Professional Safari Guides and the Benefits of a Private Guided Safari
In our latest post, we take a look at why working with a professional safari guide is critical to the overall guided safari experience, and why working with a professional safari company like Sundowner Safaris to plan your next guided safari or private guided safari is the right choice!
Professional Safari Guides
As the name would suggest, a professional safari guide is a trained and experienced professional who leads visitors on safari through African national parks and private reserves. Professional guides possess extensive knowledge of the local ecosystem, animal behavior, and cultural history, with many professional safari guides also having undergone intensive training programs that include education in conservation, ecology, natural history, bushcraft skills, first aid, and communication techniques. Put simply, your safari guide is a critical component of a successful safari and your overall experience.
Here at Sundowner Safaris we only work with professional safari guides when booking your guided or privately guided safari. Which leads to the question, what type of safari is best? Read on!
Types of Safari
Whilst there are many ways you can enjoy a safari, there are three common types of safaris, namely:
Self-drive safaris
Guided Safaris
Private Guide Safaris.
Self-drive Safari
A self-drive safari is an essentially the DIY approach to exploring the African wilderness without help from a professional safari guide. With a self-drive safari, you will be responsible for all of the trip research, planning and making reservations for your travel party, including the rental of an overland vehicle for the trip. Whilst this approach is popular with African locals who know the region and have local knowledge, we don't recommend self-drive safaris for visitors to the African continent (and the reason here at Sundowner Safaris we only work with planning guided or private guided safaris).
Guided Safari
A guided safari on the other hand is a great way to explore and experience the African wilderness, without the hassle and work associated to planning your own self-guided safari. In general, when on a guided safari you will visit multiple lodges/camps where each lodge/camp will provide their own safari guide who will take you on your scheduled activities.
When working with a professional safari company such as our team here at Sundowner Safaris to book your guided safari, we focus on planning a trip for you that gives you an authentic, immersive bush experience and hence we only choose safari lodges and camps that we personally know and have enjoyed. These lodges and camps all have knowledgeable guides, focus on conservation and in addition give back to their local communities. Where possible we also steer away from lodges/camps which are close to large cities or towns, in an effort to avoid overcrowding of the reserves and dampening your safari experience (BBC recently ran this article about overcrowding in Kenya, something we aim to avoid on our safaris).
Private Guided Safari
With private guided safaris, you experience the wonders of the African bush with a more unique and enriching experience. The main difference between a private guided safari and a guided safari, is that on a private guided safari you have your own professional safari guide dedicated to your trip and who will travel from destination to destination with you.
What are the Benefits of Privately Guided Safaris?
Privately guided safaris offer you the most unique safari opportunities to experience the best of Africa. From unmatched wildlife sightings to discovering some of the most diverse cultures, privately guided safaris provide you with a more personalized and tailored experience than a guided safari.
Your Own Professional Safari Guide
On a private guided safari you also enjoy the benefit of having your own private safari guide for the duration of your safari (like our own Benson Siyawareva), who is extremely knowledgeable and familiar with the terrain, local flora and fauna, ensuring your safety and experience throughout safari. Your professional safari guide will be chosen to suit your individual needs, and they will be familiar with your preferences and any specific interests by the time you go to Africa.
Having your own private safari guide also brings the ultimate in flexibility in the wilderness, allowing you to focus on the things you really want to see and do, and overall enabling you to have a continuous safari experience.
A Stress Free Experience
Traveling to Africa for the first time can be an intimidating experience, particularly for those not as well traveled (see also our informative first time safari tips and guide blog). From unfamiliar cultures to unknown destinations, taking on such a journey can feel overwhelming. However, a private guided safari provides the ultimate peace of mind - everything is taken care of for you, allowing you to enjoy the experience without the typical stress associated to planning a big overseas adventure.
Perfect for Families and Small Groups
Private guided safaris are also ideal for small groups and families who wish to capture photographs of animals in their natural environment. An experienced guide can identify the right places and moments to observe the animals, drawing on years of knowledge, tracking skills and an understanding of fauna, flora and animal behavior.
Private guided safaris are also the perfect choice for couples looking for a unique and intimate experience, ideal for those special occasions or the ultimate African honeymoon!
For more details on why we highly recommend private guided safaris please take a look at our dedicated private guiding page.
Why Choose Sundowner Safaris?
So why choose Sundowner Safari for you next guided safari or private guided safari? Here at Sundowner Safaris, we can help you create a personalized itinerary for a luxurious African safari in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, and South Africa. Our team is committed to providing the best possible safari experience for our clients, which is why we have partnered with some of the world's best safari tour guides, including our very own Benson Siyawareva.
Meet Benson Siyawareva
Benson's extensive knowledge of African wildlife and his ability to identify even the smallest details of the environment make him an invaluable asset to any safari trip. As an experienced guide with over 30 years of experience, Benson is passionate about sharing his knowledge with his clients and providing them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With Sundowner Safaris, clients have the opportunity to book a private guided tour with Benson and other exceptional safari tour guides, ensuring an unforgettable safari adventure.
Book Your Safari Adventure Today!
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury safari experience with an expert safari guide, Sundowner Safaris is the perfect choice. With a team of highly experienced guides and a commitment to exceptional service, we offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of Africa's landscape and wildlife. From the thrill of spotting the Big Five to the breathtaking beauty of the African savannah, our team will take you on a journey you'll never forget.
Book your trip with Sundowner Safaris today and experience the magic of Africa for yourself!
