ABOUT US
A Safari Legacy
At Venture Wilderness, our passion for Africa’s wild places is deeply rooted in a family heritage that spans over a century. The Hurt family’s journey began in 1904, when our ancestor Daisy Griffin traversed East Africa by ox wagon from South Africa, becoming one of the early pioneers of safari travel in the region. She was among those who welcomed President Theodore Roosevelt during his historic African expedition, as he crossed the Great Ewaso Nyiro River, marking a moment in history that intertwined our family with Africa’s rich safari legacy.
Her son, Lt. Col. Roger Hurt D.S.O., dedicated his life to wildlife conservation, serving as a game warden in Kenya and playing a key role in protecting some of the region’s most iconic landscapes. Inspired by his father’s work, Robin Hurt developed a deep connection with Africa’s wilderness from a young age, assisting in conservation efforts and guiding safaris.
Robin went on to become a renowned professional guide, leading expeditions across Africa’s most breathtaking terrains. A pioneer in community-based conservation, he has been instrumental in initiatives to protect endangered species, particularly rhinos, and to support sustainable relationships between local communities and conservation efforts.
Today, Robin’s sons, Derek and Roger Hurt, alongside Roger’s wife, Daisy Hurt, continue this esteemed legacy through Venture Wilderness. Having grown up immersed in Africa’s bush, their expertise in guiding, conservation, and safari operations ensures that every journey is crafted with unparalleled knowledge, passion, and attention to detail.
” We don’t just offer safaris;
we invite you to be part of a rich family tradition—one that honors the wild, protects its future, and delivers extraordinary experiences in the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.”
Our foundation of excellence
Deep Connections and Exclusive Access
Beyond their extensive knowledge, our private guides have cultivated relationships within local communities and conservation areas. These connections open doors to exclusive experiences, such as visits to secluded sites, interactions with indigenous cultures, or insights into conservation projects. Such privileged access offers a richer, more immersive understanding of the regions you explore.
Peace of Mind
Traveling in remote areas can present unexpected challenges. Having a private guide means you have an experienced professional adept at troubleshooting and ensuring your safety and comfort. They handle logistics, navigate unforeseen circumstances, and provide a reassuring presence, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the safari experience.
The Finest Experts
At Venture Wilderness, we are committed to pairing you with the finest experts whose passion and knowledge align with your interests. Our handpicked private guides are not only authorities in their field but also personable companions who enhance your journey with stories, insights, and a genuine enthusiasm for the wild.
Choosing a private guide elevates your safari from a standard itinerary to a bespoke exploration, where every moment is crafted to resonate with your sense of wonder and adventure.
Meet Our Team

Roger Hurt
Managing Director
Roger Hurt is a seasoned safari guide with decades of experience exploring not just East Africa, but the entire continent and beyond. Born into a family deeply rooted in Africa’s wilderness traditions, Roger has an instinctive connection to the bush and a lifetime of knowledge to share. While he is passionate about all aspects of the natural world, birding is where his heart truly lies—his ability to identify species by sight and sound is remarkable, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Roger has led journeys across Africa and further afield, always driven by a spirit of curiosity and adventure. Calm, thoughtful, and endlessly knowledgeable, he brings a depth and richness to every safari he guides, creating unforgettable experiences for all who travel with him.

Derek hurt
Guide
Derek Hurt lives in northern Tanzania and has spent his life immersed in the wild landscapes of East and Southern Africa. A fifth-generation Kenyan with a deep-rooted connection to the bush, Derek is a true adventurer at heart—driven by a love for exploring remote terrain and sharing these experiences with others. He does a great deal of guiding in Southern Tanzania, where the landscapes are vast, untamed, and far from the crowds, offering a more off-the-beaten-path safari experience. Derek’s calm, capable nature and encyclopedic knowledge of wildlife and ecosystems make him an exceptional guide. His connection to Southern Africa runs deep—his father has a ranch in Namibia, and Derek has spent extensive time exploring the broader region, from the deserts to the deltas, further enriching his understanding of the continent’s extraordinary diversity.

Daisy Hurt
Travel
Daisy Hurt, originally from the UK, has called Kenya home for the past 17 years. Married to Roger Hurt, she has learnt everything she knows about life in the bush from him—developing a deep love and understanding of Africa’s wild places along the way. With a background in film production coordination and logistics, Daisy is uniquely skilled at designing complex, seamless itineraries that run like clockwork, no matter how remote or intricate the journey. She has also spent years managing safari lodges and horseback safaris across Kenya and Botswana, giving her a hands-on understanding of what it takes to create exceptional safari experiences. Daisy is never happier than when out in the bush, hosting safaris, sharing stories around the campfire, and making sure every guest feels welcomed, relaxed, and completely immersed in the magic of Africa. Her warmth, creativity, and attention to detail turn every safari into an unforgettable adventure.

Hilary Hurt
Travel
Hilary Hurt is a fifth-generation Kenyan, born and raised in Nairobi, with deep roots across East Africa. Her upbringing in her family’s wildlife safari business took her to some of the continent’s most remote and culturally rich regions, shaping a lifelong passion for nature and indigenous traditions. A trained zoologist with a BSc from St Andrews and a Master’s from Imperial College London, Hilary’s academic focus on the Maasai people and their environment sparked her journey into photography. She went on to work with renowned photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher, further honing her craft in documenting tribal cultures. Now a professional photographer with formal training from Speos Paris, Hilary brings a rare depth of cultural insight and visual storytelling to her guiding. Her knowledge of East Africa’s people, landscapes, and wildlife—combined with a warm, intuitive presence—makes her an inspiring and insightful safari guide.

Natalie Shepherd
Travel
Natalie Shepherd is a born-and-bred Kenyan with a deep, intuitive connection to the bush. Having managed safari lodges across East Africa, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience and a calm, capable presence to every safari. Natalie is especially wonderful with children—her warm, engaging nature and instinctive way of bringing the wild to life makes her a favourite among families. She’s also an experienced walking guide with a sharp eye for detail and a special love for birding. Whether on foot or in a vehicle, Natalie’s passion for nature and her ability to connect with guests of all ages make every safari she leads both enriching and unforgettable.
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN…
There’s a whole world waiting to unveil its secrets to you. Embrace the spirit of adventure and let the call of Africa ignite your wanderlust. Each moment spent in its breathtaking landscapes offers not just a journey through stunning terrains, but an invitation to connect deeply with nature, culture, and heritage. Your adventure begins the moment you decide to take that first step into the wild.




