It's true. A journey with Richard will be a life-changing experience. He is magnificent -- as a guide, an interpreter and a teacher. He conveys his passion for the wild spaces with profound empathy to each and every guest, each and every day.
Although some of our diverse family group had visited southern Africa once before, this was our first real safari, and we can only hope that it will not be our last. Richard rose admirably to the challenge of introducing a bunch of more-or-less urbanized Americans to the African wilderness. He did this with ease, thoughtfulness, clarity, and not a little bit of quiet humor. He dared us to understand the vital web of relationships that is the Okavango, and then to translate that understanding to every other place on the planet.
Whether it was sitting in the sand awaiting the approach of a young hyena, or gasping in awe at the tactical precision of a group of lionesses on the hunt, or taking in the stars of the southern sky -- with Richard every moment was a consumate gift of natural beauty and wonder.
We did not want to say "goodbye" at the end of our trip, and in fact, we didn't. Au revoir, auf weidersehen, arrivaderci, do svydaniye, they all describe the feeling better: "Until we meet again!"
This was our first safari with Richard and by far the best one, which is not a coincidence. He recomended a great itinirary, which included fantastic lodges and amazing game viewing. We were pampered throughout our stay, not once having to think about logistics, departures, arrivals, reservations etc. His knowledge of and love for the bush is obvious from the first moment and totally contagious. His patience (we have three kids aged 8 to 13) also exceptional. We can't wait for our next safari with Richard!
Our recent journey to southern Africa was the most incredible trip we have ever taken anywhere. And while it cannot be denied that the place itself (in our case, primarily nouthern Botswana as first-time visitors to the African continent) holds such immense potential for experiencing the astounding beauty of earth in balance and unparalleled wildlife viewing, it was Richard's guidance that maximized that potential perfectly for us.
From the outset of planning our trip, Richard was characteristically warm, inviting, insightful and sensitive to our hopes, dreams, budget and inexperience in Africa. Richard helped us arrange an itinerary that proved to be absolutely perfect. He remained in close touch during the months leading up to our visit, such that with each exchange our confidence grew knowing we had made the right choice.
Each day on safari was exceptional. Richard exhibits the calm, cool collectedness to put guests at ease even when challenges arise (such as buffalo or snakes in camp at night, bull elephants checking us out at close distance, or torrential rain storms turning roads to rivers). This sense of calm is balanced perfectly by his passion for Africa, its people and wildlife and infectious enthusiasm for sharing this with guests. Richard is organized, yet flexible; serious yet full of humor, laughter and smiles; eager to maximize each day yet sensitive to the state of his guests at all times. He has a deep knowledge of ecology, animal behavior and environmental complexity.
As other reviews have stated, it is rare that one can spend nearly every waking hour for days on end with someone who is practically a stranger and never once feel like we needed a break of any sort. On the contrary, we felt as though we had re-engaged with some long-standing friend and couldn't have been more disappointed when our time on safari with Richard came to an end. We thought we had planned the trip of a lifetime, but rather now we can't wait to return!
Jim and I have taken six safaris with Richard and have two more planned. Clearly we think he's pretty terrific! Each trip has been different, all with spectacular highlights, all beautiful and very wild. Richard's intelligence, his amazing, encyclopedic knowledge of the animals, birds and vegetation, his passion for the bush and his sensitivity all make him an ideal leader and companion. Our family, ages 8 to 80, has learned so much and had such fun with him; going on safari with Richard is truly a life changing experience!
I was lucky enough to actually have two safaris with Richard; one in May and one in August of 2008. My father initiated the first one and it was so extraordinary that my husband and I returned 3 months later with our two college and post-college age sons. We therefore saw Richard in a number of settings and with people ranging in age from 93 to 20! With each person he exhibited his knowledge with passion, modesty and an ability to focus on the interest of the person at hand. This ranged from telling about the social structure of elephants while viewing them from the land rovers to learning animal tracks as we moved on foot, to giving our sons photography tips for great animal portraits. Richard brings an unusual combination of knowledge of the animal world with sensitivity for the human one. In the 9 days he spent with our two sons and us he became a member of our family. I have already referred him to several friends and would recommend him unconditionally to anyone interested in learning more than the names of what they are privileged to see in the African landscape.