning on Invertebrates in a South African Savannah”. In May 2016 she began working full time as volunteer coordinator, but is now the research co-ordinator since starting her PhD in September 2019. She is also working towards her Level 1 Field Guide Qualification, is a fully qualified First aider and works as a Field Assistant for the Earthwatch Institute. Melissa has a great deal of experience in planning and carrying out research projects and will help students and volunteers with any personal projects for their university research. She is friendly, fun and is always there to help.
Research Co-ordinator
Melissa first came to Mankwe Wildlife reserve in 2013 and has returned on and off since. She has a BSc in Biology from Durham University and a MScR on “The effect of burning on Invertebrates in a South African Savannah”. In May 2016 she began working full time as volunteer coordinator, but is now the research co-ordinator since starting her PhD in September 2019. She is also working towards her Level 1 Field Guide Qualification, is a fully qualified First aider and works as a Field Assistant for the Earthwatch Institute. Melissa has a great deal of experience in planning and carrying out research projects and will help students and volunteers with any personal projects for their university research. She is friendly, fun and is always there to help.
Camp Staff
Dineo, Eric, Hilda and Shaggi
Dineo, Eric, Hilda and Shaggi
Conservation Team
Mduli, Wez, Zipho, Morris, Willard
Mduli, Wez, Zipho, Morris, Willard
Management team
Dougal, Melissa, Lynne, Chloe, Luke, Brendon and Richie
Dougal, Melissa, Lynne, Chloe, Luke, Brendon and Richie