Safar works as an independent jungle trekking guide in Ketambe, at the heart of the Leuser ecosystem in Sumatra. As an independent guide, Safar is not employed through one of the guesthouses but trains his own team and maintains his personal trekking and camping equipment. He is not limited to the standard food items the guesthouses provide their guides, but shops especially before each trip to account for any dietary requirements. He works with trustworthy porters and guides who are as strict about never leaving rubbish behind as he is. Most importantly he always tries to adapt his trips to his guests, keeping to their pace, searching for the particular animals they want to see, and taking longer to relax at the hotsprings if they are enjoying some down time.
Why choose Safar as your Ketambe jungle trekking guide?
Years of experience
Working as a trekking guide since 2012 and as a porter in the years before.
A passion for keeping the jungle clean
He never leaves rubbish behind at a campsite and only works with porters and guides who share the same values.
Highly-tuned senses
Safar will spot that snake, hear that orangutan and notice any visitors to camp long before his guests ever do.
Excellent English skills
Safar has spent several years in Australia with his wife's family. Speaking and practicing English every single day has given him a strong understanding of the language. He also speaks over 5 other Indonesian languages and enjoys learning new words and phrases in European languages such as Spanish and German.
Delicious local food
With gourmet platters of tropical fruits, smoky barbecue chicken, jungle pancakes, nasi goreng, Indonesian curries and never-ending tea and coffee, there's no chance of going hungry during the trek. The quality of the fresh cooked food is often the first thing guests talk about after their trek!
Thorough knowledge of local animals and plants
Having helped international researchers locate and identify a variety of birds, insects, snakes and more, he always seems to know where to look for particular animals. Some of his photos are on display in a museum in Germany.
Flawless track record
Always a friend to his guests, Safar is especially popular with families who feel comfortable with him and keeps in touch with many past guests. Tripadvisor reviews show lots of happy customers.
Feels at home in the jungle
Whether he's making a fire, building water-proof tents from branches and plastic, or scaling enormous trees, it's obvious how comfortable Safar feels in the jungle. He will always make sure his guests feel just as at home.
Safar is not the cheapest guide in Ketambe, nor the most expensive. Guiding in the Gunung Leuser takes years of experience working in the jungle and learning the environment. Most guides here never had the opportunity to learn English in school, so anyone speaking proficient English has had thousands of hours practicing just for this job. While it is possible to book guides coming from Medan or other regions, you will get the most value from someone who has grown up in Ketambe and takes pride in caring for their home. For every local working in Ketambe eco-tourism, there's one less person relying on farming for income, making environmental tourism one of the most effective ways to support conservation in the Gunung Leuser National Park.
