Blog

Past Bushwise student now working at the iconic Mala Mala Game Reserve
A past Bushwise student and recipient of the Annual Bushwise Scholarship Thabisani Buthelezi (Ernest), now works at the Iconic Mala Mala Game Reserve as a Field Guide. Special family time on Safari Ernest takes us through how he managed to secure himself a job as a...
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There and back again
Two and a half years ago I spent six months as an intern at GVI Karongwe on their conservation program, six amazing months spent living and learning in the South African Bushveld. I loved it, I learnt new skills, met some fantastic people and had some amazing...
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First sleepout
Monday morning started with 3 tests including birds, geology and sights and sounds. Everyone was a bit nervous, but thankfully there are a few jokers in our group that got a few smiles out of us. For the rest of the day, every one relaxed and later it was time for the...
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First game drive
A 4am start for the first day of the start of my student life as a field guide-my first practical drive. I start off with the preliminary vehicle safety checks, including the mandatory cushions for people like me that are vertically challenged, pack the phuza box for...
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First week of madness
Our first day of Bushwise Field Guides was a bit nerve wrecking. Meeting new people, seeing new faces and the start of making new friends. Quite tricky having to learn all their names, thank goodness for name badges. The orientation and welcome included the Bushwise...
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What’s New at Bushwise for 2019!!!
Firstly, a big welcome to all the new Field Guide recruits! Everyone arrived safe and sound and are ready to make this their year to start their amazing careers. We wish the #ClassofJanuary2019 the best of luck! New Programs! FGASA Field Guiding and Conservation...
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End of the year, but the start of something new for the Class of July 2018
As the final curtain draws a close on 2018, the July 2018 intake arrivals seems a faint memory…. What an amazing 6 months it has been at Bushwise Field Guides! Thinking back to the nervous and uncertain faces that arrived at campus and seeing the final faces at...
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Various guiding pathways one can pursue
Being a Field Guide does not have to be one dimensional, in fact there are various pathways you can choose from your entry level FGASA Field Guiding qualification. Here is some more info on Field Guide NQF2 & Advanced Field guiding qualifications (previously known...
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The Final Curtain
As the sun sets on our time at Bushwise, now seems like a good time to reflect on what I can only describe as the best 6 months I have ever had. We started this course as a group of wide eyed novices united by our passion for the bush… and now we are qualified guides,...
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A change of pace
With finals finished and assessments passed – what’s a student to do? Bushwalks! The chance to go on foot in a Big Five reserve has been a long-awaited treat, for there is a hypnotic quality to bushwalks that you don’t get from a vehicle-based experience. Your senses...
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