Meet Our Driver Guides – Introducing Martin!
Meet Martin, a Somak safari guide for 19 years with a keen passion for photography and wildlife. We always learn so many interesting nuggets of information from him!
Meet Martin!
How long have you been working at Somak and what inspired you to become a driver guide?
I have been a safari guide with Somak for the last 19 years. I’m an English/ Spanish and Italian speaking guide, and a certified Silver Level Guide with K.P.S.G.A ( Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association). I also hold a certificate in Herpetology i.e the study of reptiles, and an ornithologist (study of birds).
I become inspired in becoming a driver guide due to the fact that i love nature and passionate about it. Wildlife conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats. By conserving wildlife, we’re ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it.
To help protect wildlife, it’s important to understand how species interact within their ecosystems, and how they’re affected by environmental and human influences. Apart from this i love wildlife photography as a hobby. I believe i do connect people with nature through my photographs.
What has changed during the time you’ve worked at Somak?
What has changed during my time in Somak is the fact that the company has invested on the driver guides by doing in house training for various tourism courses including foreign languages.
I personally have benefited in learning the Italian language and also I have progressively risen to become a Tour Manager handling the Titan Clients through such in house training which is a plus compared to other safari companies in Kenya.
In simplicity Somak values its safari guides by investing in them to ensure we deliver quality guiding skills to its clients.
What is your favourite national park?
Samburu National Reserve in the Northern part of Kenya, is my favourite because of its vast expanse of remote pristine wilderness and its unique sub species of wild animals. I also admire the unique way of life of the Samburu tribe.
Most memorable sighting?
I would say my most memorable sighting was in Samburu National Reserve when a lionesses was chasing a baboon and it climbed the nearest tree within reach but by bad luck it wasn’t a very long tree and the lionesses climbed and got hold of it and came down with its hard earned prey and the rest is history.
May the poor Baboon R.I.P
Tips for anyone going on safari for the first time
For anyone going for a safari for the first time my advice to them would be to have an open mind. When you are out on a game drive, you’re looking for the wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s not like a zoo where you’re guaranteed to see one thing on the left and the other on the right. That’s the essence of having a game drive. It’s all about luck.
A little secret… always listen to your safari guide because he/ she is your connection between you and nature and especially when it comes to time, be punctual!
About
Contact
Somak House
Harrovian Business Village
Bessborough Road
Harrow On the Hill
HA1 3EX
Tel: +44 20 8423 3000
Fax: +44 20 8423 7700
Email: info@somak.com
Opening times
| Mon - Fri | : | 9am to 6pm |
| Sat - Sun | : | Closed |
Christmas & New Year Opening Times
| Tue, 24-Dec | : | 9am to 2pm |
| Wed, 25-Dec | : | Closed |
| Thu, 26-Dec | : | Closed |
| Tue, 31-Dec | : | 9am to 2pm |
| Wed, 01-Jan | : | Closed |
