I had been freelancing around the Lowveld when I read on Mala Mala’s website on their vacancy section that they were looking for a guide. The requirements were stated clearly on the website: First Aid L2, Track & Sign Qualification, Advanced 4×4 Driving Certificate, knowledge of food and beverage. Thanks to Bushwise, I had all the required qualifications that obviously put me in a more advantaged position.

After Bushwise, I went to Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi for 15 months to do fieldwork for my study on black rhino ecology. This was the most incredible experience which included working with Earthwatch volunteers, animal counts during game drives, vegetation sampling, black rhino tracking, 12h long waterhole counts and the list goes on. Bushwise surely set me up with the right skills needed for this life.

After graduating from Bushwise I contacted a French lodge in Nepal where I had been, so spent several months there also doing safaris but searching for all the iconic Asian wildlife in the very remote Bardia National Park in the far West of the country. I was left with only one outcome from all of this… Apply for a guide position at the famous luxurious hotel known for its focus on in-depth exploration on foot and horseback riding.

I first fell in love with Africa while watching documentaries on TV. And then I was lucky enough to experience it for myself on a safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara in 2009. After leaving school at 18, I spent a month volunteering at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, then a month at SANCCOB and a month near Windhoek. Bushwise was an incredibly unique opportunity to spend quality time in the bush whilst learning from experienced trainers.

I am currently working at The Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti as a supervisor in Training in rooms & Discovery center. I worked in front office, food & beverage, at the spa desk, housekeeping and the discovery centre. I still guide and conduct walking safaris, I am also the snake handler at the lodge. My long term plan is to start a company that will not only be based on guiding but also educating, mentoring and training fellow guides and keen tourists.

In the bush, I learned the value of teamwork and collaboration. Working alongside experienced guides, researchers, and conservationists, I witnessed the power of collective efforts in achieving common goals. I became acutely aware of the threats facing our natural heritage and the urgency of taking action to mitigate them. It inspired me to pursue further education, research, and conservation initiatives, to make a positive difference in the field.

Sophie, the co-founder of Bushwise, knows the owner of the Ant Collection and she organised my interview. I went to Ant’s Hill for an interview, only to get there and leave early the next day because of COVID-19. I remember that I didn’t even ride in my interview. Nonetheless, it seems that they liked me because they invited me to start on the 4 July. I was super happy and excited. I never thought I would be able to ride a horse every single day and be in the bush, doing what I love. My placement contract ended in December 2021, and they offered me a permanent job as a horse trails guide.”

From early as I can remember, I have been surrounded by trees and animals as far as my legs could carry me. In 2019, an opportunity presented itself where I applied at Mankwe Game Trackers to become a Field Guide through Bushwise. To cut the long story short, and of course after the Covid epidemic, I was finally selected as one of the candidates to come to the province of Limpopo to study for six months. Once I am done with my studies, I will go to Mankwe Game Trackers to work – which is also in the Pilanesberg National Reserve. Talk about full circle!!!

It was a great place to start my career in the industry with Africa On Foot and the guides there really helped me learn even more and grow as a guide. I am now working permanently at their sister camp called nThmabo Tree Camp which is situated in the Klaserie Reserve. I plan to gain my full Lead Trails qualification. I would eventually like to start leading guided walks out into the reserve. I would definitely recommend Bushwise as it is a great course and an amazing experience which can help you get a great start in the guiding industry.