Your Safari dream team – Africa’s most ‘badass’ guides

What could be better than ditching the daily grind for an adventure in the African bush? The early wake-up calls are a welcome treat (just wait until you have that first morning cuppa on Safari – pure magic), and the only worry you have is deciding which delicious African dish on the menu you’d like to try next.

Ultimately, no life-changing Safari is complete without a team of ‘bush badasses’—the Safari guides who know the savannah (and its inhabitants) like the back of their hand. Recently, I chatted with three of the most inspirational guides in Tanzania and Botswana. Get to know them below…

Introducing your Safari sidekicks

• Kakae: The MacGyver of the Maasai Mara

This Tanzanian trailblazer could probably build a hot air balloon out of acacia branches and zebra hide. He’s a master of survival skills, from wilderness first aid to navigating by the stars. But what really sets Kakae apart is his zest for the unexpected. He sees every sunrise as a new chapter on his adventure and is always excited to share that passion with his guests. Did I mention he wants to invite a termite to his next dinner party? Now that’s a conversation starter! If you're lucky enough to have Kakae as your guide, be prepared for a wild ride filled with laughter, learning, and a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. As he says, “Everything is connected. We humans depend on the intricate web of life – plants, animals, and even tiny microorganisms.”

• Moss: The eco-warrior of the Okavango

Moss, our resident expert on the Okavango Delta, is like a walking encyclopedia of all things wild and wonderful. This guy could probably identify a bird species by the sound of its wings flapping. He firmly believes that “Every encounter with a lion is special.” Their power and majesty never fail to leave him (and his guests) speechless. But Moss isn’t just about knowledge; he’s on a mission to protect our planet. He dreams of a day when every safari lodge is solar-powered, and his love for meaningful travel is seriously contagious.

• Dickson: The Chuck Norris of the Serengeti

Dickson, a fellow Tanzanian, is a bushcraft expert, a self-defence guru, and a fierce advocate for nature. But don’t let his tough exterior fool you – this guy has a heart of gold and a deep love for sharing the magic of the bush with others. If you’re blessed with Dickson as your guide, prepare for an adventure as thrilling as it is educational. He’ll teach you how to analyze animal tracks, identify edible plants, and even build a shelter from scratch. His favorite part of the job? Watching the awe and wonder on his guests’ faces as they discover the magic of the bush.

A message for Safari-goers summed up in one sentence

I asked the guides to tell me the one message they’d like to communicate to travelers preparing for their first Safari, summed up in a single sentence. Here’s what they had to say.

• Kakae’s pro tip: “Be prepared for anything!”

• Moss’s mantra: “Respect the ecosystem!”

• Dickson’s challenge: “Let’s make purposeful travel the norm!”

More than a vacation.

After learning more about these badass bush heroes, it’s clear they transform a Safari into much more than a much-needed vacation – but rather a chance to deeply connect with nature and yourself. It’s about waking up to the sounds of the bush, sharing stories as you scope out animals on a game drive or bush walk, and enjoying an authentic, unfiltered introduction to the untamed paradise of Africa.

Let’s chat Safaris.

Meet the fearless females guiding the way

The Safari industry, once a predominantly male domain, is undergoing a refreshing transformation. Women are increasingly making their mark in every facet of this field, from leading game drives and managing lodges to conservation initiatives and helping travelers plan their own bespoke Safari adventures [that’s me :)].

We recognize these women’s remarkable achievements and praise the way they’re fearlessly reshaping the Safari landscape.

Trailblazers in the Safari industry.
Just last year, Kimberlee le Hanie from Lion Sands made history as the first woman to win the Safari Guide of the Year award. Lucy Stofberg, a Safari guide at Singita Lodges, is another shining example of female excellence. Like most women in the Safari world, Lucy has a deep connection to nature, honed through growing up on her family’s farm in South Africa and going on epic family road trips to iconic national parks like Chobe, Hwange, Etosha, and Kruger.

Her message to other women is clear:

“If you love the bush, you belong there”

— Kimberlee le Hanie, First Woman to Win Safari Guide of the Year award

Empowering leadership.

Many lodges and camps are now also led by women, delivering great hospitality and personalized guest experiences.

Candice Mortimer, the marketing visionary behind Alex Walker's Serian Camps, one of our favorite places-to-stay in Tanzania and Kenya, is one such leader. Candice celebrates the increasing presence of women in management positions, noting, “There are more female guides, more female camp managers, more female advisors, and most of Alex Walker Serian’s clients are female buyers!”

This growing representation of women in leadership roles is slowly but surely creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry – and it’s inspiring a new generation of girls and young women to pursue careers that, just 10 years ago, they might never have even considered due to gender bias.

Here’s to these women’s stories – thank you for the way you’re ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for women, wildlife, and Africa as a whole.