About Peter

Peter Comley

Safari guide, author, storyteller and part of the generation of guides who helped shape African travel as we know it.

Many people are surprised to learn that Peter Comley was once on track to become a city lawyer, drafting contracts and divorce settlements behind a desk. It was over 35 years ago when Peter, in a borrowed lime-green suit, too tight at the elbows, seated behind a stack of endless paperwork, made a decision that would change his life. He walked away from the world of law and economics and stepped into the wild.

Since then, Peter has led hundreds of safaris across Africa, through floodplains and deserts, forests and mountains, becoming widely regarded as one of the continent’s most seasoned and soulful guides. He has poled a mokoro down the full length of the Okavango Delta, launched Botswana’s first canoe safaris, tracked with San hunters in the Kalahari, and crossed some of the wildest terrain in Africa, long before roads, fences, or tourism maps existed.

Beyond Botswana, Peter has climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked to see mountain gorillas in the three countries that they occur, been charged by forest elephants in Rwanda, photographed mandrills in Gabon, and shared Naisho (milk and blood) with the Maasai. He has explored the remotest reaches of western Zambia and Namibia’s Kaokoveld, and led the maiden chimpanzee walk on Uganda’s Ngamba Island.

Peter’s safaris are never off the shelf. He designs each one from the ground up, creating rare, immersive journeys for individuals and small groups, and guiding them personally from start to finish. Recent adventures have included a nocturnal photographic safari through Zambia and Botswana, a bush-skills expedition for the US military, a historical tour through South Africa’s forgotten war sites, and a coastal trek through Mozambique’s wild Gorongosa region.

He is also the author of five books: The Traveller’s Guide to Botswana, Mammals of Botswana, Mammals of Namibia, Django: A Memoir, and a collection of poetry and musings titled Mud Verses Stars. His writing and photography have appeared in magazines, anthologies, newspapers – including the Times of London – as well as on calendars, postcards, and wildlife brochures. He now lives on the banks of the Chobe River in Kazungula and is an invited member of the Great Guides Organisation.

Peter is part of a generation of African guides whose footsteps marked out the early paths of safari travel, people who helped transform remote, wild places into deeply felt experiences. Decades later, he still guides with the same presence, curiosity, and deep respect for the land that first drew him in.

For those seeking a safari that goes beyond the ordinary, that taps into something real, wild, and unforgettable – Peter is waiting.

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Peter’s Journey

Countries Explored
National Parks & Protected Areas traversed
Safaris successfully completed

Reviews:​

Thomas:

I have been on Safari with Peter Comley as the lead guide 5 times now. Peter is an outstandingly knowledgeable and credible guide. He easily navigates in thick bush and desert likewise, be it on car, on foot or on mokoro. He reads footprints, interprets droppings and never misses a sound from game around us. Peter anticipates potentially difficult situations long before they evolve – he loves adventure but never takes uncalled for risks. I remember three scary encounters which could not possibly be avoided: an elephant and a lioness while in the jeep, and a buffalo while on foot. Peter managed every single situation impressively calmly and with great care: the elephant by calming him down, the lioness by demonstrating superiority (she finally bolted with her tail between her legs) and the buffalo by finding us a way out of the area (it took a great amount of time, hiding and sneaking between bushes though). No need to mention that Peter has an expert’s knowledge of African wildlife – his books are proof enough. But more important to me is that he happily and entertainingly shares his knowledge – it’s never boring on Peter’s safaris even if there isn’t a single antelope around. The wild dog is probably the only species Peter has not yet managed to show me – one reason more to come back soon!

Nigel & Carolyn:

We have been fortunate to have used Peter Comley as a safari guide for 20 plus safaris both in Botswana and in other African countries over the last 30 years all of which have been for a duration of a minimum of 3 weeks. Peter has excellent knowledge of both the fauna and flora. His skills at identifying birds are excellent. He can identify most of the trees and shrubs in the parks, and can also give information of their properties and uses. No safari would be complete without his excellent guide book ‘Mammals of Botswana which clearly shows the massive amount of knowledge that Peter has about the Wildlife of Botswana.

Sussane:
Peter Comley is the best guide I’ve ever had. I have done three trips with him to Botswana, Rwanda and Tanzania. We always enjoyed our time in Botswana due to the fact Peter showed us the beauty in all big and small creatures. He made us fall in love with Africa. We will be back soon!

Barrie:
After meeting us at the airport Peter then explained what we could expect to see with regards to animal life while on our vehicle mounted excursions, it was very obvious that Peter knew his material and processed a great knowledge of the Delta with its fauna, flora and wild life that could only come through many years spent in the bush on such safaris, his people skills are first class and his ability to clearly explain what was needed to all levels and ages of our group was apparent and appreciated. In conclusion I would like to highly commend Peter for this opportunity and thank him profusely for his service, friendship, knowledge and expertise. I had previously been on a safari in Kenya some 5 years ago and up until Botswana had no idea of what a real safari was like with a real safari guide like Peter.

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