Lutz Otto has a lifelong passion for adventure, wilderness, wildlife and habitat conservation, leadership and psychology. In 2005, as a vehicle to express this passion, he founded Spirited Adventures in parallel with his then corporate role.

He is a walking safari specialist and started leading multi-day wilderness backpacking experiences in 1989. He has led safaris, overlanding trips, mountaineering, rock and ice climbing trips across Southern Africa and Europe. His guiding style is interpretative and guest inclusive, interwoven with his abundant conservation wisdom. Lutz deeply understands the psychological and physiological benefits of spending time in natural environments, and firmly believes that exposure to raw wilderness helps shape who we continue to become.

One of only 40 guides globally to have achieved the Specialist Knowledge and Skills: Dangerous Game qualification, as well as an accredited assessor, he is both highly experienced and qualified. In 2015 he was awarded the Order-of-the-Bateleur for his conservation work. He has developed a specialist training program for working in Africa’s big game areas, is the founder of an Honorary Ranger Initiative in the Greater Kruger National Park, is an admitted member of the Game Rangers Association Of Africa, a recognised trails guide mentor and served for six years on the ExCo of the Field Guides Association Of Southern Africa.

Lutz has local and international experience in executive leadership at C-suite level which includes major turnaround and development initiatives. He is a business school graduate, with a skillset garnered on a foundation of extensive experience and numerous leadership, strategy and coaching programs. Having worked in diverse environments and travelled to 37 countries, he is comfortable in culturally diverse settings. He consults on specific assignments and collaborates with an expert group of associates to run wilderness-based leadership and self-development workshops. He co-facilitated the “Inner Adventure” and has written numerous articles that speak to wilderness, conservation, psychology and leadership.

To meet Lutz is to know his authenticity. He is direct and driven, yet compassionate and kind. He has worked through significant challenge as well as change in himself, and he is easily able to connect to others. His depth of holistic experience and veracity positions him uniquely to facilitate personal and leadership transformation for others.