Africa, experienced personally.
Africa, experienced personally.
We’re Val and Hardus — the people behind EarthChild Safaris.
Our story began on opposite sides of the world, but brought us together through a shared love of wildlife and a deep respect for the natural world. EarthChild Safaris was born from our connection to Africa, a place we call home, and our belief that the best way to experience it is to respect it, protect it and let it remain wild.
M E E T
Hardus & Val
Two different paths. One shared purpose.
Hardus Breytenbach
Safari Guide & Wildlife Conservationist
I was born and raised in South Africa, where I grew up surrounded by animals, farming and the realities of living alongside wildlife. I studied agriculture and farming before my path led me into wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
For many years, I worked hands-on with an extraordinary variety of wildlife, from pangolins, elephants and eagles to countless other species. This experience gave me an intimate understanding of animals and the challenges they face.
Living and working in areas where people and wildlife share the same landscapes also exposed me to the realities of human-wildlife conflict, particularly for vulnerable species. I became determined to contribute to their protection while recognising that conservation must also consider the people who share these spaces.
My path eventually led me to become a Head Guide and work in lodge management in the Kruger, where I brought together my knowledge of wildlife, people and the bush, guided by a belief that has remained with me throughout my journey:
“Wild animals belong in the wild.”
Val Cervantes
Veterinarian & Safari Specialist
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Mexico City, Africa felt like another world. Being surrounded by elephants, working with wildlife or even drawing blood from a lion belonged to the movies and documentaries I watched - not something I ever imagined I would experience myself.
When it came time to choose what to study, I decided to leave everything familiar behind and travel to Africa. I wanted to discover whether the world I had dreamed about was really out there.
I arrived at a cheetah conservation project, where I met Hardus, who managed the project and cared for the animals. For the first time, I met someone who understood why I had left everything behind to follow my passion to help animals.
I eventually returned to Mexico to study veterinary medicine, but Africa never left me. We stayed in close contact, and during every holiday, I returned to Africa, exploring a different national park whenever I could. No matter where I travelled, I always found my way back.
After graduating as a veterinarian, I moved to South Africa and began working in the veterinary field. My experiences working with animals in captive environments eventually made me question where I wanted my own efforts to go. I realised I didn’t want to spend my life seeing wildlife behind barriers.
“I wanted to help people discover animals where they belong — wild and free.”
W H E R E O U R P A T H S M E E T
Different beginnings. The same belief.
Our paths brought us together, but our experiences shaped a common understanding of what a safari should be.
For us, wildlife is not something to be collected or ticked off a list. A safari is about understanding animals, observing their natural behaviour and appreciating the wild places they call home.
We are the guests in their world.
We believe responsible tourism begins with respect for wildlife, including how we observe and interact with animals during a safari. By choosing experiences that put animal welfare first and supporting conservation efforts, local communities and the people working to protect these areas, tourism can contribute to a future where wildlife continues to live as it should - wild and free.
That is the kind of tourism we want EarthChild Safaris to stand for.
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Our Team
Anthony Mwai
Safari Guide
Originally from Kenya, I bring a warm personality and a wonderfully positive outlook to every safari. My constant smile and approachable nature make guests feel welcome, while my enthusiasm for wildlife makes learning about the animals and their behaviour an enjoyable part of the experience.
Always happy to answer questions and share my knowledge, I help guests discover more about the wildlife and enjoy every moment in the African bush.
“For me, a great safari is about sharing knowledge, creating connections and making every experience memorable.”
Fernando Tamariz
Biologist | Wildlife Education & Conservation
My passion and love for animals have been with me for as long as I can remember - perhaps even before I could remember at all.
One of my first three words was “ate.” My mom couldn’t understand what I was trying to say, as ate is also the name of a traditional Mexican fruit candy. After several days of trying to figure it out, she noticed me pointing at the large, grey, wavy ducts running along the ceiling of a store. She immediately thought they resembled an elephant’s trunk, so she showed me an elephant figurine. I instantly began repeating, “Ate, ate!” In Spanish, elephant is elefante. That was the moment my mom realized that, somehow, I had already developed an extraordinary love for these magnificent animals. But I was only one year old. Where could such a deep fascination have come from? That remains a mystery, and perhaps it is one of the most beautiful things about my story.
Africa was the place I dreamed of visiting, and growing up in Mexico City made that dream feel distant at times, but it never made me give up on it. I studied Biology, specialising in mammalogy and conservation, and gained experience through volunteer work and internships in Thailand and Costa Rica.
In 2025, my lifelong dream of setting foot on African soil finally became a reality. I completed an African mammal conservation course in Kenya and volunteered on an African elephant research project in Zimbabwe, deepening my understanding of wildlife and the importance of protecting our natural world.
When I was invited to become part of EarthChild Safaris, the decision felt almost effortless. Today, I contribute to our educational content, sharing my passion for wildlife and helping others understand and appreciate the natural world.
“I believe that protecting wildlife begins with understanding it, and that understanding begins with connection.”