Safari Guiding
Highly Trained Guides
Backed by Wildlife Biologists
One of our clients said it best: “The Wild Source is a niche provider for those that want a deeper wildlife experience in a market dominated by mainstream providers.” Guiding is the heart of The Wild Source operation. Our founder and managing partners started their safari careers as guides, and continue to guide in Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana. Guiding is what we love, and we know it is the most important factor when it comes to delivering a superior safari. As a safari operator, this emphasis on high quality guiding is our biggest differentiator.
Most travelers do not realize until after their safari what a huge impact their guide has on the trip. With the right places for the season selected, game viewing will be good with any guide, but an outstanding guide will make the experience exceptional. Such a guide will know how to find your own exclusive sightings, and how to get away from the crowds rather than just follow radio calls and masses of other vehicles. They can also share knowledge, anticipate animal behavior to get you to the best spots and photo angles, or even find animals that would normally be missed.
A great guide also knows how to serve his clients to help maximize what you hope to see. The majority of your time on safari will be in the guide’s company so it is important that they are personable and fun to be with, can educate you about the local culture, and serve as a leader who ensures that everything on your trip runs smoothly.
Despite how incredibly important this role is, very few safari-goers have any idea who their guide will be until they arrive; most companies are simply unable to commit a guide at the time of booking. However, we keep a small team of outstanding guides in Tanzania and Kenya to ensure that each client has a spectacular safari. For itineraries featuring Tanzania’s northern circuit or Kenya’s Masai Mara, we can tell you who your guide will be ahead of your safari.
Tanzania Safari Guides
Deo Magoye
Tanzania Managing Director / Safari Guide / Camp Owner
Most companies will claim their guides are great but a quick look at Deo’s history illustrates that he is a one-of-a-kind for this region. In 2008 Deo was featured as the Safari Guide and Bush Lore expert for the South African television show Voetspore: Journey from Gansbaai (South Africa) to Gabon, a 3 month expedition through rarely visited terrain. This was a follow up to his role on the same series when their expedition went from Cape Town to Cairo.
Deo’s guiding skills are well known, making him the guide selected by many film crews and professional photographers. He was the head guide for a National Geographic film crew for 4 months making a film of the Serengeti migration, and he has guided for BBC filmmakers as well. Legendary wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen was guided by Deo for his East Africa shoots, as were Boyd Norton and Joe McDonald who have contributed to the Audubon Field Guide for African Mammals as well as created their own books.
While it is clear that Deo is the experts’ choice, he is also perfect for anyone who is simply excited to go on safari. When preparing such a resume of highlights, it was Deo who said, “It is hard to single anyone out because all my clients are VIP to me.” The skills to find animals and position a vehicle are only a small part of what makes Deo a special guide. His laid back but confident manner and vivid personality make him a joy with whom to spend your time. With more than 25 years of guiding, Deo knows Tanzania like few others. Deo is an owner and Managing Director of The Wild Source Tanzania.
Deo’s guiding skills are well known, making him the guide selected by many film crews and professional photographers. He was the head guide for a National Geographic film crew for 4 months making a film of the Serengeti migration, and he has guided for BBC filmmakers as well. Legendary wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen was guided by Deo for his East Africa shoots, as were Boyd Norton and Joe McDonald who have contributed to the Audubon Field Guide for African Mammals as well as created their own books.
While it is clear that Deo is the experts’ choice, he is also perfect for anyone who is simply excited to go on safari. When preparing such a resume of highlights, it was Deo who said, “It is hard to single anyone out because all my clients are VIP to me.” The skills to find animals and position a vehicle are only a small part of what makes Deo a special guide. His laid back but confident manner and vivid personality make him a joy with whom to spend your time. With more than 25 years of guiding, Deo knows Tanzania like few others. Deo is an owner and Managing Director of The Wild Source Tanzania.
Deo's Testimonials
Fadhil Magoye
Tanzania Safari Guide
Fadhil is Deo’s son and was fortunate to learn about the natural world and guiding from a master throughout his childhood. Fadhil grew up loving wildlife and fascinated by the secrets of nature. He had a vision of becoming one of the people that will conserve natural habitats within Tanzania and beyond. This led to college studies on wildlife.
With guiding, Fadhil is able to combine his wildlife and conservation interests. Amazingly, Fadhil’s first guiding job was with Asilia Africa as a resident guide at Olakira Camp. The annual hiring process starts with 150 applicants invited in, which narrows to 30 candidates for a 3-day intensive testing process, resulting in just 10 guides being selected for an impressive 6-week training session. Fadhil served as a resident guide at Olakira for 2 ½ years learning both the Ndutu and Northern Serengeti areas intimately, gaining remarkable knowledge of individual big cats and the events in their lives.
In addition to guiding, Fadhil is putting his wildlife studies to work as he is heading up our Serengeti big cat research project.
With guiding, Fadhil is able to combine his wildlife and conservation interests. Amazingly, Fadhil’s first guiding job was with Asilia Africa as a resident guide at Olakira Camp. The annual hiring process starts with 150 applicants invited in, which narrows to 30 candidates for a 3-day intensive testing process, resulting in just 10 guides being selected for an impressive 6-week training session. Fadhil served as a resident guide at Olakira for 2 ½ years learning both the Ndutu and Northern Serengeti areas intimately, gaining remarkable knowledge of individual big cats and the events in their lives.
In addition to guiding, Fadhil is putting his wildlife studies to work as he is heading up our Serengeti big cat research project.
Fadhil's Testimonials
Sosy Maira
Tanzania Safari Guide
Sosy Maira was hired to be Njozi Camp’s resident wildlife biologist in January 2014 and now guides full-time for The Wild Source. He is a graduate from the College of African Wildlife Management in the Arusha area, which is the premier institute of higher learning for wildlife research and management in the region. The curriculum focused on practical education with time spent out in the field learning wildlife research techniques and participating in on-going research projects.
Sosy has been the principal investigator of The Wild Source big cat research in the Ndutu/Serengeti region. He has been working to identify individual cheetah, leopard, and prides of lions. Through his daily studies of the cats in the region, Sosy has an unmatched knowledge of many of the individual cats that we encounter on safari and serves as an invaluable tool for our guiding team.
Sosy has guided side-by-side with head guide and co-owner of The Wild Source, Deo Magoye, and has served as lead guide for The Wild Source group safaris, in addition to guiding hundreds of his own private clients over the last several years. Sosy has been able to pass the torch to the next generation of biologists-in-training, in order to pursue guiding full time with an unmatched background and depth of expertise in big cats.
Sosy has been the principal investigator of The Wild Source big cat research in the Ndutu/Serengeti region. He has been working to identify individual cheetah, leopard, and prides of lions. Through his daily studies of the cats in the region, Sosy has an unmatched knowledge of many of the individual cats that we encounter on safari and serves as an invaluable tool for our guiding team.
Sosy has guided side-by-side with head guide and co-owner of The Wild Source, Deo Magoye, and has served as lead guide for The Wild Source group safaris, in addition to guiding hundreds of his own private clients over the last several years. Sosy has been able to pass the torch to the next generation of biologists-in-training, in order to pursue guiding full time with an unmatched background and depth of expertise in big cats.
Sosy's Testimonials
Joshua Kumbi
Tanzania Safari Guide
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
It is with terrible sadness and an essential need to celebrate an exceptional life led that we have to share that in April 2021 we lost an incredible member of The Wild Source family, Joshua Kumbi. He passed due to liver cancer. Josh was a remarkable guide and photographer, he was dedicated to his family (so proud of his kids), a man of great faith, and of deep love for his village of Makao. Super intelligent, a clever entrepreneur and consummate professional with a surprise sense of humor that hit when you didn’t expect it. An extremely kind and caring man. Josh was also a traveling adventurer, taking cherished trips to Europe and Southern Africa. Basically, Josh is a model for the kind of person we all hope our kids will be like when they grow up!
We can only suspect that there was a demand in heaven for a safari guide who actually knew every blade of grass in the Serengeti, no other way to understand why Josh was snatched so early from us. We will do our best to finish the business that was started with Josh but more than a lost colleague we have lost a loyal friend and tremendous brother that will forever be missed and celebrated. Josh you honored us when you chose to join The Wild Source, we will never forget it and love you always.
Please Enjoy this 5 minute Armchair Safari
Guided by Josh and filmed by Nathan Rolls
https://youtu.be/juqYDeAOctY
Joshua's Testimonials
George Mbwambo
Tanzania Safari Guide
George is one of the old-school guides who really knows Northern Tanzania like few others. George was a classmate of Deo’s (founding partner of The Wild Source) at Wildlife College many years ago. Bill Given met George in 2008 when they guided a group together. With The Wild Source’s rapid growth, we were excited for George to join our guiding team in 2013.
George is a natural fit for The Wild Source’s specialty of catering to very keen wildlife enthusiasts with serious game drives not limited by time or distance, in an effort to always go the extra mile (or ten) to find the best quality wildlife viewing. George has a few decades of experience exploring the back roads of the Northern Circuit to find the best wildlife sightings and to avoid crowds in favor of a high quality wilderness experience.
His passion and love of the bush is infectious, and his gentle nature and laid back manner make him a pleasure to spend time with as he shares Tanzania’s treasures with his guests. George is thoughtful and meticulous, and considers factors such as where the sun will be so that you drive in the best direction and have ideal positioning for photography. George brings all his experience and knowledge to the table, but still has that burning excitement to guide, leading to wonderful safaris for his guests.
George is a natural fit for The Wild Source’s specialty of catering to very keen wildlife enthusiasts with serious game drives not limited by time or distance, in an effort to always go the extra mile (or ten) to find the best quality wildlife viewing. George has a few decades of experience exploring the back roads of the Northern Circuit to find the best wildlife sightings and to avoid crowds in favor of a high quality wilderness experience.
His passion and love of the bush is infectious, and his gentle nature and laid back manner make him a pleasure to spend time with as he shares Tanzania’s treasures with his guests. George is thoughtful and meticulous, and considers factors such as where the sun will be so that you drive in the best direction and have ideal positioning for photography. George brings all his experience and knowledge to the table, but still has that burning excitement to guide, leading to wonderful safaris for his guests.
George's Testimonials
Henry Akeyo
Tanzania Safari Guide
Henry Akeyo is a rising star in Tanzanian guiding. Following graduation from Guides College, Henry began his career as an apprentice guide-in-training to The Wild Source Tanzania Managing Director Deo Magoye. Deo has earned acclaim as a mentor and is known for producing the best young guides in the country. After three years of field training and the opportunity to shadow guides of The Wild Source, Henry went to work for the highly regarded Nasikia Camps, working at their locations throughout the Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks.
In just his first full year (2018) at Nasikia Camps, Henry was recognized as their Resident Guide of the Year – an award he won again in his second year (2019). Henry has a contagious enthusiasm for the bush, delighting guests with his laid-back style, providing the thrills that come with knowing how to find the animals and predict their behavior.
Having raised Henry ourselves, we are excited that in 2020 he has returned to The Wild Source where he can fully utilize his skills to deliver the serious wildlife viewing style that we are known for.
In just his first full year (2018) at Nasikia Camps, Henry was recognized as their Resident Guide of the Year – an award he won again in his second year (2019). Henry has a contagious enthusiasm for the bush, delighting guests with his laid-back style, providing the thrills that come with knowing how to find the animals and predict their behavior.
Having raised Henry ourselves, we are excited that in 2020 he has returned to The Wild Source where he can fully utilize his skills to deliver the serious wildlife viewing style that we are known for.
Henry's Testimonials
The Wild Source Wildlife Biologists
David Maira
Tanzania Wildlife Biologist / Guide
David Maira was hired to conduct big cat research based at Njozi Camp in 2017. He took
over as our lead biologist of a program that originated with his brother Sosy as the first full
–
time biologist.
Under David’s leadership, the profile and importance of our Ndutu/Serengeti area big cat research has grown as other research programs have collaborated with us. David has grown our relationship with the Serengeti Cheetah Project, including contributing data to them on the Ndutu population of cheetah as we are the only research team based full-time in the area throughout the calving season. Likewise, David has developed a coordination with Kope Lions (Mama Simba), as we have a near daily presence monitoring lions at Ndutu and are able to inform them of key eve nts.
David leads the only big cat research project in the Northern Serengeti region. In 2020 we added a Kenyan biologist in the adjacent Masai Mara to the research team, allowing for coordination to cover both sides of the border as many cats in that region ran ge in both countries.
David has an unsurpassed knowledge of the individual lion, cheetah, and leopard in our study areas. His keen understanding of cat behavior enhances the safari experience when he joins game drives with guests. Bey ond cats David is passionate about birds and small wildlife, and is a remarkable all-around safari guide.
Under David’s leadership, the profile and importance of our Ndutu/Serengeti area big cat research has grown as other research programs have collaborated with us. David has grown our relationship with the Serengeti Cheetah Project, including contributing data to them on the Ndutu population of cheetah as we are the only research team based full-time in the area throughout the calving season. Likewise, David has developed a coordination with Kope Lions (Mama Simba), as we have a near daily presence monitoring lions at Ndutu and are able to inform them of key eve nts.
David leads the only big cat research project in the Northern Serengeti region. In 2020 we added a Kenyan biologist in the adjacent Masai Mara to the research team, allowing for coordination to cover both sides of the border as many cats in that region ran ge in both countries.
David has an unsurpassed knowledge of the individual lion, cheetah, and leopard in our study areas. His keen understanding of cat behavior enhances the safari experience when he joins game drives with guests. Bey ond cats David is passionate about birds and small wildlife, and is a remarkable all-around safari guide.
David's Testimonials
Winnie Ladislaus
Tanzania Wildlife Biologist
Winnie is an unexpected surprise member of our biologist team. Winnie started as a member of the Njozi Camp front of the house staff at the end of 2018.
She excelled immediately and our Tanzania Director, Deo, said he saw her potential to be a future guide. When our wildlife biologist founder, Bill, was at Njozi Camp in July 2019, he invited Winnie to go on a full day game drive as a reward for her great work.
Winnie impressed Bill with her excellent eyes for spotting wildlife coupled with a keen interest to learn with lots of questions. She even called her shot, stating that she wanted to see lions hunt and it happened!
Following that drive, the biologist team provided Winnie with reference books and she plowed through them earning an invite to our end-of-the year Guides Without Borders Workshop.
During 2020 Winnie has maintained some of her camp duties but primarily supervises an outstanding team that she trained up and has begun training with our Biologists and Guides.
She excelled immediately and our Tanzania Director, Deo, said he saw her potential to be a future guide. When our wildlife biologist founder, Bill, was at Njozi Camp in July 2019, he invited Winnie to go on a full day game drive as a reward for her great work.
Winnie impressed Bill with her excellent eyes for spotting wildlife coupled with a keen interest to learn with lots of questions. She even called her shot, stating that she wanted to see lions hunt and it happened!
Following that drive, the biologist team provided Winnie with reference books and she plowed through them earning an invite to our end-of-the year Guides Without Borders Workshop.
During 2020 Winnie has maintained some of her camp duties but primarily supervises an outstanding team that she trained up and has begun training with our Biologists and Guides.
Yusuf Magoye
Tanzania Wildlife Biologist
Yusuf joined our big cat research team based at Njozi Camp in 2019 as a junior biologist in training with David. Growing up as the son of a safari guide (The Wild Source Tanzania Director and King Guide Deo Magoye), Yusuf was frequently in Tanzania’s parks, learning about wildlife from his Dad and often living behind the scenes at safari camps.
Yusuf has not had any formal wildlife studies but as a talented musician he has an artist’s eye for what is happening around him. He has quickly advanced his knowledge by spending time with our biologists and guides.
Observing and understanding big cat behavior has been natural for Yusuf and he has grown to love this role. He has become very efficient at recording behavioral data and ensuring good documentation photographs to track individual cats.
Yusuf has not had any formal wildlife studies but as a talented musician he has an artist’s eye for what is happening around him. He has quickly advanced his knowledge by spending time with our biologists and guides.
Observing and understanding big cat behavior has been natural for Yusuf and he has grown to love this role. He has become very efficient at recording behavioral data and ensuring good documentation photographs to track individual cats.
Sarah Shonko
Kenya Wildlife Biologist
In late 2019, Sarah was brought on by legendary Kenyan guide, Ping, to be a guide trainee based at Enaidura Camp. Unusual for a Maasai woman, Sarah had just completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Masinde Muliro University of Science &Technology in Western Kenya.
Considering Sarah’s educational background, we saw an opportunity to expand our big cat research program to include Kenya’s Masai Mara. She attended our 2019 Guides Without Borders workshop where she worked with Bill, David, and the biologist team to learn about the data we have been collecting.
Adding Sarah to the research team is a powerful improvement because cats can transit between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
With Sarah now in place, our team can share cat identifications and data across the borders when needed. In her first season, Sarah has learned a lot being out in the field with legendary guides Ping and Paul.
She is passionate about the Mara’s famed cats, with the leopard Bahati being her favorite.
Considering Sarah’s educational background, we saw an opportunity to expand our big cat research program to include Kenya’s Masai Mara. She attended our 2019 Guides Without Borders workshop where she worked with Bill, David, and the biologist team to learn about the data we have been collecting.
Adding Sarah to the research team is a powerful improvement because cats can transit between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
With Sarah now in place, our team can share cat identifications and data across the borders when needed. In her first season, Sarah has learned a lot being out in the field with legendary guides Ping and Paul.
She is passionate about the Mara’s famed cats, with the leopard Bahati being her favorite.
Kenya Safari Guides
Johnson Ping’ua “Ping” Nkukuu
Kenya Safari Guide / Camp Owner
Ping is an extraordinary guide, named one of Conde Nast’s Best 25 Safari Guides for all of Africa. He possesses an uncanny ability to predict animal behavior, making him legendary for being in perfect position during action events.
Ping is a Maasai. Time spent with him is excellent for cultural learning. As a boy, Ping was always interested in the wildlife and the environment around him. His early days included a long stint guiding for CC Africa, which had an outstanding training program including time spent in South Africa and under the tutelage of Kenyan legend, Paul Kirui.
Ping was recruited to help Disney create and open their Animal Kingdom Park in Florida. This allowed him to experience living in America and increase his knowledge of cultures from around the world, which he credits as making him a better guide.
Ping’s reputation took off as he became the head guide at Mara Plains Camp and Mara Plains became widely recognized as the top safari camp experience in Kenya.
In 2015, Ping decided to pursue his dreams to be an entrepreneurial freelance guide, partnering with The Wild Source in the formation of the Lalashe Guide Co-Op.
Ping is a Maasai. Time spent with him is excellent for cultural learning. As a boy, Ping was always interested in the wildlife and the environment around him. His early days included a long stint guiding for CC Africa, which had an outstanding training program including time spent in South Africa and under the tutelage of Kenyan legend, Paul Kirui.
Ping was recruited to help Disney create and open their Animal Kingdom Park in Florida. This allowed him to experience living in America and increase his knowledge of cultures from around the world, which he credits as making him a better guide.
Ping’s reputation took off as he became the head guide at Mara Plains Camp and Mara Plains became widely recognized as the top safari camp experience in Kenya.
In 2015, Ping decided to pursue his dreams to be an entrepreneurial freelance guide, partnering with The Wild Source in the formation of the Lalashe Guide Co-Op.
Ping's Testimonials
Paul Kirui
Kenya Safari Guide / Camp Owner
Paul Kirui is among the most accomplished guides in all of Africa. He was the second guide ever in Kenya to achieve Gold Level Status. Paul is Chairman of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association, and in 2014 was named one of Conde Nast’s 15 Safari Guide Legends. Most recently, he earned the Ecotourism Guide of the Year award in both 2016 and 2017.
Paul is well known from his outstanding work guiding film crews. Since 2006, Paul has worked with the BBC Natural History unit as a consultant for the leopard filming crew during the Big Cat Week and Big Cat Live programs. He also guided film crews for the BBC’s documentary, “The Truth About Lions” in 2009 and Disney Nature during the filming of “African Cats” in 2009/10.
In addition to guiding, Paul conducts research on vultures in the Masai Mara in association with the National Museum and the Peregrine Fund. He is also assisting with training and developing a guide grading system in Rwanda.
There’s no doubt the Masai Mara is Paul’s home, and he knows it as well as anyone, but he also has great experience guiding in Northern Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Guiding and wildlife photography are Paul’s passions, and he is always keen to share these magical places with his guests.
Paul is well known from his outstanding work guiding film crews. Since 2006, Paul has worked with the BBC Natural History unit as a consultant for the leopard filming crew during the Big Cat Week and Big Cat Live programs. He also guided film crews for the BBC’s documentary, “The Truth About Lions” in 2009 and Disney Nature during the filming of “African Cats” in 2009/10.
In addition to guiding, Paul conducts research on vultures in the Masai Mara in association with the National Museum and the Peregrine Fund. He is also assisting with training and developing a guide grading system in Rwanda.
There’s no doubt the Masai Mara is Paul’s home, and he knows it as well as anyone, but he also has great experience guiding in Northern Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Guiding and wildlife photography are Paul’s passions, and he is always keen to share these magical places with his guests.
Paul's Testimonials
Peter Kiyaa
Kenya Safari Guide
Peter Kiyaa was raised on the Il-Ngwesi Group Ranch in Northern Kenya. His childhood was intertwined with the wildlife that roamed his homeland leading to a lifelong desire to conserve Kenya’s heritage. As a result, Peter has earned the highest accolade in Kenya guiding with Gold Level certification (one of only 24 guides to achieve this status.)
Peter’s success started early. In college he was awarded the UTC Trophy as the student with the most outstanding professional qualities and the Johnson Wax award as the best student in Environmental Studies.
A leader in conservation, Peter has been the long-time chair of the Il-Ngwesi Community Conservation Trust – a world renowned community wildlife conservation trust. Peter is also an elder of the Council of Elders of the Northern Rangelands Trust. Peter is well traveled, having given conservation talks at McGill University, Queens University in Canada, the Royal Geographic Society in London, and a World Wildlife Fund conference in Windhoek, Namibia. He has visited 19 different states in the USA to speak at zoos on community conservation and tourism. Peter has also trained game wardens of the Tanzania National Parks on outdoor leadership.
Following many years of guiding and managing camps for some of Kenya’s top safari portfolios, Peter has joined the legendary Lalashe Guiding team based out of Enaidura Camp, where emphasis is strong on delivering the ultimate wildlife focused safari with dedicated time to observe wildlife behavior.
Peter’s success started early. In college he was awarded the UTC Trophy as the student with the most outstanding professional qualities and the Johnson Wax award as the best student in Environmental Studies.
A leader in conservation, Peter has been the long-time chair of the Il-Ngwesi Community Conservation Trust – a world renowned community wildlife conservation trust. Peter is also an elder of the Council of Elders of the Northern Rangelands Trust. Peter is well traveled, having given conservation talks at McGill University, Queens University in Canada, the Royal Geographic Society in London, and a World Wildlife Fund conference in Windhoek, Namibia. He has visited 19 different states in the USA to speak at zoos on community conservation and tourism. Peter has also trained game wardens of the Tanzania National Parks on outdoor leadership.
Following many years of guiding and managing camps for some of Kenya’s top safari portfolios, Peter has joined the legendary Lalashe Guiding team based out of Enaidura Camp, where emphasis is strong on delivering the ultimate wildlife focused safari with dedicated time to observe wildlife behavior.
Peter's Testimonials
Botswana Safari Guides
Diesel Tshosa
Botswana Safari Guide
Diesel is a Bushman. Thus, he was literally born into tracking skills and bush sense. DNA studies have traced all humankind back to our original ancestors, the Bushman people of Southern Africa.
Diesel is a member of the Bukakwe sect, one of the five groups of the oldest remaining culture on Earth. He was born into a hunter-gatherer society that roamed the northern Okavango Delta east to the Savute area of Chobe National Park. Diesel was born under a tree in an area that is now the Selinda Reserve.
Life changed drastically when Diesel was a school-aged boy and his family clan was settled by the government to Gudigwa Village. Here, Diesel found himself in a school that taught in two languages he did not know – Setswana and English.
Diesel was in the first generation of Bushmen to be formally educated. After secondary school, Diesel worked as an Escort Guide – a representative of the local community who goes on safari activities to ensure care of the community land that is leased to the safari operators. In this role, he would assist the safari guide. Diesel then wanted to explore and experience something different, so he took a job with a mineral exploration company and traveled to Mozambique to manage the logistics of a mining project.
Following time abroad, Diesel had a strong desire to return to his heritage lands and utilize his immense bush skills. He returned to Botswana in 2014 and went to guiding school sponsored by the World Bank through the Wildlife Department.
He trained in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and then gained employment as a tracker for Kwando Safaris. With his engaging personality and previous guide training, it was natural that Diesel advanced into guiding. When Bushman Plains Camp opened, he joined his family in the first majority locally owned camp in the Okavango Delta.
As one of the two camp guides, Diesel’s efforts elevated the Bushman Plains experience to a remarkable level. Utilizing tracking skills, Diesel is well-known for his ability to find predators – especially leopards and African wild dogs. Beyond game drives, Diesel is a licensed walking guide, and a cultural leader. He conducts Bushman walks where he shares ancient Bushman skills and invaluable knowledge with visitors.
After years of consistently receiving the best feedback of any guide in Botswana from guests of The Wild Source, Diesel joined our team of guides. He mostly guides our guests at Bushman Plains, but is also available as a private guide throughout a Botswana itinerary.
Diesel is a member of the Bukakwe sect, one of the five groups of the oldest remaining culture on Earth. He was born into a hunter-gatherer society that roamed the northern Okavango Delta east to the Savute area of Chobe National Park. Diesel was born under a tree in an area that is now the Selinda Reserve.
Life changed drastically when Diesel was a school-aged boy and his family clan was settled by the government to Gudigwa Village. Here, Diesel found himself in a school that taught in two languages he did not know – Setswana and English.
Diesel was in the first generation of Bushmen to be formally educated. After secondary school, Diesel worked as an Escort Guide – a representative of the local community who goes on safari activities to ensure care of the community land that is leased to the safari operators. In this role, he would assist the safari guide. Diesel then wanted to explore and experience something different, so he took a job with a mineral exploration company and traveled to Mozambique to manage the logistics of a mining project.
Following time abroad, Diesel had a strong desire to return to his heritage lands and utilize his immense bush skills. He returned to Botswana in 2014 and went to guiding school sponsored by the World Bank through the Wildlife Department.
He trained in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and then gained employment as a tracker for Kwando Safaris. With his engaging personality and previous guide training, it was natural that Diesel advanced into guiding. When Bushman Plains Camp opened, he joined his family in the first majority locally owned camp in the Okavango Delta.
As one of the two camp guides, Diesel’s efforts elevated the Bushman Plains experience to a remarkable level. Utilizing tracking skills, Diesel is well-known for his ability to find predators – especially leopards and African wild dogs. Beyond game drives, Diesel is a licensed walking guide, and a cultural leader. He conducts Bushman walks where he shares ancient Bushman skills and invaluable knowledge with visitors.
After years of consistently receiving the best feedback of any guide in Botswana from guests of The Wild Source, Diesel joined our team of guides. He mostly guides our guests at Bushman Plains, but is also available as a private guide throughout a Botswana itinerary.
Diesel's Testimonials
Peter Comley
Botswana Safari Guide
Over thirty years ago, Peter made an inspiring lifestyle change. Despite years of investment in economic and law degrees and a promising future as a lawyer, he chose to spend his life leading safaris through the remotest regions in Africa. In those days, southern Africa was completely undeveloped, and Peter was a pioneer in mobile safari tourism.
Peter is acknowledged as one of Africa’s leading guides. He is particularly recognized for his pioneering spirit and flair for innovation. Peter created one of Botswana’s original safari operations, Safari and Guide Services (SGS), taking intrepid travelers into the wilds on tented safaris. While most operators cashed in on the Okavango boom, Peter kept pushing the boundaries. His mobile safaris ventured into the remotest areas of Namibia, Zambia, and Uganda.
Among his accomplishments, Peter has led gorilla treks in all the countries they are known to inhabit, pioneered canoe safaris down the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls, and is believed to be the first white man to have personally poled a mokoro (traditional canoe) from the top to the bottom of the Delta in the first ever trans-Okavango expedition.
Peter’s expertise has found its way into print. His ‘Mammals of Botswana’ and ‘Mammals of Namibia’ are standard works used by safari guides. He has also written a ‘Traveler’s Guide to Botswana’ and the novel ‘Django’, which portrays his own life and experiences in the bush with his remarkable dog. Peter has written numerous articles for wildlife and travel magazines and contributes regular newspaper columns and poetry.
Of all the places he has guided, it is Botswana that has captured Peter’s heart for over 30 years. He is deeply involved in conservation and has hosted the six-nation gathering of park wardens to design the KAZA trans-frontier peace park. He also supports an orphanage in Kasane (Botswana) and with the help of his clients he has built schools in Kasane and in Uganda. Most recently, Peter has served as a Director of Bushman Plains, playing a vital role in creating the first Bushman majority-owned camp in Northern Botswana.
Peter is acknowledged as one of Africa’s leading guides. He is particularly recognized for his pioneering spirit and flair for innovation. Peter created one of Botswana’s original safari operations, Safari and Guide Services (SGS), taking intrepid travelers into the wilds on tented safaris. While most operators cashed in on the Okavango boom, Peter kept pushing the boundaries. His mobile safaris ventured into the remotest areas of Namibia, Zambia, and Uganda.
Among his accomplishments, Peter has led gorilla treks in all the countries they are known to inhabit, pioneered canoe safaris down the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls, and is believed to be the first white man to have personally poled a mokoro (traditional canoe) from the top to the bottom of the Delta in the first ever trans-Okavango expedition.
Peter’s expertise has found its way into print. His ‘Mammals of Botswana’ and ‘Mammals of Namibia’ are standard works used by safari guides. He has also written a ‘Traveler’s Guide to Botswana’ and the novel ‘Django’, which portrays his own life and experiences in the bush with his remarkable dog. Peter has written numerous articles for wildlife and travel magazines and contributes regular newspaper columns and poetry.
Of all the places he has guided, it is Botswana that has captured Peter’s heart for over 30 years. He is deeply involved in conservation and has hosted the six-nation gathering of park wardens to design the KAZA trans-frontier peace park. He also supports an orphanage in Kasane (Botswana) and with the help of his clients he has built schools in Kasane and in Uganda. Most recently, Peter has served as a Director of Bushman Plains, playing a vital role in creating the first Bushman majority-owned camp in Northern Botswana.