The Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) competition starts at the Kapama Private Game Reserve on June 2.
According to the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (Fgasa), this is the most highly anticipated annual event of the safari guiding and ecotourism industries.
Aside from a select few guides showcasing a variety of impressive skills, the competition serves a much higher purpose. It inspires future guides to apply themselves and become the best they can be. The event not only celebrates guides, but brings together an industry of people all committed to celebrating the professionalism and skills required for success.
There are five finalists from across the country:
• Ruan Coetzee of Kapama Game Reserve
• Warren Deyzel of Imbali Safari Lodge
• Jan Dykema of Shamwari Private Game Reserve
• Pioneer Moyo of Bushwise Field Guide College
• Kimberlee le Hani of Lion Sands Game Reserve.
This year, there is also an invitational candidate from Namibia’s Kanaan Desert Retreat, Francois du Plessis.
Read more about the finalists here.
The event was founded in 2011 when Mike Karantonis (founder and owner of Africa Direct) approached Fgasa with the idea of hosting a competition with the specific aim of recognising and celebrating field guides across southern Africa.
The competition honours the hard work, sacrifice, training, skills development, knowledge and expertise they need to deliver for an ethical, immersive, engaging, and informative safari experience to guests from all over the world. The career path of a field guide is more than just a job, it is a lifestyle that requires passion and commitment not only to the natural world, but also to hosting and hospitality.
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For guides to be nominated, they need to have a minimum of five years’ experience guiding, must have the Fgasa Field Guide qualification (NQF4 formerly known as level 2), must be a paid-up member of Fgasa, must have the Trails Guide qualification and must currently work as a field guide at a lodge, field guide training provider or freelance guide.
Once the nomination period is complete, the director of Fgasa, Michelle du Plessis, and Karantonis interview each nominee. Only five may be selected and deciding who those individuals are, is a challenging task.
The events themselves have been specifically chosen to test the top five finalists in a variety of skills. They are game drive, bushwalk, guided photographic experience, bird slide and sound, track and sign, advanced rifle handling, storytelling, and hosting and hospitality.
