A smiling man from Africa carrying a young girl on his back, outdoors in a natural setting during daytime, with another person partially visible in the foreground.

James Ntopai

James is one of Kenya’s best up and coming guides. At only 26, he has experience beyond his years having worked as a Head Guide in a small, boutique tented safari camp in Laikipia.

As a young Samburu boy, James would spend time learning about animals and plants as he herded his family’s goats and cows out to graze. His younger years spent on foot, out in the wilds of northern Kenya, means he is a superb spotter and an expert at reading wildlife behaviour.

In his spare time, James works to support Kids On Safari - a charity he co-founded to bring positive wildlife interactions to the children of his tribal community, many of which has negative views on wildlife, as crop invaders or cow killers. By encouraging a love of the natural planet, James brings hope to new generations of safari guides in the making.

James believes that a private guide is a vital addition to any safari in Africa. With the expert hosting, sharing of stories and bringing real life indigenous history that a guide brings to a trip, guests will leave with a more well rounded and deeper love James’ home.

Home location: Kenya

Guides in: Kenya, specialising in northern Kenya

Languages: English

Daily rate: $$

A young man and an older man dressed in traditional Maasai attire standing outdoors in a grassy area with a large bush and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Two jaguars resting on a fallen tree in a forest setting.
A young cheetah sitting in tall grass in a natural grassy habitat.
A person with dark skin, wearing a blue sleeveless shirt, pink shorts, and tribal jewelry, sitting on an old tire in a grassy field, looking through binoculars towards the distance on a cloudy day with mountains in the background.