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.

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.

Ake Lindstrom, Operations Director

Ake manages our trekking and safari operations in Tanzania and is also an oustanding safari guide. Ake and family have been responsible for developing a fantastic and award winning eco-tourism company operating throughout the country, including our climbs on Kilimanjaro. They have also pioneered a number of outstanding community tourism projects in some of the best areas for game walking and viewing on the continent. Ake is also a member of the Tanzanian Rugby Team and regularly looks forward to the local derbies against Uganda and Kenya.

Jose & Javier UIAGM, Bolivia

Jose and Javier are our partners in Bolivia. They are both internationally licensed UIAGM mountain guides and have been at the forefront of developing Bolivia as an adventure travel destination over the past 15 years. They handle the logistical challenges of Bolivia with aplomb and you can be sure that they will make your visit to this amazing country an unforgettable one. If you bring them a Speyside Malt you are likely to be rewarded with the freedom of La Paz!

Gordon Birnie, Head Guide UK

As our Head Guide, Gordon has been leading groups in the mountains for over 30 years. A biologist by profession, Gordon is especially knowledgeable when it comes to the natural heritage. In recent times he has devoted time to exploring the remote and unknown mountain ranges of the world from the Brooks range in Alaska to the Polish Tatras.

Paul Easto, Director & MTB Guide

Paul is one of the Directors of Wilderness Journeys but stills find time to guide one or two of our trips each year. Most at home on his trusty steed, Paul has pioneered our mountain bike holidays including Bhutan, Vietnam and Peru. As a fanatical ski tourer he works in close partnership with our UIAGM guides on the alpine programme. He is yet to convince them of the merits of a mountain bike assisted ski tour - in Paul's words he thinks "cyclo-ski" is a revolution waiting to happen!

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.

Myles Farnbank

Myles is an experienced outdoor leader with many years of sea kayaking, canoeing and hillwalking in Scotland as well as some of the worlds wildest places. 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.

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