ABOUT US

GUIDES

Meet the Guiding Team

We blend the passion and knowledge of our UK team with the enthusiasm, understanding and deep experience of our in-country local guides. On your trip you'll be accompanied by a professional and highly experienced Wilderness Journeys guide either from the UK or locally based. The skills and experience of our guides are dependent upon the itinerary and type of activity and at each turn of your adventure, you can be sure that they will doing everything to maximise your safety and enjoyment.

Included in our team are UIAGM qualified mountain guides, native African professional safari-guides and qualified sea-kayak specialists. When you need advice on paddling in a Patagonian wind, visiting a local Maasi home, or which restaurant to eat in Buenos Aires they will be on hand ready to share their expert knowledge and personal experience.

On each of our trips we work in close association with a network of local partners and specialist guides. Our commitment to sustainable tourism places great emphasis on participation at a local level in the environments and communities where we visit. There is no doubt that through our extensive network of local guides, we can ensure that you contribute directly to the areas you visit - and give you the best 'on the ground' knowledge you can get. In our view, this combination of "trip" guides and "local guides" can assure you that every aspect of the trip has been taken care of.

HERE IS A SELECTION OF SOME OF OUR INTERNATIONAL GUIDING TEAM.

Myles Farnbank, Director & Sea Kayaking Guide

Myles is an experienced outdoor leader with many years of sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing and hillwalking in Scotland and many of the worlds wildest places. A Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society and a Master Educator of Leave No Trace, Myles is a fountain of knowledge. He guides our sea kayaking adventures in Greenland and Sardinia. He has more than a passing interest in wild food which means that meals on Myles' trips may well have some very fresh ingredients! If he had to choose a favourite trip in Scotland, it would be our sea-kayaking expedition through the Summer Isles.

Robbie Fenlon UIAGM Alpine Regions

Robbie is a UIAGM qualified international mountain guide. Based in Chamonix, we work with Robbie on our ski mountaineering programmes. A specialist in this field, he will open your mind to the magnificent world of the Haute Montagne. Orginally from Dublin, Robbie is vastly experienced and has trekked and climbed all over the world.

Lekermogo, Samburu Elder And Guide

Lekermogo, your guide on our Samburu trekking safaris, is a wise and charismatic elder of the Nodorobo tribe. Having lived in this region all of his life, Lekermogo's knowledge of the ancient pathways, traditions and legends of these mountains is second to none. When not guiding our safaris, he is a respected elder and medicine man and people come from far and wide to see his opinion on traditional healing methods. One of the highlights of any safari is to sit with Lekermogo by the campfire, listening to him explaining the ancient ways of his people and the dilemmas they face as they enter the 21st century.

Derek Nelson, Senior Guide Alaska

In his colleagues' words, Derek found a home and a dream in the North Country and is one of the Senior Guides you will meet on our adventures in Alaska. A degree in marketing and a seven-year culinary education in kitchens across the West of the United States has allowed Derek to mesh cravings for wilderness and cooking enthusiasm into a well-loved career. From volcanic summits in the Aleutians to arduous traverses of the Alaska Range, Derek has ranged far and wide in a career full of adventurous antics. He is sure to keep you entertained (and well-fed!) during your time in Alaska.

Jean Du Plessis, Safari Guide

Jean is a bush person. When he gets that itchy feeling in his feet, nothing can hold him in town. He leaves Arusha behind in the search of wilderness, always true to his philosophy of a hands-on approach and ever in love with the bush. “It’s important to get out there”. Jean holds a business degree in tourism and is one of the most experienced safari guides in the region. He has advised and guided on a number of pioneering film/tv projects including work with National Geographic. At some point he moved from his native South Africa to Tanzania, and finally ended up where he is today – the founding director of our wilderness safari operations in Tanzania.

Neil Birnie, Director & Guide

Neil is one of the founders of Wilderness Journeys. He is a former environmental lawyer and truly passionate about the wild places of the natural world. He climbed his first mountain aged 3 (with Sherpa support from his father Gordon!) and has spent the next 30 years exploring the wild corners of his native Scotland.

Neil's favourite destination is Africa. Be it a walking safari with the Samburu warriors of northern Kenya or an adventure safari along the Skeleton Coast of Namibia, Neil's passion for ecotourism and wild places means that he is always happy to discuss your plans and suggest a fantastic itinerary for you.