Constant Boshoff was born in the country ofTanyanika (now Tanzania) and grew up on a massive wildnerness reserve. His family emmigrated when the colonial government fell and moved back to South Africa where he met his wife Ralene. Although he was educated as a Chiropractor in the United States, Constant chose to start his practice and raise his 3 sons in the town of Middleburg South Africa. His passion for wilderness preservation stuck with him. He purchased a 300 hectarce piece of wilderness connecting the upper escarpment to the lower plains of Mpumalanga. With the help of some brave locals he carved out a wilderness retreat which eventually included a pool and waterslide, a kitchen, cabins, electircity, and even hot water showers! The property was for the pleasure of his friends and family, but around the campfire ideas of opening the retreat to the public began to sprout.
Politics in Africa have always been difficult and as a result, Constant eventually left South Africa to pursue his career as a chiropractor in the United States. Although he no longer had a reserve to call his own, the dreams built around the campfire did not die.
He sold his chiropractic business in South Dakota, and instead of retiring, found a 300 hectacre farm in the remote Savegre valley of Costa Rica. The symmetry between the first property and the second were remarkable. No roads, no electricity, no infrastructure, just what the doctor ordered! The farm had plenty of fresh water, he had three sons in process of finishing university and a village that was starved for new opportunity. A new camp fire was built, and Rafiki was born!
Today, Rafiki sees guests from around the world, Constant's sons have taken charge of building and running the business. He and his wife live near by where he stills sees patients as a chiropractor. He visits the lodge quite a bit and has enough stories to go around! Carlo Boshoff and his wife Janel, with their two sons Tiaan and Johannus are the managers of the lodge. Carlo and Janel are both biologists and have learned how to not only survive in a tropical jungle, but thrive and raise a family while enteratining the guests and dealing with logistics of the business. Lautjie Boshoff and his wife Mauren with their son Noah and daughter Acacia currently run the Rafiki Beach Camp. They have been involved with creating the business, Lautjie is also a biologist and likes to be out on the trips. He is leading the pursuit of the conservation projects of Rafiki.Mauren runs the reservation office, and loves building gardens.
