WHY & WHO

Match-making your perfect African experience!

An AMS safari is a meaningful journey of unsurpassed discovery, an artfully guided adventure into the Africa of your choice. We take pride in offering unique, meaningful and authentic experiences and seamless travel logistics. This while constantly striving to inspire a deeper sense of awareness and conservation. For Alan, it is principally about elephants, and he is known as one of Africa’s leading specialist elephant guides

Alan & Sarah McSmith are a husband and wife team based in Hoedspruit, South Africa. For over three decades we have committed to a conservation-minded delivery of safari, trails and experiences. To share our love for wild Africa and the inspiring values and sense of purpose that the wilderness experience affords us.

ALAN MCSMITH

After 30+ years in the saddle, Alan continues to break new ground as a safari and wilderness guide. Once a permanent resident of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Alan co-pioneered a series of unsupported, exploratory dugout canoe traverses of the delta. Each traverse lasted for four weeks and in the process he has racked up over 3000 kms by dugout.

He is an established motivational and TEDx speaker and has travelled extensively advocating leadership and conservation at numerous European forums.

A lifetime of exploration and discovery, not to mention the traditional knowledge and wisdom of baYei, Bushman, Herero and Shangaan trackers and guides have made lasting impressions. Wilderness, therefore, is no longer a place but a way of life and he remains committed to share meaningful wildlife encounters, storytelling and old school hospitality, preferably around a remote African campfire.

And then there are elephants. Alan is a passionate elephant conservationist, and is well known for his knowledge of these remarkable animals, constantly striving to raise the bar of awareness.

Alan’s deep understanding of the wild and his readiness to share it with all who are interested makes him a much sought after wildlife and wilderness guide. But it is not just his knowledge and experience that makes spending time on safari with him so special; it is also his gentle, self-effacing manner, sense of humour and relaxed character that makes it such a treasured event.

SARAH MCSMITH

Born in rural Swaziland, Sarah’s idyllic first brush with nature was the carefree days of swimming in the Usutu River, and barefoot forest wanderings through the hillsides near her home. Rural Africa settled well.

With a beginning at Ngala Game Lodge in the Timbavati in 1988, Sarah has since dedicated her life to the world of safaris, hospitality service and social development ever since. Sarah and Alan have two grown children, Jake 24, and Meg 20.