The finalists jumped for joy early on in the competition…

Then the hard work started as they all had to tackle the various tasks that lay ahead during the week.

Safari Guide of the Year 2021, TJ, was on hand to present the trophy to the incoming winner.

A bitter-sweet day for him as he stepped down and handed the title to the Safari Guide of the Year 2022.

The finalists were on fire this year…

From L to R and looking dapper in their apparel sponsored by Ruggedwear.

Ruvan, Liam, Cameron, Nico and Solomon.

The esteemed judging panel have made their decisions.

This highly qualified panel certainly had their work cut out for them as the sharp end of the competition approached.

The finalists this year made their work even harder as there could not have been more than a few points between the winner and runner-up in each category.

But, there can be only one winner and he was announced at a dinner and awards ceremony held on Saturday, July 2nd and broadcast live on Dstv channel 183.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

Cameron Pierce not only took home the Safari Guide of the Year 2022 Trophy, but he also won the Guided Walk, Track and Sign, Birding, and Storytelling categories.

Ruvan Grobler was the Safari Guide of the Year 2022 runner up and he claimed the photographic category win.

Nico Brits won the hospitality and Professionalism category.

He also walked away with the Wild Earth viewer’s choice prize for best ‘on-camera’ presence.

Solomon Ndlovu won the advanced rifle handling category and if there had been a category for the biggest smile, he would have won that as well!

This is him doing his ‘blue steel’ impression…

Liam Henderson won the Game Drive category.

And so the sun sets on Safari Guide of the Year 2022.

Many thanks to all those who made this event a huge success. To Michelle and her team, I believe that this was the best SGOTY to date and you have certainly set the bar extremely high for 2023.

It would be remiss of me not to thank The Southern African Wildlife College for their hospitality and especially their food!

With thanks to all the sponsors, without who this event would not have been the success that it was!