Since 2007, Cathy and I have taken 4 major photo treks sponsored by professional photographers or photographic organizations. We have enjoyed all of them immensely. When we first started out, we saw these trips as a way to combine learning our craft from a professional photographer as well as experiencing some incredible parts of the world. Without question, we have learned a lot about wildlife and landscape photography. However, we have come to realize something even more important – the value to experienced, local guides.
In each of our major photo treks our drivers/guides were hired locally. The advantage of this is that they know the terrain, the wildlife, animal behaviors, best view points, animal gathering points, etc. While it may be possible to learn some of this from guide books and through internet research, there is no substitute for local expertise. For example, most fishermen who are going to a new area for the first time will hire a local fishing guide for a day to two to learn where the hot spots are. The same is true for photographers. If you are not familiar with the area you will be much more successful if you have a local guide to assist you.
For our Kenya trip we had some of the best guides around. All of the guides from Origins Safaris hold a certificate from National Museum of Kenya & Nature Kenya Fundamentals of Ornithology, have completed a course with the US based National Association of Interpreters in Interpretive Guiding, and are full members of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA) and hold Bronze or Silver level qualifications. Their knowledge of the wildlife, geography and culture was astonishing.
Peter Liech Adede, Henry Miwani and Felix Wambugu
Felix Wambugu was the spiritual, if not the actual head, of our four guides. Felix worked for a time for a French astronomer and then as a park ranger. He has many interesting stories from those days, including his experiences with poachers. He eventually moved into the tourism industry and obtained specialized training. He is an excellent guide with good people skills, a sense of humor and a deep knowledge of the bush, the wildlife, the culture and the different eco-systems.
Joshua Sonkoyo is from the Maasai tribe. His upbringing and education give him unique insights into the wildlife and animal behaviors in the area. He routinely anticipated the animals intent and put us in the right place at the right time. He also tells great stories. If you ever meet Joshua, ask about the baboon story.Henry Miwani was our third guide. A nicer, friendlier man has never existed. Henry is an elder in his Maasai tribe and still goes home, when not acting as a guide, to farm. Henry arranged for us to come visit his village on our last day in Masai Mara. We had a wonderful time learning about the Maasai culture from him.
Our fourth guide was Peter Liech Adede. Peter was the youngest of the guides but his intelligence and experience made up for the fewer number of years. In addition to his work as a guide he spends large amounts of time working with the Kenya Self-Help Project / Nyashep Education Trust. More than half of all children in Kendu Bay fail to complete a primary education due to extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS-related parental deaths. The dropout rate is highest among girls; more than 70% do not finish grade eight. Peter is working to improve this situation.
It is because of the efforts of people like Felix, Joshua, Henry and Peter that our photo treks have been so successful. Cathy and I highly encourage you to consider one of the may photo treks that are available that use talented local guides to introduce you to their world.
And finally, I can’t leave you without a photo for the day. One of the more unique animals that we saw was the bat-eared fox. They are cute as all get out.
Until tomorrow, enjoy…
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