Meet The Team
Founding Members
Johan La Grange
Founder and previous owner of Amanzi
Johan La Grange is an outdoor enthusiast. As a senior school teacher, he began organising Orange River trips as a holiday activity in 1992. Amanzi Trails was established in 1998, and Johan then resigned from his teaching position due to the immense growth of the business.
He guided over 200 trips with Amanzi, primarily in the Richtersveld section. He was responsible for managing all logistics and operations and was involved with guiding as it allowed him more contact with Amanzi clients.
Johan owned Amanzi, alongside Colleen, from 1998 until August 2022.
Colleen De Villiers
Founder and previous owner of Amanzi
Colleen de Villiers joined Johan in 1996 and guided over 100 Orange River trips. She is also very passionate about the outdoors and adores being far away from city bustle and noise.
She is a former senior mathematics teacher. In 2007 she obtained a degree in pharmacy and locums as a pharmacist in Cape Town. In her time with the business, she managed all bookings and administration.
Colleen owned Amanzi, alongside Johan, from 1998 until August 2022.