A love of people and the bush is what lead Brendon and Sheri Schmikl to start Wilderness Encounters. After many years in the traditional safari lodge industry, providing various styles of safaris in South Africa, they began pondering a way to spend more quality time with visitors, getting to know them on a deeper level, swapping life adventures in a more relaxed, intimate, and less structured setting.  Offering reasonably-priced, private safaris in which small groups of friends or family could enjoy their own exclusive camp, game drive vehicle, guide, chef and total flexibility seemed to be the perfect answer.

Since 2002, groups from 3 to 8 persons in size from all over the world have enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime bush experiences with a Wilderness Encounters private safari. The family-friendly feel of these cozy, casual, and intimate experiences have been the catalyst for the making of cherished new friends and life-time memories. Bringing his expert guiding skills and gregarious spirit to the experience, Brendon has countless tales of adventures gained over 20 years of living in the bush with nature and all manner of wildlife at his doorstep. With a university degree in Nature Conservation and a keen interest in all aspects of nature and ecology, Brendon’s guests gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of natural systems and wildlife inhabitants.

An American by birth, Sheri has lived in the bush since her marriage to Brendon in 1998. After many years in the broadcast news business in Los Angeles, she traded in her microphone for a chef’s hat. A natural love of cooking and entertaining and a new-found fascination with the South African Bushveld make hosting and catering small group safaris a perfect fit for her life and career transition.

Contact us now for more information about our African safari adventure!