Gareth Poole has been a private photographic field guide for just over
12 years, having worked at several private game reserves across South
Africa, including the famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Kruger
National Park.
Gareth’s love for the African bush started at a young age with his parents both living and working in the Timbavati Private Game reserve. His father was a field guide and mother a chef at a private lodge. Gareth was exposed to the wonders of the natural bush from as early as when he could take his first steps and has been tracking big game ever since.
His training as a guide started at a Private Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal, which arguably has one of the best guide training programs in Africa.
Eight months of intense and exciting in-the-field training from some of the best in the business, not only threw Gareth into an exciting world of tracking big game on foot, but also taught him all the finer details of Africa’s remarkable eco-system up close.
Years later he went on to do further training to become a bushwalking specialist. This involved tracking and viewing big game such as elephant, buffalo and rhino on foot, with the focus on ensuring that the animals were never aware of his presence.
His training as a guide started at a Private Game Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal, which arguably has one of the best guide training programs in Africa.
Eight months of intense and exciting in-the-field training from some of the best in the business, not only threw Gareth into an exciting world of tracking big game on foot, but also taught him all the finer details of Africa’s remarkable eco-system up close.
Years later he went on to do further training to become a bushwalking specialist. This involved tracking and viewing big game such as elephant, buffalo and rhino on foot, with the focus on ensuring that the animals were never aware of his presence.
IIn Gareth’s words: “There is nothing more humbling or exciting than getting up close to Africa’s iconic giants on foot.”
Wildlife photography has become a true passion for him over the course of his guiding career. In 2017, Gareth upgraded to a professional Nikon set up and hasn’t looked back since. Gareth has also become very familiar with the Canon set up over the years, having hired several options during trips to other wildlife destinations across the continent.
He enjoys taking the time to ensure his guests capture the images they dream of. A leopard leaping across a river, the night time star burst of the remarkable Milky Way, the detail of the African Savanna landscape.
Another of Gareth’s passions are the birds of Africa. He has recorded just over 500 of Southern Africa’s 920 odd species and cannot wait to find the rest. Birding is an acquired art, often frustratingly slow however always rewarding. These smaller, often overlooked creatures, are beautiful and fascinating.
Gareth always finds that if you give the birds your attention, you not only open your senses to the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of the bush, but you also allow yourself the opportunity to hear alarm calls signaling the presence of predators nearby.
Having chosen to work for himself as a Private Guide, Gareth now gets to create thrilling safaris tailored perfectly for each of his clients, ensuring their safety and enthusing them with a desire to see more.
He is a guide in search of adventure and natural wonder. He has travelled to many of Africa’s wildlife areas, but as there are so many more to explore, he cannot wait to book his next safari with you.
He enjoys taking the time to ensure his guests capture the images they dream of. A leopard leaping across a river, the night time star burst of the remarkable Milky Way, the detail of the African Savanna landscape.
Another of Gareth’s passions are the birds of Africa. He has recorded just over 500 of Southern Africa’s 920 odd species and cannot wait to find the rest. Birding is an acquired art, often frustratingly slow however always rewarding. These smaller, often overlooked creatures, are beautiful and fascinating.
Gareth always finds that if you give the birds your attention, you not only open your senses to the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of the bush, but you also allow yourself the opportunity to hear alarm calls signaling the presence of predators nearby.
Having chosen to work for himself as a Private Guide, Gareth now gets to create thrilling safaris tailored perfectly for each of his clients, ensuring their safety and enthusing them with a desire to see more.
He is a guide in search of adventure and natural wonder. He has travelled to many of Africa’s wildlife areas, but as there are so many more to explore, he cannot wait to book his next safari with you.
