Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) is South Africa’s premier guiding event, and this year it celebrates its 15th anniversary. Established to recognise and promote excellence in safari guiding, the competition provides a platform for outstanding guides to showcase their skills while advancing professional standards, conservation awareness and lifelong learning within the guiding industry.
Sarah Barratt of Thornybush Game Lodge has been named Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) 2026, becoming the second woman in the competition’s 15-year history to claim the title. She takes the title at a five-day competition held at Amani Safari Camp in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, with Otto Scribante of Singita named runner-up.
The win came as SGOTY marked its 15th anniversary, cementing its place as South Africa’s most rigorous professional guiding competition and the benchmark for excellence in the safari industry.
Finalists were assessed across nine disciplines covering the full scope of modern safari guiding: track and sign identification, birding, storytelling, guided walks, photographic guiding, hospitality, professionalism, advanced rifle handling, and guided game drives. Barratt claimed top honours in two categories, industry ambassador and professionalism, and the guided game drive, the discipline most central to a guest’s safari experience.
Accepting the title, Barratt was generous about the standard of competition around her.
“It has been an incredible honour to share this journey with my fellow finalists. The level of knowledge, professionalism and passion on display throughout the week has been inspiring, and it has been a privilege to learn from and compete alongside them.”
The competition closed with a moment that served as a fitting reminder of what guides are ultimately working to protect: a leopard moving calmly through a drainage line just metres from the lodge.
The Track and Sign challenge drew significant public interest this year, with more than 2,000 people participating in an online quiz hosted by Latest Sightings. Only 37% answered correctly, underlining how specialised the knowledge of a professional guide is.
Photography, judged with the support of Canon South Africa, again ranked among the most demanding assessments. Canon’s Roger Machin noted that guiding guests to meaningful wildlife images has become an increasingly important part of the safari experience, helping guests carry memories home and inspiring future travellers to engage with Africa’s wild spaces.
Reflecting on the event’s journey, SGOTY founder Mike Karantonis said the competition was built on a foundation of selflessness and a desire to recognise guides who often work behind the scenes. Long-time partner Howard Rogerson of Ruggedwear spoke to the growth of the event since its founding. “The vision Mike had 15 years ago has grown into a prestigious event. These guides are the faces our industry will be remembered by, long after guests have returned home.”
FGASA Managing Director Michelle du Plessis noted that each year raises the standard, with finalists consistently demonstrating higher levels of professionalism and guiding depth.
Klaserie Drift Amani owner Andrew Pletzen acknowledged the broader significance of the guide’s role, pointing to their unique ability to connect people to nature and build lasting conservation awareness.
In claiming the title, Barratt becomes the second woman to win SGOTY in its 15-year history, a milestone that speaks to the evolving landscape of professional safari guiding in South Africa.
The individual challenge winners were:
Track and Sign
Winner – Samantha Snodgrass, Runner-up Otto Scribante
Birding
Winner – Otto Scribante, Runner-up Sarah Barratt
Guided Photographic Experience
Winner – Otto Scribante, Runner-up Samantha Snodgrass
Storytelling
Winner – Patrick Kepe, Runner-up Otto Scribante
Guided Walk
Winner – Samantha Snodgrass, Runner-up Otto Scribante
Hospitality
Winner – Jordan Davidson, Runner-up Sarah Barratt
Industry Ambassador and Professionalism
Winner – Sarah Barratt, Runner-up Samantha Snodgrass
Advanced Rifle Handling
Winner- Otto Scribante, Runner-up Sarah Barratt
Guided Game Drive
Winner – Sarah Barratt, Runner-up Otto Scribante
