Brooks Kamanakao
Brooks grew up in the village of Motopi on the banks of the Boteti River, one of the primary channels of Botswana's Okavango Delta. A member of the Bayei tribe, whose ancestors introduced the traditional mokoro to the Delta, he developed a deep connection to Botswana's wild places from an early age.
Determined to pursue a career in tourism, Brooks began as a safari camp assistant before advancing to waiter and later tracker. After completing his professional guide training in 2000, he honed his skills at some of Botswana's most renowned safari camps, including Kings Pool and Mombo. Decades in the field have given him an exceptional understanding of wildlife behavior, animal movements and the ecosystems that support them.
Brooks has led wildlife and photographic safaris throughout Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Madagascar, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He is known for his ability to interpret animal behavior and help guests experience meaningful wildlife encounters while gaining a deeper appreciation for the natural world. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge of astronomy, birding and the history and traditions of Botswana's diverse cultures.
An accomplished wildlife photographer, Brooks photographs everything from tiny insects to Africa's largest mammals. His images have appeared in Africa Geographic, publications in Germany and through Barcroft Media in the United Kingdom.
Brooks has visited the United States numerous times to speak with schoolchildren about conservation and is a regular visitor to Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks. When not guiding, he enjoys wildlife photography and spending time beneath Botswana's night skies.
What's in My Camera Bag
Camera Bag
Lowepro
Camera Equipment
Canon 80D body
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-56 IS STM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Post-Processing Software Expertise
Adobe Lightroom
What Our Guests Say
Collectively, my family took over 3,000 photographs. While there are wonderful memories in those photos, there are two things that photos cannot capture: Brook's passion and persistence. Passion for Botswana and its culture; passion for his job and maintenance of high standards; passion for the bush and its preservation for future generations; and persistence in his relentless pursuit of wildlife. His skills as a tracker and his acute sight and hearing continually amazed us and resulted in encounters with wildlife that exceed expectations every day.
There cannot possibly be a better guide anywhere than Brooks. He always put our safety first. His knowledge of everything was superior and beyond our expectations. His language skills and ability to communicate were superb. He showed us photos from books to be sure we knew what animals or birds looked like and as we saw things, we all knew them on sight! He was always extremely helpful and had a good sense of humor.
I rarely, if ever, write personal reviews for businesses or individuals but after returning from a Nat Hab African safari trip, I feel compelled to do so regarding Brooks. He provided that rare combination of attentiveness, expertise and genuine enthusiasm for his work that is so hard to find in service businesses these days. His bush knowledge never ceased to amaze us whether he was talking about the 'Big 5,' the 'Little 5' or something as subtle as the marks left by the spines of a porcupine in the sand. His enthusiastic personality could be seen in everything he did.
Upcoming Adventures with Brooks Kamanakao
Secluded Botswana Safari
Our flagship Botswana safari—for just seven guests! A truly exclusive wilderness immersion in the Okavango Delta's best private wildlife reserves and beyond, plus Victoria Falls.
Secluded Botswana Photo Expedition
Our premier African photo safari, for just eight guests. This intimate, expertly guided adventure in the Okavango Delta and beyond focuses on uncrowded private reserves where wildlife is prolific—plus a doors-off helicopter flight!
Botswana: Kalahari, the Delta & Beyond
Witness the spectacle of Botswana during the green season under changing skies, as the desert bursts forth with life, wildlife thrives with seasonal water, and new births fill the plains.

















