Well-Guided: Conversations with Top AC Guides
A great guide can transform a journey. This month we launch a new series of conversations with top Adventure Collection guides, to give a human face to the companies’ tours and to embody the depth of knowledge, commitment, passion and expertise that distinguish AC journeys. We start the series with Philip Kibet Rono, who has been a Safari Director with Micato Safaris for 19 years.
Philip Kibet Rono -- or "Rono," as he is popularly known -- is a silver level-guide, the highest level currently awarded in Kenya. He is a graduate of Kenya Utalli College with a degree in Guiding and Administration; he has also done the 7-day certificate field course on birding with some of Kenya’s top birding scholars. Rono has served as an interport lecturer on many cruise journeys between India, South Africa and East Africa, and has been the onboard lecturer for Semester at Sea’s “campus afloat”. He won Micato’s annual Lion Award of Excellence this year for continuous outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty.
DG: How long have you been a guide?
PKR: Well, I have been told that shortly after I learned to walk I was pointing out cheetah tracks, so I guess I’ve always been a guide of sorts! But professionally, it has been 20 great years.
How long have you been a guide for Micato?
Almost since the very beginning. I’ve spent 19 years with Micato, because I can’t imagine a better place to work, or better people to work for than the Pintos. I feel like I am part of their family.
As a guide what do you do?
Oh, my job description ranges from tracking leopards to navigating rugged terrain to making sure the famous East African Go-Away Bird stays away from our bush breakfast. I need to be a jack-of-all-trades. I thrive on educating travelers about East African flora and fauna, and I also make sure that each guest has everything they need. I’m an ambassador, a professor, a host and some guests have even said, a magician! Overall it is my duty to represent Micato Safaris, my country, and Africa as a whole and I take it seriously.
I wouldn’t say I have one area of specialization, because if there is one thing I have learned in the bush it’s that everything can change from day to day. I can lead a group of ardent bird-watchers as easily as a group of world-class photographers; I have guided multi-generational families, students, honeymooners and adventurers. And I have been privileged to guide Hollywood celebrities as well — if people think they are high-maintenance, you should see the giraffes we feed! Give them one piece of food, and they won’t stop nudging you for more…
What is it about East Africa that most appeals to you and that you love most to share with your travelers?
So many people travel to Africa for the animals. And they are spectacular. But what I most love to share with travelers are the cultures and people of Africa. Our guests meet Maasai elders, Samburu warriors, village children and city artists. Many guests say that the animals are the reason they came to Africa, but the people are the reason they’d come back. So I very much enjoy sharing a more personal side of Africa with our guests.
I also share with our guests the positive changes taking place in Africa, such as sustainable conservation and eco-tourism efforts within indigenous communities. Most people are not aware that 70 percent of our flora and fauna live outside government-protected areas. Therefore, local communities need to be involved in decision-making about how to protect our wildlife and local plants. I think this is important for the future of these communities — educating and empowering them so they are prepared for 21st-century challenges.
Can you give an example of any special experience or connection you have that you have been able to pass on to your travelers?
Once, I took a group of our travelers to a tribal village which had just concluded a sacred ceremony. This was a very rare opportunity to see a fascinating culture at a joyous time. Though they hadn’t planned on having guests that day, the villagers were extremely welcoming, answering questions and laughing with the guests. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a great opportunity for two very different cultures to better understand each other. Our travelers said they had never experienced anything like it.
What are a guide’s most important skills?
A good guide has to be able to see things that an untrained eye cannot. They have to be able to read animal behaviour, and understand and adapt to the dynamics of the bush. To be able to get in and out of tight spots, and to identify unique opportunities for exploring.
Oh, and it is important to have a sense of humor! If there is one thing a good guide learns, it is to be able to laugh -- and hopefully make others laugh at the same time.
What does a good guide add to a journey?
He or she adds depth to the safari experience. Our guests come a long way to see Africa, and a guide’s knowledge and skill can be the difference between a good experience and an outstanding one that people will remember all their lives.
So a good guide is skilled in getting their guests “behind the scenes.” He or she introduces them to unique people and fascinating places that travelers might not get to see: not only showing guests a destination, but letting them experience it.
He or she also makes sure that a safari is seamless, so that the biggest thing weighing on a guest’s mind is what to have for dessert! It is also important to provide perspective and alternative viewpoints on matters pertaining to our local people, so guests fully understand the issues facing Africans today.
What are the main challenges of travel in your destination?
The biggest challenge is fitting everything in! Because I have been guiding for 20 years, the day-to-day challenges are ones I’m quite used to handling. But because we try to give our guests a broad perspective on Africa -- exposing them to the incredible people, history and culture of Africa in addition to the animals -- it can be difficult to fit everything in during our journeys. We want to show them more than just the amazing wildlife here; we want to show them life in Africa. Providing this varied experience is easier with more time, so I always say to our guests: Please, stay longer!
How do you overcome these challenges?
This is where being an experienced guide comes in. Over the years, I have gathered a lot of “insider” knowledge. So I’ve been able to put together very unique experiences for our guests. I prepare our guests with thorough daily briefings to help them understand what they will be seeing. Of course, we always have a plan of action for every possible scenario, which is bolstered by our good connections and relationships with people all over Africa. And I make sure that every last detail is taken care of, so we can move quickly and easily without worrying about time.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy interacting with new people most of all. Through my job, I’m able to meet interesting people from around the world. I get to learn about their culture and experiences, and get to share mine with them. Every day, in addition to teaching my guests about Africa, I always learn something new.
Oh, and I get to go on safari for a living! Even today, after 20 years as a Safari Director, I am thrilled at new animal and plant sightings. I consider myself very fortunate to have a job that I love.
What has been your most memorable experience as a guide?
Well, there was the time a monkey ran off with my cell phone. Luckily, I caught up with him pretty quickly so he didn’t have time to make too many calls!
There are so many memorable times — like spending a week guiding a world-famous actress, or the time I helped save a baby elephant that had been orphaned in the wild. But in addition to the more exciting moments I remember, I also remember the little things. For example, watching a kid’s face when he sees his first lion in the wild — the look on his face, that first look of complete amazement. I’ve seen that look hundreds of times, but it never gets old.
How can travelers get the most out of a visit to Africa?
I think travelers should allow themselves as much time as possible in the destination, because Africa is such a unique and varied place and there is so much to do. I also suggest that guests do some reading prior to their safari, as it helps to provide some background on African culture and history. At Micato, we actually provide a comprehensive reading list for our guests — but they need not worry, there will not be a quiz!
Most of all, travelers should come to Africa with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. They should be prepared to leave a piece of themselves behind, because once you’ve visited, Africa is forever a part of you.
