Legendary Guides
Over the last 25 years, we have built up the most incredible black book of contacts and forged long-lasting relationships with some of the top guides on the continent. Just as it’s our job to design the perfect African holiday, it is the guide’s role to work closely with you to create your very own personal safari story and leave you with memories of a lifetime. Whether you’re on the lookout for a certain species or want to witness your first-ever kill, they will go above and beyond to make this happen. Your guide will take you on a journey, from the tense anticipation of tracking prints and the dramatic moments of the chase to ending the day with an evening gathered around the campfire and reflecting on adventures had.
The guides we work with not only inspire you with their vast knowledge and thrilling stories but through their intense training and highly skilled and intricate tracking, can tell you exactly when wildlife is nearby. This high level of training means they are completely qualified to lead you through breath-taking landscapes and untamed terrain in a safe and secure way. There is no way to feel more connected with Africa than exploring it with someone who has spent their life dedicated to deciphering it. Through our team’s substantial experience in Africa, we have had the pleasure of meeting the people responsible for introducing you to the land and have the honour to call some of them friends.
Get to know your guides
George – guide at Ekorian’s Mugie Camp, Kenya
Born on the vast Laikipia plateau in northern Kenya, George’s early years were immersed in the rhythms of ranch life, where he tended livestock with his father. His journey took a poignant turn when thieves raided their homestead, leaving them without their cherished animals. ‘It was a defining moment that sparked my determination to forge a different path through education.’
When he eventually moved in with one of his elder brothers, who worked as a camel safari guide, new horizons opened. He found himself interested in what he was doing and eagerly embraced camp life, starting with humble tasks like washing dishes, stoking fires and chasing away monkeys. It was here that his fascination with birds took flight. ‘I dedicated my free time to observing and learning, which eventually led me to join a local bird-watching club. I became the youngest and most active member, catching the attention of the camp management and owners.’ Following his high school graduation, he sought to diversify his skills beyond the fields and the skies. He began volunteering at a garage which equipped him with basic mechanic skills crucial for the safari guiding realm before joining Ekorian Mugie Camp in 2013 as a driver and guide. He served as head guide here until July 2022 when he was promoted to operations manager and host.
Now he spends his days overseeing camp operations, extending warm hospitality to guests, and meticulously crafting their safari experiences. ‘My goal is to ensure every visitor departs with memories as vivid as the birds that once captivated my youthful curiosity.’
From a young boy herding livestock to a team leader in eco-tourism, his journey reflects the transformative power of perseverance and passion for the natural world. Each day reaffirms his commitment to sharing Kenya’s beauty with visitors from around the world.
Godwin Dhure – guide at Somalisa, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
As a qualified learner guide, Godwin’s journey into the industry was inspired by his profound love for nature and his passion for engaging with people from around the world. His enthusiasm for wildlife, especially wild dogs and elephants, is truly infectious, while his keen interest in birdwatching makes him an exceptional companion for avid birders and nature enthusiasts alike.
Guests who explore Hwange National Park with Godwin frequently commend his deep understanding of animal behaviour and his remarkable ability to spot and identify bird species. “In October 2022 I hosted and guided a group of photographers, and it was three gruelling days of trying to find the right subjects at the right time in the right place. On the last afternoon, we got to relax, and we went out on a normal drive. While driving I saw in a tree about 400 meters away a leopard. I stopped and tried in vain to point it out to the guests who tried in vain to use their cameras and binoculars to see the cat. Eventually, I used a different route and took us much closer and that’s when it dawned on them, there was a leopard in that tree. The happiness in the guests was palpable and we went on to become close friends.’
In addition to his professional skills, Godwin has a range of personal interests that complement his guiding career. His enjoyment of observing animal interactions adds depth to his wildlife tours, allowing him to explain the behaviours and relationships between different species. His passion for travelling enables him to connect with guests on a personal level, sharing stories and experiences that surpass the borders of Hwange National Park.
When asked about his favourite sighting, he said, “My favourite sightings will always be the ones that melt the hearts of my guests and create a lasting impression of the African wilderness in them. These also give me lifetime friends. There are many to recount, but this story is among my favourites. Sometime in September 2022 I had the pleasure of hosting and guiding two lovely elderly ladies who had been to four different camps before coming to Somalisa. They had seen it all and at one camp they were given as parting gifts a neck ornament with little carvings of the animals they had seen and only one remained that they had not seen, the cheetah. I could not promise that as nothing is guaranteed in the bush. We set out on each drive hoping to see that elusive cat. In between we saw everything else lion, leopard, elephants but no cheetah. On the last full day morning, I asked the ladies to be very fast in getting breakfast so we could have a head start and they obliged. We drove to an open area often frequented by cheetah. As we started looking around I jokingly remarked how every termite mound and log looked like a cheetah. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I spotted her, sitting on the top of a termite mound with her two sub-adult cubs. I stopped the vehicle and said to the ladies, there’s your wish come true, one for each night you’ve been here, a mother cheetah and her cubs. The look on their faces was priceless. Long story short, we spent time with the three and eventually witnessed a spectacular hunt and kill.” A win win for the guide and the guests.
Butati Nyundo – guide, primatologist, chimp expert and conservationist for Nomad, Tanzania
Butati has a long history with Mahale National Park. Born in the area, and with a father who was part of the original Japanese chimpanzee research project, it’s no surprise that Butati has such a passion for chimpanzees and the Mahale Mountains. Every school holiday, he’d go back to Bilenge and Kasiha, excited to hear his dad’s stories about the chimps. A few years later, while at private school in Katavi, he visited Katavi National Park and was blown away by the pods of hippos, herds of buffalo, giraffes feeding on the ground with front legs spread wide, and crocodiles digging caves in the banks. From that moment, he knew he wanted to work with wildlife for the rest of his life.
After studying for two years, Butati joined Tanapa and worked as a ranger and guide in Mahale for three years. His passion and knowledge meant he was noticed by Tim Lapage (safari expert), who recommended he would love working for Nomad. He joined Greystoke in 2014 and never looked back. To Butati, the chimps are like family; he knows all about their personalities, politics and behaviours and the Nomad guests love him.
He is passionate about so many parts of his job, especially watching the chimps’ dramas unfold. Meeting visitors and sharing his passion with them is another highlight. Butati’s mission is to connect people with nature, helping them understand and protect it through education and visits to the parks. Behind his cheeky smile there is a wealth of knowledge he is only too willing to share.
Butati is always a driving force behind Nomad’s community and conservation projects in the park and is heavily involved on the ground; watch this short film telling the story of the medical outreach programme in Katumbi.
Butati’s message to us all is clear: “For the sake of nature, wildlife, clean air, livelihoods, and everything we hold dear – we’ve got to fight for it.”
Baemule Siethuka – female guide at African Bush Camps
Born and raised in a small village in north-eastern Botswana called Tutume, Bae has been an integral part of African Bush Camps since 2021. Growing up she always dreamed of becoming a pilot, spending her early days on the farm herding the family livestock and helping with ploughing before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Public Administration. Her path took a turn after spending a weekend away on safari where she was introduced to the world of guiding by her incredible female guide. This chance encounter sparked a passion in her and after hearing about the African Bush Camps female guiding project she immediately applied and as they say, the rest is history.
What she loves most about her work is the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. ‘This is where I can showcase my skills, knowledge and most importantly the beauty of my beautiful Botswana.’ she says. With safari guiding still a largely male-dominated profession, with women representing less than 5%, businesses like ABC have begun to introduce female guiding programs that aim to break this barrier and bridge the gap. You can find out more about ABC’s female guide program by watching this video.
The people that make your safari happen are central to the success of your African holiday which is why we make it our business to get to know who we work with. These highly-trained, conservation-minded individuals have an intimate knowledge of the wild, from the landscapes, the locals and most definitely, the wildlife. Whether you have a keen interest in birding or are a budding photographer, we can pair you with a specialist guide best equipped to answer all your questions. Get in touch with us early to find out if there’s a certain guide you should team up that’s best suited to you.
What’s Next?
Let our team of safari experts help plan your holiday. All you need to do is send us an email or give us a call. We’ll ask some questions and start with some ideas, refining them until we have the perfect safari holiday for you.
Three wonderful stories Thank you
We very much hope that once our finances have settled and I no longer have my two young horses we will be able to holiday in Namibia and beyond once again Africa is a wonderful continent, long may it last.
Hi Primrose, thank you for your kind message. We look forward to helping you plan your next holiday to Africa in the future.