Ralph Kirsten, Brand Ambassador at African Overland Tours

Ralph Kirsten

AOT Ambassador

As the official Brand Ambassador for African Overland Tours, Ralph brings an unparalleled depth of expertise to every expedition, bridging the gap between raw exploration and professional guidance. A FGASA Level 3 specialist nature and trails guide and a certified Track & Sign Level 4 Tracking Professional.

Connecting You to the Soul of Africa

Ralph’s resume spans from managing 8,000-hectare Big 5 reserves to appearing as a wildlife television presenter for National Geographic and WildEarth TV. Yet, despite his high-level training experience and media career, Ralph’s true passion remains on the ground: connecting people with the raw, unfiltered magic of the African landscape. Driven by a lifelong commitment to conservation and a profound love for remote terrain, Ralph is dedicated to ensuring every guest experiences the rhythm, the grit, and the soul of the Africa he has spent his entire life exploring.

Connect with Ralph

The Ultimate Guide to Overlanding

Whether you’re an avid adventure traveller or exploring Africa for the first time, Ralphs’ Ultimate Guide to Overlanding is your go to source! From packing tips, route comparisons and what life on the road looks like, this guide will make sure you are fully prepared for the journey of a lifetime. Start here with Ralph’s introduction to Overlanding and catch the full playlist on YouTube.

Going on tour soon and need some light reading? Download Ralph’s Ultimate Guide to Overlanding

Posted Blogs

A team of conservationists and veterinarians using a chainsaw to humanely dehorn an anesthetized rhino.

The Truth About Rhino Conservation in Africa: Poaching, Private Reserves, and The Great Debate

Seeing a wild rhino on an African safari is an unforgettable privilege. Whether it is a massive White Rhino grazing peacefully near your truck or a rare Black Rhino slipping into the dense thicket, these prehistoric giants are a highlight…

RECOMMENDED
BY Ralph Kirsten 1 MIN READ

Hikers trekking towards the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro during an epic African walking safari expedition.

The Ultimate Guide to Walking Safaris in Africa: From Table Mountain to Big 5 Bush Walks

While an overland truck gives you the ultimate vantage point to cross the African continent, the real adventure often begins the moment you step out of the vehicle and feel the dirt beneath your boots. A walking safari completely changes…

RECOMMENDED
BY Ralph Kirsten 1 MIN READ

Lilac-breasted roller perched on a branch while another bird takes flight

The Ultimate Guide to Birding in Southern & East Africa: Routes, Gear & Bucket-List Species

For your next or upcoming African overland safari, pack a pair of 10×42 or 8×42 nitrogen-filled waterproof binoculars, download the Roberts Birding or BirdPro app, and you will be set for more than just a Big 5 wildlife experience You…

RECOMMENDED
BY Ralph Kirsten 1 MIN READ

tripadvisors best of the best attractions and the tours that take you there

Experience Africa’s “Best of the Best”: Top Tripadvisor Attractions and The Tours That Take You There

When it comes to planning the ultimate African adventure, the sheer size and diversity of the continent can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you ensure you are spending your hard-earned money on the best experiences? Fortunately, the…

RECOMMENDED
BY Ralph Kirsten 1 MIN READ

Review

Carol Barrett

Hi Minette,
We had a fantastic time on the Ivory Trail. Our guides, Faria and Duncan, were fantastic and looked after us really well. There are so many great memories of the trip and we have started to sort out the thousands of photographs that we took.
Other highlights include an encounter with White Rhinos; a dazzle of zebras; an elephant drinking from our swimming pool! sixty plus elephants at a waterhole; and many more....If we have one criticism of the tour, it was the terrible state of the roads in Zimbabwe = something we were not aware of before departure. Our journey from Hwange to Bulawayo took over eight hours (of very uncomfortable bumpy roads), averaging about 30km/h.
(described in Itinerary as 'rolling tarmac roads')
Best Wishes,
Carol and Paul

Carol Barrett

07 July 2026

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