Sarah Barratt of Thornybush Game Lodge has been honoured as the 2026 Safari Guide of the Year, making her the second woman to receive this esteemed southern African accolade.
Image: Supplied
In the safari industry, a field guide can make or break the bucket list experience of a lifetime.
The difference between a good safari and an unforgettable one comes down to the person in the driver’s seat.
This week, the industry officially crowned its finest: Sarah Barratt of Thornybush Game Reserve has been named the Safari Guide of the Year 2026.
The prestigious accolade follows a gruelling, five-day gauntlet hosted at Amani Safari Camp within the scenic Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.
The annual competition pits the subcontinent’s elite field guides against one another in a series of safari-related events over a week.
Finalists Patrick Kepe (Shamwari Private Game Reserve), Samantha Snodgrass (Shamwari Private Game Reserve), Jordan Davidson (Sanbona Wildlife Reserve), Otto Scribante (Singita) and Barratt were scrutinised across multiple demanding disciplines, including game drives, technical bush walks, guided photographic experiences, birding, tracking, advanced rifle handling, storytelling and hosting and hospitality.
Safari Guide of the Year 2026 winner Sarah Barratt of Thornybush, recognised for her 15 years of exceptional guiding, tracking and storytelling in the African bush.
Image: Supplied.
Barratt, who pairs 15 years of bush experience with a background in anthropology, delivered a standout performance.
She swept the individual categories for both Guided Game Drive and Industry Ambassador and Professionalism before claiming the title of overall winner.
The victory marks a historic milestone, making Barratt only the second woman to win the award in its history.
"I genuinely couldn't believe it when they called my name. It felt incredibly surreal. But now that it's starting to sink in, I just feel unbelievably grateful and humbled to have received this award,” said Barratt.
“I have been following this competition since I started my career, dreaming that one day I might be able to participate. So just making it through as a finalist was incredibly fulfilling. It really felt like the journey was coming full circle.”
The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa states that, "For a long time, field guiding was never considered a ‘real’ career path. The skills, qualifications and knowledge needed to become a guide were not valued in the larger scope of post-school education.
"Field guiding was often thought of as a fallback job or something to keep busy with until deciding on a ‘real’ job.
"Safari Guide of the Year has slowly been changing this misconception about field guiding by celebrating guides who have achieved highly in their careers, pushed their theoretical knowledge and who have spent years in the wild honing their practical skills."
According to the Association, the true impact of the Safari Guide of the Year event goes beyond honouring current industry talent; it acts as a powerful catalyst that inspires the next generation of trackers and rangers to achieve excellence.
By uniting a community entirely dedicated to upholding world-class standards, the competition elevates the vital professionalism and elite skills required to succeed in the wild.
For Thornybush, the win underscores the evolving role of the modern safari guide, shifting from simple wildlife translators to vital conduits for conservation and human connection.
"At Thornybush, we believe great guides do far more than interpret the bush; they create meaningful connections between people and nature," said Melanie Parker, head of Operations at Thornybush.
"Sarah embodies everything that makes guiding such a special profession. Her knowledge is exceptional, but it is her warmth, passion, professionalism and ability to inspire others that truly set her apart. We could not be prouder to have her representing Thornybush and the guiding industry as a whole.”
Beyond individual recognition, the competition highlights the profound impact that dedicated guides have on global travellers and local conservation efforts. By fostering a deep, empathetic appreciation for fragile ecosystems, these professionals serve as frontline defenders for the wilderness.
Stepping into her new role as the industry's top ambassador, Barratt is looking forward to the future, with a distinct focus on mentorship.
"It is such a huge honour to receive this title. I now have a wonderful responsibility, not just as an ambassador for the industry, but also to help others succeed, and that's something I'm really excited about. I want to help other guides, especially women, set themselves on a path to achieve their dreams, just like I did."