Meet Lenganasa, a guide at Oliver's who loves the smaller sightings on safari

Meet Lenganasa, a fantastic guide who has been part of the Asilia family for five years. Lenganasa is currently training to be a walking safari guide and has discovered a love for all the small creatures of the bush. A keen photographer, Lenganasa enjoys trying to capture the detail of the wildlife he encounters in the bush.

What is your favourite animal?

I have always loved leopards because they’re so elusive; when you finally find one, it’s the best feeling in the world. Since becoming a guide five years ago, I have also found myself becoming more and more interested in all creatures, even the smallest ones like ants and termites!

What is your favourite wildlife encounter?

I have been so lucky to see some amazing things as a guide, but I think my favourite encounter was during a walking safari. I am currently a trainee walking guide and was accompanying a group of guests in Selous Game Reserve. I was at the back of the group and we were walking past a small pool of water (a safe distance away). Suddenly, a hippopotamus emerged from the water and started walking toward us. On walking safaris, there is always a ranger who carries a rifle, but luckily, we didn’t need it. The hippopotamus stopped about 10 metres away from us and then walked off in search of food. My heart was racing – they are giants!

Have you always wanted to be a guide?

Yes, I knew I wanted to be a guide, even when I was a young boy at school. Asilia helped me to make my dream a reality and I have been guiding for five years. As you know, I’m training to become a walking guide and should be taking my final assessment soon. When I’ve completed my training, I want to continue to learn and better myself. Maybe one day, far in the future, I could become Asilia’s head guide.

What is your biggest achievement?

I am very proud that I am doing my walking safari guide training. I love learning about the small things that you can easily miss in a car; for example, the trails that wood termites leave as they cross the road, or the small signs that dik-diks use to communicate to others. I like having the opportunity to explore these small details and explain them to guests.

I am also proud of my family. I have a wife and 3-year old called Mark. He also loves animals so I wonder if one day he will also be a guide. I do find it difficult being away from home, but I am used to it now and I know that I am doing the best for my family by working hard to support them.

What’s one thing that the other staff members don’t know about you?

I don’t think many people know that I am really into photography. I’ve always loved taking pictures and I used to be the school photographer when I was younger. I like capturing the detail of what I see in the field and then comparing the image to the one I see with my own eyes. It also helps me to do my job because I know how to position the car in the best way for guests to capture a good image.