Profile

 


James is our manager in Kenya. He is well trained and experienced in the field of conservation and tourism. The following is a brief account of his achievements in his own words.


My name is James Nguya. I was born in 1975 in Nakuru district, Kenya. I grew up right next to the world-famous Lake Nakuru National Park. My interaction with wildlife started early on as during those early years, the park did not have an electric fence. Wild animals would break out of the park and spend time in the farms foraging and preying on our sheep, goats, chicken among other livestock. Buffalos, baboons, vervets, different types of antelope, leopard and cheetah, birds and even the rare wild dogs were common sightings.


During my undergraduate studies, I got to visit most of the wildlife areas in Kenya, from the large and well known ones such as Tsavo and the Mara to the smaller less well known ones such as Saiwa. These were mainly Educational/Research class trips. Some of the research studies included;

 

  • Human-Wildlife Conflict assessment of Lake Nakuru National park(1999)
  • Management Plan Development for Mt. Elgon National Park (1999)
  • Species Inventory for Lake Nakuru National park (1999)
  • Invertebrate Species Inventory at Saiwa Swamp National Park(1998) WWF
  • Water Quality Analysis for Cherangany river (1998)
  • Bird Ringing at Arabuko Sokoke National Reserve (1998)
  • Flamingo census at Lake Bogoria National Reserve (1996) WWF

 

All these research findings were adopted by the park management as a basis for research based management decisions


After graduating with an honours degree in Wildlife Management in 1999, I sat for and passed my Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA) bronze level exams. My career as a professional guide started at Block Hotels Ltd where I worked as the Resident Naturalist (Hunter) based at the Treetops. Working at the Treetops involved hosting large groups of tourists from all over the world and leading the excursions including nature walks, bird watching and game drives. In addition, I gave lectures and also made sure our guests were comfortable.


At the Treetops, I also volunteered as a member of the rhino monitoring programme for the only highland black rhino population in the world. As a lodge, we also started the Aberdare reforestation programme. We fenced patches of the park and planted indigenous trees in a reforestation programme.
Later I moved to Shimba National Reserve on a transfer and worked as the resident Naturalist at Shimba Lodge. While at Shimba, together with the then Kenya Wildlife Service Senior Warden Mr. Kirui and the support of Mr. Muchiri of Forest Department, we started training the local youth in tour guiding and conservation. The group, now called Shimba Hills Forest Guides (Shifoga) has grown and is offering several excursions in the Shimba-Mwaluganje area. Shifoga is also conducting Environmental Awareness and advocacy in schools within the Shimba Hills ecosystem. In the recent past, I have been able to give them further training with support of WWF.


In 2005, I left employment to set up my own venture culminating in the birth of Mtana Safaris Ltd. I have been leading tours to all the tourist circuits in Kenya and I have been to just about every wildlife area in Kenya.


At Mtana Safaris, I am the team leader of a group of well trained and experienced personnel. We have a good knowledge of many of the destinations and attractions, giving an extra depth to any safari. We know the most suitable daily routine to ensure the most successful activities. We are keen in the little things adding an unexpected depth and understanding to your safari.