Our History in Brief
The Zamsato history began in Livingstone in 2007, with a big dream, a lot of paperwork and, for a while, a warehouse full of cement. Here’s how a German safari interpreter ended up running his own safari company in Zambia.
Who am I?
I’m Markus Daniel Schreiner, originally from Germany.
I came to Africa in 2005 to work as a mobile safari translator for Bush Ways Safaris in Botswana. My guides on many of those trips, Botoka “Betta” Kgari and Matengu Gabriel Mabuta, turned out to be wonderful teachers. Translating between English and German on every game drive, and joining Bush Ways’ yearly guide training, I learnt a great deal about the plants and animals of northern and central Botswana.
In January 2007 I moved to Livingstone. Since 2011 I have also guided in Zambia as a freelancer for Bundu Adventures / Adventure Purists.
Over the years birds have become a real passion of mine. And some things never get old: the first flowers after a long dry season, or simply watching elephants drink at a waterhole.
Zamsato history: how it all began
Zamsato was founded in September 2007. The name comes from Zambia Safaris & Adventours.
The plan from day one was to run mobile safaris. Getting all the required licences, however, proved far harder than expected. We still needed an income, so we put the safari plans on hold for a while and sold cement from a warehouse next to Livingstone’s railway station. Those days are long behind us: today Zamsato is all about safaris.
From cement to safaris
We never gave up on the original idea.
- 2013: Our very first safari, “Expedition Shoebill”, runs in July.
- 2014: More safaris follow.
- 2015–2016: We focus on marketing and move into our small house in Highlands, on an ancient Kalahari sand dune. It is still our office today, and our guesthouse, Kalahari Sand Ridge Inn, sits on the same dune.
- 2017 onwards: We run our own safaris with fixed departure dates, Under Canvas, as well as private, tailor-made trips, Safari Your Style.
Where we are today
We’re based in Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist capital and home of the Victoria Falls. From here we show our guests Zambia’s waterfalls, wildlife, culture and adventure activities, and we also travel beyond its borders.
Our guests come from all over the world, and we keep growing step by step. And the Zamsato history isn’t finished yet: in 2027, we turn 20.
Want to see what we’ve been up to? Find us on social media: just search for Zamsato.
Come with us
Experience Africa with Zamsato – Zambia Safaris & Adventours. Let’s do it. Together.
