PHILIP KIBET RONO
Address: 474-00200 NBI Telephone: 0720102235
Email: philiprono@gmail.com

← Go back to gold-level members page
Philip was born in Chepkorio, a small village in the vast Elgeyo and Marakwet County. This part of the Great Rift Valley escarpment is known for renowned world distance runners because of the perfect High-Altitude Training Centers. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Tourism Management) University of South Africa, Diploma in Tour Guiding and Administration from Kenya Utalii College. He has also attended other professional training like the Fundamentals of Ornithology Course. Philip worked for Micato Safaris for 27 years and left in 2018 as a Senior Safari Director. During this period, he was privileged to guide VIP’s like George W. Bush, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett among others. As an Interport Lecturer on board the S.S. Universe (Semester at Sea) and working with Jack Hanna, Emeritus of Columbus Zoo. He gained a lot of experience and knowledge of most of the East and South Africa Parks and Reserves. In 2014, Philip was one of the two guides chosen by Kenya Tourism Board in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Social Services to represent Kenya Safari Guides at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC. For two weeks they were showcasing unique Kenya themes and narrating the Kenya Tourism experience from a Tour Guide perspective. In 2015, he was recognized as ‘The 5 Best Travel Guides’ by Outside Magazine. (http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/outfitted-trips/5-Travel-Guides-You-Need-To-Know.html) Currently, he lives in Nairobi with his family. As a Gold Level Guide, he volunteers as an examiner and sits in the Examination Committee at the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. The Non-to-Profit Association that is mandated in Certification of Driver Guides, Naturalists and Tour Leaders towards the awards of Bronze, Silver and Gold Accreditation through an examination process. He is a Freelance Guide and still enjoys with passion and enthusiasm the wilderness and nature interpretation to visitors. A part from mentoring young and upcoming guides he occasionally gives motivational talks in schools and colleges.