Day 2 began with a treat for the guests and competing guides of the Safari Guide of the Year competition. It was a tranquil boat cruise along the Kariega River as the sun rose gently over the Eastern Cape.
Center Green: Megan Heramb-Smith
The riverbanks were alive with birds, and the group was treated to sightings of a Palm-nut Vulture and the elusive Half-collared Kingfisher. Rare finds that set a strong tone for the day.
Boat-based sightings at Kariega Game Reserve are a real standout feature, especially when you consider that not many reserves in South Africa offer this type of experience. Most safaris in the country are done on land, either through game drives or guided bush walks, so the chance to explore by water brings a unique dimension.
At Kariega, the cruise takes place on the Kariega River, which winds through the reserve and is calm and navigable, offering a peaceful setting for birding and observing wildlife from a different perspective. It’s not uncommon to see bushbuck coming down to drink, water monitors along the banks, and an impressive array of birdlife, and predators when you’re lucky!
Once back at camp, the judges convened with the finalists to outline the structure and expectations for the remainder of the week. Lunch was served at the lodge, bringing together finalists, judges, sponsors, and guests for a shared meal and conversation before the afternoon’s activities.
The practical sessions then commenced. Competing guides, Megan led a guided bushwalk, Jason took a group out on a game drive, and Moatlhodi hosted a photographic safari with Roger Machin, from Canon South Africa and professional photographer, Cameron Pearce.
Get All Details Competing Guides
In the early evening, Matthew Edward Derry delivered a light-hearted storytelling session, sharing the challenges of his guiding journey while seated humorously on a plastic toy motorbike.
The day ended with a presentation by Alan Weyer, who gave an engaging talk on the history of the Eastern Cape, offering deeper context to the region and its people.
This is a big moment for the province of the Eastern Cape, as it is the first time that the competition is being hosted there.
Day 3 started early with a guided walk led by Cameron Schmidt. The group moved through the bush in cool morning conditions and encountered giraffes and zebras grazing peacefully nearby. During the walk, they came across a very fresh aardvark hole.
We used this find for a community track and sign quiz, and so many of you did well to guess that it was an aardvark that created the hole. Well done!
Some of the guests on Cameron’s tour took the chance to climb into the freshly dug-up hole! Good fun, but with termites that can bite, we recommend caution when digging through holes in the ground!
Safety is a big part of guiding, and as so, one of the key components in the competition is the shooting assessment, which the afternoon was dedicated to.
Each finalist had to demonstrate their ability to handle a firearm under controlled conditions, focusing on precision and safety. The exercise was taken seriously, and overall, the group performed well.
Later in the evening, everyone gathered for a team-building session. The finalists were split into four teams. It was the red, green, blue, and orange teams, all given the task of preparing a potjie.
Each team worked over their own fire and had to prepare a dish using lamb, chicken, beef, or vegetarian ingredients. The activity created a lively atmosphere with teams showing off their cooking skills and creativity.
Once the meals were cooked and enjoyed, the day ended with another round of storytelling around the fire. It was a relaxed end to a full day.