Meet the Guides: Behind the Scenes With Traford’s Safari Experts

When you book a safari with Traford Safaris, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the wildlife unforgettable but what truly makes the experience magical is your guide.Our guides aren’t just drivers. They are storytellers, animal trackers, cultural ambassadors, and protectors of the land. They’re the reason our guests leave with more than just photos they leave with memories that last a lifetime.Today, we invite you to meet three of our top safari guides and learn what makes them the heartbeat of every Traford journey.

Guide Spotlight: John “The Tracker” Okello (Uganda)

Years with Traford: 3
Specialty: Gorilla trekking & wildlife tracking in Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Languages: English, Luganda, Swahili

What inspired you to become a safari guide?

“I grew up near Bwindi Forest. As a child, I used to see the gorillas from a distance when helping my father in the garden. I was always curious where do they go? What do they eat? Later, I joined a conservation program and knew this was what I wanted to do. Sharing their story with the world is my life’s passion.”

What’s your most unforgettable safari moment?

“One day, during a gorilla trek, a silverback came and sat down just five meters from us. He looked at us, calmly, and even yawned. The guest froze and whispered, ‘He’s real.’ It was powerful. Sometimes, silence in the wild says more than words ever could.”

What do you want guests to take away from their safari?

“Respect. For the animals, the forests, the people. When guests understand that everything here is connected, they start to see Africa not as just a destination, but as a teacher.”

Guide Spotlight: Beatrice Njeri (Kenya)

Years with Traford: 3
Specialty: Big Five safaris & cultural tours in Maasai Mara and Amboseli
Languages: English, Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Maasai

How did you get started as a guide?

“I was the only girl in my guiding class. People doubted me at first, but my passion spoke louder. I love animals, and I love people. Being a guide lets me bring the two together.”

What’s something guests are always surprised to learn?

“That elephants cry. I once showed a guest a young elephant mourning its mother. She cried too. Moments like that remind us how intelligent and emotional wildlife can be.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“Every safari is different. I might see the same pride of lions ten times, but they always do something new. And I love empowering young girls who see me guiding and think, ‘I can do that too.’”

Guide Spotlight: Alex Habimana (Rwanda)

Years with Traford: 3
Specialty: Chimpanzee trekking & historical tours in Nyungwe and Kigali
Languages: English, French, Kinyarwanda

What’s your background before becoming a guide?

“I studied tourism and worked at a hotel first. But I missed the forest, the real Rwanda. Now I get to guide treks through Nyungwe, and I also do city tours that show Rwanda’s culture and history.”

What do you find most rewarding?

“When guests leave understanding Rwanda in a new light. After visiting the Genocide Memorial, many guests say it changes them. They don’t just learn they feel. Then we go trekking, and they smile again. It’s a full circle.”

What’s your personal motto?

“Be the bridge. Between nature and people, past and present, culture and curiosity.”

Why Our Guides Make the Difference

At Traford Safaris, we believe that the guide can make or break the safari experience. That’s why we invest in:

• Ongoing training in conservation, first aid, and customer care

• Fair pay and performance bonuses

• Language and hospitality courses

• Opportunities for growth, including female guide mentorship programs

Our guests often tell us that their guide was the highlight of their trip. Whether it’s spotting a leopard in the trees, explaining a local legend, or stopping to taste fresh jackfruit from a village market—it’s the human connection that turns a safari into a story worth telling.

What Guests Say About Our Guides

“James wasn’t just our driver he was our friend, teacher, and protector. We learned more from him in 5 days than any guidebook.” – Clara, UK

“Beatrice made our honeymoon feel like a royal adventure. She thought of everything from special meals to surprise lion sightings!” – Mario & Daniella, Italy

“Alex brought Rwanda to life with his knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor. We’re still in touch!” – Lisa & Mike, USA

Final Thoughts: More Than a Safari

When you travel with Traford Safaris, you don’t just get a guide you gain a storyteller, a cultural interpreter, and a trusted companion on your journey.

Our team isn’t just trained. They’re passionate. They know the land because they live it. And they guide not just with skill, but with heart.

Ready to meet them in person?

Check out our latest safari packages or contact us to design a journey where you’re guided by the best in East Africa.