Sophie Niemann
Director and Owner

Sophie is the director and co-founder of Bushwise. Sophie has an MSc and spent 7 years ...

Sophie is the director and co-founder of Bushwise. Sophie has an MSc and spent 7 years setting up and running GVI programs in Africa. She started out working for CCAfrica for a number of years as a field guide on the Makalali game reserve and then moved over to student programs, predator research, program planning, logistics and management with GVI. Sophie ran over 15 research and training programs in Africa (Namibia, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa), including a South African National Parks training and internship program; wildlife and marine programs in Kenya working with the Kenyan Wildlife Service; and predator research programs in South Africa. She brings huge experience in student management, training and logistics to the team.

Trevor Myburgh
General Manager & Trainer

Trevor is a Trainer at the Mahlahla campus and has been in the lodge and guiding ...

Trevor is a Trainer at the Mahlahla campus and has been in the lodge and guiding industry for several years. Trevor has held positions which include lodge management, anti-poaching units, leopard research, capture and relocation, wildlife rehabilitation, overland guiding and guiding in Big 5 reserves in various parts of South Africa. Trevor currently holds a FGASA level 2 qualification with full trails guide, advanced rifle handling and level 3 first aid. His passion lies in all aspects of conservation, and focus is placed in nurturing aspirant field guides by empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge in order to bring out their individual best.

Kim van Greunen
Sales Manager

Kim is the sales manager for Bushwise. She has over 12 years experience in the hospitality ...

Kim is the sales manager for Bushwise. She has over 12 years experience in the hospitality industry in 4 & 5 star establishments and has worked in most departments, in various parts of South Africa, up to general management. She has most recently been involved in an anti poaching company with the use of K9’s, assisting in behind the scenes management & admin. Kim is passionate about conservation and being able to contribute to the education of future students in this field. She is the “go to” for all our new applicants and knows all the ins and outs of the Bushwise courses and the lodge insdustry. If you have any questions, be sure to get in touch with her.

Vaughan Jessnitz
Senior Trainer

Vaughan has been part of the tourism industry for the last 10 years, guiding and managing ...

Vaughan has been part of the tourism industry for the last 10 years, guiding and managing camps throughout South Africa, although focusing more on the Greater Kruger National Park. Alongside his career he is also involved in various conservation and research projects specializing in entomology and bio-diversity mapping throughout South Africa. In 2002 he was awarded the Derik Grey Award for his research project focusing on using certain species of butterflies and beetles as biological indicators, and represented South Africa at the SIIRS conferences in Stockholm Sweden. He is also a fanatical “lister”, and an avid bio-diversity explorer, photographing practically every creature found on his many field trips throughout South Africa. Incorporating his knowledge gained through the research projects into his guiding has helped him bridge the gap between conservation and tourism, and allows him a unique platform to share and promote conservation values to his guests and clients.

Sharin Botha
Admin Manager

Sharin has recently joined Bushwise as the administrative manager. She makes sure that all aspects behind ...

Sharin has recently joined Bushwise as the administrative manager. She makes sure that all aspects behind the scene are taken care of. She handles all the administrative tasks such as confirmed bookings, managing the field guide training centre together with the head trainer, menu preparations, booking activities, workshops & courses for the students. She is also the liaison for the students and assists with staff welfare. Sharin grew up in the bushveld and since she was young had a passion for animals and nature conservation. After matric she completed her secretarial diploma and enjoyed working in big cities and later moved to England for a couple of years. After coming back to South Africa she gave up the corporate world and started as receptionist and reservationist at a small intimate lodge outside Bela Bela in the Limpopo Province. This is where her passion for people and hospitality was cemented. She has worked for an overlanding company and loved the privilege of showing foreign visitors the beauty of Africa. She also worked closely with a leopard rehabilitation project in the Waterberg and from there on moved into management of 5 star lodges in the Little Karoo and Lowveld areas.

Marie Elliot-Jones
Bushwise Sales & Admissions Manager

Meet Marie our Bushwise Sales and Admissions Manager. She loves what she does and is passionate ...

Meet Marie our Bushwise Sales and Admissions Manager. She loves what she does and is passionate about the African bush and wildlife conservation. She is a South African living in Cape Town but has travelled extensively and hopes to do so more in the future. Marie has a degree in Industrial Psychology from Stellenbosch University. A fun fact about her is that she is a closet declutterer who helps people declutter and recycle preloved items to free up space in their homes and minds.

Pulane Mashilane

Pulane has been part of Bushwise for a couple of years. Her duties include cleaning and ...

Pulane has been part of Bushwise for a couple of years. Her duties include cleaning and laundry at the Mahlahla Campus. She is very quiet and exceeds in her duties, thus you can be assured your room is always clean.

Darryn Murray
Trainer

My passion for the bush came from my parents, spending many holidays all over South Africa ...

My passion for the bush came from my parents, spending many holidays all over South Africa in various game reserves or on birding trips. I completed my training course in 2012 and began my career in the Waterberg region of South Africa. I have since gone on to work in several reserves around South Africa including Entabeni, Madikwe, Klaserie and Greater Kruger National Park. I currently hold FGASA professional field guide theory and full trails qualifications. My plan is to complete these and a few others as I work towards an SKS qualification (or 2).

Rose Mmola

Rose is involved with both cooking and cleaning. She runs the campus with an iron fist. ...

Rose is involved with both cooking and cleaning. She runs the campus with an iron fist. She is also outgoing & bubbly and fun to be around.

Iris Mmola

Iris is the cook at campus and has been working for Bushwise for a number of ...

Iris is the cook at campus and has been working for Bushwise for a number of years. She is a very vibrant, outgoing person who always has a smile on her face.

Philip Malatsi

Philip has worked in the Hoedspruit region for a long time, it is safe to say ...

Philip has worked in the Hoedspruit region for a long time, it is safe to say he knows it like the back of his hand. He is an all-rounder, assists with general maintenance, and gardening. Philip is always smiling and ready to give a helping hand. He is a real asset to Bushwise!

Eugene Relling
Assistant Director

Nico Brits
Trainer

Francois Theron
Head Trainer

Louise Pavid
Media

Octavia