PAUL GROBLER – Professional Safari Guide
Having grown up in the Hwange area of western Zimbabwe, my playground was the surrounding bush . This set the scene from a very early age for my passion in life – Africa and its wildlife , plants , landscapes , peoples and places .
23 Years later l still work in the wilds of Africa and pursue my dreams on a daily basis .
I have been involved in animal capture and translocation for eight years in both Zimbabwe and South Africa . During this time l experienced animal behaviour up close and personal which gave me an important insight into how various species of wildlife behave . This is particularly relevant when leading walking safaris through the African bush as that little bit of insight can mean the difference between chaos and a wonderful experience . My animal capture career turned into a full time safari guiding career after erratic forays into hunting (which didnt appeal to me ). I decided to return home to Zimbabwe from South Africa , having been born and mostly raised in Zim . The Zimbabwean professional guide training system is still today considered the finest in Africa and l was keen to achieve this accolade . My full time guiding carrier started with Canoeing Safaris on the mighty Zambezi River from Kariba town down to the border of Mozambique . This was a 9 day trip or sections thereof which made me the Zambezi River guide that l am today .
After a few years of being on the river full-time l decided that l needed to diversify my activities and interests which is when l was invited to Ruckomechi camp on the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park , at this time the jewel of the Zimbabwe safari circuit and consistently one of the top safari camps and experiences in Zimbabwe . This gave me a fantastic insight into what a top operation should be and has held me in good stead for my guiding career ever since .
The collapse of tourism in Zimbabwe precipitated a move down to the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe where l managed and guided a hunting /photographic lodge in the Save Valley Conservancy called Sango Lodge. This is a piece of heaven that is still one of my favourite areas to this day .The fabulous concentration of wildlife and diversity of habitats on this private estate are worth a visit by any safari-goer , but my passion lay with the Zambezi River up on the northern border of Zimbabwe . Having made many enquiries , l discovered that there was an opening at Chiawa Camp , which is on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park . This 4000km square park is a gem which l never knew existed as a functional park , so l applied and started working at Chiawa Camp in 2005 , today almost 10 years later l am still the Head Guide there and every day is still as special as when l began here . The diversity of activities that you can do on the Zambezi River and inland make sure that every day is an adventure here . These include canoeing the river , walking safaris , game drives , river boat cruises , fishing for tiger fish or the large vundu catfish and combinations of all these activities in a camp that has received international recognition as being the best safari property in Africa 2011 and was awarded the best safari guiding team in Africa in 2008 , this camp continues to get nominated for these top awards .
Whatever you are interested in doing on safari l have the passion and skills to make it happen .
This is a page on the Africa Exclusive travel agency website about my activities
http://www.safari.co.uk/being-on-luxury-safari/safari-guides/paul-grobler/
I trophy hunted on a 10-day safari with Paul and Steve Grobler in April 1974. Are you the same outfitters?
Hi Lewis , l am a different clan from Paul Grobler , also from Zimbabwe , but l never actually met them . He is a well known hunter . I do photographic safaris that are private guided , if you need someone to llok after the family while you are hunting , let me know . Thanks for reading my blog . Regards . Paul
Hi Paul. Where did you take the Black Rhino picture and how far away from it were you? I have tracked Rhinos in Matusadona and they give me the creeps!
Hi Peter , thanks for reading my blog .We dont give out specific locations of rhino due to the seriousness of the poaching situation at this time . This picture was taken in South Africa is all l can say . We were not on foot it was actually on a game drive so we managed to get quite close without it being too disturbed . I have approached black rhino in foot in Matusadona National Park and the south east of Zimbabwe , it is quite an intense , adrenalin filled experience . Their eyesight is extremely poor and they are usually found in quite thick cover which makes it more exciting .
How’s it Paul,really enjoyed your blog. Its been years but I hope you manage to see this comment. Im currently doing a LPH coursce and I plan to become a Professial Guide. I too am not keen on killing animals. Is there anyway I can contact you? Im in need of advice and im hoping you can answer a few of my questions pertaining to becoming a Professor Guide. Thanks
Hi Dylan , just saw yor comment now, l am not active at this time but you can contact me if you want at pgrobler05@yahoo.co.uk . Cheers .Paul