About Us
Louis started guiding safaris in 1994. Freelancing at first but soon started his own Outfitting company called Footsoo Safaris which was changed to Ebersöhn Safaris. He briefly stepped out of the industry in 2012 but on 23/03/2014 he stepped back in as African Wildlife Services, AWS (Pty) Ltdtrading as:
- AWS: Aerial Wildlife Services
- AWS: African Wilderness Safaris
- AWS: African Wildlife Security
The AWS business model is based upon the guiding principles as described in “The Conservation Game: Saving Africa’s Biodiversity. By Gerhard R. Damm”.
Ensuring AWS position as an industry roleplayer in such a way that it can secure support and endorsements from both the pro-utilisation and anti-utilsation lobbies. Conservation through sustainable utilisation is the only viable way to ensure that the game animals of today will still be around 10, 20 or a 100 years from now, the common / shared objective. Louis has also taken a very bold dissision to never again display any pictures of harvested animals or pictures of hunters posing next to harvested animals. Because; Pictures of people and dead animals, or dead animals alone, is just a stick to beat us with because it triggers an emotional response from the naive majority in the global village. (Clinical photo’s and data will however be gathered and kept for scientific recordkeeping and taxidermy purposes).
Our Team
Founding Members
Louis B. Ebersöhn
FOUNDING MEMBER & CEO
Louis is an Outfitter, Guide and Ranger. An Independent Business Risk & Security Consultant / Advisor to various Governments, NGO’s and Multinational Corporates.
Dr. André Ebersöhn
FOUNDING MEMBER AND ADVISOR
Born in February, 1943, Andre grew up on farms near Heidelberg, Gauteng, and at “Bo-Palala” in the Waterberg, in the centre of the old Transvaal.
African Wilderness Safaris
Mr. Gert Esterhuizen
SAFARI OPERATIONS MANAGER
Born with a love for nature and all its creatures, Gert had the core fundamentals of conservation through sustainable utilization deeply ingrained by his peers while growing up. He spent every available opportunity out in the field.
African Wildlife Security
Mr. Chris Pretoruis
Security Operations Manager
Chris is a Security Consultant and Risk Advisor. Growing up on a farm in Namibia Chris knew he would want to get involved in protecting Africa’s Wildlife. After finishing Matric he got involved in Security and went through numerous training including SWAT and VIP Protection.
Researchers and Interns
Kristie Gill
Bachelor of Science May 2022 (cum laude) Concentration: Conservation and Ecology
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ, US
GPA: 3.5
Certificate: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) May 2022
Concentration: Cartography & Geo–representation
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ, US
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
• Ecology
• Evolution
• Statistics for the Biosciences
• Conservation of Biodiversity
• GIS for Climate Change Science
• Vertebrate Zoology
• Systems Thinking
• Cultural Anthropology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Spatial Ecology
• Applied biodiversity restoration
• Organismal community dynamics
• Habitat fragmentation solutions
• Organism–Environment interaction
• Human–Wildlife conflict resolution
• Climate change & wildlife movement
• Zooarchaeology
Field Research Assistant (Nov 2020–Jan 2021)
African Wildlife Services – www.africanwildlifeservices.co.za
Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa
• Managed game camera traps spread over 14 hectares within private reserve to facilitate
leopard and mesocarnivore population monitoring
• Analyzed species age and sex data from camera traps for use in publication
• Surveyed Vegetation of low and high bushveld for vegetation survey data
• Identified and compiled data on native and invasive species of flora and fauna
• Facilitated and implemented use of ArcGIS and GPS Mapping for publication of leopard
density
• Conducted vegetation surveys using Densitometer, Clinometer, and BDH tape
• Assisted in local rural community outreach and cooperation programs to facilitate
community based natural resource program
• Attended meetings with local authorities and rural community leaders to assess and discuss
human–wildlife conflict resolution strategies
Biodiversity Internship Apprentice (Sept 2019–Nov 2019)
African Wildlife Services – www.africanwildlifeservices.co.za
Mahalapye, Botswana
• Surveyed native fauna populations using blinds, camera trap, and vehicle
• Monitored and recorded community interspecific competitive behaviors
• Facilitated supplemental nutrition in private game reserve during drought months
• Assisted in wildlife mass capture/ sedation/ relocation procedures of Greater Eland
• Identified native flora and fauna in Riparian areas of the Limpopo River ecosystem
• Researched selective harvest, cropping theory, and sustainable use techniques
Outfitters
Current Outfitter permit no: ZA/LP/84804
Our Methodology
THE CONSERVATION GAME: SAVING AFRICA’S BIODIVERSITY
Professional hunters
Current Professional hunter permit no: ZA/LP/83885
Head Office
Call Us
+27 (0) 60 359 0644
EMAIL US
safaris@africanwildlifeservices.co.za