Your Team
Our team’s diverse background is intricately connected to Africa, and dedicated to telling their homes’ wild stories.
Ryan Connor
Born and raised in South Africa, and Belgium, I spent my early years exploring the diversity of wildlife from around the world – fueling my passion for understanding and exploring the outdoors.
Raised with nature documentaries especially the likes of David Attenborough, I realized how communicating science in accessible and exciting ways was key to conservation success. Knowing this, I moved to the USA to pursue a Zoology degree with a focus on Science Communication. This endeavor supported my science education, wildlife care and conservation, and communication roles across rehabilitation centers, Zoos and aquariums, filmmaking, social media, and on a game reserves.
Dedicated to bringing opportunities to experience Southern Africa’s diverse wildlife behaviors, cultural beauty, and iconic outdoor learning opportunities beyond the screen, I started Running Wild Tours. Connecting American audiences that supported my growth in Zoology and outdoor exploration to accessible tours to explore Africa, whilst giving back to the communities that inspired my love for the world, is exciting!
FounderRob DeBruyn
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. I have been fortunate in that my formative years were spent with extremely knowledgeable wildlife enthusiasts. This fueled my lifetime passion for wildlife.
I embarked on a degree in Wildlife and Conservation before switching to Chemistry and moving into a corporate with a USA company based in Memphis Tennessee. My passion for wildlife continued unabated supported by a corporate job that provided me with opportunities to visit all our continents and the bonus of experiencing local wildlife. In addition to these travels, I have travelled extensively in Southern and Eastern Africa in pursuit of birds and wildlife. I retired at 60 and moved my focus back to my first love of conservation. I became a junior partner in “Oh Africa”, a dedicated wildlife touring company, that operated in Southern Africa. I was responsible for the research (birds and wildlife) and logistics for each safari.
Wildlife and conservation, provides a never-ending opportunity for growth and learning and I continue to study and read in support of my passions
Southern Africa Tour Partner
Our Dedicated Guides
Committed to conservation, and education; connecting clients to opportunities to be in the field with selected local guides in Southern Africa that know their region, is our goal. We work with friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable guides with a local connection to the land they steward. We expressly work with FGASA Trained and Certified Safari Guides hosted by environmentally conscious and aware safari lodges to ensure clients receive the best and most reliable sources in the African outdoors wherever they travel.
Connect with us online to see snippets of some of our guides on our tours. Whether you are out on your first African Safari, or your hundredth, rest assured a committed Running Wild Representative will be with you alongside any Safari guide throughout your trip with us.