Tim Leperes

Timothy Leperes, always referred as Tim, was born in Samburu, in the Northern Frontier District of Kenya. Tim’s knowledge comes from growing up in close contact with the wildlife of his home area, Samburu. He says he was always fascinated with wildlife and with his grandfather’s campfire stories about lion hunts and herding cattle amongst the wildlife. It was his grandfather that would share his advice about animal behaviour, dispensing information about what to look out for when taking the cattle, sheep and goats to the river or to waterholes. The stories would include encounters with buffalos, elephants, lions and leopards and Tim now uses the lessons learned from those stories as a safari guide and photographer.

The job of a field guide is often glamorised. It can be an extremely rewarding career and in fact is probably better described as a lifestyle. It is also incredibly hard work requiring a commitment and dedication to long hours, irregular schedules, tough conditions (often having to work outdoors in rain and extreme cold), potential danger and probably most importantly, solitude and very little social life in (often) isolated and remote locations. The benefits and positives do, however, outweigh the hardships and negatives with the biggest plus being the opportunity to live and work in areas that most people only dream about visiting while experiencing a quality of life that is second to none. As a field guide you get to meet people from all walks of life, you have unparalleled opportunities to view wildlife, to witness spectacular wildlife interactions, and to take awesome photographs on a daily basis, but probably most importantly you are in the unique position to educate people about our most precious resource, the natural world around us, and in so doing contribute toward a sustainable future!

Guiding can be an extremely rewarding career and in fact is probably better described as a lifestyle. The job of a field guide (or ranger as they are called in some areas) is often glamorized. Tim has worked as a walking and safari guide in the wider Laikipia region, Maasai Mara, as well as leading trips in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana. He has worked as wildlife Presenter for WildEarth TV. Tim’s interest in photography was a parallel track, a creative expression that first showed up as an interest in abstract artwork. As Tim tells it, “my arts and crafts class was the best. I loved drawing and sketches. This, of course, built up my interest in photography as most of my paintings and sketches were from looking at wildlife magazines. After many years of guiding, I was gifted a camera by a close friend who thought my art should be in taking photos and of wildlife since I spend almost an entire year in the African wilderness. He gifted me a Canon T3 Rebel, I bought a lens and began shooting. I later bought myself a different camera which has now become my second baby.”

Tim Leperes won the EcoTripMatch.com Best Nature Tour Guide award through a global, online vote that included 321 cities and 63 countries. People nominate nature tour guides from all over the world annually. His work has been featured in magazines (Shadow and Light Magazine) and some of his photos have been sold online and to friends. He is inspired by many things, clicking the shutter when a scene or subject captures a moment in time. “My inspiration lies in not being like everyone else. In fact, what I try to do is non-conventional. Perhaps this is my way of standing out, but I see it as me being myself. Tim has an avid interest in all aspects of fauna and flora, a particular interest in diversifying his knowledge-base to include as broad a spectrum of environmental topics, natural science subjects and wildlife destinations as possible.

Home location: Kenya

Guides in: across East Africa

Languages: English

Daily rate: $$$