South Africa
Clive Cowie
&Beyond Private Guide & Guide Trainer
ABOUT ME • Q&A • SIGHTINGS • MY PHOTOGRAPHS • TRAVEL WITH ME
At a glance
CURIOUS. PASSIONATE. OUTGOING.Â
Fluent in English.
10 years of guiding experience, & counting...
Regional expertise in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia & East Africa
Enjoys walking safaris, birding, trail running & photography
Loves accompanying anyone keen to head out before sunrise
HELLO, I’M CLIVE
Born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa’s picturesque Midlands, I grew up in close proximity to some of the country’s most prized wilderness areas. From an early age, I developed a lifelong love for the great outdoors and its varied wildlife and birdlife.Â
It wasn’t until after finishing school, however, that I truly immersed myself in these protected spaces, and I was instantly hooked. Working in sales at the time, I would spend most, if not all, of my days off in Kruger National Park or Hluhluwe Game Reserve.Â
After dedicating eight years to a sales career, the lure of the wilderness became too strong to resist. In 2016, I followed my heart and enrolled at &Beyond‘s Inkwazi Ranger Training School at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. I’ve been guiding at Phinda ever since. .
Today, I serve as one of &Beyond‘s Regional Guide Trainers, helping others live out their dream of working in the wild.Â
An avid outdoorsman, I spend much of my time off exploring the rugged beauty of South Africa. Whether hiking, mountain biking, trail running, birding or camping, I’m at my happiest when surrounded by nature.Â
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An &Beyond Private Guide is someone who has undergone rigorous training at one of our elite ranger training schools and who has been carefully handpicked for this role because of their extensive guiding experience. These individuals are recognised as the best in the industry offering exceptional professionalism, accomplished interpretative guiding and an extraordinary guest experience overall.Â
Questions and answers
GET TO KNOW ME
1. How many years of guiding experience do you have?
10 years, and counting…
2. What qualifications do you have?
FGASA Professional Field Guide, with Regional Birding as a specialisation.
3. Regional knowledge and Expertise?
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and East Africa.
4. What do you love to do in your spare time?
Road-tripping and camping across Southern Africa.
5. What sets you apart from other Private Guides?
I think every guide has their own unique way of doing things…
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That’s what makes this profession so interesting. I do always make sure I go the extra mile and give my guests that little bit more.
6. Do you have any special interests?
Birding. It’s become a real passion.
7. Where haven't you been that you want to travel to?
Oh my, that’s a long list! Top places at the moment are the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and the US.
8. Do you have a favourite animal or bird, and why?
Cheetah. I’ve spent most of my guiding career at Phinda, which has a very healthy cheetah population, and I’ve come to love watching them.
9. Do you have a favourite travel itinerary? Â
Botswana is always a favourite for me.
10. Who do you most enjoy accompanying?
Anyone, really. It’s always a joy showing people around some of the most incredible wilderness areas on our continent.
11. Do you have a favourite memory with guests?
While up on a mountain watching the sunrise over Phinda…
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a guest I was with had a full-on “Lion King moment”. She held her son up in the air and recited the lines from “Everything the light touches…” while I filmed it. It reminded me how important it is to have fun on safari—it’s not only about the animals.
12. Tell us one quirky fact about you
I’m really bad with movies. Most of the so-called “classics” that everyone has seen? I haven’t.
A childhood full of camping, hiking and exploring has given me an absolute passion for the outdoors…
Begin your adventure with Clive
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My photography showcase
FROZEN IN TIME
My favourite sightings
MAGICAL MOMENTS
On the grapevine
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Travel with me
A SELECTION OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ITINERARIES
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