
David Carson
Born in Zimbabwe, David continues to live in one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, and has maintained a reputation for over 20 years as one of the best guides anyone lucky enough to have on a Safari. Zimbabwe has the most rigorous wilderness guide training on the continent, and the few that successfully complete the four years and obtain their Professional Guides License, are well- versed in botany, zoology, ornithology, entomology, current world affairs, tracking, and the ability to come up with a plan for almost any problem encountered in the bush.
David now spends almost all of his time guiding safaris into remote areas that he considers his back yard: Hwange National Park, and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, and Moremi, Savuti, and Chobe in Botswana.
Dave’s great love of his country is infectious and his wonderful sense of humor for even the most harrowing experiences will have you hanging on every word.
Featured Guides
We believe your guide is the key component to having a successful safari. Though many of the camps we support employ excellent guides, below are a few of our favorites. If interested in adding one of these guides to your safari, please ask your consultant for more details.
Testimonials
We stand by our service. To see what others have to say about Intrepid Expeditions:
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We had the most incredible time! South Africa was such a great choice. We fell in love with the country and can’t wait to return.
The safari experience at Sabi Sands was definitely a highlight. It was so surreal to be so close to these animals in the wild. We also didn’t realize we would be offroading to find the animals. We learned that Sabi sands allows that and... read moreWe had the most incredible time! South Africa was such a great choice. We fell in love with the country and can’t wait to return.
The safari experience at Sabi Sands was definitely a highlight. It was so surreal to be so close to these animals in the wild. We also didn’t realize we would be offroading to find the animals. We learned that Sabi sands allows that and Kruger park does not. We were very happy with our choice in Sabi Sands! We can’t wait to return to Africa and just go on several different safaris. We wished we had booked a safari at another location as well. But we just didn’t have the time for it and I would not have given up the other cities we visited. Another highlight was seeing a great white shark at Grootbos! Additionally, Samo (our wilderness safari tour guide) was EXCELLENT! We didn’t realize we would have the same person transferring us around as well as serving as our tour guide. He was so knowledgeable and beyond helpful! Will definitely request him for next time.
Everything was perfectly organized and we cannot wait to return. There are few places we visit and want to return to before visiting somewhere new but South Africa was definitely a spot to return to immediately. We can see how people become obsessed with going on safari!
Thank you so much for your help in planning our dream honeymoon! We also really lucked out with the timing of the trip! A big thank you to Simon as well for his concern after we reached out on the tail end of the trip. We were worried about our return flights and his communication made all the difference. read lessAlexa Abril4/06/2020I loved my experience in Africa arranged by intrepid expeditions. I had very specific requirements for my trip to Africa and this company was able to meet all my demands. Specifically, I wanted an interactive trip rather than a tourist experience and they made it as personal as possible while catering to my specific needs. I definitely would take another trip through them.
Joyce Garber2/26/2020I loved my experience in Africa arranged by intrepid expeditions. I had very specific requirements for my trip to Africa and this company was able to meet all my demands. Specifically, I wanted an interactive trip rather than a tourist experience and they made it as personal as possible while catering to my specific needs. I definitely would take another trip through them.
A Google User2/26/2020Top notch. Simon and his team are phenomenal at their jobs, and put together an epic safari for my wife and I to celebrate our honeymoon. They worked with our agenda, made great recommendations, and helped us coordinate travel throughout the whole trip. Fantastic service and team.
Gavin Anstey2/04/2020 -
Top notch. Simon and his team are phenomenal at their jobs, and put together an epic safari for my wife and I to celebrate our honeymoon. They worked with our agenda, made great recommendations, and helped us coordinate travel throughout the whole trip. Fantastic service and team.
A Google User2/04/2020My husband and I recently returned from a thrilling trip to Africa. This trip fulfilled a life long desire to see wild animals in their natural habitat. It truly exceeded my expectations. Simon Gluckman of Intrepid Expeditions listened to our requests and planned a fabulous 13 day adventure. We traveled to four different camps. Not only did we see many animals we also visited a village, ... read moreMy husband and I recently returned from a thrilling trip to Africa. This trip fulfilled a life long desire to see wild animals in their natural habitat. It truly exceeded my expectations. Simon Gluckman of Intrepid Expeditions listened to our requests and planned a fabulous 13 day adventure. We traveled to four different camps. Not only did we see many animals we also visited a village, viewed cave art and heard the history of the areas we were in. We told Simon we love to walk and in our third camp got the opportunity to do that. Tracking lion spoor was a highlight for my husband!
I’m into astronomy and had never seen the Southern Hemisphere constellations before. We saw fantastic sunrises and sunsets too. The various guides knowledge of not only the animals but trees, insects, plants and stars was very impressive. Transportation was all arranged and we never spent a moment worrying about travel arrangements. I highly recommend planning your trip with Intrepid Expeditions. You will not be disappointed. read lessMary Clement10/17/2019My husband and I recently returned from a thrilling trip to Africa. This trip fulfilled a life long desire to see wild animals in their natural habitat. It truly exceeded my expectations. Simon Gluckman of Intrepid Expeditions listened to our requests and planned a fabulous 13 day adventure. We traveled to four different camps. Not only did we see many animals we also visited a village, ... read moreMy husband and I recently returned from a thrilling trip to Africa. This trip fulfilled a life long desire to see wild animals in their natural habitat. It truly exceeded my expectations. Simon Gluckman of Intrepid Expeditions listened to our requests and planned a fabulous 13 day adventure. We traveled to four different camps. Not only did we see many animals we also visited a village, viewed cave art and heard the history of the areas we were in. We told Simon we love to walk and in our third camp got the opportunity to do that. Tracking lion spoor was a highlight for my husband!
I’m into astronomy and had never seen the Southern Hemisphere constellations before. We saw fantastic sunrises and sunsets too. The various guides knowledge of not only the animals but trees, insects, plants and stars was very impressive. Transportation was all arranged and we never spent a moment worrying about travel arrangements. I highly recommend planning your trip with Intrepid Expeditions. You will not be disappointed. read lessA Google User10/17/2019Hey Simon,
So sorry it's been so long to get in touch.
We're still beaming from the trip! We can't say thank you enough for the incredible tour you organized. It was 5 star from the moment we opened the conversation with you. You and your team took so much care to get the details right and it was felt every exhilarating bump of the 4X4 track through the desert! The accommodations... read moreHey Simon,
So sorry it's been so long to get in touch.
We're still beaming from the trip! We can't say thank you enough for the incredible tour you organized. It was 5 star from the moment we opened the conversation with you. You and your team took so much care to get the details right and it was felt every exhilarating bump of the 4X4 track through the desert! The accommodations were perfect and nailed our taste just right. You guys communicated everything perfectly to us, and we were prepared for a good adventure; and, were blown away with what we actually got!
Every single part of the adventure was fun and exciting. We did have one point on our first game drive at Mashatu when we thought maybe the tour was a Disney Land for European retirees - then we saw and heard a lioness crunching through a wildebeest. Our perspective changed. When we got up the next morning for the 5:00am game drive we were on the edge of our seats for what the day might bring. We ended up with two other terrific couples on their retirement vacations. They thought we were crazy for going on the bike tour, and for getting out and running in front of the cruisers. But, it was so much fun!
We also appreciate all the work that went into planning this and ensuring we had gluten free options. The food was superb, and exceeded all expectations - even US and European dining options.
Our guides, Howard (AKA Black Rhino at Malinda, and the whole team really) were remarkable! We learned so much about the local ecology and rhinos, but also a ton about Zimbabwe's culture and history during our 10 mile mountain bike tour. And Stewart at Tuli was incredible - two days of bush tours and hikes was just phenomenal. We gained a very unique perspective of the landscape on foot, which was then followed up by four days of mountain biking, hiking, trail running and Land Cruiser tours with Richard and Jakes at Mashatu. The people - every one we dealt with from guides to pilots - was incredible and made sure we enjoyed our time and learned as much as possible about the various regions we visited. Not to mention seeing community homes in the bush of Zim, white rhinos, elephants, giraffes, JAFIs, baboons, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, bat eared foxes, jackals, wildebeest, zebras, owls, hornbills, warthogs... what an amazing experience.
When we met that guy from Malawi, and he was asking so many questions about our tour and who created it, and how and why it was so customized to our interests: mountain biking, trail running, hiking, camping out in Tuli, tent camp at Mashatu, we knew we made the right choice. Thank you for putting together such a phenomenal, remarkable personalized tour. It is one of the most memorable trips we've ever taken.
All the best, and we'll be sure to share your name. read lessRyan Flynn6/05/2019