Skip to content
  • Camps & Lodges
Enquire
Menu
  • Story by: Pru Allison

Meet Our Characters: Maria Ramsden

  • June 18, 2019
  • People
  • June 18, 2019
  • People

What’s your full name?

“Maria Naledi Ramsden.”

Where are you originally from?

“My parents are both from Minneapolis and I was born in Kanye Botswana.”

What’s your background?

“I was born in Kanye Botswana to John and Dianne Mistelske. My parents were missionaries and decided to stay in Botswana. That is why I was born here, and I went to school in Lobatse until I was 11 years old, then my family moved back to Florida for education purposes and I moved back here in 2005.”

How did you come to work for Natural Selection?

“I do a lot of community work in the villages and as well in Khwai, when doing these projects Greg and Kelly Butler (partners in Khwai Private Reserve) were very supportive and that is when I came on board eventually as a full-time Community Liaison Manager as well as dealing with some of the HR wellness parts of the company.”

What is your job title?

“Community Liaison Manager.”

What is life like in Maun?

“I love life in Maun. It’s a small town with a big heart!”

Please tell us about the projects you’ve worked on previously

“I have worked on teen mother projects in Khwai and surrounding areas in Ngamiland, as well as adult literacy programmes, shelter, and clothing programmes, and working with women against rape.”

What are you working on at the moment?

“We just opened the pre-school in Khwai and at the moment I am working on the cultural village in Khwai and getting this ready for a village tour. We are also working on a project in partnership with the government that will teach the illiterate how to read and write.”

What’s a typical day for you?

“Busy! My day consists of running around, writing emails, traveling up and down to Khwai (by car as I don’t fly), checking on projects, and working on budgets for new projects.”

Which is your favourite Natural Selection camp?

“Hyena Pan – it’s home!”

Explore more

Read more stories

World Environment Day: Message In a Bottle

  • June 5, 2025
  • Pru Allison

Read Story

International Leopard Day in Khwai Private Reserve

  • May 2, 2025
  • Pru Allison

Read Story

International Hyena Day

  • April 25, 2025
  • Pru Allison

Read Story

No posts found
Back to all our stories
Stay in touch

Susbcribe to our
mailing list

We would love to keep you up to date and inspired with new stories. Sign up to receive our Natural Selection newsletter for giveaways, new engaging stories, videos, special offers and more! 

Get signed up

Reservations

  • reservations@naturalselection.travel
  • Tel: +27 21 001 1574

Marketing

  • marketing@naturalselection.travel
  • Tel: +27 21 001 1574
Full Contact Details

Natural Selection

  • About Natural Selection
  • Our Travel Magazine
  • View Our Rates
  • Watch Our Videos
  • In The Media
  • Explore Our Blog
  • Content Creators
  • Join Our Mailing List

Our Destinations

  • Botswana
  • Namibia
  • South Africa
  • Explore All Destinations

Plan a Safari

  • Explore Camps and Lodges
  • Browse Safari Packages
  • Private Safari Guides
  • Plan Your Safari
  • Special Offers
  • Enquire Now
  • TRADE LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Booking Terms & Conditions
  • Web Design by Kri8it Digital
  • TRADE LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Booking Terms & Conditions
  • Web Design by Kri8it Digital
Facebook-f Instagram Youtube

Explore

Botswana
Namibia
South Africa
Angola

Camps and Lodges

  • Tawana
  • North Island Okavango
  • Duke’s Camp
  • Duke’s East
  • Mbamba
  • Tuludi
  • Sable Alley
  • Little Sable
  • Elephant Pan
  • Skybeds
  • Mokolwane
  • Jack's Camp
  • Jack's Private Camp
  • San Camp
  • Camp Kalahari
  • Meno a Kwena
  • Thamo Telele

Camps and Lodges

  • Kwessi Dunes
  • Hoanib Valley Camp
  • Shipwreck Lodge
  • Safarihoek Lodge
  • Etosha Mountain Lodge
  • Safari House
  • Nkasa Linyanti

Camps and Lodges

  • Lekkerwater
  • GweGwe Beach Lodge

Expeditions

  • Angola Expedition

Start Planning

  • All Camps and Lodges
  • Safari Packages
  • Private Safari Guides
  • Plan Your Safari
  • Special Offers
  • View Our Rates
  • Check Availability
  • Enquire Now
  • All Camps and Lodges
  • Safari Packages
  • Private Safari Guides
  • Plan Your Safari
  • Special Offers
  • View Our Rates
  • Check Availability
  • Enquire Now

Natural Selection

  • Who We Are
  • Our Positive Impact
  • Our Blog
  • Our Safari Magazine
  • In The Media
  • Our Videos
  • Contact Details
  • Trade Login
  • Who We Are
  • Our Positive Impact
  • Our Blog
  • Our Safari Magazine
  • In The Media
  • Our Videos
  • Contact Details
  • Trade Login