Mark Montgomery and Andrew Booth met on trail in 2019. Mark was the guide, and Andrew was the trailist. As the trail went on, Andrew realised that he wanted to become a trail guide to open up the transformative experience of being on trail to people who also need it.
It would take Andrew almost 4 years to make this dream a reality, but by the end of it he had attained his FGASA and lead rifle qualification. WildSide Trails and Training was founded in January 2023 by Andrew and Mark, and with the dedicated nurturing of Andrew and the support and guidance of Mark grew into a trail company with a uniquely wild trail offering.
In July 2024 Mark could see that Andrew had received enough of his guidance and support to make a success of WildSide. He left WildSide to pursue guiding in his private capacity and continues to train and mentor the next generation of guides.
The student has become the teacher and Andrew’s unique approach to taking people into Africa’s wild places was used to establish WildSide’s footprint in the area.
It is becoming harder to connect with the wild and the people around you without the distractions of the modern world distracting you. That’s why we believe our approach to facilitating Big 5 experiences while backpacking or slackpacking is an important tool to reconnect with yourself and those around you. Our booking process is simple and flexible, allowing you to tailor your adventure to your preferences.
Begin by choosing between our Backpack or Slackpack options, then select the number of days you'd like to spend on the trail and your preferred dates. From there, pick your venue and decide whether you'd like a catered experience or prefer self-catering. We accommodate groups of 5 to 8 participants, with pricing tailored to your selections. To finalise your booking, just reach out to us via email to schedule a call
Living in the moment, dealing with what lies ahead. Gaining perspective in Africa’s wilderness. We seek and create spaces that allow nature to work her magic at WildSide trails, all while you are surrounded by Africa’s pristine wildlife and untamed elements of nature.
When we traverse Africa’s Bush we are guided by the Sun and the Southern Cross to give us a heading and direction to follow. In much the same way WildSide is guided by a conviction that Africa’s Wilderness can and should heal us from the confusion and complexity of our modern lives. To do this WildSide focuses on providing wild experiences in Africa’s wilderness on foot.
WildSide Trails is here to give you something that you cannot find anywhere else. Peace, rest connection and adventure all while walking in Africa’s untamed wilderness. Do something for your soul and restore your tapped-out reserves with a guided walking trail that will stick with you for years to come.
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The core of Wildside’s story is sharing wild African Trails with those who want to experience them. Let's engage so that we can show you the possibilities of what’s out there and what will suit you and your group the best.
