Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger – Sarah Barratt of Thornybush Game Lodge has been crowned Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) 2026 after five days of competition in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Otto Scribante of Singita was named runner-up.
The competition, hosted at Klaserie Drift Amani, marked the 15th anniversary of SGOTY, which recognises excellence in South Africa’s professional safari guiding industry.
Five finalists were tested across a range of disciplines, including track and sign identification, birding, storytelling, guided walks, photographic guiding, hospitality, professionalism, advanced rifle handling and guided game drives.
Barratt excelled throughout the competition, winning the Industry Ambassador and Professionalism award and the Guided Game Drive challenge, while placing second in birding, hospitality and advanced rifle handling. Scribante claimed top honours in birding, photographic guiding and advanced rifle handling.
Accepting the title, Barratt paid tribute to her fellow finalists, describing it as a privilege to compete alongside such talented and dedicated guides.
“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.”
One of the competition’s highlights was the track and sign assessment which, opened to the public, attracted more than 2,000 participants through an online quiz, with only 37% correctly identifying the animal tracks presented.
SGOTY founder Mike Karantonis said the competition was established to recognise the dedication and professionalism of safari guides, while FGASA Managing Director Michelle du Plessis noted that each year the standard of guiding continues to rise.
Barratt now joins the distinguished list of Safari Guide of the Year winners, continuing the competition’s mission of celebrating excellence in Africa’s guiding profession.
The individual challenge winners were:
* Track and sign: 1st Samantha Snodgrass, 2nd Otto Scribante
* Birding: 1st Otto Scribante, 2nd Sarah Barratt
* Guided photographic experience: 1st Otto Scribante, 2nd Samantha Snodgrass
* Storytelling: 1st Patrick Kepe, 2nd Otto Scribante
* Guided walk: 1st Samantha Snodgrass, 2nd Otto Scribante
* Hospitality: 1st Jordan Davidson, 2nd Sarah Barratt
* Industry ambassador and professionalism: 1st Sarah Barratt, 2nd Samantha Snodgrass
* Advanced rifle handling: 1st Otto Scribante, 2nd Sarah Barratt
* Guided game drive: 1st Sarah Barratt, 2nd Otto Scribante
