Essential Guiding

21/02/2020

Madagascar magic on International Tourist Guide Day.

03/02/2020

2020 is off to a great start for Essential Guiding with the second year of training in Madagascar. It is a wonderful opportunity and a priviledge to be involved in growing and developing guiding in Madagascar.
The training for the first group of guides took place in the rainforest around Andisibe while the next group took place in the beautiful Nosy Be.
The training focused mainly on communication, planning and preparation and everything was discussed and viewed through the eyes of the guests.
From Indris to Turtles, this incredible trip with passionate and proud Malagasy guides was set in really unique natural areas of Madagascar and I enjoyed every moment.
Thank you to ASISTEN TRAVEL for the continued support and to Haja Nirina and Njaka Ramandimbiarison for their inspiring vision to grow tourism in Madagascar. Mammoth Safaris

23/12/2019

And that's a wrap for 2019!

A massive thank you to all the Wild Frontiers guides for a productive week in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

We were richly rewarded at the end of the week as the weather cleared, the tree-climbing lions emerged for some to see and we could see where we are inside the Albertine Rift Valley. I could not have imagined seeing the glaciers on top of the Rwenzoris, Lake Edward, the western rift wall, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga volcanoes all in one 360 degree view! Breath-taking even for guides who have been visiting the park for more than 10 years.

Tracking, birding, learning game drive techniques, walking technique and challenging our notion of being a country ambassador - just a few of the many aspects of a great week in the field!

From the whole Essential Guiding team - see you in 2020!

16/07/2019

Our recent training session we did with the Angama Mara guiding team.
What a privilege to be given the opportunity to be involved.
I left inspired and humbled.

- With blindfolded driving by day and Maasai singing by night, this year’s guide training was all about teamwork and taking on new challenges . Words by Byron Ross, images courtesy of Tyler Davis. https://angama.com/blog-posts/inside-angama/sharpening-the-spear/

27/05/2019

Out and about in Kigali exploring the many possibilities on a city tour. Fun team of guides and plenty of learning! This pic is breakfast of asusa and chapatis with a view over to the highest point of the city. Can't wait to get back for round 2. Thanks ThousandHillsAfrica!

19/04/2019

A small selection of images from the recent EG training course in the heart of South America in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Great progress has been made with the Caiman and Oncafari guiding teams - we had many great laughs, challenged ourselves mentally and physically and set a new standard for the coming season. Engaging our guests to make the Pantanal come alive - this is the goal!

Thank you to all the guides and managers that helped make this course a great success. Thanks and for helping to lead this team!

13/03/2019

Kruger National Park is a garden of Eden at the moment with all the rain this season. I have not seen it this green and lush for many years. I was fortunate to spend 2 weeks in this paradise at Lion Sands Kruger National Park. Firstly, on training drives and assessments with the LSKNP team, followed by a successful and progressive Mentorship workshop with the MORE Head Guides from across the group.

More Lion Sands Game Reserve

15/02/2019

From Lemurs to Elephants, walking in the rain forests of Madagascar to walking the open savannas of Madikwe Game Reserve.
Walking experience and Lead Trails assessment at Madikwe. Madikwe Safari Lodge

29/01/2019

It seems that I can't get enough of Madagascar.
Listening to Indri Indri calling in the forest is both exciting and mystical, especially when searching for them, it creates a good degree of excited expectation.

ASISTEN TRAVEL

28/01/2019

Madagascar is an experience not easily forgotten. Essential Guiding was given an opportunity to train a group of Guides through Asisten Travel in Madagascar, who have made their vision of growing the guiding skills in Madagascar a reality. It was an incredible privilege to be involved with this pioneering group of guides.

To be able to walk in a rainforest and learn about Madagascar's unique diversity is a rare privilege.
90 % of Madagascar's fauna and flora are endemic and occur nowhere else on this planet.
This time I also got to gain a deeper understanding of Malagasy culture and felt more connected to the country than before.
That is thanks to the incredible group of people who hosted me so well on this trip and shared selflessly and made me feel like a friend.
I left with a lump in my throat - as the saying goes:
We come for the wildlife but return because of the people!

If there is anyone who has not yet been or is toying with the idea of going to Madagascar, I highly recommend that you make a plan to visit as soon as possible.

ASISTEN TRAVEL

28/01/2019

Magical Madagascar.
Thank you ASISTEN TRAVEL for this opportunity and to Angama Mara for the recommendation.

20/06/2018

Patience and slowing things down....

Al Kilpin returns for the fourth year running to train our guides in the fine art of slow safaris
https://www.angama.com/leaving-out-the-dull-parts-blog/a-matter-of-time/