About Us

We are your local connection in Kafue National Park!

Muhibuti and meet Karien and her team at Wildside Tours, your local connection in the unspoilt Kafue National Park! Since Wildside Tours' foundation in 1992, we have introduced many people to Zambia and have been captivated by and are incredibly fond of the friendly and culturally rich Zambian and Zimbabwean people who have kept old values and traditions in this region intact. With plains, grasslands, wetlands, the Itezhi Tezhi Dam and woodlands, Kafue National Park is paradise for nature lovers and our local multilingual staff shares the desire to preserve this incredible spread of untouched terrain. We all enjoy Kafue National Park, and the astoundingly diverse wildlife that inhabit the area, and our accumulative local knowledge and wide variety of individual interests provides for an extensive range of eco-friendly excursions and programs. By booking with us, you will be receiving expert advice as well as personalised service ensuring your holiday in Kafue National Park will be exciting and memorable!

"Once Africa is in your bloodstream it will never leave you!"

From the inception of Wildside Tours by Karien's husband Peter, we set about providing travel services and experiences in a responsible and creative manner so you can cherish your holiday and enjoy every moment in the magnificent and remote Kafue National Park. Our services range from customised itineraries for independent travellers to business travel programs to suit any budget. We have built solid working relationships based on mutual respect enabling us to create and operate innovative itineraries in and around Kafue National Park.

Our main interest in sustainability focuses on environmental concerns because of the necessity to protect the national park and the animals that call Kafue home. Wildside Tours has worked for many years sensitising locals as well as visitors to protect the area, supports clean-up campaigns and belongs to numerous associations and organisations that are passionate about conservation. New community based projects are slowly being introduced to the area and during some tours you will have the opportunity to gain an insight of all cultural developments.

"With every visit to Kafue National Park you will not only get close to wildlife but will also get to know the local communities, where cultural traditions are alive and colourful, living close to the park and working for the camps which will give you an insight into the rich culture, life and traditions in this part of the world."

Meet the Team

Karien Kermer was born in Holland and first moved to Africa in 1975, living for 4 years in what is now Zimbabwe, thus kindling her love for Africa and its people. Karien worked mainly as guide and tour manager in many countries all over the world, often pioneering new routes and destinations, and through travel work and private holidays was able to frequently return to Africa. Eventually in 1997 she knew that it was Africa for good and settled in Zambia with her husband, Peter. Wildside Tours has grown from a small mobile safari operator in 1992 to now providing exciting river safaris and game drives, cultural and historical tours throughout the region as well as also running a booking agency for accommodation and safari packages.

In such an incredible yet sensitive region Karien was drawn to Zambia because of its natural beauty, diverse wildlife and extraordinary local culture. When she was presented with the opportunity to work with whl.travel as part of a World Bank project, Karien was excited to work in coordination with a company that shared Wildside Tours' same values and also desired to help protect and conserve the region responsibly.

Karien has little free time as work is also her hobby, however when she does have a free moment she loves being out in the bush and on the river. When she's not travelling or on the Zambezi River, Karien's most likely spending time at home, cycling or practicing gymnastics. Karien loves the entire feel of Zambia. The smiles of the people, the history and wildlife she comes across on a daily basis including elephants crossing the roads, warthogs grazing in town and baboons and monkeys keeping everyone amused.

Judith Chongo is a very cheerful, friendly and adventurous young Zambian lady who loves nature. it has always been her dream to work in this industry so as to enhance the capabilities of the Zambian tourism impact. She is delighted to welcome you to this site and hope that it will stimulate a love affair with one of Africa's most exciting destinations.

Zambia is blessed with immense natural riches which leaves you with the memorable experience of the awesome attractions. Not forgetting the source of the Zambezi river which starts as a spring from the Kaleni Hills and indeed it mothers the Victoria Falls. Its unbelivable.

Hope you will enjoy the beautiful views as well as the happy and ever smiling people of Zambia. Wishing you all the best as you plan your breath taking trip in and around Kafue National Park.

"We see in whl.travel a partner who shares our same core values and are extremely impressed with the wider network and see a great future for WHL."

We at Wildside Tours thank you for accessing our corner of the WHL world and are ready to help you plan your trip to Kafue National Park!