About Us

Who We Are

The Tembele collection of eco-tourism and ecological services has been created through the dedication, perseverance and passion for our environment by its founders Joe & Lisa Grosel, who between them had in excess of 50 years’ experience in the industries they represent. The ethos of the companies within the Tembele collection has been created to provide unsurpassed attention to detail and excellent service so as to ensure that each individual that is exposed to any of our services leaves enriched and inspired by the powers of nature.

In 2021 our world changed forever when we lost Joe to Covid. Joe’s incredible intellect and affinity to nature and the natural world was surreal. His wealth of knowledge was imparted with passion and comprehension; he had the ability to make everyone that knew him feel as if they were the most important person in the world, while his interpretation of ecological phenomenon’s left one in awe. Fortunately his wealth of knowledge has been captured in his course material and the training manuals and we are blessed to be able to continue presenting his courses to the public. Joe was instrumental in identifying and training many bird and nature guides throughout South Africa and presented various courses for South African National Parks, the Tracker Foundation and for the public at large. Note only was Joe an incredible teacher but he was a renowned ornithologist and ecologist. His legacy lives on at Tembele as we continue to provide an array of eco-services and tours with passion and excellence.

Lisa Grosel

Lisa & Joe Grosel

Lisa Grosel

Joe Grosel

Lisa Grosel

Owner/Director | Natures Way & Tembele

Meet Lisa. Nature’s Advocate.

Lisa initially began her career in the veterinary corps of the South African Medical Services where she was involved with veterinary and wildlife management projects. On completion of her tertiary education in natural sciences and conservation she went on to work as an operations manager on a horseback safari operation in the Okavango Delta and then as a field guide in the Kruger National Park.

In 2001 Lisa started her own operation in the eco-tourism field, specializing in photographic and horseback safaris in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. She is a registered guide with both THETA and FGASA.

Tarry Butcher

Naturalist-Tour Guide | Tembele

Tarry Butcher was born and raised in Namibia, where his interest in birds was kindled at an early age.

He spent much of his childhood exploring the vast open areas of the dry Namibian wilderness, where his love for birds and animals grew. His interest in and knowledge of wildlife in general, and birds in particular, drew him inevitably to a career in guiding. That interest was further developed during his studies in Game Ranch Management in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and he undertook additional travels to explore different areas of South Africa in search of new birds in different habitats.

After working as a Naturalist-Guide in the region for eight years, Tarry made the jump to guiding birding groups in both Namibia and South Africa, with his past experience as a solid base. He has also traveled to other parts of Africa, where he has always been keen to learn about new birds.

Tarry’s easy-going nature, his sense of humor, hosting, and logistical skills, and his yearning for adventure, coupled with his passion for sharing his love of nature with people of all ages, make him an excellent guide.

Lance Robinson

Avifaunal Specialist & Bird Guide | Tembele

Lance Robinson is an enthusiastic observer of nature with a keen interest in birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.

He is reading for a Master’s in Science and works as an avifaunal field specialist and freelance bird guide. He’s currently the Honorary President, a former chairman of the Witwatersrand Bird Club, and a past ExCom member of BirdLife South Africa.

Lance is keen to share his birding passion with others and presents beginner’s bird courses and other birding-related presentations to bird clubs and at the annual BirdLife South Africa African Bird Fair. Lance is an active citizen scientist and an invited part-time lecturer for bird identification and bird ecology.