Marna’s persistent curiosity for the natural world started at an early age. Blessed with mountains and vineyards on her childhood doorstep, Marna grew up in the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape. Family holidays were always enjoyed exploring countless national parks and wildlife reserves across Southern Africa.
These early adventures embedded a deep love for the outdoors in Marna and this unwavering passion has guided her life’s journey. After school, Marna went on to become an overland guide and spent two years traversing Southern Africa and learning all about its flora and fauna first-hand.
Enrolling herself in field guide training was, in Marna’s words, the best choice she ever made. In 2014, she completed the EcoTraining courses and in 2016, she officially graduated from &Beyond’s Inkwazi Ranger Training School and has been guiding at &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve ever since.
Marna’s patience and curiosity ensure that she still manages to learn something new every day. Being able to observe creatures in their natural habitat, without disturbing them, is a gift that she loves to share with her guests. Especially when she gets to witness their sheer joy when witnessing their bucket list animals for the first time.
Marna loves travelling, scuba diving, drinking tea and exploring the natural world around her. She is also extraordinarily gifted when it comes to music and she truly comes alive when she sings and plays the guitar.
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