EMPLOYMENT

My first position was with Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage in Bulawayo where excellent hands-on experience was gained. My duties involved the care and hand-rearing of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

I left this organization after eighteen months in order to begin my guiding career. I joined an exclusive safari operation on Kariba, Sanyati Lodge, and during the eight months spent there I gained valuable experience in all aspects of camp management, guiding, and general safari activities.

In September 1990 I sat for the Learner Guide's exams and in February 1991 the Canoe Guide's exams, both of which I passed.

I then joined John Stevens Safaris with whom I did extensive walking and managed the canoeing side of his operation.

I wrote my final guides exams at the end of 1991 and then worked on a freelance basis for the 1992 season, at the end of which I wrote and passed the Full Professional Hunter's exams. It must be understood that in order to achieve the highest possible standard of client safety when guiding, a certain amount of dangerous game hunting is required.

In 1994 I founded Ivan Carter Safaris that has, over the years, grown to incorporate 6 mobile safari camps which operate throughout all the National Parks in Zimbabwe, and one semi-permanent twelve bed camp in Mana Pools.

With an operation of this size, I was increasingly seeing the signs that I should be in the office controlling it all, rather than in the field trying to guide and control it, so beginning in 1999, I began to downsize the operation, giving me more time in the bush. Today, I just have our main camp in Mana Pools and I spend most of my time private guiding all over the continent which gives me amazing variety.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• I qualified as the youngest guide to ever have passed the exam.
• I was awarded the "Best Guide" trophy based on my exam performance at the end of 1991.
• I am one of the few people to hold Professional Guide's, Professional Hunter's and Canoe Guide's licences.
• I am an appointed examiner of candidates for both Professional Guide's and Canoe Guide's exams.
• I was awarded the prize for the "Best Photograph" in the 1993 Zimbabwe Hunter's and Guide's Association competition.
• I am the only person to have lectured to the Stanford University as a non scholar (no degree).
• I was rated in the top four guides in Africa by Travel and Lesuire Magazine in 2000.
• I was rated number two guide in Africa by Conde Naste traveller in October 2002.
• I won the prize for the best composition of a photograph in the hunters and guides association competition in November 2002.
• I held an exhibition of photography in Edinburgh Zoo in April 2002 that was rated by the zoo director as one of the best they have held.