Gus brings with him a rich tapestry of experiences, embodying the spirit of adventure and a deep commitment to environmental conservation.
Gus's adventurous spirit is practically ingrained in his DNA. Hailing from a lineage of explorers and naturalists, he carries the legacy of his great-grandfather, Aubyn Trevor-Battye, and his grandparents, who were pioneering farmers in Western Kenya. Growing up in post-colonial Kenya, Gus's fascination with Africa began, setting the stage for a lifetime of remarkable journeys.
In 1985, at the age of 18, Gus embarked on a seven-month road trip through Africa with two friends, navigating the Sahara, circumnavigating Lake Chad, and traversing the Congo rainforest. This journey marked the beginning of a series of daring adventures that included leading the Cambridge University Trans-Americas Expedition through the legendary Darien rainforest in Panama and volunteering in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe during the civil war in Mozambique.
Gus's academic pursuits in social anthropology, coupled with a master's degree from the Yale School of Forestry, laid the foundation for his impactful career in environmental conservation. He founded SAFIRE, an environmental NGO in Zimbabwe, and later transitioned into a business-driven approach to address biodiversity loss and deforestation. His 20-year career involved developing and promoting African plant products globally, while also consulting for international organizations like the United Nations.
Our Self Drive Adventure host on YouTube
In 2018, Gus embraced a new challenge as a YouTube presenter, demonstrating a natural flair for storytelling and explaining complex biodiversity challenges in a compelling manner. Beyond his professional endeavours, Gus is a passionate supporter of young talent, hosting the Miombo Magic music festival at his home in Zimbabwe and co-owning a craft brewery and distillery in Victoria Falls.
Beyond the world of conservation, Gus pursues his lifelong hobbies with equal fervour. An avid musician, he plays with the Zimbabwean rock band "the Skuds" and hosts the Miombo Magic music festival annually. His love for aviation is evident through his ownership of a small aircraft and a microlight, fuelled by a deep-rooted dream to fly across the South Atlantic to Antarctica.
With his wealth of knowledge, passion, and adventurous spirit we know you will enjoy his leadership on this adventure. Of course we have an experienced local guide with the group who speaks French and Malagasy and knows all the remote tracks on the routes of the tour. In the national parks and destinations we visit, there will also be expert guides from that particular location that mean you will get the most out of your Madagascar Self Drive Adventure!
Dates: 09 Oct - 08 Nov 2024 (other dates on our website)
To find out more about this adventure - View Itinerary
And you can also read our blog from the 2017 adventure which was a world first - Self Drive Adventures was the first commercial self drive tour of Madagascar.