Elewana Cultivates First-Class Safari Guides

As part of its ongoing commitment to ensure guests have a superior experience while on safari with Elewana in Kenya or Tanzania, the luxury collection recently upped the ante on its guide training.

Elewana dispatched walking guides Alex and Elly to South Africa for six weeks to enhance their bush skills at Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western border of Kruger National Park. They were followed by Stanford and Moses, and then Baraka and John.

Leading the training was Juan Pinto, former head ranger and now director at Royal Malewane lodge at Thornybush. One of the most experienced guides in the African safari field, his qualifications include FGASA Level III Professional Guide with SKS-Dangerous Game.

Pinto was the first active guide to be awarded the honorary title of “Scout” by the FGASA and has a passion for the African bush. Echoing Elewana’s own ethos, he is deeply dedicated to ensuring that all rangers and trackers strive to be the best guides in Africa.

Assisting him is Ryan Jack, head ranger at Royal Malewane. Jack was born in Zimbabwe and started guiding in 1999 after earning a diploma in Game Ranch Management.

Jack also has a passion for creating images and holds a Diploma in Photography, as well as FGASA Level III Professional Guide with SKS-Dangerous Game and SKS Birding qualification. He’s also a Level III Tracker.

The six Elewana walking safari guides participated in a number of activities during their training that included living in harmony with and an appreciation and respect for the natural world. With urbanization and technology, much of this profound ecological intelligence is being lost at a time when it is most important to our long-term survival.

Each of the guides learned more than expected, had new experiences never to be forgotten and came away with so much more than when they left their home country. They returned to East Africa with an advanced knowledge of tracks and sign identification, further understanding of dangerous animal encounters, and more advanced shooting skills.

In the coming months, Elewana will undertake a reciprocal agreement and Rudi and Nik from Royal Malewane,  will travel to East Africa and train with our walking guides.