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.

Bushwise makes the absolute most of every minute… my favorite was of course spending so much time in the field applying this knowledge. It’s also not just about retaining facts, it’s about sparking curiosity and self-motivation to learn new things, developing skills for teamwork, presentation, customer service, and so much more. You will grow as a person immensely during this process.

I learned amazing things, things I was really good at and things I had no idea I would actually be good at. It teaches you how to be a better person, how to deal with people, how to deal with animals. It’s a perfect balance between the two.

The six months at Bushwise, apart from the educational standpoint, the experience and the people you meet, the relationships with the trainers you build – those are relationships you take for life. Bushwise basically built the fundamentals about my understanding of nature and how I can continue learning, and most importantly, how I can actually educate this to people.

Bushwise gave me the confidence, skills, and foundation I needed to turn a lifelong dream into a real career. I learnt so much about myself, grew in ways I never expected, and formed friendships and mentor relationships that I know will stay with me for life. If guiding is something you’re passionate about, don’t wait. Bushwise is the best possible place to start.”

Bushwise gave me the confidence and foundation to grow into guiding. Coming from a city background, the support from my trainers made all the difference. I’ve since gained experience guiding guests in plains game reserves in Limpopo and the Northern Drakensberg, and now that I’m 21, I feel ready to step into the guiding career I trained for.

Bushwise was everything I could have wanted from a guiding course. Being part of the first full intake based at the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy meant excellent trainers, strong support, and early exposure to the lodge environment. I am now happily working as a field guide at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve while continuing to build my qualifications.

Completing the 12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide course was a life-changing experience that pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I moved straight into my placement at Motswiri, where I now guide guests on game drives, run the kids’ activity program, and support lodge operations. The friendships I made and the self-confidence I gained along the way are things I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

Bushwise prepared me for the realities of guiding, from long days and early mornings to staying calm when everything happens at once. I moved straight into the field after graduating and now work as a field guide at Selati Game Reserve, combining guiding with conservation and research work. No two days look the same, which is exactly why I love it.

Bushwise was truly life-changing. The hands-on learning, passionate lecturers, and total immersion in the bush helped everything really click — not just the theory, but how it all fits together. Shortly after finishing the course, Bushwise’s recruitment team helped place me at Rain Farm, where I now work as Head Safari Guide and General Manager. The confidence, leadership skills, and deep understanding I gained at Bushwise continue to shape how I guide and create meaningful guest experiences every day.”

Completing the 1-year Bushwise course, including the 6-month placement, was absolutely amazing. I loved every minute – from learning in the bush to playing volleyball in the riverbed at the Selati campus and cooling off in the river on hot days. After finishing, I applied for junior guide positions and am now working full-time as a guide at Black Rhino Game Reserve. The experience, skills, and memories from Bushwise continue to shape my career and love for guiding.

The experience was and remains one of the absolute high points of my life. The course provided me with an exceptionally broad and complete understanding of the bushveld ecosystem. I learned a great deal about the flora, fauna, geology, climate and history, but this helped me understand and appreciate the bushveld in a way I never had before.

The two daily game drives and the exceptional lecturers made it possible for me to complete the course successfully, at the age of 80!

My time at Bushwise was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. The course pushed me outside of my comfort zone and showed me that I was capable of doing hard things. The trainers were knowledgeable, passionate and supportive, and the students I shared the experience with became lifelong friends. I left as a stronger person, a better guide and a more confident student.

My time at Bushwise was an incredible experience and one I will always look back on with a smile. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about the bush, its wildlife and how everything in nature is connected. The game drives and passionate staff were highlights, and I made lifelong friends while learning valuable lessons that go far beyond the classroom. Today, I’m working on a buffalo breeding farm in Limpopo, South Africa, gaining hands-on experience with buffalo and other wildlife while continuing to grow my knowledge and skills in the wildlife industry.

Choosing to complete the Practical Game Management (PGM) course with Bushwise was one of the most significant and rewarding decisions of my career. The training prepared me for the practical realities and challenges of the conservation industry, providing an exceptional foundation for my current role as a research guide at Selati Game Reserve.

I really enjoyed every single moment of my Bushwise journey. I learned so many new things and skills, and especially enjoyed the practical work. Being out in the bush and learning is so much better than sitting behind a book. What really stood out was the one-on-one help we got from our trainers to help us improve even more.

Bushwise was an amazing experience, and I learned so much during my time there. Every little thing about the bush was covered, from studying grasses to darting a sable and learning how to guide.

The people at Bushwise are friendly, kind and always willing to help their students with anything they need.