Managing Director
Tony Thorne first visited Guyana in 1988 as a Project Leader with Operation Raleigh and loved the adventure and rawness of the country. He returned in 1991 to watch the West Indians and Australians battle out a test match at Bourda Cricket Ground and decided to stay and accept a position to manage Timberhead Rainforest Resort. In 1994, when he started Wilderness Explorers, tourism was still mostly undeveloped, and the company took on the challenge of marketing Guyana internationally.
Tony was the first President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana in 1991 and served for numerous years on the board in various positions including Vice President. Over the years he has travelled extensively throughout Guyana and also the neighbouring countries to find suitable properties, locations and communities to work within developing tourism to the region. After all these years he still marvels at the majesty of Kaieteur Falls and its pristine environment. Tony enjoys great satisfaction in working with local communities developing their tourism products.
Managing Director
Director
Shaun graduated in 1982 from the Dublin College of Catering with a H. Dip in Hotel Management and from Trinity College Dublin with a B.Sc. He has worked in hotels in Ireland, the UK, Trinidad, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Guyana. He first arrived in Guyana in 1989 as Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel and started Cara Hotels in 1994 with business partner Paul Stephenson. He currently serves as CEO of the company which includes Cara Lodge Guyana and Cara Suites in Trinidad.
Shaun has been involved in tourism development in Guyana for over 30 years and served four terms as President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana.
Director
Director and UK Representative
Claire Thorne has been our UK representative since 2003, based in the English countryside but also travelling around the world to represent Wilderness Explorers at various travel and media events. In 2018 Claire totally updated the 3rd edition of the Bradt Guide to Guyana. Claire has travelled extensively in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, the Caribbean and Latin America and was the Executive Secretary of the Latin American Travel Association in the UK for 17 years.
She particularly enjoys trekking, visiting local markets and village schools, shopping for local jewellery and art wherever she goes and of course sleeping in hammocks after a busy day on the river or in the rainforest. Highlights from her many trips to the region include dancing with Maroons in Suriname and the Makusi children of Surama, watching a giant anteater swim in a natural pool in the savannahs near Karanambu, sipping coffee at dawn gazing at the mist-shrouded gorge at Kaieteur Falls as the sun rises and eating delicious Asian noodles in the market at Cacao, a tiny Hmong outpost of French Guiana.
Director and UK Representative
Company Secretary and Financial Controller
Monica has worked in the hospitality and tourism business for many years and brings with her a vast amount of experience and knowledge. She heads up the day to day financial activities of the company, including; analysis of the books, reporting on the state of the company’s finances, cash flow, producing accounts, setting and checking targets, auditing and overseeing all tax and regulatory/compliance issues. She enjoys the outdoors especally exploring Guyana’s Rupununi Savannahs and all of its undisturbed wonders.
Company Secretary and Financial Controller
General Manager
Carla Vantull joined Wilderness Explorers as the General Manager in August 2022. Ms. Vantull, a well-known local tourism expert / professional with vast experience in organisational and financial management, business development support, destination planning, marketing and management.
With over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, she has a strong background in the public sector as a former Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority and hands-on knowledge of the tourism industry and sub-sectors. These were all key in developing frameworks and programmes to deliver tangible results for the industry, more recently the national COVID-19 reopening framework for the tourism industry, which included restaurants.
In addition to her experience working with indigenous communities, Carla is a proud native of an Akawaio Indigenous Community, Kamarang (Region 7), and has a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of the indigenous peoples and communities, and has been instrumental in providing guidance and support to indigenous communities entering the tourism industry.
Carla enjoys travelling, and exploring new places, and is passionate about sharing her experiences, especially when leading tours. Carla is a natural leader, and she’s always up for a challenge. She’s passionate about her work and is continuously looking for new and innovative ways to develop and promote destination Guyana.
General Manager
Deputy General Manager & Trip Planner
Delice has been with Wilderness since April 2002 and has extensive travel experience across all Guyana’s best – and least-known – spots. She has also spent a fair amount of time in neighbouring Suriname and French Guiana and is especially fond of the Saramaccan Maroon villages along the Gran Rio of Suriname. Delice got her start at Wilderness as an administrative assistant but soon found she had a particular knack for the trip planning process. A good thing, too, since she was able to help the company manage a steadily growing demand for customised itineraries. These days, she designs VIP, FIT, and speciality programs for bird and nature groups. She is also our resident expert on organising film crew visits and has worked with many reputable names including the BBC, ICON Films, National Geographic, CNN and many others.
Deputy General Manager & Trip Planner
Administrative Assistant
Antoinette, fondly known as Annie, is a very patriotic and a long-time member of the Wilderness Explorers family. She is often referred to as ‘the glue’ of the company; she is the person who connects customers with trip planners and coordinators. Annie is delighted to be a part of Guyana’s growing tourism industry and is ready to assist both clients or colleagues with their questions, concerns or requests. Her cheerful, friendly personality is infectious, and chances are if you send us an email or connect with us via the web chat system, you will most likely end up on the line with Annie.
Administrative Assistant
Senior Trip Planner
Amarylis Lewis has been instrumental in keeping the dynamic and creative trip planning and operations wheels of Wilderness Explorers turning since 2007. She has travelled extensively in Guyana and neighbouring Suriname where she acquired first-hand experiences which she uses to create exceptional itineraries.
Amarylis refers to herself as a ‘utility player’ which is evident in her ability to seamlessly switch between roles, from trip planner to tour coordinator, to logistics and operations. She enjoys her position very much as it gives her flexibility in her work. She enjoys the friendly, authentic hospitality of the Maroons in Suriname; this is her favourite place to visit.
Senior Trip Planner
Trip Planner
A former University of Guyana student- Business Process Outsourcing Tourism graduant who is a dedicated, versatile and self-motivated individual that loves traveling and experiencing outdoor excursions.
Donna comes with over 10 years of experience in the Business Process Outsourcing industry as a customer service representative supervisor. From here, she has honed the interpersonal skills required to be a Tour Coordinator.
She always wears a bright and welcoming smile which our guests love to see.
She aims to travel and experience every square inch of this untouched gem (Guyana) and be your ultimate tour guide one day.
Trip Planner
Tour Coordinator
Tishana joined the Wilderness Explorers team in February 2023 as a tour coordinator. She is an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable, responsible and hardworking person. She is a great team worker and adaptable to any challenging situation. Her experience working in the hotel industry significantly impacts her commutation skills. Tourism is also a great interest. She has an enticing joy for Nature and animals and hopes to learn more about our beautiful country. Guyana.
Operations Officer
Tour Coordinator
Shonnette joined the Wilderness team in September as a Tour Coordinator. Her love for touring and adventure is a plus since she’s also practicing to be a Tour Guide and has hope to lead her own tours someday. Willing to learn and help around the office she’s very hands-on and ready to take on new roles and responsibilities. Her cheerful demeanor makes a difference when communicating directly with clients and she always shows a positive side.
Tour Coordinator
Tour Coordinator
Tour Coordinator
Project Administrator
Jennifer is our Projects Administrator based in the Rupununi, with many years of experience working with various wildlife projects in Guyana and in the United States, including creative positions in social media management, marketing, web design, as well as other managerial roles such as collecting data and analyzing endangered species behaviors. She is currently focused on product development and relationship building for our Rupununi tourism circuit. Jennifer loves art, design, ceramics, and the outdoors. She loves the wild and open air of the Rupununi and serves our office from the interior. Jennifer has a passion for wildlife, the arts, and eco tourism. She loves traveling above all and loves to share those experiences with other adventurous souls.
Project Administrator
Administrative Officer
Jumaine is an administrative professional with a strong foundation in office management and operational support. As an Administrative Officer within a dynamic tour operating company (WE), he plays a pivotal role in ensuring smooth daily operations.
Jumaine is a responsible, trusted confidant, serving as the Personal Assistant to the General Manager. In this capacity, he adeptly manages the General Manager’s demanding schedule, coordinating meetings, transportation, and events with precision. Beyond these core functions, Jumaine offers invaluable support to the Human Resources department, contributing to the overall efficiency and success of the organization.
Administrative Officer
Accounts Assistant
Accounts Assistant
Accounts Assistant
Digital Marketing Specialist
Walid Bin Alam, a seasoned Digital Marketer, carved a niche in eco-tourism with over four years at Blue Sky Wildlife, UK, where he excelled in enhancing the digital presence of hundreds of global tour operators. His notable stint with PromPeru and Spanish Tourism marketing honed his skills in international tourism promotion. Passionate about sustainable practices, Walid aids various wildlife tour groups in bolstering their online operations. He recently embarked on a new journey with Wilderness Explorers in 2023, further committing to eco-conservation. Among his significant projects, managing the UK Birdfair’s marketing campaigns in 2019 and 2022 stands out, showcasing his dedication to conservation awareness through strategic marketing efforts.
Digital Marketing Specialist
Reservation Agent
Davy’s extensive experience in the local Aviation industry makes him an invaluable asset to Atta Lodge. As a Reservation Agent, he possesses exceptional knowledge and expertise that allows him to excel in his role. He works closely with a dynamic team to guarantee the smooth flow of operations, ensuring that every guest receives a remarkable and one-of-a-kind experience.
Davy’s unwavering passion for helping others is reflected in his dedication to providing outstanding customer service. He goes above and beyond to ensure that every guest’s needs and expectations are not only met but exceeded. Davy’s attentiveness and genuine care for guests create an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality at Atta Lodge.
By actively managing reservations and attentively coordinating with the team, Davy ensures seamless operations at the lodge. His ability to handle diverse situations and adapt under pressure allows Atta Lodge to consistently deliver exceptional service to its guests.
Overall, Davy’s exceptional skills, passion, and commitment make him an integral part of the Atta Lodge team. His unwavering dedication to providing excellent customer service paves the way for unforgettable experiences, ensuring that every guest leaves with fond memories of their time at Atta Lodge.
Reservation Agent
Spanish Representative
Michel L’ Huillier is our Spanish Representative based in Barcelona, Spain. He is a trained industrial engineer, and worked as an investment banker in his native Chile. In 1994, he found his love for photography and changed his career to become a photojournalist, focusing on travel and cultural, ethnographic, religious and social subjects. He has travelled and researched assignments in more than fifty countries, mostly in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and has published more than a hundred of his articles in diverse Spanish and international media. He has also appeared in two major feature films, including the IMAX production “The Mystery of the Nile”, led overseas tours and, since 2010, directs a marketing and commercial agency specialized on representing tour operators and touristic products worldwide in European markets, with special emphasis in Spain, and Latin America.
Spanish Representative
Driver
Ryan is from the small village of Rupertee in the North Rupununi savannahs. He started as a Manager at Atta Rainforest Lodge before moving across to be the driver of the Wilderness Explorers bus, based at the lodge. Having lived all his life in this remote part of Guyana, he knows all the tracks and dirt roads like the back of his hand and moves his guests in comfort and safety.
Driver
Driver
Omadat is from Ogle on the east coast of demerara. He’s our main Driver and has been working for wilderness explorers since October of 2020. He has a passion for his job and has been driving since 1996. His hobbies include fishing and traveling.
His 25+ years of experience as a driver includes driving for the foreign affairs ministry, public transportation, and tourist on fishing trips. Having all of those experiences around Guyana, he has become one of the most efficient drivers on the wilderness team always getting praised by our clients for his safety and expertise
Driver
Driver/Office Assistant
Shamir Khan hails from Yupukari, a small village in the central Rupununi region of Guyana. With deep ties to his community, he has served as a prominent figure, including roles as a tour guide and a member of the Board of Directors for Caiman House Incorporated. His leadership experience also includes serving as Toshao, the chief of his village, where he played a pivotal role in community development and cultural preservation.
Currently, Shamir works as a driver and office assistant at Wilderness Explorers, where he continues to promote eco-tourism and connect visitors with the natural beauty of his homeland. An avid fisherman, Shamir cherishes opportunities to engage with nature, reflecting his commitment to the environment and traditional practices.
Driver/Office Assistant
Accounts Assistant