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Riaan Fourie, Safari Guide of the Year 2019
Riaan Fourie, Safari Guide of the Year 2019

Riaan Fourie has been awarded the coveted and prestigious title ‘Safari Guide of the Year 2019’ after a tough week of scrutiny from mentors and intense but convivial competition amongst the five chosen finalists.

The five contestants, during the tracks and signs tests © Simon Espley
The five contestants, during the tracks and signs tests © Simon Espley

VIDEO: The winner is revealed

#SGOTY2019: The winner is revealed

Huge congratulations to Riaan Fourie who is the winner of Safari Guide of the Year 2019. Well done to all the finalists for their professionalism and courage. It was an exceptional competition! This competition is powered by FGASA, NJ MORE Field Guide College and Africa Direct. #SGOTY2019 #SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH#SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #PARKTOWNSTORES#AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Donnerstag, 27. Juni 2019

This prestigious title is awarded every year by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), and represents a serious feather in the cap and career highlight for the winner.

The judges include some of the region’s most experienced and respected guides: James Steyn, Juan Pinto, Brian Serrao, Quinton Coetzee and Mike Karantonis.

Riaan Fourie studies a particularly difficult spoor identification test, watched by judges James Steyn (left) and Juan Pinto © Simon Espley
Riaan Fourie studies a particularly difficult spoor identification test, watched by judges James Steyn (left) and Juan Pinto © Simon Espley

The week of judging was held at the NJ MORE Field Guide College, in the Marataba section of the greater Marakele National Park, and the contestants were put through their paces by the judges during guided walks and game drives where they were tested on track and sign identification, bird identification, rifle handling and shooting and their storytelling skills.

The Marataba section of the greater Marakele National Park © Simon Espley
The Marataba section of the greater Marakele National Park © Simon Espley

The event was broadcast live by WildEarth TV, and here are some of their short video clips:

1. Bird identification

The first challenge of #SGOTY2019 is all about the birds! The finalists identify birds of Southern Africa by Sight and Sound. NJ MORE Field Guide CollegeRoyal MalewaneSingitaSamara Private Game ReserveKapama Private Game ReserveTanda Tula#SGOTY2019#SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH #SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #KRUGER2CANYON #PARKTOWNSTORES #AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS #FITCHANDLEEDS #JORDANWINES #PAINTEDWOLFWINES #EMPOWERAFRICA

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Montag, 24. Juni 2019

2. Shooting

#SGOTY2019: Shooting Assessment

The finalists shot the lights out with their shooting assesements! #SGOTY2019 #SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH #SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #PARKTOWNSTORES #AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Donnerstag, 27. Juni 2019

3. Tracks and signs

#SGOTY2019: Tracks and signs

The bush newspaper puts the finalists to the test!This competition is powered by FGASA, NJ MORE Field Guide College and Africa Direct. #SGOTY2019 #SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH#SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #PARKTOWNSTORES#AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Donnerstag, 27. Juni 2019

4. Game drive and bushwalk

#SGOTY2019: Rassie and Antony

Rassie Jacobs and Antony Collett take us on an exciting morning adventure in the bush for #SGOTY2019 This competition is powered by FGASA, NJ MORE Field Guide College and Africa Direct. #SGOTY2019 #SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH#SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #PARKTOWNSTORES#AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Mittwoch, 26. Juni 2019

5. Storytelling

#SGOTY2019 : Storytelling

Storytelling was an important part of the finalists journey at safari guide of the year. #SGOTY2019 #SAFARIGUIDEOFTHEYEAR#NJMOREFIELDGUIDECOLLEGE#FGASA #NJMORE #AFRICADIRECT #WILDEARTHTV #BUSHTECH #SAPMOK #KHAKIFEVER #GETAWAYMAG #PARKTOWNSTORES #AFRICAGEOGRAPHIC #TRAVELANDTHINGS

Gepostet von The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa am Donnerstag, 27. Juni 2019

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