Hamish Hofmeyr
Wilderness Namibia Operations Manager
Hamish joins the Wilderness Family in 2022, with over 25 years of invaluable industry experience. Overseeing the business operations in Namibia, he will ensure delivery of impeccable service standards and guest experiences, whilst leading by example and remaining dedicated to his team and the core Wilderness values.
Hamish grew up in Gauteng, South Africa and completed his schooling at Pretoria Boys High School in 1994. A sports enthusiast, he played provincial squash, loves surfing and a game of cricket or rugby. Inspired by nature from a young age, Hamish always knew his career would follow this path. He graduated from Saasveld Forestry College in 1997 with a Diploma in Nature Conservation and Reserve Management.
Hamish has experienced a diverse and exciting career. Starting out in Malawi in 1997, he received anti-poaching training through the Frankfurt Zoological Society and went on to equip game scouts with skills to help protect Malawi`s wildlife. This included subsequent community work, encouraging alternate sources of income instead of subsistence poaching. His first encounter with Wilderness happened in Malawi when his team was based close to Mvuu Camp in Liwonde National Park.
Over the next few years Hamish’s career path progressed through game ranging in Shamwari Game Reserve to managing a lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve and wildlife filming in the Okavango Delta.
Hamish fondly notes the latter, with AfriScreen Films between 1999 and 2005, as one of his career highlights. His exposure to communities and wildlife alongside the life skills gained are all experiences he will never forget. Again he brushed paths with Wilderness during filming, working closely with Dave Hamman of Wilderness Chitabe.
Hamish has had many memorable moments along the way, including meeting royalty, shooting footage for Sir David Attenborough, learning to fly and countless thrilling wilderness experiences.
His journey then took him to Addo National Park where he was introduced to the exclusive Relais & Châteaux hospitality brand. Hamish was proud to be appointed General Manager for The Marine in Hermanus in 2008. He held the position for eight years, honing his leadership and staff management skills. He was privileged to receive invaluable mentoring from industry greats, including Ian Hunter and Liz McGrath.
He left the industry briefly to follow his entrepreneurial spirit, his ventures included opening a health shop, senior staff mentoring and property management. Hamish was also the General Manager of a beach lodge in Mozambique for two years, in between these roles.
Now part of Wilderness, Hamish is thrilled to bring his travel experiences to the team, and had this to say: “Having met Colin Bell and knowing the Wilderness story, I am so grateful to join the business. Leading by example, I look forward to working in Namibia alongside communities in the most beautiful locations. I am excited to assist the teams in attaining their goals and flying with them to new heights, both in conservation and hospitality”.