Safety, Comfort and Peace of Mind
Having a private safari guide provides a huge boost in safety and peace of mind for your trip. For many guests – especially first-timers in Africa – traveling in the wilderness can be daunting. I see my role as removing that stress. Your job is to relax and immerse yourself in the adventure; mine is to handle the rest .
Wildlife Safety
A private guide is responsible for your safety in close proximity to wild animals. We are trained to read animal behavior and know how to approach sightings responsibly. For example, we know how far to stay from an elephant in a temperamental mood, or when a lion is relaxed versus agitated. We also ensure that you never do something unsafe, like getting out of the vehicle at the wrong time. Your safety is my top priority on every drive and walk. By following the park rules and ethical wildlife viewing practices, a good guide keeps both you and the animals safe. This allows you to feel at ease even when you’re a few meters from a towering giraffe or a pride of lions – you can focus on the experience and photography, and have just the right dose of excitement.
Logistics & Travel Ease
In addition to wildlife safety, a private guide handles all those travel logistics that would otherwise distract you and even can get potentially dangerous. Worried about navigating the Kruger Park’s rough roads or making it to the airstrip for a charter flight on time? With a private guide, “there’s no need to worry about flight times, transfers, or sticking to a complex itinerary – everything will be taken care of” . Maria and I coordinate with drivers, pilots, lodge staff, and others to keep our schedule running smoothly. And if something unexpected occurs (say a vehicle gets a flat tire or bad weather changes plans), I troubleshoot it for you. Essentially, I act as your personal tour manager, so you can travel Africa with confidence. This is especially reassuring if you’re not familiar with the local language, road systems, or customs – I bridge those gaps.
Comfort and Convenience:
On a privately guided safari, you also benefit from having your own private vehicle for game drives. This means more space and the ability to position the vehicle for your optimal viewing and photography . If someone in your family is an avid question-asker, they can sit right next to me and chat away. If another is a keen photographer, we can angle the vehicle just right for their shot, without worrying about blocking someone else’s view (since there are no strangers in the vehicle, just your party). Little comforts – like pausing for a snack or toilet break when you choose, or heading back to camp earlier if you’re tired – are all possible because the schedule is up to you. Having a private guide and vehicle truly lets you “absorb all you see” without the distractions or rigid timetable of group tours .
The presence of a private guide should give you peace of mind. My guests often tell me how relaxed they felt knowing I was handling the details. You don’t have to drive on unfamiliar roads or worry if you’re in the right spot – you can simply be in the moment, whether that’s watching a sunset while I prepare the sundowner drinks, or admiring a rhino through binoculars while I keep watch. This peace of mind is invaluable for truly enjoying your holiday . It allows you to “switch off” from everyday stress and lose yourself in the wilderness, which is what a safari is all about .
Ethical Guiding and Conservation
A true private safari guide isn’t just focused on guest experience, but also on doing things the right way for wildlife and local communities. Ethical guiding is something I take very seriously. In fact, I pride myself on being an “ethical safari guide”, meaning I strive to give you the best wildlife encounters without ever interfering with the animals or environment. Here’s what I wrote about ethical guiding before. You should expect a responsible safari when you hire a reputable private guide.
What does ethical guiding entail? Firstly, it means respecting wildlife. I will never encourage aggressive approaches or unsafe tactics just to get a closer photo or the ultimate selfie. We observe animals at a respectful distance and on their terms. For example, if an elephant decides to cross the road in front of us, we wait patiently rather than revving closer. If a big cat is hiding in the thicket, we might reposition for a view, but we won’t chase it or block its path. I also do not support any exploitative wildlife activities – things like petting lion cubs, walking with cheetahs, or any scenario where wild animals are handled or harassed for entertainment. “Reinhardt does not support any human-animal interaction activities and has extensive experience being close to wildlife without interfering with their natural behavior” . In practice, that means the encounters you’ll have on safari with me are authentic wild experiences, not staged for tourist thrills. This is not only better for the animals’ well-being, it’s ultimately a more honest and aweinspiring experience for you as a guest.
Ethical guiding also extends to environmental care and community respect. I adhere to park regulations, such as staying on designated roads (except where off-road driving is specifically allowed by permit), not littering, and not disturbing plants or smaller creatures. I encourage my guests to follow the safari etiquette that protects the wilderness for the next visitors. Many private guides, including myself, also see ourselves as conservation ambassadors. We often participate in or support local conservation projects. For instance, guides may assist researchers with wildlife counts or report any signs of poaching to park authorities. During your safari, I try to educate and inspire respect for conservation – explaining how tourism fees contribute to protecting the parks, or sharing updates on rhino conservation if we see one. Safari guides are often “passionate conservationists who provide rich insights into the ecological significance of the areas visited” . We aim to instill in you not just excitement at seeing wildlife, but also an understanding of why protecting these ecosystems matters.
Ethical behavior is just as important when it comes to interacting with local people and cultures. A private guide should model cultural sensitivity – for example, when visiting a local village or inviting a local tracker to assist, I ensure it’s done respectfully and that you understand any customs (like asking permission before taking photos of someone). Many of us come from the very communities adjacent to the parks, so we have a personal stake in showing respect and supporting them.
It’s worth noting that, unfortunately, not all guides or operators in the safari industry hold themselves to these high standards. There are some who might cut corners or behave unethically, which can spoil the experience or worse, harm wildlife. This is why choosing the right private guide is important.
How to find a safe and ethical safari guide?
Although I have seen many unethical practices from guides or safari companies in my time in the bush, it is not my place to ‘expose’ or ‘call out’ these companies. All I can do is create awareness about what makes a safari ethical in my eyes and conduct my safaris in the best way I can. You can do your research online and use the knowledge to your advantage. Does the company say anything about ethics? Are they advertising animal interactions? How are the guides talking to their guests or about the animals in social media video content – can you sense respect for the environment?
If you are looking for a private safari in the Kruger Park or Hoedspruit, I am of course very happy to chat and plan your safari with you. Just pop us a message here.