About us > Why Wilderness Africa?
Why Wilderness Africa?
An expert tracker is aware of his quarry before actually sighting it. The signal might be a flock of oxpeckers taking flight, or signs of freshly stripped leaves from the bushes. The difference between a good safari and an exceptional one is all in the details. These details are what we focus on.
To begin with, we are a group of guides who spend most of our time in the bush. So when we design your itinerary, we know what it was like camping in a particular spot last season. We remember where we saw most game, and we adjust our itineraries according to experiences we have had in the past. We do not delegate this task to our booking or marketing personnel.
The difference between a good safari and an exceptional one is all in the details. Many factors that can make a huge difference to the quality of a safari may not be evident to the lay person. We pay attention to all the aspects of quality in a safari including the following:
Designed Itineraries: To begin with, we are a group of guides who spend most of our time in the bush. So when we design your itinerary, we know what it was like camping in a particular spot last season. We remember where we saw most game, and we adjust our itineraries according to experiences we have had in the past. We do not delegate this task to our booking or marketing personnel.
Dedicated Guides: At times guiding in the
tourism industry is considered a rung on a ladder towards management
jobs. Our guides have all, at various times, been involved in
running camps, starting up and running outfitting companies,
training staff, including operations and management, providing
us many other skills, aside from guiding, from the operational
and management aspects.
We have provided input on the décor, lighting, design,
cuisine, service, positioning tents, choice of campsite location,
and other details when running camps. These skills helps us
liaise with management and staff in the camps we visit in an
understanding way, without treading on any toes, enabling us
to achieve the standards we require smoothly. Although we have
fulfilled these various roles, our passion has always been guiding,
and that is what we have elected to do.
Flexibility and quality: Despite being involved in the start-up or management of specific local outfitters, we do not feel obliged to use the facilities of any one outfitter, and recommend to our guests what we consider to be the best places and outfits for their specific safari. We often stay in different outfitter's permanent tented camps or lodges, in exclusive mobile tented camps, and in lighter weight truly mobile fly camps in really remote areas. For more information on the accommodations we offer, visit the Safari in Style pages.
Continuity and details: It is worth noting that most safari itineraries involve two night stays in camps, and most stays in permanent camps mean that you have new guides in each camp. We add to your experience while here because we are with you throughout your safari, so there is continuity, as well as providing expertise. We check on details such as ensuring you are in your own private vehicle while in these camps (it is the norm in many of these to mix groups), and we work with the local guides to vary the activities, ensuring that everything is first rate.
Conservation: In order for wild areas and wildlife to thrive, it is imperative that the local inhabitants view these as beneficial to their livelihoods. We support local communities by carrying out activities in their areas, thus directly enabling them to benefit them through the income these activities generate. We are involved in various projects that improve education facilities and promote awareness of the benefits of wildlife.
Enthusiasm: Composed of professional guides, we are experts who are passionate about the bush, and are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our enthusiasm with you. We guide with sensitivity, skill, opportunism - and a sense of fun!
Focusing on details as we do may seem unimportant, but its significance on the overall safari experience is huge and best described by those who have tried various kinds of safaris and now wouldn’t come any other way:
“This was the third safari with you and, if possible, the best of all.”
Russell E. Train July 2002.
"I'll let you know as soon as I think of anything that could have made the trip better - but I can't imagine that happening."
Roger Sleight. March 1999
For more information on our safaris visit our page on Private guided safaris or our FAQ page.
