As a boy growing up in Maun, Botswana, Richard Avilino spent hours sitting in his grandfather’s field, watching bushbucks play on the far bank of the Thamalakane River. Those quiet moments in a frontier town surrounded by wilderness sparked a lifelong passion for Botswana’s wildlife and a deep commitment to conservation.

Richard began his career in hospitality as a chef and safari lodge manager before completing his studies at the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute. He began guiding in 1998 and quickly earned Botswana’s highest professional guiding credentials. He also holds the prestigious Birding Certificate from BirdLife South Africa.

Fluent in Setswana, English and German—thanks to intensive language studies in Düsseldorf—Richard leads expeditions into the Okavango Delta, Kalahari, Chobe and Linyanti. His knowledge spans wildlife behavior, geology and Botswana’s cultural heritage, with a special interest in endangered species such as African wild dogs and wattled cranes.

More than a guide, Richard is a storyteller and educator who seeks to connect travelers not just to landscapes and animals, but to the history and conservation ethos of his homeland. His passion for preservation inspired him to write his first book, Good Night Botswana: Tales from an Expedition Leader, published in February 2025. The book won an international award in June 2025, recognized for its compelling storytelling and contribution to conservation awareness.