WHAT A PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI GUIDE DOES

For those who enjoy safari and wildlife photography, a private guide takes your journey to the next level. As experienced wildlife photographers and often former lodge guides themselves, many private guides travel with the same clients regularly and build up a rapport that allows those clients to maximise their experiences in Africa.

A quick explainer: A ‘private guide’ is someone who works across many different lodges, reserves and countries, and who accompanies their specific clients on safari. A ‘lodge guide’ is a qualified guide who works at a specific lodge. Private guides are not permitted to drive vehicles in private reserves – only lodge guides can do that. A private guide could drive in a national park if necessary.

Private guides, Grant and Nelis, with Biggestleaf clients and lodge guide, Andrew, at Puku Ridge in Zambia

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We work closely with several private photographic guides – these are the benefits of travelling with one.

Because they travel so often, private guides have a wealth of knowledge. They can help you with:

• Seasonality or the best time to travel for a specific phenomenon you want to see (such as wild dogs emerging from their den, carmine bee-eaters arriving in Zambia or fruit bats descending on Kasanka National Park in their millions).
• Suggesting specific lodges that have private vehicles or specialist photographic vehicles (these have conveniences like drop-down sides, limited swivel chairs, adjustable camera mounts, no roofs, charging points, fridge etc).
• Requesting specific lodge guides that understand how to position vehicles for optimal light or have the skill to find unusual species or the patience to wait for hours for the perfect image. They also often request lodges with productive hides or waterholes for staking out between morning and afternoon game drives, if a full-day drive is not being undertaken.

A private game-drive like this at Lebala Camp in Botswana’s Kwara Reserve makes a big difference to your photography

Safaris generally involve long-haul flights coupled with several shorter flights in light aircraft. Private guides generally meet clients at the major point of arrival – such as Johannesburg, Lusaka, Arusha, Kigali or Nairobi – and continue from there together. A good guide can:

• Keep track of any delays.
• Help secure camera equipment.
• Provide companionship – it’s fun to have a fellow safari enthusiast to chat to on the flight.
• Communicate with the Biggestleaf consultant who made the booking on any real-time updates.
• Sort out tips or gratuities.
• Notify the correct people in case of emergency.

Some high-end lodges, like Londolozi Granite Suites in South Africa, have their own media studios for processing and printing images

This is where private guides really come into their own. As experienced experts, they have a wealth of knowledge that can instantly improve your wildlife photos such as:

• Working with the lodge guide to set out the day’s schedule based on the weather, wind, animal movements, other vehicles in the area, your health, your interests and so on.
• Helping to spot interesting sightings. Having two (or more if there is also a tracker or spotter) professionals increases your chances of hearing or seeing something special.
• Ensure the vehicle is positioned correctly (we aim to opt for lodges where off-roading is allowed so you can get closer to predators, kills etc).
• Predicting the animal’s likely behaviour with the lodge guide.
• Changing your camera settings if you are unsure.
• Suggesting the correct lens to use for the situation.
• Guiding you to get interesting angles.
• Helping you edit your photos to make them punchier or more dramatic (some high-end lodges have digital editing suites with high-calibre printers. Some also make top-quality cameras, lenses and binoculars available to guests for the duration of their stay).

Biggestleaf client Jennifer with private guide Grant at Kicheche Bush Camp in Kenya

Working with a private guide can be a life-changing experience if you are a keen photographer or safari goer. It is important to bear the following in mind:

• Private guides charge a fee for their services. This could be a flat daily rate (in US dollars), a percentage of the total costs, an agreed-on commission or another fare as decided by the clients, guide and agency compiling the actual itinerary.
• Most top private guides do not do the actual complex bookings themselves – that is where we come in. We contact the lodges, book the transfers and make all the necessary reservations with their guidance and clients’ input.
• While guides are always extremely helpful, they are not personal assistants. They are there to provide a professional service.
• Clients cover the guides’ costs such as their fee, flights, transfers, accommodation and meals. Most camps and lodges have special ‘guide rooms’ that are far more basic than guest rooms and are generally located in the staff quarters. Because they are often little more than a single bed and compact bathroom, they cost much less than your more spacious and luxurious room.
• We only work with professional guides who have excellent reputations. Good private guides will never stress out wildlife just so their clients can get ‘reaction’ shots. They will also never push lodge guides to break the rules so that their clients get closer sightings or ‘better’ photographs. Some guides will not undertake night drives as they believe artificial lighting disturbs nocturnal animals.
• Many guides specialise in a certain destination or phenomenon. If you are keen on birds, gorilla trekking or the Great Migration, for example, let us know so we can pair you with the right guide.
• A private guide means you pay for a private vehicle – these are charged at a daily rate by the lodge or camp. While pricy, your own vehicle allows you to set your own schedule and not be bound by other guests’ interests or needs.

Do private guides cost more? Yes. Will your photographs be better? Yes!

If you want personalized service from a safari professional and to return home with better-than-ever photos, consider splashing out on a private guide.

PHOTO CREDITS Nelis Wolmarans, Grant Atkinson, Londolozi, Phinda Private Game Reserve and Kwando Safaris