Who is Derek Solomon?
Derek Solomon was a distinguished wildlife sound recordist and naturalist based in South Africa (died in December 2024), celebrated for his immersive audio captures of the African wilderness. His work spanned over three decades, focusing on conservation, education, and sensory storytelling. He recorded natural sound environments from national parks, game reserves, and wilderness areas across southern Africa. His soundscapes are designed to evoke the experience of being on safari, especially for those who can’t travel, and are primarily used in museums, exhibitions, and educational programs, as well as featured in films and documentaries.
How old is Derek Solomon?
Derek has not publicly disclosed his exact date of birth, age, or place of birth, but he is estimated to be in his 60s. His zodiac sign remains unknown due to his undisclosed date of birth. An update of his personal information will be done once available.
Personal Information Summary
| Real Name | Derek Solomon |
| Gender Identity | Male |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Age | Estimated to be in his 60s (based on career timeline) |
| Birth Place | Likely South Africa (based on residence and career) |
| Date of Death | December 2024 |
| Zodiac Sign | Unknown |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
| Occupation | Wildlife Sound Recordist, Naturalist, Safari Guide |
| Known For | Recording immersive soundscapes of African wildlife and habitats |
| Notable Works and Achievements | Over 25 years of wildlife audio recording |
Early Life and Education
Derek has shared limited public details about his early life. However, it’s known that he attended Marist Brothers College in Inanda, a school located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (information as per his LinkedIn). His deep connection to nature and wildlife likely began during his formative years, eventually guiding him toward a career in conservation and natural history. Over time, he developed a passion for sound recording, which he pursued for more than 25 years. He has not publicly shared information about his parents or siblings. As a result, details about his family background remain private.
| Parent’s name | Father: Information currently unavailable Mother: Information currently unavailable |
| Siblings | Information currently unavailable |
Derek Solomon’s Wife
Derek Solomon was married to Sarah Solomon. Together, they worked extensively in wildlife tourism and conservation. Sarah has been involved in various roles, including co-owning Kuyimba Trading, a safari company that operated from 2007 to 2022. The couple has hosted wildlife-focused experiences across southern Africa, including at Chilo Gorge in Zimbabwe, where they welcomed international guests for immersive nature adventures. Derek, on the other hand, has not publicly shared information about having children.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Partner | Sarah Solmon |
| Children | Information currently unavailable |
What does Derek Solomon do to earn a living?
Derek earned his living as a wildlife sound recordist, naturalist, and safari guide
Derek Solomon Career Background
NB: The information provided below is per his website (dereksolomon.com)
Solomon’s journey began with a deep passion for nature and conservation, which led him to specialize in recording the sounds of birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects across diverse ecosystems. His initial focus was on birding safaris to remote destinations to show guests some of the country’s unusual species, then expanding to other activities such as elephant behaviour safaris in Hwange National Park, and searching for rhinos and wild dogs in the Save Valley Conservancy in the east of the country. Derek spent much of his time recording sounds of the natural world, from ants to elephants and everything in between, creating soundscapes or audio pictures of the environment and its inhabitants that can be shared by everyone.
Later in 2003, Derek and his wife, Sarah, moved to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, where he worked as a specialist guide for The Bushcamp Company. During this period, Derek led safaris in South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia for National Geographic Expeditions and immersed himself in the study of animal behavior and natural history. His time there deepened his understanding of animal behavior and the ecological richness of African landscapes. In 2008, Derek and Sarah moved to South Africa, settling in a small wildlife estate near Hoedspruit, a small town nestled in the heart of the bushveld and close to Kruger National Park. Derek sadly passed away in late December 2024.
Derek had over 908 recordings, had visited 6 countries, and had a total recording time of 13 hours, 53 minutes, and 24 seconds. Derek’s soundscapes aim to reconnect people with nature by emphasizing the importance of listening. His soundscapes are used in educational programs, conservation efforts, and museum displays, offering a sensory experience of nature beyond visual observation. In addition, one of his notable contributions is creating “sound safaris” for visually impaired individuals, allowing them to experience the African bush through audio alone.
Publications
He has published several books on animal identification and distribution, as well as digital applications, including: (Information as per dereksolomon.com)
- Birds of Zambia – A comprehensive app on the birds of Zambia with up-to-date distribution maps, photos, and sound recordings.
- Wild About Kruger – A detailed app on the National Park that includes the facilities as well as the wildlife to be found.
- Animals in Action – A guide to the behaviour of the mammals of South Luangwa National Park.
- Birding Zimbabwe – Laid out by area and packed with bird photo galleries, showcasing much of the stunning accommodation on offer in the region.
How Tall is Derek Solomon?
Derek is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, equaling 1.75 meters
Derek Solomon Net Worth
Solomon has not publicly disclosed his net worth, and there are no reliable sources that provide an estimate. As a wildlife sound recordist and naturalist, his income came from freelance work, sound licensing, safari guiding, and contributions to educational and conservation projects.
Social Media
Derek gained popularity on social media, where he shared his wildlife soundscapes and conservation work. He had a Facebook page called @Sounds with Derek Solomon, which has over 400 followers, and a YouTube channel @Derek Solomon, where he has over 400 subscribers. You can explore his full collection of soundscapes and learn more about his work on his official website, dereksolomon.com.