Wild Frontiers tour leaders

On this page you will find details of all of our tour leaders. 

Jonny Bealby

Growing up in England, Scotland and Canada, Jonny developed a passion for travel and upon finishing college journeyed extensively in Australasia and the Far East. Since then he has earned a crust in a variety of ways: singer in a band, stunt horse rider, circus roustabout, motorcycle courier and photojournalist to name but a few. He started running trips to Pakistan in 1998 and set up Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel in 2002. Jonny has visited more than 80 countries, written three books and had articles featured in a variety of publications including the Daily Telegraph, The Observer, The Times, Independent and Traveller Magazine. He has also lectured to the Royal Geographical Society on Afghanistan & Pakistan.

Amanda Drake

Born in London, Amanda’s joy in travelling was first awoken at age 4 when her family relocated back to Sydney Australia (her first memory is of sailing through the Suez Canal). By 10 she had already travelled one and a half times around the world by ship and visited every continent bar the Antarctic. During her years as a ballet dancer she continued to travel extensively around the Far East, India and Nepal, before moving back to London to work in arts administration and then personally for some of the most high profile businessmen and personalities in the UK. However, having inherited her grandfather’s adventurous spirit (he was a pioneer on Australia’s opalfields and an extensive world traveller at the end of the 19th Century), she has resigned from her life in the international business world to combine her organisational skills with her infectious enthusiasm for adventure travel, which she now shares with our clients.

Benedict Jenks

Benedict’s career as an accountant (specialising in investigating major fraud for KPMG) has been consistently interrupted by a lifelong obsession with travel. He has now visited over sixty countries for pleasure and exploration as well as on business. He finally left the City a year ago to pursue his travel interests full time, and joined Matthew Leeming on the first organised group from Britain to visit Kabul, Bamiyan, Ajar, Herat and the Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan last March. As well as Afghanistan, Benedict’s recent travels have taken him to India (to trek and climb in Ladakh and to visit Rajasthan) to Tibet (where he climbed Lhakpa Ri, a seven thousand metre peak adjacent to the North Face of Everest), Nepal and Ethiopia. Benedict has contributed a number of photographs to Afghanistan: A Traveller's Companion & Guide, due to be published later this year, and has had his travel photography published in the UK, the US and Ireland.

Adrian (Ade) Summers

Ade was born and grew up in Wales but now calls Australia home after a 14 Month overland journey from Cardiff to Sydney in 1995. This only ignited his travelling passion and he has visited over 70 countries since. When not sea kayaking or climbing in Sydney you will find Ade mountaineering, trekking or travelling in all parts of the world: he claims to have climbed, trekked and had drank a beer on all 7 continents. Ade is also a keen photographer and often presents slides show and talks in order to raise money for worthy causes, such as a street kids centre in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia or for remote villages in Pakistan.

Carol Turner

Carol worked with the explorer John Blashford-Snell as his PA and expedition coordinator, concentrating her work on the wild elephants of North India and Nepal . Her interest was then drawn further east, to the little-known region of south west china and the eastern Tibetan Plateau. For several years Carol has helped the monks of this region to provide education for Tibetan children in remote areas. Now she is involved in three schools, on the high grasslands of yak-herding nomads and two in the high mountains. The local communities are involved and innovative sustainable methods are used including a passive solar architectural design. As well as guiding all Wild Frontier trips to Tibet - most of which take in her school projects - Carol also gives lectures and slide shows and is a member of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs.

Dominico Mocchi

Dom has been running horse treks in Asia for almost ten years. A great friend of Jonny's, with the same enthusiasm and love for the countries in which he works, Dom's knowledge of all things equine, plus the world through which he takes you - he studied Geology at Bergamo University - combine to guarantee a truly memorable trip. Dom leads all Wild Frontiers horse trips in Kyrgyzstan, and many others around the world.

Geoff Spillett

Having left New Zealand at the age of 22, Geoff travelled overland across Asia, ending up in the UK where he briefly settled in the early 90s. It wasn't long, however, before wanderlust got the better of him and he soon found himself employed as an expedition leader for Encounter Overland, driving their trucks all over the world. Moving on to Dragonamn in 2000, Geoff has lead numerous trips to more than 80 counties in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Conincidentally, he is the other half of Natalie, Sales Manager in WF's main office in London!

Guy Barrett

Guy's love of expeditions started with a trip in 1991 to raft the Indus in the Ladakh region of India. Various climbing and mountaineering expeditions followed which eventually gave way to work as a professional abseiler. Guy has led trips in Africa, Asia and South America and now splits his time between an internet business, his abseiling work and trips for Wild Frontiers.

Johnny Paterson

Employed for eleven years by Encounter Overland in Asia, Africa and South America , Johnny's experience of leading and managing treks, safaris and expedition to the more quirky regions of the world is extensive. As an explorer he has also journeyed through the remote, seldom-visited north-western corner of Tibet , lived in Nepal and most recently crossed the Sahara on camels as part of a National Geographic expedition.

Mette Steen

Mette has spent the past 15 years traversing the African continent and the Near and Middle East. From tree-planting in the Sahel to walking in Iran, she has led tours, worked as a textile designer and studied Art History as well as the Archaeology of Africa and the Middle East at SOAS University. Currently doing further research in Responsible Tourism management, she exudes a tireless enthusiasm for all things travel-related and is dedicated to facilitating informative journeys whilst considering the best interest of the cultures and communities we visit.

Peter O'Sullivan

Peter first visited Cambodia in 1993 and spent 2 months travelling from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat with a film crew recording the lives of the water-dwellers. He returned in 1994 to film the famous Water Festival, during which time he wrote articles for The Times and Cambodia Daily and reported for the BBC World Service. He was an active member of Action Cambodia and the lobby group UK Working Group on Landmines in the 90s. His love affair with Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos is as strong as ever and he is our man in Indochina.

Richard Dunwoody

Richard Dunwoody was 12 when he started riding racehorses and had his first race ride as an amateur in 1982. He turned professional in 1984 and won his first Grand National on West Tip in 1986. He became the only jockey of his generation to win the ‘Big Three’ following wins on Charter Party (Gold Cup1988) and Kribensis (Champion Hurdle1990). He also partnered the great Desert Orchid to seven victories. He won the Grand National again on Miinnehoma in 1994 and was Champion Jockey three times (1993-95). Due to a neck injury he was forced to retire in1999, having held the record for all-time wins, 1699. He has written 4 books including his autobiography Obsessed and was awarded the MBE in 1993. Since retiring as a jockey he has raced cars, and in 2003 competed in the first Polar Race, a 350-mile trek to the Magnetic North Pole. Richard helps guides many of our horse treks around the world.

Stanley Moffat

After studying law and geography at university Stanley’s first travels were as a professional sportsman. Looking out the window on the way to rugby matches wondering more about the route than the opposition he hung up his boots and picked up a backpack. 15 years and 80 odd countries later Stanley has lead treks and Overland expeditions all over the world, made a documentary in the Middle East, worked as a jet boat driver and photographer. Of late Stanley has been involved in running a school Aid project in Ghana and bringing all his knowledge, enthusiasm, humour and experience to trips. He is a great new asset to Wild Frontiers.

Yves Stranger

Yves Stranger, our main Ethiopian guide, has lived in country for five years. He speaks the Amharic language fluently and when not leading trips for Wild Frontiers teaches at the international English school. Yves is also an author and journalist and writes articles for a number of leading publications including Impressions, Selamta and CNN Traveler. He is also a keen horseman and is currently setting up riding trips which we will be able to bring to you soon.

Jai Prakash Sharma

'JP is a born tour leader, perfectly poised between efficiency and mischief.' The Observer. Born in a tiny village in southern Rajasthan, JP Sharma grew up in Bundi. Fascinated by the foreign tourists that visited this beautiful town, at the age of thirteen he started guiding them to and around the magnificent fort and by the time he passed through high school he was the official local guide for most of the companies sending guests to this destination. In 2002 joined the Australian travel company Intrepid as their first ever local tour leader, guiding for them all over the country, but ultimately the fixed routine of their tours frustrated him and in 2006 he resigned and joined Wild Frontiers. Along with Jonny Bealby, JP has been fundamental in the setting up of all our Village India trips and it with great pleasure that we call him, our man in India.

Gabrielle Fanni

Another of our ‘in-country’ guides, Gabi has lived in Vietnam for over two years and therefore has both great knowledge about this fascinating part of the world and just as importantly knows how to deal with the idiosyncrasies it can throw up. As with many of our guides, Gabi has had a varied career which has included being a cook, a teacher, a ship’s cadet, aid worker and professional tour leader. He has huge enthusiasm for Indochina and his infectious humour and natural joie de vivre are sure to make for a fabulous trip.

Matthew Leeming

Haiving graduated from Oxford with a degree in theology, Matthew first travelled to Afghanistan in 1999 (where he met WF’s head honcho Jonny Bealby) and has been returning ever since. To call Matthew 'Mr Afghanistan' would be no exaggeration. He has travelled every inch of this fascinating country, knows all the main players in the region – our groups regularly have tea with Ishmael Khan – has lectured to the Royal Geographical Society and written numerous articles and the first guide book on the country in almost three decades. Add to that he is a charming man, utterly devoted to the well-being of a country that has lodged itself deep in his soul.

Dave Watts

After graduating from Edinburgh with a masters degree in geography, Dave was keen to visit the places that he had been studying and took a job in his native westcountry with a trekking company. Having gained experience in leading treks in Nepal, India and China, Dave was drawn to the bright lights and a job helping run logistics for Wild Frontiers. Further trips have taken him skiing in Kashmir and Georgia, trekking in Jordan, Oman, Romania and Albania as well as visiting Southern Africa. Dave is also a keen photographer and has had his images published in an atlas, guidebooks and national newspapers including the Guardian, the Metro and the Financial Times.

Natalie Morris

Natalie generally works in the office helping to promote our trips and product to a wider audience. She has worked for more than ten years in the travel industry, and has experience in everything from driving trucks for Dragoman to booking flights for Flight Centre. Building on our excellent platform of a knowledgeable and experienced office staff, Natalie has proved an invaluable member of our ever-growing team. However, what she really loves is getting out there and running trips, and this she does with great enthusiasm, knowledge, and above all, fun.

Tom Skipwith

As a baby being taken around India by his travel-crazed parents, the adventure bug was firmly embedded and a nomadic soul was born. Starting his career in the outdoor environment industry, predominantly working with the young people of tomorrow, it seemed that although dynamic and challenging the opportunities to travel were limited. Always craving new people and new places, Tom gravitated into the adventure travel world and over the last few years has worked as guide and tour leader for a number of charity travel firms. As a new full time member of the Wild Frontiers team, Tom could be found behind a computer screen in the office in London or exploring whichever amazing destinations he has been sent on assignment to.

Russell Coleman

After studying law at university Russell made the decision to do a little traveling... 11 years later and his passion for travel and new adventures is as strong as ever. He worked for over 6 years an overland expedition leader, taking trips in South and Central America, Africa and Asia. However his passion for all things Latin soon drew him back to South America, and more specifically Colombia where he now lives and works in Manizales up in the Andean mountains. With Russell’s knowledge of Colombia, in no time at all you will get to discover the amazing diversity of this country and warmth of its people.

Michel Behar

Michel Behar has been in the tourism business since 1987. He has conducted tours on four continents from Tierra del Fuego to Jakarta and everywhere in between. He is specialized in desert tours and has a command of 12 languages. He has a keen interest in 19th and 20th century history, current affairs and world music.

Marc Leaderman

Narrowly escaping the "lawyer, doctor or accountant" stereotype career that is the fate of most North East London Jewish sons, Marc taught English in Romania & Japan before becoming a door-to-door salesman in Australia. He then spent the next 8 years as a UK tax-exile, tourleading a in a range of destinations, from North Korea to Mali, before finally returning to his London roots to head up the operations department at Wild Frontiers. Marc still enjoys leading tours whenever he can although he does find now that he has to pay some tax.

Konrad Bartelski

On December 13, 1981, at Val Gardena, Konrad Bartelski missed being the fastest skier on the planet by 11 hundredths of a second. Ski Sunday viewers went into orbit. So did the French commentator who shouted: "Ce n’est pas possible – c’est un Anglais!" It can’t be – it’s an Englishman! Today it’s creative, quality television programming that motivates Konrad Bartelski. But skiing is still in his blood and we at Wild Frontiers are both proud and excited to have him involved in our new Wild Skiing portfolio. In 1983, after skiing for Britain in three Winter Olympics, he retired from the World Cup circuit. But not from skiing. He quickly plunged into a new career: as a sports commentator. Even before his retirement from top-flight skiing, he was doing colour commentary for Ski Sunday, the programme on which he had already become an icon. He then moved seamlessly to a number of presentation and commentary roles on both TV and radio, including the Ford Ski Report (SKY) Olympic Grandstand, Carlton World Cup Ski Extra, Great Escapes (SKY) , Ski Reports for GLR and Classic FM, and Radio 5 Live’s "Off-piste". He has written for numerous publications, including The Guardian, Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Times, The Times, Ski and Board and Fall-Line magazines. Whilst not still bashing the slopes, he now lives in London where he works for the international sports channel ESPN Classic.

Colin Boyle

Colin’s first venture into Afghanistan was with the Mujahideen at the height of the Soviet occupation in 1985 whilst still an MA photography student at the Royal College of Art in London. Upon graduation he embarked on a career as a photojournalist covering over thirty countries, a further six conflicts and returning to Afghanistan on numerous occasions. Disenchantment with an increasingly sensationalist media saw him transfer his skills to the humanitarian field where he worked in Afghanistan for the United Nations as a Disarmament Demobilization & Reintegration Officer, collecting weapons & overseeing the destruction of thousands of tonnes of ammunition. A task he claims he would have paid to do. With over twenty years experience of the country, he has witnessed regimes come & go, resulting in a cogent & realistic appreciation of a culture as diverse as its geography. Currently resident in Kabul, he lives in the childhood home of the last King of Afghanistan.

Allaullah Khan

Attaullah Khan, nick-named Atta, is a native of the mountainous kingdom of Hunza. Being inspired by his uncle, Issa Khan, the most famous sherpa of early Himalayan and Karakorum expeditions, he chose the same field for his career. Soon his talents were acknowledged and he was picked by a leading Pakistani tour operator as mountain guide in 1986. Since then Atta has guided numerous treks and tours throughout Hindukush, Western Himalayas and Karakorum. He is an active member of Alpine Club of Pakistan who awarded him its prestigious “Kowasjee Medal” in recognition of his outstanding performances. He was member of the first Civilian Expedition on Diran Peak (7273m) and had been selected as member of the route making team on Passu Peak Expedition organized by Alpine Club of Pakistan. Atta also contributes towards his mountain community. He is founder member of Karimabad Boy Scouts and has served as the elected General Secretary of Karimabad Welfare Association. WF was so impressed by both his standard of guiding and his amicable and fun personality that in May 2008 they made him their first Pakistani group leader.

Sally Vergette

Sally Vergette has lived in Ecuador for 12 years, and started running horse here 10 years ago. On the Lincolnshire family farm she rode throughout her childhood, starting with pony club and hunting until she went away to University. As a teenager she competed in many riding competitions, including hunter trials and showing riding horses and hunters. Sally also rode side saddle and competed at national level (British novice junior champion). Riding horses for other people she was incredibly lucky to train under some top class instructors. In South America Sally combines a lot of the knowledge picked up by riding in many parts of Europe, North America and Africa, and concentrates on breaking and training her trail horses. She has also competed successfully in the local hunter trials in Ecuador, played polo and is hoping to compete in the endurance rides on one of her Anglo-Arab trail mares. The ‘Chagras’ (Ecuadorian gauchos) have taught her new skills such as lassoing and the all important avoiding being charged by angry fighting bulls!

John Potts

John caught the travel bug after leaving University and realising that the academic world wasn't nearly as much fun as the real world. After a few years of working for British Airways as an internal strategy consultant (and taking advantage of the cheap standby travel!) the call of the wild got too loud, and he packed his bags and set off round the world. 45 countries later, he found himself in South America and fell firmly in love with it's people and easy-going culture, eventually settling down and starting his own business in Quito, where he's been since 2002. With a passionate interest in environmental and community tourism, John has helped source and put together our Ecuador: Andes to Amazon tour, using his local contacts and we are thrilled to have him guiding our trips through this spectacular part of the world. When not guiding, John can be found cheering on Aston Villa and practicing his salsa dancing - he claims he's rubbish but improves with alcohol.

Cathy Bèrard

Catherine Bèrard was born in Buenos Aires in 1960 from a French family. Her relationship with horses started at the age of eight, when she participated in jumping competitions in the city of Buenos Aires. She studied musicotherapy and social psychology. In 1997 she felt that she needed a career change so she moved to Puerto Montt, Chile for developing the project of making tours across the Andes through the Puelo Valley, one of the lowest pass across this mountain chain. Since then she has been leading trips in South Patagonia, The Lake District, North of Chile, Bolivia and Peru. Her enthusiasm of riding and trekking took her to organize one of the best adventure trips in the region of Puelo Valley. While not guiding she also manages the family farm La Colina where she keeps the horses, most of them “mestizo Chilean Creole”. These horses are so smart and gentle that is the surprise of most of the guests. Since one year ago she is organising clinics of breaking horses in a soft way, Doma racional. Horses are her passion and she make sure that her horses and the ones of the people that are working with her are in excellent conditions.

Alicia Fox Pitt

Alicia was born in the saddle. Combine this with strong passion for travel and adventure and it was only right she should become allied with the riding side of our business. Her guiding began as a ski guide in Canada, America and France and has more recently moved from 2 skis to four legs. Always game for adventure she was part of the all female record-breaking crew that paddled the channel in a Chinese dragon boat in 2007; she has ridden for her country and has a degree in French and psychology from Edinburgh University. When not taking care of you and your horses she can be found studying at her books in the hope of one day reaching the end of her veterinary training, your horses are in good hands...

Hayley Bonner

Hayley has been globetrotting from an early age. By age 7 she was speaking Greek and scampering up Mount Olympus, by age 10 she was speaking Italian and leading her grandparents round the Forum in Rome and by 14 she was climbing the pyramids in Mexico whilst chattering away in Spanish to her friends. Her early love of travel and languages took her to study French and Spanish at university during which she lived in France and Spain. Following university she tried out international publishing in London and then entered the banking world, but her love of other cultures and travel prevailed. Upon leaving the City, she spent time in a cloudforest in Honduras working in conservation; her love for Central America led her to work as a Spanish interpreter for Raleigh International in Costa Rica and Nicaragua where she worked with remote indigenous communities. Working for Raleigh took her to the beautiful city of Mysore, southern India, where she wakes up to the sounds of the fruit seller calling out “mango, papaya, pineapple” and the tinkling of the oxen’s bells as they trundle past. Whilst exploring this amazing country she has trekked through tea plantations, kayaked along the Keralan backwaters and has thrown herself into learning the language. Hayley is excited about leading our clients through this country’s bewitching landscapes and rich culture.