When embarking on a safari adventure, there are several people who will add to your experience in a big way.
One of these is the humble African safari guide. Like anything in life, you get people who are better at what they do than others. That said, most of the safari guides are great. Some guides, however, are exceptional. Sometimes with the help of their tracker, read more here. What makes an exceptional guide? This is a difficult question to answer because the difference between a good guide and an exceptional guide often lies in the unnoticed subtleties of a gifted hand. The key characteristics are not necessarily skills, as most guides possess these, but rather personal traits of the individual.
What many guides and even guests do not realise, is that going on safari is not only about facts regarding animals or the bush – books and the internet offer ample information. While the odd fact or figure on a game drive is definitely interesting, what everyone is really after is what you cannot experience in a book or online – a genuinely wild African adventure. Enter the priceless nature of a trip to the great unknown depths of the ‘Dark Continent’, a place estranged to the monotony of western civilisation, balanced with the contrasting comforts of five star cuisine, and accommodation that panders to every creature comfort. On such an expedition, your guide will be the difference between a good trip to the bush and an extraordinary bush adventure.
The importance of your guide to your experience cannot be stressed enough. All guides, as a minimum requirement, should communicate well, be polite, approachable, knowledgeable, professional, attentive and respectful of the environment. These basic qualities are essential to any decent safari experience.
What makes a guide truly exceptional is their attention to detail, sense of humour, story-telling ability and total infatuation with the bush and Africa as a whole. Their enthusiasm should be contagious, infecting all within ear-shot, and their deep respect for the animals should be evident in everything they do. These qualities elevate an experience from the enjoyable to the unforgettable. A field guide with these qualities will lead you through the wilderness with complete confidence, not lecturing but creating an interactive experience focused on your specific goals and wishes. This will ensure total comfort and enthralment as you delve into the many mysteries of the African bush.
The best ways to experience the benefits of a truly exceptional safari guide? Get out of the Jeep and into the wild with a guided walking or canoeing safari. With the expertise of local guides and expert trackers, walking and canoeing safaris give you a chance to appreciate the harmony of nature and to experience the bush with all of your senses engaged, offering an intimate and enriching experience.
