About Us
Karoo Birding Safaris is owned and run by Japie and Ralie Claassen, who have been married for more than thirty years and share a passion for nature and all in it. They are both experienced birders and Honorary Rangers of the South African National Parks. When they are not on the road travelling and sharing their passion with others, they work as impact study researchers on alternative energy development sites.
Japie Claassen
Japie spent almost his entire life in the Karoo. He specializes in finding LBJ’s and has been birding in the area for more than 30 years. He also has a good knowledge of the Karoo plants and animals.
The Karoo is little-explored and for many people the vast unknown of South Africa. It is the place to discover very special plants and find plenty of the birding specials of the dry west. Karoo Birding Safaris also caters for people interested in San paintings, historical buildings around the Karoo and fossils. We specialize in half day to twenty day tours in the remote areas of the Karoo as well as other parts of South Africa, in conjunction with other guides of those areas (See TRIPS). Japie loves to share his knowledge of the Karoo and other parts and welcomes all nature lovers and birders, novice to experienced. Japie has a FGASA Level 1 and is DEAT registered, and has seen 800+ bird species of Southern Africa. |
Ralie Claassen
Ralie is an experienced birder with more than 800 species on her Southern African life list. She also has a keen interest in the Southern African flora and invertebrates.
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