On ancient maps, unexplored territories often carried the Latin phrase Hic Sunt Dracones — “Here Be Dragons.” It marked the wild, the mythical, the unknown.
That spirit of mystery and adventure shapes everything we do. At Here Be Dragons, we go deeper — into landscapes that awaken something ancient, into encounters that linger, and into journeys that feel personal and profound.
The places we travel are wild and extraordinary. Even so, we carefully design every experience to be immersive, comfortable, and unforgettable.
In time, we hope this becomes more than a name. We aim to grow a community of travelers, storytellers, and explorers drawn to what lies beyond the edge of the map.
It all began on the overland trails of Africa — guiding trucks from Cape Town to Kenya. That path evolved into a life of global exploration through photography.
After years of capturing the world through a lens, I returned to something I never truly left behind. Leading journeys through wild, unforgettable landscapes still called to me.
Eventually, one custom trip for friends led to many more. From that spark, we created Here Be Dragons — a company built on personal experience, a passion for storytelling, and a desire to offer more than just another checklist safari.
We’re a small, dedicated team focused on private guided safaris and small group journeys. These aren’t off-the-shelf tours. Instead, we handcraft each adventure — drawing on years of guiding, driving, and living along these very routes.
We design every journey with care. Rather than offering volume, we focus on quality — choosing only the camps, guides, and experiences that offer genuine value and deep connection.
As a result, if you're looking for a Botswana safari that goes beyond the ordinary, you’ve come to the right place.
In addition, we intentionally slow things down. This gives you time to connect with the landscape, wildlife, and culture on a deeper level.
We begin in one of Africa’s most exceptional safari destinations: Botswana.
I know this land intimately — from the open channels of Khwai to the lion-dominated plains of Savuti. It’s a place where the Big Five still roam freely, where mokoros glide past hippos, and where firelit nights carry stories older than memory.
Thanks to its rare balance of wildlife, culture, and untouched wilderness, Botswana reflects everything Here Be Dragons represents: immersive, raw, and meaningful travel.
Ultimately, it’s where our roots are. And it’s the perfect place to begin.
I’m Alfred Minnaar — a professional, award-winning photographer and lifelong explorer.
I grew up on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, where South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana meet. That land of red sand and wide-open skies sparked my deep love for the wild.
Since then, my photography has taken me across Africa and around the globe. No matter where I go, I remain drawn to the rare, the beautiful, and the untamed.
Here Be Dragons grew naturally from that journey. I created this company to welcome others into the heart of the places I’ve explored, lived, and guided. I bring the same care and curiosity into each trip that originally led me there.
We’re starting with what we know best: Botswana. These are carefully guided, personally curated journeys through one of the last great wildernesses on Earth.
As we grow, we’ll expand into Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Indonesia. However, our purpose won’t change.
To that end, we remain committed to creating journeys that feel real — shaped by experience and delivered with heart.
