Swiss tourist travels with a South African private guide through the breath-taking nature of southern Africa. A buoyant experience report with numerous photos shows what an adventure vacation with a private guide can be like: thrilling, educational and exclusive.
Have you ever become stuck in an area with your rented 4x4 during vacation? No? But you've probably lead inglorious discussions with your partner such as "You're driving in the wrong direction!" Or even worse, you couldn't talk to him anymore because he was laying on the ground, unconscious as a result of a snake bite.
Adventure vacations have a lot to offer. If you want to avoid such tricky situations, you should travel with a private guide. Enjoy the comfort of a guided tour without having to refrain from privacy and individuality. And you can forget about painstaking off-road training or outdoor first-aid courses!
Marion Bobst, Swiss graphic designer and Africa enthusiast, has hit the road with Hannes van Wyk, a South African private guide. Together they have explored the southern part of Africa, the beauty of its countryside, and have gazed at the diversity of the animal kingdom, all while Hannes kept the tire pressure and the snakes under control at all times, Marion recorded her experiences in a richly illustrated and informative book.
Hannes van Wyk, 1988, South African, field guide.
"I grew up in the bush. My dad is a conservationist and the one job he loves doing is creating parks. I got my love for the bush the first time I led my eyes on the fauna and flora. I lived for seven years in Mozambique, with my dad in Limpopo Transfrontier Park. I have seen and experienced a lot and I have had many mentors, all highly respected in the conservation world.
I started my guiding career in 2008 and worked as a guide at !Xaus Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and at the Southern African Wildlife College. I also did freelance guiding and helped out friends with tours into Zimbabwe and Mozambique. My goal is to become the best guide in Africa and to expose people to the wonders of the bush so they can see it through my eyes and how amazing it is."
Marion Bobst, 1974, Swiss, graphic designer.
"I was bitten by the Africa bug on my first travel to Namibia in 2005. Since then I did several tours through Southern Africa and I was very excited to have the great opportunity to do a new journey together with a private guide. We described our adventures in a book to share them with other Africa travellers and people who are interested in travelling with a private guide. It was an interesting challenge within the wonderful nature of Southern Africa."
| Namibia | Botswana | Zimbabwe | Zambia | South Africa | |
| Official Language | English | English, Setswana | English, Shona, Ndebele | English | Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu |
| Capital | Windhoek | Gaborone | Harare | Lusaka | Pretoria |
| Area in km2 | 824,292 | 581,730 | 390,757 | 752,618 | 1,219,090 |
| Population* | 2,400,000 | 1,900,000 | 12,600,000 | 13,700,000 | 51,100,000 |
| Density per km2 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 29.8 | 17.9 | 40.3 |
| Currency | Namibian Dollar | Pula | US Dollar | Zambian Kwacha | Rand |
* DSW Report 2012, Stiftung Weltbevölkerung, July 2012
For information about the places we have visited please click on the yellow dots.
For getting more detailed information please visit Google Maps.
Photos: © 1 Guide & 1 Guest
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Hannes van Wyk, Marion Bobst |
 Prologue [PDF] |
 Here we go! [PDF] |
 Camping [PDF] |
 On safari [PDF] |
 Traveling with kids [PDF] |
 Everyday life [PDF] |
WanaSafiri is a private guided safari company which specializes in tailor-made tours.
Types of safaris: walking safaris, touring safaris, 4x4 safaris, surfing tours. The countries they operate in are the following, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique (Bush to Coast). The guides have years of experience in the guiding industry and have very good knowledge of the countries, culture, fauna and flora.
The number of guests can range from one to eight. There are different packages for each and every tour. From all lodging, to lodging and camping, and finally for those who want to have a real one on one experience with nature, full on camping.
| www.etoshanationalpark.co.za | Etosha National Park, Namibia |
| www.wolwedans.com | Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia |
| www.harritts.com | Harritts Marula Quality Products, Germany |
| www.okavangodelta.com | Okavango Delta, Botswana |
| www.chobenationalpark.co.za | Chobe National Park, Botswana |
| www.chobemarinalodge.com | Chobe Marina Lodge, Kasane, Botswana |
| www.chobesafarilodge.net | Chobe Safari Lodge, Kasane, Botswana |
| www.victoria-falls-hotels.net | Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe |
| www.zimparks.org | Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe |
| www.zambiatourism.com | South Luangwa National Park, Zambia |
| www.tribaltextiles.co.zm | Tribal Textiles, Mfuwe, South Luangwa, Zambia |
| www.chanters-livingstone.com | Chanters Lodge, Livingstone, Zambia |
| www.peaceparks.org | Peace Parks Foundation, South Africa |
| www.krugerpark.co.za | Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| www.nature-reserve.co.za | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa |
| www.xauslodge.co.za | !Xaus Lodge, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa |
© 2013 1 Guide & 1 Guest, Hannes van Wyk, Marion Bobst, bob:art Bobst Mediendesign