Dr. Michael Riffel | Director & Founder
Michael, a biology graduate from the University of Heidelberg with a PhD in fish genetics, founded RIFCON GmbH in 2000, a company dedicated to consumer protection, environmental conservation, and chemical authorization. In 2014, he launched Luambe Conservation Ltd. in Zambia, where he established the Luambe Safari Camp in Luambe National Park, highlighting his commitment to ecotourism and conservation. After founding the Caring For Conservation Fundin 2020, Riffel and his son founded Nsanga Conservation Zambia Ltd. in 2021, furthering their conservation and research efforts in the region. In 2022, Michael has founded Faunomics, a company that specializes in precise Biodiversity Assessments and Monitoring, utilizing advanced scientific methods to analyze ecosystem dynamics.
Tom Riffel | Director & Founder
Tom, an ecology and conservation science graduate from the University of Suffolk, has been involved with RIFCON GmbH in Germany, where he gained experience in field biology techniques such as mammal telemetry, reptile telemetry, and bird trapping. In 2020, he joined the board of the Luambe Conservation Ltd. in Zambia, contributing to tourism and conservation work in Luambe National Park. His role in advancing conservation efforts extends through his involvement with Caring For Conservation Fund a German public-benefit company dedicated to supporting nature conservation and the establishment of Nsanga Conservation Zambia.
Geofrey Zulu | Conservation Technician
Geofrey, a wildlife management graduate from Copperbelt University in Zambia, joined Nsanga Conservation in 2023 as a research intern to lead a project on Lesser Galago speciation in Luambe National Park. His expertise in wildlife management is complemented by his deep cultural knowledge and a diverse set of technical skills. Geofrey’s responsibilities include overseeing technical operations like EarthRanger, camera traps, and bioacoustics. He also supervises other Zambian research interns and plays a key role in planning and executing community-based projects.
Penius Lungu | Chef & Community Outreach
Penius, a graduate of the Chitungulu Conservation Clubs and a trained chef, joined Nsanga Conservation in 2022. Along with preparing a variety of meals for the team, he leverages his extensive social network within the Chitungulu Chiefdom to bolster the organization’s community outreach and engagement efforts.
Peter Zimba | Camp Maintenance
Peter, a graduate of the Chitungulu Conservation Clubs and a trained mechanic, joined Nsanga Conservation in 2023. In addition to his role as a housekeeper at the conservation campsite, he helps the team by resolving mechanical issues and assists Penius with kitchen tasks. His upbeat attitude adds to the positive energy throughout the team.
Francis Sinkala, 2022, Copperbelt University
Stephen Nkatha, 2023, Chitungulu Conservation Club
Geofrey Zulu, 2023, Copperbelt University
Max Sterk, 2023, Amakali Conservation
Freya Santana Cubas, 2023, Amakali Conservation
Jason Savage, 2023, Jason Savage Photography
