Safari Guides Of Africa

Safari Guides Of Africa

Going on safari is like no other holiday – the thrill of travelling across the African landscape by safari vehicle, on foot, by boat, canoe, bike or even balloon can never be beaten, but it certainly can be enhanced if you are in the company of the right African safari guide.

Africa is blessed with a phenomenal diversity of experiences, and a phenomenal collection of some of the world’s finest safari guides, many of whom can be booked exclusively to lead your once-in-a-lifetime safari holiday. African safari guides come in all shapes and sizes, with specialities encompassing everything from birding, tracking and the big cats, to working with families and the younger safari go-ers.

The right African safari guide can make or break a safari so Africa Travel take great care in matching the right guide to the right client. A safari guide is an ambassador offering a window into their country’s offerings, engaging with clients and introducing them to a destination’s attractions, wildlife, culture and people. Many hours can be spent in their company exploring the wilds of Africa so it is essential that they are not only knowledge, but also personable. They will need to know not only how to track a lion, which bird is calling overhead, whose dung has been left behind, and where to find that elusive leopard – but also how to keep a vehicle full of weary tourists entertained and engaged with their surroundings. They need to have stories to share and facts to impart.

Booking a private safari guide is one of the ultimate travel experiences possible in Africa.

A private guide will learn from their guests exactly what their interests or safari goals are, and what it is that they wish to see or enjoy, and will tailor the safari accordingly.

You want to stay out all day on safari? Are keen on trying to see wild dogs? Have a particular interest in birding? Want to try a spot of fishing in the Zambezi? Or would like to spend time with elephants? With the right private safari guide in the right area – no problem.

The best safari guides have spent years or even decades perfecting their skills in the great African outdoors – they understand animal behaviour, and can keep a cool head, ensuring guests’ safety at all times. They know their subjects, and can identify the right species just from their call, their tracks or their movements.

Who are the best African safari guides?

With thousands to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow things down, but Africa Travel have spent many years working with some of Africa’s best safari guides, and below is our top 10 selection of private safari guides.

A true Masai, Jackson Looseyia is the owner of Rekero Camp and a presenter on the BBC’s Big Cat diary. Born in the bush, he has spent the last 50+ years exploring the plains of East Africa, building a reputation as one of the region’s foremost and cherished safari guides.

Another Kenyan star is the owner of one of the country’s oldest safari properties, the renowned, family-run Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp – Calvin Cottar. A gregarious safari guide, Calvin brings his family history and wealth of safari knowledge and experience to any safari which he guides.

When your father was the safari pioneer and crocodile hunter Jack Bousfield, it was not difficult to see the guiding path that Ralph Bousfield would follow as took over the running of Jack’s Camp in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans. A real safari raconteur, Ralph is an extraordinary guide whose knowledge and personality always brings plenty to the safari party.

A giant of a Zimbabwean guide, Andrew ‘Stretch’ Ferreira stands over 6’6” and is often referred to as being the Elephant Whisperer of Mana Pools. He has been leading private safaris in the area for almost 30 years and is even able to identify individual elephants and lions.

Also hailing from Zimbabwe is the legendary John Stevens, a former warden in Mana Pools who once led anti-poaching patrols but now leads wonderful mobile safaris in the same area. His tracking skills and knowledge are unsurpassed and he is known for his enthusiasm and love of walking safaris.

Making up the triumvirate of Zimbabwean safari guiding gods is the inimitable Steve Edwards, also a former warden who now owns and operates the Musango Safari Camp in the Matusadona National Park. His love of the wild and passion for all things rhino are renowned, and his name regularly pops up in any list of Africa’s top safari guides.

Across the border in Zambia can be found the charismatic Shaddy Nkhoma – a star of the South Luangwa Valley. Working with Norman Carr Safaris, (who was also a legend in his time), Shaddy knows this region like nobody else and leads private safaris with flair and a style of his own.

South Africa is home to some superb safari guides, with none finer than Juan Pinto, a Master Tracker and one of only ten Professional Guides in the world with FGASA Scout status. Based at Royal Malewane, Juan has also implemented a Guiding and Tracking Apprenticeship programme, and has been very active in leading anti-poaching projects.

For those botanically–minded, Christine Grant, one of the leading horticultural safari guides, can be found in Cape Town. Her passion for all things floral has led her to work closely with Africa Travel for many years, escorting numerous groups and clients around the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The final nod is not just to one African safari guide, but to a family of them – the Schoeman brothers – Bertus, Andre, Leon & Henk. Following in the pioneering footsteps of their father Louw, today they lead remarkable flying safaris along Namibia’s Skelton Coast, giving the lucky few a safari experience which will live long in the memory.

Why book your African safari guide with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating dream trips to Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise your African safari guide in this iconic continent than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect safari guide and as all of our staff have travelled the continent and been guided by some of the very best African safari guides themselves you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the holiday you have always dreamed of. We even have staff living in Africa to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.

Our years of knowledge mean that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best time of year to go on safari, the best safari camps or lodges to stay at, and the best African safari guides, experts and tour guides to assist you.