How to Choose a
Photographic Safari Guide

All right, you have come to the point where you know you want to go on a photographic safari. Now it is time for the difficult choice. You need to choose a guide for your trip, and there are a good couple to choose from. Let's look at the main factors you need to consider before making your choice…

Accredited tourist guide

People are curious. Let’s say you are driving past a game lodge with a marvelously interesting history, playing an valuable part in the preservation of a species... Will you want to know about it? Yes, I am sure you would.

Different scenario. You need to be picked up at the airport. Your luggage has to be handled with care and transported safely to your lodge. You need someone trained to be competent in these things. Like (you guessed it!) a tourist guide.

Not too mention that it is probably illegal for the person to guide you if he or she is not accredited. You do not want hassles with the police on your dream safari!

Starting to see why I strongly recommend an accredited tourist guide for your trip? Contact the tourism board of the country you are visiting, and ask about tourist guide training and qualification.

Accredited field guide

You need a person who knows his wildlife, birds and trees. It is not of much help that you get an amazing photo of an Lanner falcon catching a dove, but your guide cannot identify either bird.

A good field guide will tell you much more than the name of the bird...

If you are not provided with an experienced field guide and tracker, at least make sure that the person leading your safari is capable to guide you.

Professional wildlife photographer

Also, you will need to know that the person trying to teach you about wildlife photography can at least take decent wildlife pictures himself.

Therefore, I suggest that you get a guide operating as a professional wildlife photographer.

Make sure your photographic safari guide can take good wildlife pictures.
Copyright © Dries Cronje

Photographic honours

Honours at one of these societies (especially those in countries where wildlife photography is a major pastime) will go a long way to show you that your guide is well versed in wildlife photography. The standard at these Societies' competitions and salons is very high, and obtaining honors from them is no easy task.

Good teacher

I suggest that you look at the information supplied by the prospective guide. His or her website and brochure will be a starting point... Does he or she sound like someone who can teach?

Someone with no passion for teaching and no patience with learners will not contribute to your photographic safari experience.

First Aid training

The last thing you want is for your dream vacation to turn into a nightmare vacation. Do your homework and make sure you travel safely in Africa and get back home in one piece.

While on the subject of safety, it is important to ensure that you will be traveling in a safe vehicle.

Resident of country visited

Also, a resident of the country you are visiting will be able to tell you more about the country, but more importantly the people of the country. An insider's view is so much more relevant than that of some independent third party.

Good communication and social skills

Try to ensure you go with a guide capable of entertaining you and handling difficult situations. Choose a guide who is someone you can approach easily with queries or comments.

Conclusion