For our second Q & A session we’ve enlisted help from Daniel Susiku. Daniel guides in Zambia, one of the most exciting and unique countries for an African safari, at Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

How and why did you become a guide?

I became a guide straight from secondary school. I joined Chiawa Camp where Grant Cumings, who has been responsible for my training, sponsored me to get my eco-training in South Africa. When I had finished I was a qualified nature guide, theoretically and practically.

I became a guide because of my love and passion for nature. That passion has been a driving force to know much more about the ecosystem.

Do you have a specialism?

Yes, my specialisms are ornithology, entomology and conservation. (Ornithology is the study of birds whilst entomology is the study of insects.)

What is your favourite country/national park/reserve to guide in?

I love Zambia and I like guiding in the Lower Zambezi National because it’s just such a stunning park and we do a lot more activities than other parks do. (My favourite of which is walking safaris!)

What has been your favourite sighting to date?

My favourite sighting was a small pride of lions which cornered a male leopard. They started fighting and we thought the leopard would die but luckily he survived.

If you could go to any other country to see its wildlife, where would you go?

I’d like to see the wildlife in Botswana.

What advice would you give to anyone who wanted to become a guide?

My advice would be: If it’s just to become a guide to earn a good salary then don’t do it. One should love the bush; one should have that passion for the nature. When you love the bush and the animals then you can become a very good guide, not just a guide.

Tags: african safari, Chiawa Camp, Guiding, Lower Zambezi National Park, safari guides, Zambia Safari