Celebrating 35 years of extraordinary adventures in Africa has also been a time of reflection and nostalgia!
We invite you to take a moment and have a look at our fun timeline, which marks the highlights of our 30 years on safari.
The Beginning
Started private guiding business - John Stevens Safaris - having left Chikwenya. John and Nicci had built and managed the original Chikwenya Safari Camp. More
ZPHGA
Committee Member Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association - involved with examining of professional hunters and guides for a number of years. More 
Bartle Bull
Bartle Bull comes on safari to collect information for his book published in 1988 "Safari - a Chronicle of Adventure" ... still the definitive book on the subject. More 
Mana Pools
Established a mobile-tented camp in Mana Pools and Matusadona. All equipment was hired from Rooney’s, only had one second-hand 1971 Landrover. More 
Matusadona
Took the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe walking in Matusadona with his wife Mollie and friend, Singer Rankin... More 
John Dabbs and Yvonne Christian
Fortuitous meeting with John Dabbs and Yvonne Christian when they were working on the hardcover coffee table book with Laurie Watermeyer - "Zambezi”, described as a photographic journey along the mighty Zambezi River. More 
Our First Brochure
Proudly produced our first brochure, featuring Emily Dibb poem. All safari communications before then had been by post, then telex and fax! More 
Ruwesi Canoe Trails
Established Ruwesi Canoe Trails, a canoe operation along the Mana Pools shoreline More 
Shearwater
Sold share in Canoeing Safaris/Shearwater - the original canoeing operation on the Lower Zambezi River established by Eddie Rous in 1981 More 
Fothergill Island
Became part of the syndicate that bought Fothergill Island and Chikwenya Safari Camps. More Bushlife Zimbabwe
Started Bushlife Zimbabwe, a safari consultancy, with partner Yvonne Christian. More 
Safari Guides Company
Founding member of Safari Guides Company started by Michael Shirley Beaven – other members included well-known African guides...More
Hogwe Safari Camp
January 1, 1992 Started Hogwe Safari Camp, Omay Communal Lands - a joint venture with the Nyaminyami District Council. Got involved with local school, Nebiri – raised funds to put up an electric fence around the grounds so they could grow vegetables without being invaded by elephants and baboons! More 
Last Mana Pools Rhinos
Last rhinos taken out of Mana Pools - relocated to Matusadona IPZ, Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation and Save Conservancy. More 
Dawn to Dusk
Co-presented BBC Natural History Unit's Dawn to Dusk Zambezi River episode with Jonathon Scott. More 
Departures Magazine Feature
Media Accolade - Departures Magazine article featuring John "The Ultimate Southern African Safari". More Safari Guides Company
Mike Shirley Beavan hands over the Safari Guides Company to the guides - they don't do very well without him so SGC does not continue, although everyone remains good friends and it has provided a useful network. More 
East Africa Opportunities
Richard Bonham invites John Stevens to his safari camp, Sand Rivers in the Selous – idea is to start bringing clients into East Africa. More 
Conde Nast Traveler Feature
Media Accolade along with Calvin Cottar - Conde Nast Traveler article "into the Bush with the Best" . More 
Safaris in East Africa
John and Nicci visit northern Tanzania at the invitation of Mark Houldsworth, CEO of Nomad Tanzania - beginning of safaris in East Africa. More 
Tented Operation Moth-balled
Moth-balled the John Stevens Safaris tented operation due to total decline in tourism. More 
Financial Times article
Media Accolade – Financial Times article - The Best Guide Leads to True Safari Magic by Lucia van der Post. More 
UK Sunday Times Feature Article
Media Accolade - Brian Jackman refers to John Stevens in the UK Sunday Times as "the doyen of professional safari guides". More 
Tabby Ngoshi
Tabby Ngoshi, camp manager and friend, known by many of our guests, dies 30 September. More 
Wedding Bells
Briar, John and Nicci's eldest daughter, marries Dominic Passaportis in Australia. More 
USA Trip
John and Nicci travel to the States for a marketing tour and to catch up with old safari friends. More 
Mana Pools Tented Camp re-opens
Middle daughter Sarah and then boyfriend, now husband, Milo decide to take the tented camp out of moth balls, renovate and upgrade - rebrand The Mana Pools Safari Company. More 
Laura Davies
Laura Davies joins the team having been involved with John and Nicci on the creative copy and web design side (with equally talented Jacqui Taylor) for +10 years. More 
John and Nicci's First Grandchild
Briar gives birth to Oscar, John and Nicci’s first grandchild, in August. More 
More Wedding Bells!
Sarah, middle daughter of John and Nicci, marries Milo Harrup in December 2010 - in the beautiful garden at Nicci and John's home in Harare. Harare. More 
Celebrating 30 Years of Safaris
The Stevens celebrate “30 Years of Safaris” “I’m a safari guide. I’m a teacher. I’m a rhino tracker, a bird watcher, a fire maker, a protector and - a performer....More
John and Nicci’s Second Grandchild
Sarah gives birth to Imogen, John and Nicci’s second grandchild, in January. More 
The Zambezi Elephant Fund
Nicci and John Stevens, together with a group of like-minded friends and professionals, set up the Zambezi Elephant Fund, a collaborative organisation with a vision to help support elephant anti-poaching efforts and conservation throughout the Zambezi Valley, ensuring that these magnificent creatures, a global responsibility to protect, are around for generations to come. More 
John and Nicci’s Third Grandchild
Max Anthony Harrup is born to the Stevens’ middle daughter, Sarah and her husband, Milo. Max is brother to big sister, Imogen and grandson of Nicci and John. If John has his way, all his grandchildren (the other, Oscar, lives in Australia but visits when he can) will spend as much time as possible in the African bush, learning not just about wildlife and conservation, but also some of life’s most important skills and lessons. More 
John’s Camp
John and Nicci’s daughter, Sarah and her husband, Milo, partner with well-regarded Zambian operators, Robin Pope Safaris. The Mana Pools Safari Company’s tented camp becomes John’s Camp, named, of course, after Sarah’s legendary Dad! More 
Exploring Botswana
Nicci and Laura embark on a familiarisation trip of Botswana, visiting as many camps and lodges as possible in the Delta and Kgalakgadi regions, to update and gather information that’s so important to our itinerary design and planning in this very popular safari destination. More 
35 Year Anniversary
Nicci and John Stevens celebrate 35 years of extraordinary adventures. It has been the most incredible life, sharing our beautiful continent with clients who have become wonderful friends, and we look forward to many more years of fun. More