My Life as a Field Guide

Imagine having someone who can plan and manage every detail of your safari as it unfolds, leaving you with nothing much else to do than decide how many photos to take; imagine not having to share your game drive vehicle with strangers, affording more flexibility when exploring the wilds; imagine having a charismatic and entertaining host while you dine at your private table! If this is how you imagine your safari, then private guided safaris are for you!

The job of a field guide is often glamorised. It can be an extremely rewarding career and in fact is probably better described as a lifestyle.
It is also incredibly hard work requiring a commitment and dedication to long hours, irregular schedules, tough conditions (often having to work outdoors in rain and extreme cold), potential danger and probably most importantly, solitude and very little social life in (often) isolated and remote locations.

The benefits and positives do, however, outweigh the hardships and negatives with the biggest plus being the opportunity to live and work in areas that most people only dream about visiting while experiencing a quality of life that is second to none. As a field guide you get to meet people from all walks of life, you have unparalleled opportunities to view wildlife, to witness spectacular wildlife interactions, and to take awesome photographs on a daily basis, but probably most importantly you are in the unique position to educate people about our most precious resource, the natural world around us, and in so doing contribute toward a sustainable future!
Guiding can be an extremely rewarding career and in fact is probably better described as a lifestyle. The job of a field guide (or ranger as they are called in some areas) is often glamorized.

From an early age, my family and I spent an annual vacation in the Masai Mara where my passion for wildlife was fueled and developed. I was fascinated by the intricacies and wonders of nature and my thirst for knowledge and understanding resulted in the acquisition of a considerable library of related literature (field guides and scientific journals) and a dedication to self-study that continues to this day.

I have an avid interest in all aspects of fauna and flora, and although I have no ‘field of specialty’, I would say that I have particular interest in the Behavior of Animals and Birds. I have a particular interest in diversifying my knowledge-base to include as broad a spectrum of environmental topics, natural science subjects and wildlife destinations as possible.
Photography is a keen interest of mine (with particular interest in sepia imagery) – having taken most of the photographs in my Facebook Profile - and therefore have an understanding of what lighting and positions are best for guest photography. This is an attribute which undoubtedly enhances the overall safari experience for visitors.
My primary focus is to travel to and explore the natural wonders of the African Continent and the World, and in so-doing attain a better first hand understanding of nature’s fundamentals in order to make this information available in as clear a manner as possible to my guests.
I am passionate about the pivotal role that tourism can play in Africa and seriously aspire to not only putting something back into the industry -but also to making a positive contribution toward growing Africa’s slice of the international tourism cake. I believe that the easiest way to do this is by exposing my guests to, and making them aware of, the unique historical, cultural and environmental virtues of the region in an articulate and enthusiastic manner as possible.
When not guiding,am studying/reading books that will improve my Guiding Skills, , I enjoy spending time relaxing and even Bird watching.
I have always had a passion for teaching and from the early days of my career have wanted to make a difference and ‘put something back’ into the industry from which I have gained so much. With this in mind,I am planing to open up Ornithological & Safaris Expeditions Here In Kenya,to inform and teach young and aspiring guides.

As far as safaris go, wilderness areas and the wildlife they contain certainly take centre stage.I have more than 16 years experience conducting high-end safaris in a diverse array of wildlife destinations in Africa.My dedication to guiding in an ethical and professional manner, coupled to my experience, expertise, enthusiasm and dynamic personalities will ensure a memorable safari adventure.
This are the tributes towards,improving and conserving mother Nature.

Member:Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association
Member:Nature Kenya

An Unusual wake up Alarm, Augur Buzzard (Buteo Augur).

Augar Buzzard(Buteo Augur)

Being a guide, waking up early in the morning is part of my daily routine, my alarm clock is always set to wake me up at the correct time in the morning, but for the last four months my alarm clock has been replaced by an unusual alarm, the Augur Buzzard (Buteo Augur).
Repeated ku-wow ku-wow calls from the bird is what has been waking me up as early as 5:30 am. Over this period waking up has been much easier. Thanks to this bird for it has also sharpened my call identification skills not only for the Augur Buzzard but also other bird species.
This bird has a big nest in my compound. For the four months period, I have been watching and recording its behavior as it flies to and fro its nest sometimes with twigs, grasses even meals such as Rats. From as early as 06:00 am to 10:30 am when the ku-wow ku-wow calls become silent till the next day at 05:30 am. I am Lucky to be recording its behavior & relation to other bird species, sometimes chasing small doves i.e. Red eyed dove, the Speckled Pigeon for a glance of a meal.
On several occasions I have witnessed pied crows & black kites flying around her nest uttering different calls may be to alert other birds of the expected danger. I hope my record will continue more when she attracts a mate for breeding hence incising more activity of the birds in my compound.
Out of the 78 diurnal & 16 nocturnal species of raptors (Umbrella Species) The Augur Buzzard is now shying off to forested habitats.
Having come from Ngong Town, an adjacent town to the foots of the Ngong Hills, famous for a one time bestselling book & Movie OUT OF AFRICA.As the Danish author laments on the first chapter of the book ‘’I had a farm in Africa, Ngong Hills’’ .She Boost’s on the rich wildlife Flora, fauna & avi-fauna, where Lions, Buffalo, Rhinos & Eland just but to name a few, used to roam the area freely. In frequent bird watch in the area and it’s adjacent dating back in the year 2003, my record on the Augur buzzard has fallen down to 6 from 16, a 90 % record fall.
During my recent bird watch treks to the Ngong hills, I witnessed a pair mating near a roosting nest of Bartuler Eagles on top of the Telkom Mast. On different a occasion at Embul Bul an area adjacent to the Oloolua Forest, I saw a Melanistic Augur Buzzard & with the help of a resident Guide Isaac Rotich (KPSGA GOLD) was able to identify it as a male .
I blame the fall in number of the Augur Buzzard and other bird species in Ngong and adjacent areas to the continued urbanization, putting up of building, creating more open areas without tree cover, the recent completion of the Face one Ngong Windmill Power Generating Project, mega poles have been erected by the KPLC and wire lines from the windmills ran down hill to the Karen sub-station. These are some of the factors diminishing the population of the raptors and other bird Species around Ngong.
In my opinion key issues factors relevant to conservation & management of nature such as putting up structures, electrification & logging should be highly addressed to improve & manage the population of different species including birds In Kenya
Member:Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association

Member:Nature Kenya

Personal Interests.

Being a guide is not a hobby or a job, it’s a passion, I think if you cannot be passionate about all the things you have to do as a guide, you’re not a guide. But believe me, if you find what you are passionate about, being a guide is the best job in the world.

Only the brave can do this...My passion ..
God Bless thy work of thy Hand..

The guiding motto as a naturalist/Guide should be, seek simplicity and distrust it.

Misty Harmony at Nairobi Safari Walk

I have an avid interest in all aspects of fauna and flora, and although I have no ‘field of specialty’, I would say that I have particular interest in the Behavior of Animals and Birds. I have a particular interest in diversifying my knowledge-base to include as broad a spectrum of environmental topics, natural science subjects and wildlife destinations as possible.
Photography is a keen interest of mine (with particular interest in sepia imagery) – having taken most of the photographs in my Facebook  Profile - and therefore have an understanding of what lighting and positions are best for guest photography. This is an attribute which undoubtedly enhances the overall safari experience for visitors.
My primary focus is to travel to and explore the natural wonders of the African Continent and the World, and in so-doing attain a better first hand understanding of nature’s fundamentals in order to make this information available in as clear a manner as possible to my guests.
I am passionate about the pivotal role that tourism can play in Africa and seriously aspire to not only putting something back into the industry -but also to making a positive contribution toward growing Africa’s slice of the international tourism cake. I believe that the easiest way to do this is by exposing my guests to, and making them aware of, the unique historical, cultural and environmental virtues of the region in an articulate and enthusiastic  manner as possible.
When not guiding,am studying/reading books that will improve my Guiding Skills, , I enjoy spending time relaxing and even Bird watching.
I have always had a passion for teaching and from the early days of my career have wanted to make a difference and ‘put something back’ into the industry from which I have gained so much. With this in mind,I am planing to open up Ornithological & Safaris Expeditions Here In Kenya,to inform and teach young and aspiring guides.

This are the tributes towards,improving and conserving mother Nature.

Member:Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association

Member:Nature Kenya

Bird Watching in Style.

Lioness taking down Giraffe.

Narina trogon.(Apaloderma narina)

Narina trogon.(Apaloderma narina)

Was Lucky to see both the male and the female,In one forest but in different areas..This is one of my Classical Shots and species of Birds.
The species name is Khoikhoi in origin, believed to be named after Narina, the mistress of the French... ornithologist François Le Vaillant.

Bird Watching is the Strongest point in My Guiding.
Ornithology in generals is an overwhelming subject for many, with over 900 local spices that exhibit a bewildering array of behaviors and traits.
BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH-Birds, should have a place in my library.
This book takes the life of birds and makes it easy for the lay – men to grasp, by presenting the fundamentals in a question and answer format illustrated with full color photographs.
There are a number of excellent bird books specializing in specific topics that are of interest to the average birder, but this is the first that attempts to bring all these topics together in one appealing volume
For anyone with more than a passing interest in our fascinating and spectacular avifauna – BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH-Birds, is a MUST have/Read.

Member:Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association


Member:Nature Kenya

Africas Small five

Africa's Small 5



Not many people are aware that there is also a "Small 5" in Africa. and as you can see, the names relate somewhat to the Big 5. The Small 5 are:
Elephant Shrew
Red Billed Buffalo Weaver
Ant Lion
Leopard Tortoise
Rhino Beetle




The Elephant Shrew

Elephant Shrew

Description
Head and body length: 3.7- 4 inches. Tail length: 3.7- 5 inches. Weight: 1-1.7 ounces. Color: fur is long and soft; the upper parts are sandy brown, pale buff, orange buff, or pale grayish buff.
Range - Nambia, the Cape province of South Africa, and extreme southern Botswana.
Habitat - Gravelly, sandy, thornbush plains.
These animals are mainly solitary in the wild. Breeding season is around August- September. The gestation is 56-61 days. The usual litter size is 2.




The Ant Lion

      Ant Lion

The antlion larva digs its pits in dry, sunny spots sheltered from wind and rain, particularly on south-facing slopes. The soil must be light and easy to shift. Pushing itself backward, the larva first draws a circle on the ground. Then, digging deeper and deeper, it spirals in toward the center. The dirt that is dug out is thrown out energetically with the head. After only about 15 minutes, the antlion has made a funnel-shaped crater in the earth. The antlion larvae prepare the sides of their pits with fine sand or soil particles so ants that fall in can't climb out, and land in the jaws of the "doodlebug" waiting at the bottom. It buries itself at the bottom so that only the head, with opened jaws, can be seen, and there it waits for its prey.




The Red Billed Buffalo Weaver

Red Billed Buffalo Weaver

Very similar in habit and appearance to the White-billed Buffalo-Weaver. The female and juvenile birds are quite distinctive being brown above and spotted or streaked below. The Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver builds massive thorny nests in acacia or baobab trees and these are used as communal roosts. They are noisy and gregarious birds, frequently found feeding on the ground alongside starlings.




The Leopard Tortoise

      Leopard Tortoise

The Leopard tortoise is a large and attractively marked tortoise which has a wide distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, including recorded localities in southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Eastern Africa (including Natal), Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Southwest Africa. In this species males may attain a greater size than females, a characteristic shared with certain other members of the genus Geochelone, including Galapagos tortoises. Large examples may be 60 cm (over 2 feet) long and weigh over 35 kg (about 80 lbs.).




The Rhino Beetle

         Rhino Bettle

Rhinoceros beetles grow to be between 1 and 2 1/2 inches long.
Both sexes have horns, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Male beetles use these horns for fighting rival males over feeding sites or females. Rhinoceros beetles also use their horns for digging, climbing and mating.

Member:Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association


Member:Nature Kenya