Africa with Gavin Ford

Africa with Gavin Ford

View a Botswana Itinerary

Join Young Travel and professional photographer/luxury private guide, Gavin Ford, on an amazing Safari to Botswana October 25 - November 5, 2010. The Best of Botswana Safari is limited to a group of twelve. Contact us to reserve your spot today.

Tour Guide Extraordinaire - Gavin Ford

Young Travel & Cruises is very excited to offer our clients one of Africa's outstanding tour guides, Gavin Ford, who specializes in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa. After 28 years in the industry and leading more than 2,000 trips, Gavin has earned the reputation as one of the most well-respected safari guides in Africa. He has been awarded the Conde Nast "Best Guide" award and is regularly featured as one of Africa's top guides in international travel magazines. He is also a native of Zimbabwe and has extensive knowledge of the history of Africa as well as the current events and politics impacting his continent today.

I have travelled with Gavin and can personally attest to his depth of knowledge that he shares with his safari guests, ranging from birds to beasts. He is constantly teaching about the wildlife and gives different examples of previous lessons as we encounter them. Your knowledge increases about the entire world around you as you re-enter his classroom day after day, as you build upon each lesson, and begin to feel some understanding for this most incredible land called Africa. And you feel so blessed to be there.

Gavin's company, Africa Inscribed, has independent itineraries for our clients who want to visit Africa in small groups of two or more people. Sample itineraries have been provided for your perusal, and custom itineraries can be arranged upon request. Gavin is a wealth of information, and his passion for Africa, its diverse fauna & flora, people, and places is contagious. Gavin's photographic skills enhance his clients experience and most visitors who come into contact with his sensitive nature leave Africa already planning their return.

Still want to know more? Please see Gavin's bio to learn even more about his industry experience, his personal interests, his work background with Abercrombie & Kent, and his personal perspective.

Private Guided Safaris

The important aspect of a private guided safari is that it instills an INDEPENDENT ELEMENT into the whole trip. Together with recommended extras like PRIVATE VEHICLES and PRIVATE AIRCRAFT transfers, it saves time and adds an exclusive touch to a safari. Guests also have a lot more fun, as the guide is always there to advise, lead, and make it a far more relaxed event!

What is a PRIVATE GUIDE? A private guide is an individual who is qualified as a WILDLIFE GUIDE first of all and has many years of experience leading safaris and expeditions into various countries of Africa. This means that they have been to where you are going before and know how to handle arrangements on your behalf. In short they are PEOPLE people, WILDLIFE people, and safari managers too. And, with Gavin, add in his experience with luxury travel and you have a winning combination.

Why a PRIVATE GUIDE?

When taking a private guide on a safari with you in Africa, your trip is enhanced with knowledge and things are seen and heard that otherwise likely would go unnoticed or unknown. Also, the private guide experience allows you, the traveler, to focus on the good things about the trip and let the guide manage the arrangements with the luggage, transport, and dietary requirements.

There are a number of other aspects, equally important, but less obvious to less traveled folk.

  1. The private guide liaises with local camp guides and managers to ensure the details are attended too.
  2. The private guide briefs the local guides on what you have seen and done and heard so you don't have to go through all the basic routines again at each new destination.
  3. The private guide maintains a high level of continuity over the entire trip and becomes familiar with your foibles and preferences and endeavors to steer the trip along those lines.

In time, he becomes your manager, confidant, and friend. Many of Gavin's guests return time and time again to travel with him. One guest has traveled on 12 different safaris through Africa, and even the Pyrenees too. Naturally most safari camps have local guides who conduct safaris in that particular area, and the private guide works with the local guides to make it all work smoothly, as he has the history with his guests.

It is a very worthwhile investment when taking a luxury safari.

Photography

Are you a photographer? Have you ever been on a trip and seen this great picture, but your subject was in the shade or you were at the wrong angle? Or maybe you were speeding along at a fast clip and could not get a good picture? This happens in Africa if you are riding in a vehicle with someone who is not a photographer and does not understand these things, or maybe there are so many people that you do not get a window seat. This will not happen if you are on a safari with Gavin Ford. And he will give you tips on how to get the best picture!

The program at the Poinsett Club will feature some of Gavin's favorite photos and memories. You truly won't believe some of his stories, and your heart will be beating as the words roll off his lips. He's a scholar, a gentleman, and truly an amazing, amazing safari guide in Africa.