Apex Expeditions image of field leader Liam Rainier

Liam Rainier

My goal as a guide is to passively and patiently observe a subject of nature until you become a part of the experience and not just a spectator. It is a privilege to be out there.

Ground Pangolins are secretive and nocturnal and will spend most of their evenings digging shallow scrapes out of the ground for ants and occasionally termites.

Martial Eagles will often hunt from the wing, soaring high and able to spot prey up to 6km away, they will even take on small antelope.

Mixed herds of different herbivores will often result due to animals having the same diet, or to feel safer in large numbers.

As their name suggests, this Violet Dropwing perches with wings downward and forward from which it forays for prey.

Male lions spend long hours away from their pride in order to patrol their territory, sometimes together in coalitions and sometimes they go at it alone.

Black Mambas are notoriously aggressive, however most of the time they will choose to escape. This specimen raises its hood in a sign of aggression.

Expedition Leader Liam Rainier

Liam Rainier grew up in bustling Pretoria, South Africa, where his family found every opportunity to get away from the city and explore nature. Consequently, Liam’s love for the wilderness was instilled in him at an early age—his father’s own adoration of nature fueled a steady exposure to new landscapes and exciting wildlife.

After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pretoria, Liam followed his life-long passion for exploring the natural world. He has spent the last decade as a naturalist guide in the bushveld—the sub-tropical woodland ecoregion of Southern Africa—a landscape Liam knows intimately. He loves nothing more than to share his knowledge and passion for animals and their behavior. His excitement and pure joy of experiencing wildlife sightings, big or small, is contagious. Liam has a deep love for walking in any natural environment, whether he’s expertly tracking a leopard in the bushveld, silently trailing a breeding herd of elephants, or intently listening to bird calls in a forest canopy—nothing enraptures the senses more.

“When you’re alone and in nature, you are forced to use all your senses, not because you have the choice—it just happens. It’s more than what you can see with your eyes—you have to hear it and smell it… and feel it.”

Liam's knowledge of and passion for the flora and fauna of the area was incredibly infectious and made each drive even more memorable—he even found time to give us helpful photography tips! We really can't express how impressed we were with him.

--Daniel J., United Kingdom

Liam's Expeditions

Cape to Cape (March 1–24, 2024) green arrow linking to Cape to Cape

The ultimate South Atlantic Adventure! In addition to the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, expedition highlights include Gough, Tristan da Cunha and Nightingale Islands.

Uganda (May 21 – June 2, 2024) green arrow linking to Uganda

Chimp tracking and Nile wildlife watching are combined with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s endangered Mountain Gorillas on this comprehensive exploration.

Secret South Africa (August 10 - 23, 2024) green arrow linking to Secret South Africa

An insider’s guide to the best South Africa has to offer: dramatic scenery, outstanding wildlife, endemic flora, and fascinating cultural history.

Bali to Cairns (October 13 – November 1, 2024) green arrow linking to Bali to Cairns

Experience Komodo Dragons, Whale Sharks, Birds of Paradise, and the richest coral reefs on Earth, on an epic traverse across Indonesia’s remote eastern provinces.

India: Tigers & Snow Leopards (February 9–25, 2025) green arrow linking to India: Tigers & Snow Leopards

Join a quest for India’s most charismatic big cats—Bengal Tiger in Kanha’s magnificent Sal forests and the elusive Snow Leopard in the high Himalayas.

Ask Liam a question about his upcoming expeditions?

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Geographical Adaptation

The ability to adapt to different environments is what determines survival. You may come across animals of the same species, but their behavior in contrasting habitats may differ entirely, due to factors such as food supply and competition. When going on safari in different regions, it is important to keep this in mind. You may encounter some of the same animals you've seen before, but pay close attention. They may behave quite different than what you'd expect.