Dardley Tafuruka

Dardley Tafuruka was born in 1966 in a tobacco farming area called Karoi, which is situated in the Northern part of Zimbabwe. His father was a keen tobacco grower and Dardley used to accompany him on many an expedition into the nearby wilderness areas. The nearest National Park to the Farm is Mana Pools National Park and during school holidays the family used to go camping there.

From his early childhood experiences with his father, Dardley’s career took a natural progression and thus he  began studying to become a professional guide. He has spent approx 21 years working in the bush. Over this period he has worked as a guide and lodge manager in some of Zimbabwe’s most significant game reserves: Mana Pools National Park on the spectacular Lower Zambezi River, Hwange National Park and Matusadonha National Park on the banks of Lake Kariba.

Over the years Dardley has travelled, guided and managed camps in many countries such as Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia.

Dardley is what you would call ‘addicted to the bush’ and is takes delight in firing up other people with his enthusiasm & passion for the bush and wild life. For Dardley, despite 21 years of being in the industry, a herd of elephant or a pride of lions and other daily sightings  are still inexhaustible sources of wonder. He is a native to Zimbabwe, and so for him Zimbabwe remains the best country to experience the most memorable safaris.

Dardley is now resident safari guide in Hwange (Zimbabwe), covering both Somalisa camp and Somalisa Acacia.