Private Guiding
with James Varden
James has conducted walking trails in parks such as Mana Pools, Hwange and Matusadonha, all dangerous wildlife areas. His passion for all aspects of nature, particularly birding and botany, combined with a keen emphasis on very active, adventurous and energetic safaris meant that guests left with as full a safari experience as one could get.
He took many kids trips and families, including VIP guests, on canoeing and walking safaris on the Zambezi River.
These were safaris which required an immense dedication to responsibility, safety and hard work as they are extremely challenging styles of real wildlife experience. James was then offered the opportunity by Garth Thompson to purchase Natureways Safaris. He did this with a partner in November 1997 and has been a partner ever since.
From November 1997 until now, James has focused on the guiding and wildlife issues, becoming more involved in issues that threaten wilderness values and areas. James and his wife Janine have started Community Projects in the Mavhuradonha Wilderness 600 sq.km boundary, including Honey for Money. Their philosophy is that Africa has to move away from aid to trade.
He has done stints of lecturing on wildlife and guiding in Australia and also worked in a wildlife open range park in Australia.
James has visited South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.
He has successfully climbed Kilimanjaro twice and done the three main peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.
He has also birded extensively in the Far East of Asia, Australia and also visited Antarctica.
He has also attended many tourism shows and marketing meetings such as Indaba, WTM, Australian shows and USA shows.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes the Explorer has been on safari with James, one of his career highlights
