Michael Laubscher

During the last years I participated in several safaris of Wild Eye, two of them hosted by Michael Laubscher: The “Big Cats and Tuskers” (now called Best of Kenya) in February 2018 and the “Best of Serengeti” in February/March 2020. Both trips were perfectly organized by the Wild Eye office team and really picked the best of the to fantastic locations I visited with Mike.

Concerning the hosting, I cannot think of any aspect that did not fulfill my expectations: I’ve rarely met a host like Mike, he’s just like you would visualize the perfect host for a photographic safari. I will never forget the warm welcome at Nairobi airport where we met for the very first time, and it became even better during the trips. Mike is super friendly, a very kind person, has developed high knowledge in wildlife and guiding during his early career in some renowned places in South Africa and I love his approach to wildlife photography: although I have practiced this kind of photography for years, I could get new ideas, insights and inspirations through Mike’s inconspicuous way of teaching new aspects and techniques.

I’ve taken three Wild Eye trips hosted by Mike, and have a fourth booked, which is testament to Mike’s excellent hosting skills.

He is always considerate and thoughtful, mixed with a healthy sense of humor which never oversteps the mark. He is friendly, but professional, and always manages to correctly gauge the mood of the group, and on occasions we have managed to laugh until we’ve cried, well into the night, and he is always able to switch hats the following morning, despite the lack of sleep!

His photographic and animal knowledge is extensive, and he manages to impart that knowledge to the guests in a subtle way, so you never feel as if your questions are silly or insignificant or that your own knowledge is full of gaps.

I happy to travel with Mike again in a heartbeat! Roll on the gorillas trip in 2021!

It was a privilege to travel with Mike Laubscher. He is not only very dedicated to his work but also very knowledgable and passionate about photography and teaching while keeping a very relaxed setting. He has a talent for making each adventure special and unique and for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Mike went above and beyond on every level to insure the best photographic angle and correct camera settings at each sighting. His sense of humor, his endless energy and his patience made every game drive a joy. Wild Eye provided a trip for me but Mike turned my adventure into an amazing and unforgettable experience.
Mike’s role was instrumental in the success of my vacation and I can not wait to go on another adventure with him.

I have been on nine Wild Eye photo safaris beginning in 2017. I, along with my husband Jim, was on Michael’s first photo safari with Wild Eye.

Michael is so kind and each guest comes first over his own photography. He provides camera settings, which is important when you don’t want to miss the shot (trust me I know from experience). He also takes time out during the day helping guests process photos and learn techniques to create the best possible image and proud of the results.

Michael has so many traits – not only an amazing photographer, teacher, very funny, he’s also a friend. I can’t wait for Pantanal with Michael next year. You are the best.

have been on a couple of safaris with Mike so far and he has always gone out of his way to accommodate you. His unmatched enthusiasm for wildlife and helping his guests with photography, suggesting camera settings for different sightings, helping with composition in camera, and encourages you to get creative with your photography. Mike always has suggestions for the driver for positioning and repositioning of vehicle at sightings for optimum shots. His sense of humor is the best and makes for a very relaxed and fun trip.

From being a ranger he knows how to advise the rangers to position the vehicles in a manner so that his clients get the best shots. You get some indescribable adrenaline rush sightings and some motherly awe sightings, all of them make you come back for more! He gives advice when we’re taking pictures and assists you on composition, settings and techniques, if you want them or need them, which I appreciate.

One last thing, he has a killer sense of humor. I probably appreciate that more than anything else! I LOVE TO LAUGH!

I have only had the pleasure of taking one Wild Eye trip (so far), but if the rest of the team is half as impressive as Michael, I understand why the company sees so much repeat business (my own included). Michael has a natural warmth and an obvious passion for his work, and immediately put all my concerns to rest. Our group had a range of facility with photography and Michael made sure that we were all getting advice and instruction suitable to our level. It is difficult to quantify how much my photography skills and confidence improved in one short week. He was also, for lack of a better word, FUN!

Michael, just like the other guides of Wild Eye, is an experienced guide with years spent in different parks. He knows the wildlife very well. His photography skills are top… but for me Michael is a “smiling face”, a friend always with positive attitudes… You cannot see him with a very serious face even early in the morning. When one spends time with him, the day is always full with fun and laughter, but when your safari days are over and back at home – when you check your images, you realize that he has contributed to your photography. What else one would want?

Our experience with Mike exceeded all expectations from start to finish. We booked a privately guided trip with Wild Eye primarily to improve our photography skills, but what we got was so much more. He really provided the full package in terms of an unforgettable safari experience.

My husband and I were at completely different levels photographically, and Mike was able to teach us both seamlessly. My husband started out as a complete beginner (full auto mode), and ended the trip using aperture priority mode with a clear understanding of the fundamentals. I was more of a beginner at the start, and I went to an intermediate level by the end. Mike was able to guide me to better composition and focusing techniques that led to me being able to capture images that I’m proud to hang on my wall.

After having traveled with Michael Laubscher several times, and after interacting with him for over four years, I can summarize my thoughts about him in this single statement: I’d travel with him anywhere, any time!

All my travels with him have been a pleasure as well as educational. His attention to his client’s experience starts well before the trip at which time he initiates an exchange on the optimal equipment to carry. That’s a major help as you can imagine! Allowing enough time to gather equipment, or offering to help with the rental… he makes sure that you show up with the right equipment. While on the road, he is a professional through and through, helping his guests cheerfully, and explaining until all doubt is resolved. He does this in a pleasant way, just as one photographer helping another, although he is head and shoulders above us guests in photographic talent! I can safely say that I’ve taken many of my best pictures under his guidance!

I can’t wait to travel with him again. He is the kind of guide which keeps me coming back to Wild Eye!

Michael Laubscher has a certain something about him that’s hard to describe in words. Is he infinitely knowledgeable about Kenyan countryside and animal life? Absolutely. Can he fix your camera issues and give you a tutorial that makes you a much better photographer with one arm tied behind his back blindfolded? Undoubtedly. But are those the most memorable things I took away about our experience with him? They are not. What made our experience with Wild Eye and specifically having Michael as our tour leader were his interactions with our group on a personal level. We are an eclectic yet close knit pack from many cultural backgrounds with many large personalities. He effortlessly blended into our group from day one to the point where we did in fact offer to adopt him at the end of our trip. But in the most beautiful synchronicity it was his relationships with the Kenyan members of the Wild Eye crew in our camp and driving our vehicles that really opened up those human beings to our hearts as well.

Mike was my guide on my first Kenyan – and Wild Eye – adventure for the Big Cats & Tuskers trip. I can’t say enough about how wonderful Mike was during our time on safari – and before! I encountered many delays coming into the Kenya. While delayed in airports in Europe, Mike – and the Wild Eye team in Johannesburg – stayed in constant contact with me to stay updated on my arrival time and to adjust on-the-ground arrangements. When I finally made it to Kenya, I just missed the flight from Nairobi to Amboseli. I connected with Mike by phone upon landing in Nairobi and he was so kind, gracious, and understanding of my late arrival.

Seeing Africa through Mike’s eyes is an extraordinary experience. A natural storyteller, with a quick wit, he combines a passion for thennatural world with an encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna to immerse you in the wonder of the moment. In the Mara, we were particularly struck by his rapport with our local hosts and deep respect for their knowledge and culture. Sitting around the campfire, Mike is a humble and charming host. In the rare moments when issues arise, he morphs into a decisive leader who calmly deals with the (snake, flat tire, charging buffalo, leopard in the camp) without blinking. We feel fortunate to share our moments in Africa with Mike and blessed to call him a friend.

I have had the great pleasure of going on multiple safaris with Michael Laubscher as my guide and could not recommend him highly enough. I have travelled with experienced safari guides and expert photographers and Michael is the best combination of both. His love and understanding of the bush and the natural world, his ability to share his knowledge of animal behavior in such an engaging way, along with a wonderful sense of humor, make him a delight to travel with. As I am a beginner photographer he has been the most patient, kind and helpful teacher, only once giving me a hard time for not trying something new! I have learnt and continue to learn from him on every trip, from his blogs and online tutorials, and social media. Michael’s own images are exquisite and convey all the depth and beauty of the natural world we all crave and need in our lives. Cannot wait for the next trip – sadly 2020 is testing my patience.

One of my best decisions ever taken was to book my gorilla trekking experience with Wild Eye/Mike. I consider myself a lucky person, having met him, who was the perfect partner in crime on this trip. Rarely have I met someone with whom I could connect so instantly. He is consistently taking care of his guests, knows so much about animal behavior, and his excellent ability to teach photography/image processing has brought my images to the next level. Furthermore, he finds the right balance between interaction and giving the guests time for themselves. And last but not least, there is always plenty to laugh about with him. I cannot wait for our next trip (which I booked 5 days after I returned from the first one, which says probably more than all the words above).

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel with Wild Eye on safari on three occasions now. And I have been very lucky to have had Mike as a guide on all of them. His laid back personality and entertaining sense of humor made each experience so much fun! I have never laughed so much and felt so comfortable on any other trips. Mike is very knowledgeable in all areas of the guiding arena. He knows the land, the history, the animals and their behavior, technical and artistic camera techniques…really any question that we threw at him, he had a brilliant answer for. He knows how to make his guests feel special and goes out of his way to make sure that all of their needs and wishes are attended to. He can juggle all of the things that are thrown his way with precision and grace. I have so many wonderful memories to look back on from our adventures together and am looking forward to creating more of them in the future.

Michael has phenomenal field knowledge and ensures that guests get the best shots possible in the given shooting scenario! His extensive experience, both as a field guide as well as a photography tutor ensures that you have the best of both worlds when out in the bush. And that is a key differentiator for getting good shots to great shots. It was very interesting to gain insights about the animal/bird behavior, information about vegetation, landscape, etc. from him, during game drives and even at camp.

Michael has phenomenal field knowledge and ensures that guests get the best shots possible in the given shooting scenario! His extensive experience, both as a field guide as well as a photography tutor ensures that you have the best of both worlds when out in the bush. And that is a key differentiator for getting good shots to great shots. It was very interesting to gain insights about the animal/bird behavior, information about vegetation, landscape, etc. from him, during game drives and even at camp.