Nic Polenakis
Nic Polenakis is a premier Southern African guide who spends much of his year exclusively guiding for the Africa Adventure Company on private safaris. Nic was selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the “10 Great Tour Guides Who Can Transform Your Trip” for 2011.
Nic mostly spends his time between, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia, although guides in Tanzania as well. He and his wife, Tracey are based in Bulawayo and when free you can find Nic guiding at his new venture, Somalisa Camp in Hwange.
Earlier in his career he did an extensive study of black rhino and was also involved in the anti-poaching, tracking, darting and translocation of the rhino. He was appointed coordinator for the "San Diego Zoo" study of black rhino. At the end of these five years he passed his full Professional Guide License.
In 1996 he joined a mobile safari operation as Head Guide and these trips took him through Zimbabwe. He also introduced wilderness trails, backpacking with groups of up to 6, walking through National Parks and sleeping under the stars in big game areas. During the off-season he assisted with camp management and guiding at Camp Amalinda. He later became Head Guide of a Botswana mobile safari operation.