What Is a Private Guide and Why Should You Consider One for Your Safari?

Hi, I’m Nick Kleer—private safari guide, conservationist, wildlife photographer, and most importantly, a friend of animals. My life’s work revolves around immersing myself in wild spaces, learning about them, capturing their beauty, and sharing them with others.

A private guide is someone who has chosen a path that involves wild areas in their life and work but doesn’t want to commit to staying at a single lodge for months at a time. Instead, we seek to explore, learn, and guide others through different wild spaces, always alongside the passionate local guides who know their areas best.

It’s the perfect way to combine a deep love for nature, years of guiding experience, and the joy of traveling with like-minded people. A private guide doesn’t replace the local guides at lodges—instead, we complement them, creating a richer, more tailored experience for our guests.

Why Bring a Private Guide on Your Safari?

When you bring a private guide along on your safari, you’re not just hiring someone to lead the way—you’re gaining a partner who ensures you experience the wild in a way that’s personal, meaningful, ethical, and memorable.

Here’s why traveling with a private guide can elevate your safari:

1. Maximizing Every Destination

A private guide knows how to get the best out of each destination you visit. Whether it’s positioning you for the perfect photo in golden light, interpreting subtle animal behaviors, or knowing the best times to visit certain areas to avoid crowds, I help create a deeper and more meaningful connection to the wild.

2. Planning Expertise Backed by a Professional Team

Planning a safari isn’t as simple as picking a lodge and budgeting for the nightly rate. It involves so much more:

  • Coordinating flights and transfers
  • Aligning schedules for charter flights
  • Booking lodges and ensuring dates align
  • Organizing meet-and-greet services at airports
  • Accounting for every detail to make the trip seamless

Behind every trip I guide is a professional reservations team that works tirelessly to craft a perfectly planned safari. Together, we handle the intricate logistics so you can focus on the adventure while we ensure everything runs smoothly.

3. In-Depth Knowledge and Global Perspective

Local guides are phenomenal, and their knowledge of their home regions is unmatched. As a private guide, I complement this with a broader perspective, sharing insights and comparisons from different ecosystems, continents, and wildlife encounters. Together with local guides, I can give you a deeper understanding of the places you visit.

4. Tailored to Your Interests

Whether your passion is photography, animal behavior, conservation, or simply soaking in the beauty of nature, a private guide customizes the experience to your interests. I can help you improve your wildlife photography, interpret fascinating animal interactions, or simply ensure you’re in the right place at the right time for extraordinary encounters.

5. Conservation at the Heart of Your Journey

By traveling with me as your private guide, you’re directly contributing to conservation efforts. I’ve committed to donating 10% of my earnings from each trip to the Wildlife Conservation Fund through Wild Wonderful World, an initiative supporting vital conservation projects.

These funds go toward:

  • Anti-poaching operations
  • Rhino collaring for protection and monitoring
  • Animal translocation to safer habitats
  • Removing snares from wild areas
  • Long-term monitoring and research

This means your safari is not just a chance to see incredible wildlife—it’s also a way to give back and protect these wild spaces for future generations. Along the way, you’ll learn about the conservation efforts taking place and how your journey is making a tangible difference.

Joining a Group Trip with a Private Guide

Another benefit of working with a private guide is the opportunity to join guided group trips. These aren’t just safaris—they’re opportunities to connect with people who share a passion for wildlife and nature.

Group trips bring together travelers from around the world who share their stories, experiences, and perspectives. It’s more than a safari—it’s an inspiring and enriching experience where you’ll walk away with not only wildlife memories but also new friendships and shared knowledge.

What If a Private Guide Isn’t in Your Budget?

I know hiring a private guide isn’t an option for everyone, and that’s okay. Many of us are more than happy to share advice or help point you in the right direction. The ultimate goal is to inspire as many people as possible to fall in love with the natural world and to nurture a new generation of conservationists and custodians of our planet.

Whether it’s through a privately guided trip or a bit of advice to help you plan your next adventure, the heart of the matter is getting people into the wild—because that’s where the magic happens.

A Final Word

Traveling with a private guide is about more than convenience—it’s about experiencing nature in a way that’s deeply personal, enriching, and inspiring. Whether you’re a photographer chasing the perfect shot, a wildlife enthusiast eager to learn, or someone simply looking for an unforgettable adventure, a private guide can help make your dreams a reality.

With a professional reservations team taking care of every logistical detail and your safari contributing directly to conservation efforts, your journey becomes effortless, impactful, and unforgettable.

So, if you’re planning your next wildlife adventure, I’d love to guide you. Let’s make it more than just a trip—let’s make it a journey that connects you to the wild, inspires you to learn, and helps protect these incredible spaces for generations to come.

Let’s stay wildly connected,
Nick

> Sign up for Safari News