The Guides

P J Bestelink

Born and brought up in Namibia. PJ studied geology and spent his early years researching mineral deposits in Botswana. These years fostered his love for the Okavango Delta which inspired his emigration to Botswana in 1970. PJ is now a Motswana citizen.

Over the last 30 years he has acquired extensive knowledge of the flora & fauna of the Delta region. PJ’s bushcraft is highly respected and his fishing exploits well renowned. He is also an experienced bush pilot.

PJ, with his wife Barney pioneered the concept of safari on horseback. Okavango Horse Safari was established in 1986.

PJ & Barney are the senior operations managers of Okavango Horse Safaris and are both professional guides.

Barney Bestelink

A British citizen, Barney came to Botswana in 1977. She was born in Pakistan, brought up in Africa and the Middle East and educated in England.

Her love of horses originated during her early childhood years where as early as age eleven she jockeyed the Arabian horses of the Arab Shiek, Bin Suman Al Kanifa, in the flat races staged in the deserts of Bahrain. This was the foundation for Barney’s extensive equine knowledge as well as outstanding riding ability.

Barney learned to ride in Kenya and formally trained with the British Horse Society in England. She has competed Internationally, exhibiting in the United Kingdom and in the race of champions in the United States. After accumulating a wealth of equine veterinary knowledge, she now provides the majority of the veterinary care required as well as all the farrier work.

A combination of Barney’s love of horses and wildlife inspired Okavango Horse Safaris. Her twenty plus years of riding through the bush in Botswana, has earned her an extensive knowledge of the area through which she guides each safari.

Barney and PJ are the senior operations managers of Okavango horse Safaris and are both professional guides.

Nina Bestelink

Nina was born in Maun, Botswana in 1975 and is a Motswana citizen. At a few months old Nina moved to Xaxaba Camp and grew up in the Okavango delta with her brother Brad. Educated in Natal in South Africa, Nina became a professional guide when she was 18. She joined Okavango Horse Safaris in 1993 as office manager and has been guiding since 1995. Nina trained the first men for the Botswana Mounted Police Unit as well as purchasing and training their horses.

Tirelo Xanekhwe

Tirelo has worked for PJ & Barney since 1984. He was born in 1947 in the village, Tubu, which is found on the north western side of the Delta. He grew up with his two brothers and a sister in the village, Etsha 13. At the age of 20, he travelled to South Africa to work for various mining companies. After four years he returned to buy some cattle and to run his cattle post. In 1983, Tirelo worked briefly for the Water Department before coming to work for PJ & Barney a year later. He is married and has 5 daughters and 2 sons. His sons, Rogers and Gaolathwe, both work as grooms for Okavango Horse Safaris. Tirelo is the longest serving employee and has worked most positions in the company. In 1995 he wrote his guides exam and became a professional guide.

Okavango Horse Safaris Private Bag 23 Maun Botswana. Phone Botswana (267) 686 1671 Fax (267) 686 1672. e-Mail: safaris@okavangohorse.com. Site design by Websight