Meet your Guides
The Rae Safari team
Andrew Rae
Founder & CEO
Andrew has been guiding specialist safaris in Southern Africa for the last thirty-five years. A South African by birth, his love affair with all things wild and African began at an early age. A qualified biologist, historian and field guide, Andrew has worked in the Kruger lowveld, Eastern Cape Karoo, Botswana’s northern Tuli Game Reserve and most recently the region surrounding Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site.
He is a known raconteur and storyteller who believes that a great safari always depends on the quality of the guiding.
Andrew has an enviable reputation and a growing list of loyal clientele who return to Africa repeatedly to experience his unique and passionate safari leadership. Andrew guides private interpretive safaris to some of Africa’s most sought-after frontiers like Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa as well as destinations beyond Africa including Galapagos, Antarctica and India.
Mike Rae
Guide
Mike grew up in the Southern African wilderness. His first job was working in the background of operations of a lodge in the Mapungupwe region of Limpopo. He then became a full-time guide and ranger in Madikwe Game Reserve in the Northwest Province where he worked for seven years. He earned the accolade of Tau Game Lodge’s youngest head ranger and managed a team of rangers and his own game drives for the remainder of his time there.
In 2022, Mike joined the family business and has been guiding throughout Southern Africa in daring overland
adventures, as well as in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, Antarctica, India and more.
Angie Rae
Operations & Guide
Angie grew up next to her brother Mike in the bushveld. She joined RAE Safaris in 2018, first in the office and then assisting on safaris.
Angie obtained her field guide qualification in the Greater Kruger Region.
Angela now guides safaris while managing much of Rae Safaris’ operations, while continuing her studies of the flora and fauna in the wild spaces that Rae Safaris continues to explore. She has guided in multiple South African reserves and parks, as well as Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Prof. Peter Neville
Animal Behaviourist &
Research Biologist
Peter is an internationally renowned animal behaviourist and research biologist. He is a best-selling author, BBC media broadcaster and international speaker. His career has incorporated research biology and animal behaviour studies in diverse fields all over the world, including the field of behaviour therapy for pets as a professor at the Miyazaki Veterinary School in Japan and Ohio State University in the USA, where he currently holds an adjunct teaching position in the Department of Animal Sciences.
Peter’s magnetic personality, specialist knowledge and vast experience will help elevate your understanding of Africa’s unique and varied wildlife. Be prepared for an extraordinary journey of discovering the inner workings of some of Africa’s most iconic creatures.
Jay Roode
Professional photographer
Jay is a qualified environmentalist and internationally recognised photographer. Her photographs have graced the pages of publications such as National Geographic, Geo, The Smithsonian, BBC African Wildlife, Africa Geographic, and Wild Travel to name but a few. Her award winning images have received recognition in international photographic competitions such as The Sienna and BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year.
Better known for her evocative aerial photographs of Southern Africa’s great wildernesses, Jay is also an accomplished photographic tutor and guide and is passionate about aviation, conservation and photography in Africa.
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Jay will help you get to know your camera gear better, while growing and honing your photographic skills.