A good PH needs to love what he's doing, and he needs to convey that message in every meaningful way to his client. If the PH is up every day, has a good attitude, smiles, laughs, jokes, treats the staff well, and treats every day like a holiday -- like it's the greatest day in the history of his existence -- then the client will be at ease and will perform at his very best as well. Enthusiasm is contageous, and it gets results!

The PH needs to speak all of the common languages fluently, be a keen observer and a good communicator, and a good navigator in the bush who is intimately familiar with everything that roams and grows in his hunting area, but he won't waste the client's time -- or his own -- by reciting throughout the day the Greek and Latin names of all the plant and animal species.

The good PH is resourseful. He's a good mechanic who can keep the rig running and patch the flate tires. He understands the fundamentals of good photography, and understands the important aspects of safari rifles and ammo, as well as optical gear. He knows how to SHOOT WELL plus he's cool-headed. He stands his ground and is wise enough to not run in the face of a charge -- he'll stand his ground and finish whatever gets started, no matter what.

The top PH knows that he needs to trust and rely on his carefully-selected and proven trackers and other staff members, but ultimately he needs to trust is own judgment even more. So he's a self-reliant man who is a good tracker and totally bush-savvy in his own right. He needs to see himself as the CEO of his safari crew: Ultimately, the buck stops with him, and no one else, he he knows it.

A good PH has a great work eithic. He might have a drink or two by the fire at night, but he's no raging alcoholic who has a hangover to work his way through at the start of every hunting day, and he's wise enough to know that such behavior only puts himself, as well as his clients and trackers, at risk. He goes to bed at a reasonable hour, and he's up and ready to work every morning, on-time, and ahead of the client. He eats a healthy diet, stays in top shape, and he thinks wholesome thoughts. He's the undisputed leader of the expedition, and he needs to act the part at all times, as well as LIVE the part at all times.

It's all about professionalism..........

AD