Every safari is shaped by the people who bring the wilderness to life. At Ngonyam Safari Lodge, one of those people is guide Kiaran, whose passion for the African bush has been with him for as long as he can remember.
From unforgettable wildlife encounters to the reserve’s quiet beauty, Kiaran shares what makes guiding at Ngonyam so rewarding and why every guest leaves with a deeper appreciation for the wild.
A dream that started in childhood
For Kiaran, becoming a safari guide wasn’t a career he stumbled upon; it was a lifelong dream.
“I had been visiting the bush before I was even one year old,” he says. “As a child, I always wanted to become a guide.”
Although a high school placement at a lodge initially made him question whether he was suited to the early mornings and long days, everything changed after his father encouraged him to complete a guiding course while he was at university.
“Bit by bit, I fell even more in love with the bush. Today, I’m living my dream.”
A new chapter at Ngonyam Safari Lodge
As one of the newest additions to the Sun Destinations collection, Ngonyam Safari Lodge is beginning an exciting new journey.
For Kiaran, one of the most rewarding aspects is welcoming guests to experience a lodge that still feels wonderfully undiscovered.
“It’s a brand-new lodge, so we haven’t hosted many guests yet. We’re excited to welcome more people and share this incredible place with them.”
A landscape that captures your heart
We asked Kiaran to describe the reserve, and his answer was simple.
“It’s a beautiful area that will steal your heart.”
The reserve’s rolling hills, open landscapes and striking mountain views create spectacular scenery throughout the day, especially at sunset, when the fading light settles alongside the mountains to create unforgettable moments in the bush.
A safari that feels like home
Unlike larger safari destinations, Ngonyam offers something increasingly rare: space, tranquillity and a genuinely personal experience.
“It’s very personalised and intimate because it’s so exclusive,” Kiaran explains. “It’s not a hotel in the bush with lots of guests. It’s a place where you can relax, enjoy the silence and feel like you’re in your home away from home.”
This slower pace allows guests to truly connect with nature, taking in not only the iconic wildlife but also the peaceful rhythm of the African wilderness.
Wildlife encounters to remember
While guests always hope to tick the Big Five off their list, Kiaran says Ngonyam is especially known for its remarkable elephant encounters.
“Our elephants are incredibly relaxed around the vehicles. Sometimes they walk right up to you, and it feels like you’re having an eye-to-eye conversation.”
The reserve is also home to healthy populations of both black and white rhino, offering guests excellent opportunities to see these remarkable animals in their natural habitat.
For those who enjoy the unexpected, the evenings often reveal some of Ngonyam’s best-kept secrets.
“We regularly see genet, civet, honey badger, porcupine and even flap-necked chameleons on night drives.”
When the bush surprises you
One game drive perfectly captures why no two safaris are ever the same.
It began quietly, with very little wildlife activity. Reports of elephants on the far eastern side of the reserve tempted Kiaran to make the journey, but new radio calls soon changed everything.
A cheetah had been spotted closer to the lodge, along with wild dogs and a male lion. While enjoying the cheetah sighting, another call came through.
“The lions made a kill.”
Knowing they were nearby, Kiaran quickly headed towards the sighting.
“As we arrived, the sun was setting behind us, and there were 17 lions surrounding a zebra they had caught only moments before.”
The guests watched in complete silence as lions fed, moved around the vehicle, and the African sunset painted the landscape.
“It was like watching a movie. That’s what makes the bush so special. A game drive can change in an instant, and it always finds a way to surprise you.”
Why winter is one of the best times to visit
While every season offers something unique, winter remains one of Kiaran’s favourites.
The cooler temperatures make game drives especially comfortable, while the dry conditions cause the vegetation to thin, making wildlife easier to spot.
“The bush loses its leaves, creating more open spaces to look through, and the animals become much more visible.”
Combined with crisp mornings, golden afternoons and active wildlife, it’s a season many experienced safari travellers look forward to each year.
The little things matter
One of the biggest surprises for first-time safari guests isn’t always the lions or elephants.
Instead, it’s discovering how fascinating the smaller details of the bush can be.
“People often end up loving the insects, birds and plants,” Kiaran says. “You learn that everything is connected, and every little thing plays an important role.”
It’s this deeper understanding of nature that transforms a safari from simply seeing wildlife into truly experiencing the ecosystem.
Advice for first-time visitors
For anyone preparing for their first stay at Ngonyam Safari Lodge, Kiaran offers one simple piece of advice:
“Come as if it’s your home away from home.”
A safari isn’t quite like any other holiday. There are early mornings, exciting game drives and days filled with discovery, but the reward is a different kind of relaxation.
“It’s not the kind of holiday where you lie on the beach all day. It’s the feeling of being completely immersed in Mother Nature’s beauty and peace.”
Three words that define Ngonyam:
When asked to describe Ngonyam Safari Lodge in just three words, Kiaran doesn’t hesitate:
Untamed. Exclusive. Pristine.
Spend just a few days exploring this remarkable reserve, and it’s easy to understand exactly what he means.
