Guide: Gerry van der Walt

Gerry, you are the quintessential guide: professional, energetic, dedicated to your client’s welfare, delightful company.

I have been privileged and blessed to have been on 4 trips with Gerry in Africa. His wealth of knowledge on not only the African landscape and bush, but on the technical and artistic/creative perspective side on photography is unparalleled.
Gerry truly does have a passion and a calling for what he does and this shows in his hosting skills and his patience with all his clients. Gerry has played a huge roll in assuring my success as a photographer and I highly recommend you spend some time with him, you won’t be disappointed and one trip won’t be enough with this amazing talented guy.

He has a very outgoing, fun personality and help does not stop in the field, he’ll spend hours working on Lightroom with you when you get back to camp or on the phone from South Africa to Oregon, USA!

Wild Eye’s theme is “We’ll change the way you See The World”, Gerry changed my world. I have left a part of my heart in Africa and it tightens its grip on me every time I visit.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Gerry, you are the greatest and a special friend.

A mutual acquaintance told me before I met Gerry on a 2013 Great Migration photographic safari, that he would have more energy than everyone on the trip put together, and he was right.

I’ve never met anyone with as much palpable enthusiasm for wildlife, photography and the communication of the two to those who shoot with him, than Gerry.

There are a lot of good wildlife photographers and many good teachers, but Gerry is a rare mix of the two.

Gerry is part of a rare breed of photographic hosts who will not pick up his own camera till his guests are happy and comfortable with what they are trying to achieve photographically. For him, the guest experience is the top priority. His knowledge of animal behavior is invaluable in trying to get that shot.

A modern day Indiana Jones who always puts the guest first. His knowledge of wildlife and photography is exceptional and his enthusiasm is infectious ensuring you go home with a different perspective on the world.

Gerry will change you, will push you, will drive you to unearth the inner artist you had forgotten. His energy is infectious, his wisdom freely shared and his spirit will challenge yours to awaken!!!

I’ve been on two safaris with Gerry. Simply put, he’s the best guide in Africa. Incredibly smart, superb attention to detail, deeply committed to nature, and lots of fun. He’s also one of the best wildlife photographers in the business – and loves to teach. I’m hoping to go on many more adventures led by the amazing Gerry!

Can’t think of anything really to improve upon. Gerry has the full respect of myself and all the group, with his knowledge of photography and wildlife.
The classroom teaching is outstanding, as are his skills in the field.
Gerry is the character that makes the group click and brings the Wild Eye family together.

Special thanks to you for your patience and ego-boosting talks throughout the trip. You have such a special gift to connect, entertain, and teach, all in one package.  Your energy and love for travel and photography is contagious. I can’t say I will or won’t be on another trip at this point of time, but know that I will be thinking about it all the time.