PK Podcast 61: James Steyn, FGASA Scout on Walking Safaris, Guiding Standards and Tracking at the Highest Level
In this episode of The Paul Kirtley Podcast I speak with James Steyn, a highly experienced trails guide, trainer and assessor, and one of only a dozen people to have achieved FGASA Scout status – the top combined guiding and tracking qualification in southern Africa.
James is General Manager of Senalala Safari Lodge in the Klaserie, part of the Greater Kruger, where walking safaris are a core guest experience. Over more than 30 years in the field, he has worked in both national parks and the private sector, guided wilderness trails in Kruger, and played a role in training and assessing the next generation of guides.
In our conversation we discuss:
- James’s journey from growing up near Kruger to becoming a professional guide;
- The influence of legendary conservationist Dr. Ian Player and the early anti-poaching units;
- Life as a wilderness trails ranger in Kruger National Park;
- How guiding standards have evolved, and what FGASA qualifications represent;
- The CyberTracker system and the demanding path to becoming a Senior Tracker;
- What it takes to earn the elite Scout qualification;
- Safety considerations when guiding on foot in dangerous game country.
James offers valuable insights into what makes a truly great guide, the discipline of high-level tracking, and why walking safaris remain one of the most powerful wilderness experiences in Africa.
Our conversation forms Episode 61 of the Paul Kirtley Podcast…
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Transcript
Click here to read or download the transcript of Paul Kirtley Podcast 61
Books Mentioned In This Podcast
Ernest Hemingway – The Green Hills of Africa
People Mentioned In This Podcast
Other Links Mentioned In This Podcast
FGASA
CyberTracker
Senalala Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
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Related Paul Kirtley Podcast Episodes
PK Podcast 56: Craig Caudill on Natural Reliance, Good Woodmanship, and Traditional Bushcraft
PK Podcast 55: John Rhyder – Woodsman, Naturalist, Educator and Senior Tracker
PK Podcast 11: Andy Chadderton on Life as a Professional Deer Stalker
Other Related Material You Might Like
Wild Wanderings 1 – Spring Plants and Some Tracking Fun
The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Learning and Teaching Bushcraft, Survival and Wilderness Living Skills
2 thoughts on “PK Podcast 61: James Steyn, FGASA Scout on Walking Safaris, Guiding Standards and Tracking at the Highest Level”
Hi Paul.
Wonderful podcast, again. My Dad was a hunting/fishing guide in Ontario, Canada back in the 60’s. His skills were learned from practical experience; no diplomas or such, he just knew how to handle the bush, and he was successful in finding hunting and fishing species for his clients, some high level American people, one who knew John F. Kennedy personally. My Dad was a WW2 veteran, and quite the marksman. I am considered of the Boomer generation, being the offspring of such a man of his generation. These tracking skills that James describes, well structured and world renowned, are what the old timers had from personal experience, they did it with other old timers and grandfathered themselves in; like Baden Powell, Burnham, Baird, for example, who had the forethought to try to pass these skills down to boys in the Scouting Movement. (Now Scouting is too politically poisoned to be effective, in my opinion.)
With the Internet, there really are too many spellbound in the Dunning Kruger effect, and, with the concept of never a failure in the educational system, they receive a star for showing up and accomplishing nothing; their confidence level is based on feel good sensations and patronizing rather than true experience. And telling someone they are doing it wrong is politically incorrect, because in their way of thinking, there is no wrong way. It’s what James was concerned about, perhaps, with all available apps that create armchair experts, who, through trolling and bullying, discourage the real information being sought out. We live in strange and deceptive times, and I live to tell the tale of it.
Best regards,
your old Buck,
Marcel
Hi Marcel!
Thanks for your comments and for sharing a bit more of your background. Your father’s experience as a guide is fascinating. I can see how his hard-earned skills helped shape your view. I agree, there’s real value in knowledge that’s been passed down through direct experience, as James and I discussed in the podcast. That kind of learning carries a weight you don’t easily get from books or screens. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to listen to the long form conversations I record and add your thoughts here.
Warm regards,
Paul