Meet the pride
Our Story
Mpfuvu Manor is the bush home of Steve, Graham, Maja and Poddy the dog. Together we look after you during your stay assisted by Lista, our housekeeper. We’re a group of passionate wildlife and conservation professionals, with a mission to reconnect guests to their roots and maximise the spiritual luxury of this beautiful location
A team for over 20 years ago, Steve and Graham met when Graham was training Steve to be a Wildlife guide. This is also how Graham met, Maja, who is now his wife.
Safari Guide
Graham Cooke
Graham is a legend of the South African safari world. He is a highly distinguished and internationally renowned guide whose story of hand-rearing two leopard cubs and releasing them into the wild is told in the now-popular book – “My Life with Leopards”.
During your stay, Graham will immerse you into the natural world around Mpfuvu Manor and will provide an unparalleled level of insight and understanding of the animals we have the pleasure of living near. You’ll hear wonderful stories from his time in the bush while having once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Graham is a highly sought after private guide, often leading photographic, birding and predator safaris in South Africa. When you stay at Mpfuvu Manor you’ll have exclusive access to Graham and his knowledge from over 30 years in the bush. Should you opt to experience a safari with Graham during your stay, you’ll observe first-hand his passion for anything wild and natural.
Graham thrives on sharing his in-depth knowledge about the bush, reconnecting people with the natural world, giving clients more than just a South African lodge experience or safari but an informed look into the lives and understanding of the myriad of birds, animals, plants and insects Africa has to offer.
Safari Guide
Steve Mortimer
After meeting Graham on a guiding course over 20 years ago, Steve has spent long periods living in Kenya and Southern Africa. Since then, Steve has combined a successful career in the city as a business advisor with running Safari trips across Africa and running two pubs back home in his native Yorkshire.
When in South Africa, Mpfuvu Manor is Steve’s South African home. He enjoys taking guests out on safari, game walks and bush dinners.
Steve has a partner, three daughters and a herd of Belted Galloway Cattle at home in Yorkshire, England. They enjoy coming out to Mpfuvu Manor as often as they can (unfortunately the Belted Galloways have to stay at home!).
Wildlife veterinarian
Dr. med Vet. Maja Gudehus
Maja is a Swiss veterinarian and conservationist, who, 25 years ago, fell in love with Africa on her first job assignment as a wildlife vet in Namibia. Passionate about nature, conservation, and biodiversity, Maja has lived across west, central and southern Africa and loves sharing her stories to inspire to doing good.
Now married to Graham Cooke, Mpfuvu Manor is her African Bush home, where she adores making it a memorable stay for everyone.
Maja, has been involved in many wildlife veterinary and research projects, including monitoring black rhino on foot to giraffe translocation. Pangolins have a special place in her heart, this led to Maja managing the first pangolin rehabilitation, rescue, and research centre in Central African Republic. She is currently Co-Chair in a global pangolin charity.
Housekeeper
Lista Mohlala
Lista is the heart and soul of our South African lodge and has been with us since we opened. She has four beautiful children and comes from Acornhoek, a smaller town along the Kruger National Park. Lista enjoys welcoming new guests with a warm hug and helping them explore Mpfuvu Manor. During your stay with us you’ll smell and taste Lista’s delicious chakalaka sauce. A traditional South African relish with spicy seasoning.
Lista’s favourite animals are the buffalo and elephant.
Guard Dog (or not so much)
Poddy
Meet Mpfuvu Manor’s resident dog Poddy. He is extremely friendly and is always on the lookout for new best friends, from guests to giraffe, zebra and porcupine! At Mpfuvu Manor, he enjoys lazy afternoons by the pool and observing the Olifants river wildlife from the viewing terrace.
Stay with us
We’d love to hear from you. To enquire about staying with us please visit our enquiry page.