Guiding is an art and our guides are phenomenal so we are diving deep and sharing more about the unique individuals that make your safari experience an unforgettable one. Tracking animals through the fresh spoor markings on the ground in the early morning light, explaining behaviours and patterns, leaving you in awe and wonder of the natural as their infectious curiosity and love for the wild radiates from them.
At each of our camps and lodges across Southern Africa and Botswana, there are twice-daily guided game drives and optional walking safaris at some. Marvel at nature as you explore the wilderness through the eyes of an expert. Safaris are an immerse learning experience where you get to interact and connect with the wilderness on a profound level.
We may be biased but we think our remarkable guides are next level.
Meet Ingrid. A powerhouse and wealth of knowledge.
She left her career as an attorney to follow her passion and love of the wild and pursue a career in guiding. She has been sharing her wisdom of the wilderness at nThambo Tree Camp since 2017
Every game drive with her is an adventure, an immersive one packed with insight, observation and experience.
Where did you grow up and what first drew you to the bush?
I grew up in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
What first drew me to the bush was my childhood experience with nature. But after living in Ghana and a bit in Zambia, I realised what I really missing while having a professional career.
Do you remember your very first safari experience?
Not much about my first driving safari experience but my first walking safari, which changed my whole outlook on my guiding career. I had just done my first bush walk (as new guide) and the next moment I was to walk the guests back to the safari vehicle with the guidance of the trails guide. This was where my Trails Guide journey started.
How did you become a guide? What was your journey like?
In 2017, I was fortunately enough to be given the opportunity to change careers which I should have done ages ago. Started with Limpopo Field Guiding from there just continued obtaining experience on foot and on a vehicle. It was not an easy journey, as COVID was part of this journey but an interesting one. It is still a very much male orientated career and as a female guide, you do face a lot of challenges. Got to meet so many interesting people and got to learn so much in this time. Started in the Western Cape and made my way back to Gauteng (Dinokeng Game Reserve). From there to the Lowveld.
How long have you been at nThambo? What’s your favourite thing about being in the Klaserie?
I started in March 2023 at Nthambo and my favourite part is maybe the fact that the lodge is without a fence. We had a lot of animals moving through the camp the last couple of years including lions, hippo, honey badgers etc.
What’s your favourite thing about living and working in the wild? Not to be living in the city, the everyday traffic and in the normal 9-5 working days. There is not one day that is the same and with a different type of “traffic”.
Is there a moment on safari that sticks out / you’ll remember forever?
Too much to remember but maybe my first Wild Dog kill. Experience the confusion of the hunt and how the dogs swam after a waterbuck.
What’s the most unusual or surprising animal behaviour you’ve ever witnessed?
Maybe starting a game drive and just finding fluff everywhere. Just to discover that a leopard stole a big cushion from the neighbour and carrier up in a tree and just ripped it apart and left the remaining parts up in the tree.
What’s the most valuable thing you ever learnt from the bush?
Expect the unexpected.
What’s one thing guests are often surprised to learn about safari life?
With us is the fact that we can get close to the animals and that they do not react to the vehicles if we keep a safe distance.
Do you have a favourite animal sound or bird call?
The fish eagle call is my favourite and the best if the hippos are calling together. Just such an African moment, I would call it.
What do you hope guests take away from a safari with you?
A bit of Africa and incredible memories.
What does it feel like going back to the city or when you’re away from the wilderness?
Run 😊, just the rush is enough to chase you back to the wilderness.
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