Ben Kruger is a Program Leader and destination expert at Rustic Pathways. He has led 3 school group programs: Harrow School in Fiji (November 2025), Hong Kong International School's island hopping program in Thailand (2026), and a custom language immersion program in Bali and Lombok for Living School Australia (June 2026).
Ben grew up in South Africa, where he spent 29 years before joining Rustic Pathways, working as a safari guide and English teacher. On program, he brings that background with him: students on his trips end up stargazing on beaches, birdwatching between activities, and learning the names of whatever plants and animals cross their path.
Ben also writes and reviews Rustic Pathways’ destination and program guides, drawing on time on the ground to cover what students actually gain from traveling and what families need to prepare.
Latest
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Two seniors pushed the breakfast tables together in Thailand so all 20 students could eat as one group. Nobody asked them to. That is where confidence actually starts.
12 Fun Facts About the Philippines
Discover fun facts about the Philippines, from its 7,641 islands and record-breaking Christmas season to jeepneys, karaoke, rare wildlife, and a vibrant multicultural heritage.
Divemaster Training: Requirements, Cost & How to Become a PADI Divemaster [2026 Guide]
The full path to becoming a PADI Divemaster: prerequisites, swim and stamina tests, how the course runs, what it costs, and what the work looks like afterward.
Learn to Dive Abroad: How to Earn Your PADI Open Water Certification in Warm-Water Destinations
Earning a PADI Open Water certification in warm water. How the course works, where beginners should do it, and what to look for in a student dive program.