Tour Guide Profile: Rainer Summers
Rainer Summers has likewise been involved with birding and wildlife since an early age. His passion for African birds, exceptional enthusiasm and extremely likeable personality make Rainer one of our most popular leaders.
Rainer Summers has been involved with birding and wildlife from an early age. He grew up in the Midlands area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and his passion for and association with the outdoors led him to study Zoology and Grassland Science. Thereafter he completed his BSc Honours degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology. After finishing his postgraduate degree, he has worked on a number of bird related projects and coached primary school sport. He is an avid outdoorsman, and his recreational pursuits are divided between terra firma and water, and include birding, fishing, running and kayaking. He has a great passion for anything and everything nature related, be it frogs, fish or floodplain trees! This, combined with his natural history knowledge, makes him a great asset in his capacity as a full-time Rockjumper guide. Rainer has birded extensively in Africa, including southern, central, east and north Africa, as well as on the "eighth continent", Madagascar.
"Rainer was a most remarkable bird guide. We were constantly impressed by his ability to hear (recognize by voice actually) and spot difficult species, especially in canopy situations under less than optimal skies. We told him he seemed like a young Ted Parker (perhaps the best ever South American birder), he was that good!"
Paul Gurn and Eileen Synnott
Massachusetts, USA
“Rainer was an awesome guide. He was patient, enthusiastic, a marvellous birder, friendly, fun and an excellent driver. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide!”
Tom and Carroll Vinson
California, USA
“Rainer was absolutely brilliant with the boys, as we knew he would be. We originally planned the trip with him in Madagascar, and it was a raging success largely because of him. He was patient and interested with the boys, and yet able to tolerate, and indeed join in with their high spirits and many practical jokes! We will definitely be talking again about arranging another such trip, especially (or only!) if we can have Rainer with us again. He has inspired and enthused many of them about natural history and his general wildlife knowledge, not just birds, was invaluable. We planned this trip with him and mind, and have been delighted with it. Thanks!”
Simon Woolley and Julia Casson
Winchester, England
"Rainer was a superb guide. His unflagging enthusiasm and seemingly boundless energy, coupled with his extensive knowledge of all things natural, equipped him more than suitably for such a position. He was always friendly, helpful, approachable and patient, and he was always willing to talk to us on all kinds of subjects, from African customs and traditions to local history and even politics. He could tell us not only about birds but also about mammals, reptiles, insects, trees, plants and flowers – all of them in a very professional and well-informed way. We were both enormously impressed and find it difficult to praise him too highly."
Mary & Andy Ferguson
England
Gallery - Guides - Rainer
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