FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) is proud to have hosted another hugely successful Safari Guide of the Year competition. Thank you to all of our guests, esteemed judges, sponsors, media partners, and a special thanks to Kapama Private Game Reserve as our Host Sponsor.
![Safari Guide of the Year Family Portrait](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY-2023-DAY-6-218-scaled.jpg)
Kapama is a premium, five-star luxury safari destination based in the greater Kruger area. To the Kapama staff, your hosting and professionalism falls within the elite of the safari tourism industry. The food blew us away and your attention to detail is impeccable. There are few Thank Yous we’d like to extend to the management and guiding teams at Kapama. Your efforts behind the scenes and your tremendous support and belief in the event made the Safari Guide of the Year 2023 event possible and has set a new bar for the Safari Guide of the Year competition going forward. A very special thanks goes to:
![Christiaan Basson addresses the Safari Guide of the Year guests at the prestigious awards ceremony](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY-2023-DAY-6-385-1024x683.jpg)
Christiaan Basson
General Manager of Tourism for Kapama Private Game Reserve
![Liezel Holmes sits on the tracker’s seat during the ARH assessment at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-2.png)
Liezel Holmes
Safari Manager for Kapama River Lodge
![Rassie Jacobs prepares to walk 2nd rifle for Warren Deyzel’s Guided Walk Assessment](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY-23-DAY5-7-1024x683.jpg)
Rassie Jacobs
Senior Guide at Kapama River Lodge
![Trichia Jacobs is kitted out for the Advanced Rifle Handling Assessment](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-1024x683.jpg)
Trichia Jacobs
Kapama CSI Officer, HR Admin, and Events Co-Ordinator
![Mari-Lize Du Plessis on the shooting range for the ARH assessment](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-1-1024x683.jpg)
Mari-Lize Du Plessis
Food and Beverage Manager at Kapama River Lodge
![Nicole Walker enjoys a dining experience at Kapama River Lodge](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-541-1024x683.jpg)
Nicole Walker
Brand Manager for Kapama Private Game Reserve
![The Kapama guiding team](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day1-Final-386-1024x683.jpg)
Kapama River Lodge’s remarkable Guiding Team
To our generous sponsors, thank you again for making this event possible. Without your input and belief in the importance of safari guides as ambassadors for our country, custodians of the natural world, and representatives of world-class professionalism we would not be able to fully give thanks to the incredible guides that work so hard to ensure that every guest to our country leaves richer for the experience. We would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to:
Canon South Africa, prize sponsors of the Guided Photo Graphic Experience, and Birding Slide and Sound event categories and of course, the R25,000.00 cash prize given to the Safari Guide of the Year winner.
![David Preston enjoys join the Safari Guide of the Year family](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-2-1024x683.jpg)
David Preston
Managing Director of Canon South Africa
![Roger Machin makes an address to the Safari Guide of the Year family on day one](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day1-Final-429-1024x683.jpg)
Roger Machin
Product Marketing Manager of Canon South Africa and Safari Guide of the Year Judge
Ruggedwear, apparel sponsor for the event and prize sponsor for the Advanced Rifle Handling category, a special thanks goes to:
![Howard Rogerson dressed in his Ruggedwear best](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-3-1024x683.jpg)
Howard Rogerson
Owner and CEO of Ruggedwear
![Lyzell Chaffey relaxes in the evening next to the fire](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-4-1024x683.jpg)
Lyzell Chaffey
Sales and Marketing Manager of Ruggedwear
Sapmok, footwear sponsor and prize sponsor for the Guided Walk category. Special thanks goes to:
![Werner Winterboer enjoys a few minutes of rest at Kapama River Lodge](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-5-1024x683.jpg)
Werner Winterboer
Founder and Owner of Sapmok
FreeGo Canvas and Upholstery, prize sponsor for the Guided Game Drive Experience category, a special thanks to:
![Mark Fraser awaits the final awards ceremony](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-6.jpg)
Mark Fraser
Owner and Founder of FreeGo Canvas and Upholstery
Kruger2Canyon News, prize sponsor for the Storytelling Category, special thanks to:
![Mark Bishop, the master of storytelling](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-7-1024x683.jpg)
Mark Bishop
Founder and Editor of the Kruger2Canyon Newspaper
The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), prize sponsors for the Track and Sign, and Hospitality and Professionalism categories and the organisers of the event, special thanks to:
![Michelle du Plessis at Safari Guide of the Year 2023](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-8-1024x683.jpg)
Michelle du Plessis
Managing Director of FGASA
![Bernice Kelly has a laugh at the dinner table](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day1-Final-525-1024x683.jpg)
Bernice Kelly
Standards and Operations Manager for FGASA
![Lorenz takes in the early morning with a hot cup of coffee](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-73-1024x683.jpg)
Lorenz Penkler
Online Systems Manager or FGASA
![Ashleigh Heasman on the range during the ARH assessment](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-9-1024x683.jpg)
Ashleigh Heasman
Administration and Project Assistant for FGASA
![Hermia at Safari Guide of the Year 2023](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-10-1024x683.jpg)
Hermia Malugane
CATHSSETA Liaison and Certificates for FGASA
![Joyce on the shooting range during Safari Guide of the Year 2023](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-11-1024x683.jpg)
Joyce Mushaka
Qualifications Certificates for FGASA
![Chad during the birding fun-drive drinks stop](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-12-1024x683.jpg)
Chad May
Accounts and Finances for FGASA
![Louise at sunrise during the Track and Sign assessment](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-132-1024x683.jpg)
Louise Pavid
Marketing and Communications Manager
![Pretty Ramatlhape](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-13-1024x683.jpg)
Pretty Ramatlhape
FGASA Bookshop Administrator
![Kgomotso Ramatlhape](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-14-1024x683.jpg)
Kgomotso Ramatlhape
Training Delivery Partner Liaison for FGASA
Women in Safari Excellence (WISE), prize sponsor for the Safari Guide of the Year Runner-Up. WISE is a recently founded NGO with the specific aim of providing support, mentorship and inspiration to women who have dedicated their lives to showcasing excellence in the Safari Tourism and Conservation industries, a special thanks to:
![Jody Cole is a vision at the Safari Guide of the Year Awards ceremony](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY-2023-DAY-6-350-1024x683.jpg)
Jody Cole
Founder and Board Chair of WISE
MORE Family Collection, a Field Guide Training Course prize sponsor for the winner of Safari Guide of the Year to gift to a passionate young person as dedicated to wildlife as they are. The course is valued at R88,000.00 and includes a three-month training experience at the MORE Field Guide College at Marataba facilitated by some of the industry’s best field guide trainers. Special thanks to:
![Robert More, Custodian and CEO of the MORE Family Collection](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Robert-More-1-819x1024.jpg)
Robert More
Custodian and CEO of the MORE Family Collection
![Candice Grover, Operations Manager at MORE Field Guide College](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Candice-Website-819x1024.jpg)
Candice Grover
Operations Manager at the MORE Field Guide College
We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to various private sponsors who have given of their money and time to ensure the success of the competition and to make sure that the amazing guides who put their hands up to compete felt the love and appreciation of the entire Safari Guide of the Year contingent, their employers and their colleagues, a very special thanks goes to:
![Ashley Hill on the shooting range at Safari Guide of the Year 2023](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-15-1024x683.jpg)
Ashley Hill
Safari Guide of the Year Sponsor and Guest
![James and Elizabeth Osman at Safari Guide of the Year 2022](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-3-1024x683.png)
James and Elizabeth Osman
Safari Guide of the Year Sponsors and Guests
Our humble thanks is also extended to Ulrike Berth as well as Sam and Barbara Jampolis who all gave generously to ensure that Safari Guide of the Year 2023 was a success.
To the media partners who brought the event to life and shared beautiful stories of the experience through their eloquent words, astounding imagery and cinematic film expertise. You are the ones that brought Safari Guide of the Year to the world, and we could not be more grateful to have such a dedicated and professional team working tirelessly behind the scenes to celebrate the journey of Safari Guide of the Year, the finalists, guests and judges, a special thanks goes to:
![Kyle Cresswell films during the track and sign assessment at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-17-1024x683.jpg)
Kyle Cresswell
Co-Founder of Armadillo Media and Professional Filmmaker
![Nicolene Cresswell at Safari Guide of the Year 2023](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day3-227-1024x683.jpg)
Nicolene Cresswell
Co-Founder of Armadillo Media and Professional Photographer
![Ryan Ferreira at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day1-Final-360-1024x683.jpg)
Ryan Ferreira
Professional Videographer and Media Tech
![Charl Brecher](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-16-1024x683.jpg)
Charl Brecher
Media Specialist and Technical Setup
![Hendrik Smit at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-564-1024x683.jpg)
Hendrik Smit
Assistant Videographer and Photographer
![Walter Van Zyl films at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-18-1024x683.jpg)
Walter Van Zyl
Assistant Videographer and Photographer
![Julian De Jager at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day3-174-1024x683.jpg)
Julian De Jager
Assistant Videographer and Photographer
From Getaway Magazine, a special thanks to:
![Lauren Dold at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-540-1024x683.jpg)
Lauren Dold
Photojournalist at Getaway Magazine
From Latest Sightings – Kruger, a special thanks to:
![Nadav Ossendryver shows off his track and sign manual at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-82-1024x683.jpg)
Nadav Ossendryver
Founder and Owner of Latest Sightings Kruger
Christopher Tosi from the Smile Foundation South Africa
![Christopher Tosi at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-27-1024x683.jpg)
Christopher Tosi
Social Media Influencer and Digital Media Expert
And of course, Pamela Buckle, a marketing and digital media expert, has supported the team and taken great care to ensure that all our sponsors are recognised and appreciated for their incredible generosity and support.
![Pamela Buckle at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-19-1024x683.jpg)
Pamela Buckle
Digital Media Expert
To our esteemed Judges, this event would not be possible without the value your experience and expertise brings to the safari tourism industry. All of you generously and freely give of your time to participate and apply your combined centuries of experience to what must certainly be some very difficult decisions. We cannot express enough how privileged we are to have your support and belief in the event. Many of you have been instrumental in building the safari guiding industry, setting standards of education, safety, ethics, and professionalism. It is your input and dedication to your careers that has brought the gold-standards of field guiding to where it is today, your commitment has served as inspiration for many of the guides who have competed in the event as well as countless others who genuinely believe in standing as ambassadors for wildlife, for tourism, and for our continent.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the following industry legends:
![Mike Karantonis smiles during the Track and Sign assessment at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-20-1024x683.jpg)
Mike Karantonis
Co-Founder of Safari Guide of the Year and Tintswalo Group Head Guide
![Juan Pinto at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-21-1024x683.jpg)
Juan Pinto
Master Tracker, FGASA Scout and Director at Royal Malewane
![James Steyn at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-25-1024x683.jpg)
James Steyn
FGASA Scout and General Manager at Senalala Safari Lodge
![Gawie Grobler at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-23-1024x683.jpg)
Gawie Grobler
Professional Field Guide, FGASA Assessor and General Manager at Gondwana Private Game Reserve
![Lucas Mathonsi at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-24-1024x683.jpg)
Lucas Mathonsi
Master Tracker and FGASA Senior Tracker at Royal Malewane
![Alan Yeowart at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-22-1024x683.jpg)
Alan Yeowart
FGASA Scout and Assessor
![Michelle du Plessis during one of the game drive assessments at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day3-118-1024x683.jpg)
Michelle du Plessis
Managing Director of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa, Safari Guide of the Year Event Organiser
![Roger Machin at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day2-Final-521-1024x683.jpg)
Roger Machin
Product Marketing Manager of Canon South Africa
![Andrew Aveley at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Untitled-design-26-1024x683.jpg)
Andrew Aveley
Field Guide and Professional Photographer, Canon Ambassador and Guest Judge
![Mark Bishop mid-story at Safari Guide of the Year](https://www.fgasa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SGOTY23-Day1-Final-556-1024x683.jpg)
Mark Bishop
Founder and Editor of the Kruger2Canyon Newspaper
If there is one thing that everyone can take away from Safari Guide of the Year, it is that it takes all of us to bring the impossible into reality. It is the combined efforts of each individual to bring thanks and recognition to the faces of tourism in southern Africa. It is a privilege to be surrounded by raw natural beauty, to be immersed in the environment and to be able to share these with others from around this pale blue dot we call planet Earth. There are very few words that can capture the depths of the gratitude and appreciation that goes to every person named above. We thank you for going above and beyond, for giving your all to an industry where often little thanks is received. We hope that each one of you is filled with the love, passion and dedication it takes to make something greater than the sum of its parts. We hope that Safari Guide of the Year 2023 has sparked a new flame of motivation to continue to push beyond the boundaries of excellence, dedication, and professionalism.
From all of us at FGASA, may your vellies always find their footing, may your sights always be on target, may your ears bring the delight of the wild’s orchestra, and may the tapestry of nature always challenge you in the pursuit of knowledge.