Author: Bushwise trainer

Surrounded

Photo by: Brendan Davis BY: Jack Hutchinson This blog was written by Jack, a graduate and trainer at Bushwise. Here, Jack shares his journey to obtain his FGASA Special Knowledge and Skills Dangerous Game (SKS DG) Trails Guide Certificate. Lately, I’ve been pushing myself to get more encounters and walking hours that I need to...

The language of birds: What you can learn by listening carefully

The images in this article were taken pre-COVID-19. BY: Annie DuPre, FGASA NQF2 and Back-up Trails Guide South Africa showcases an overwhelming diversity of birds – over 850 bird species have been recorded in the country. The Lowveld region (home to the Bushwise campus) boasts some of the country’s most incredible bird diversity. Bird identification...

Crunch time on campus

Some images in this article were taken pre-COVID-19. BY: Darryn Murray This blog was written by Darryn, one of our trainers. In this blog, Darryn talks about exam time for the Bushwise students.  As the students on campus approach the end of the course, their months of learning, training and studying will be put to...

Animals don’t always play by the book

Photo by: Carl Louis Steenkamp BY: Nico Brits This blog was written by Nico, one of our trainers. Here, Nico shares his experiences with wild animals in the African safari. As a field guide, it’s important to have academic knowledge of animals, but it’s equally important to observe and interpret what’s happening with the animals...

Animal tracks and tracking

The images in this article were taken pre-COVID-19.  BY: Francois Theron This blog was written by one of our trainers, Francois. With years of guiding experience, Francois shares his knowledge on tracks and tracking in the bush. There are hundreds of species of endangered animals living across Africa, and tracking wildlife and monitoring endangered species...

It’s not just about the Big Five

BY: Nico Brits This blog was written by Nico, one of our trainers. Here, Nico shares his experiences with guests, and why it’s important that field guides point out finer details in the bush. It can feel like a lot of pressure, having to deliver on all of your guest’s expectations as a field guide....

Talking trees

Photo by: Zlicke Slabber BY: Ryan Mengel  This blog was written by one of our trainers, Ryan. With years of experience in guiding, Ryan shares some of the ways nature fascinates him most. Have you ever sat and appreciated the settling sound and sensation of wind moving through trees, disrupting the leaves? Would you say...

The star of the show: Biodiversity

BY: Megan Smith This blog was written by Bushwise Research Coordinator, Megan. She has been researching with Bushwise for the past year. Here are her thoughts on the importance of biodiversity. “It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for – the whole thing – rather than just one or two stars.” –...

Here’s to exciting new beginnings

PHOTO BY: Hunter Ferrier BY: Francois Theron This blog was written by one of our trainers, Francois. With years of guiding experience, Francois shares some of the experiences he’s shared with the students this semester. We’re at the end of the first semester and what a semester it has been! Excited, energised, and full of...

My best experiences as a guide

BY: Jack Hutchinson This blog was written by one of our trainers, Jack. With over ten years of guiding experience, Jack shares some of his most memorable moments on the job.   As a guide your best and memorable experiences happen in your early years. Your first placement lodge, your first lion sighting, your first experience...