So this week I decided to mix it up a little with the blog, usually we use something written by a guide, but I (Tara-Lee) received an email from a client that recently did an NB21, with guides Wayne and Cloud, which really made me smile, so thanks to Neil & Kay Kitching for allowing us to publish their email.

"Tara-Lee and Team

Now that we have been home in Scotland for 2 weeks after our fantastic 3 week Desert and Delta trip we have had some time to look through photos and share stories with friends and family and we have had a chance to reflect on our trip.

It is with this reflection that we further appreciate the care and attention to detail that has gone into the planning of such a safari covering such big mileage.

The stop at Swakopomund was perfectly timed to give a pause and a break from camping and a chance to have some free time. I am sure that our guides also appreciated a bit of a pause too, although their time was still taken up with some organising.

The variety of places visited and inclusion of local guides gave a great balance and huge wealth of information on all things Africa but, it was our guides Wayne and Cloud that our greatest commendation and appreciation goes to.

Both Wayne and Cloud from the very start of meeting us at the airport to ensuring that we were safe on our travels back home were the true making of why our safari time in Africa was so special. We were in total awe of how hard they worked throughout the whole trip and always with a smile and good humour. Both were very generous with their time, sharing their own personal stories which gave us a more full understanding of what it is to be an African.

Their knowledge of the country, politics the animals, birds and plants was hugely impressive. Stories of their misadventures and experiences were a favourite for us all, I am sure there could be a book in there.

Respect and kindness to all we met on our way was noticeable. I noted that the people who make their living by trying to get tourists to buy novelties were respected and politely encouraged to not bother us on a few occasions thereby protecting us from awkward situations as a tourist.

What was particularly impressive was the quiet way that they ensured all was well with the group which with two families with young teenage children must have been a bit of a challenge. One of the youngsters gained hugely in personal confidence and talking a second language purely down to the patience and inclusive opportunities that the guides gave him. It was an impressive transformation in this young person to watch. The guides should be given credit for this as I am sure that this youngster will talk about the guides for many years to come.

All in all we cannot express our gratitude and appreciation to both Wayne and Cloud enough. I hope you as a company appreciate quite how remarkable these guys are and let them know we have commended them to you.

Neil and Kay Kitching"