looking for guidance on finding a guide
 

I am going to Tanzania in December, Selous, maybe Ruaha, Katavi....This is not my first safari and I am looking for a "new" experience so I have decided to make this trip really special by hiring a really good safari guide. But how do you find a really good safari guide?? I was going through blogs on http://tanzania-holidays.pro-blog.info which then led me to http://squack-evans.blogspot.com/.
I like his blog, and he seems to be a keen photographer (am into photography myself) and I was planning to visit Katavi, an area which "Squack" apparently knows. But does anyone know this guy? Anyone been on safari with him? Really appreciate feedback! Thanks! Eva Maria

Hi Eva Maria

Squack knows Katavi like no other! I was lucky enough to be with him at Chada Katavi just before he left to start his own venture! In fact he left on the plane with us on his last day!

He was the camp manager at Chada for many years - he knows the park very very well. I wish he would write a book about Katavi.

He is also an entertaining, caring person. You will be happy with him!

BTW, here is a snapshot of Squack, a friend Karl from Sweden and myself working on our blogs at Katavi! Karl was on his honeymoon but brought his notebook - go figure!

http://www.go-safari.com/Katavi/katavi.htm

EvaMaria,
Squack was our guide fairly recently in the Serengeti. I agree 100% with climbhigh's comments. I wouldn't think twice about "booking" him.

By the way, will wonders never cease? I had no idea people picked guides in this way.

Good luck. And enjoy your safari.

Thank you! I really appreciate your comments! If there is anyone else who knows "Squack" please let me know. climbhighsleeplow, you really convinced me that it may be worthwhile to take him on for Katavi. Leely, I really appreciated your comment - apparently he has some experience in the Serengeti as well! That's great as I am now in the planning stages of a north AND south trip - I know, it's scary, my plans are getting bigger and bigger! Leely, you say this is a strange way to pick up a guide - but many of them have websites, and how else do you find them? And after all, this is just my first tentative step, scanning the market so to speak! Thanks again to both of you - more comments are always welcome!

Hello,

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Squack as your guide through Katavi. In 2004, my husband and I stayed at the camp Squack managed in Katavi. First, you can't go wrong choosing Katavi. It is a magical place. Second, Squack impressed us with his knowledge of it all--which tree to look in to find the resident monitor lizard, right down to the inner workings of a termite mound. He has a great sense of humor and will make you feel quite comfortable in a very wild place. He taught us so much in such as short time. I only wish we would have taken more walks with him while we were there.