I came to South Africa from the UK in 1996, where I began my career as a safari guide and predator researcher. Before starting Bushwise in 2006, I was a Director of Africa and ran conservation and community programs around the continent. I enjoyed 16 rewarding years as Director, with amazing colleagues who make a real difference. In 2022 I stepped down as Director to spend more time with my family and pursue a career as an artist. I will always have a special interest in Bushwise and look forward to seeing how the organisation grows over the years!

I was born and bred in Durban but have called various parts of South Africa home. I’ve always had a passion for wildlife. I studied operations management and over the past 15 years I’ve been in roles that range from restaurant owner, project and operations management as well as sales manager for various leading tourism and safari organisations. I joined Bushwise in 2021 with a mission to ensure we train the next generation of ethical ambassadors of the natural world by providing unmatched skills and experience.

I was exposed to the bush early on, spending time with my family in the Caprivi. My grandfather played a massive role in my life, sharing his passion, knowledge and stories of the African bush with me. I have been in the tourism industry for 11 years and actively guiding for 9 years. My current qualifications are Field Guide, Professional Track & Sign, Trailing Level 3, Tracker 3, Regional Birding, and Trails guide.

From overland tour leader to trails guide in Africa’s most prestigious reserves, my career is defined by an intimate connection to the bush. With years of experience guiding elite walking trails and honing my eye as a wildlife photographer, I’ve transitioned from the front lines to Operations Manager. I now blend that deep field expertise with strategic oversight, ensuring our wilderness experiences are world-class, authentic, and rooted in the conservation of Southern Africa’s landscapes.

Growing up in Pretoria, I always dreamed of living in nature and working with wildlife. I turned that dream into a reality in 2018 and spent the next six years working as a field guide while also taking on roles in lodge management, digital marketing and tour planning. Today, I continue to connect with the bush while blending my creative and marketing skills in my work at Bushwise.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to experience the eastern coast of South Africa through to the west coast. Only in 2017 was I introduced to the bush. It has taken a hold of my soul and I am so privileged to be able to assist the next generation of field guides in becoming the best they can be!

Growing up in Thabazimbi, I spent my weekends exploring nature – rivers, waterfalls, and mountains – guided by my father’s influence, which sparked my deep love for the bush. I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and reliable individual with a background in sales, customer service, and the beauty industry, through which I’ve developed strong people skills. I enjoy helping others grow and take great satisfaction in combining my passion for people with my love for nature.

My career in hospitality began at 18, working across golf resorts, beach resorts, boutique lodges, and luxury game lodges. By 30, I had become a General Manager at a luxury bush lodge, driven by a passion for people, dedication, and a strong work ethic.

With a long-standing love for travel, tourism, and conservation, I transitioned into sales, where I could combine my hospitality experience with supporting others. For over 10 years at Bushwise, I’ve guided aspiring field guides as they take their first steps into the industry, helping them build meaningful and fulfilling careers while sharing my passion for the bush and conservation.

My passion for the bush came from growing up on a farm and spending most holidays in Kruger National Park. I have worked for many years in the corporate industry and gave it all up for the bush. From working as a leopard researcher to managing 5-star lodges all over South Africa, with a bit of overlanding in between, I realised my passion is definitely people and conservation.

I grew up in Cape Town, where I wanted to become a marine biologist growing up. I am now based in a beautiful town called Hoedspruit where my love for the African bushveld grows every day. After 10 years in the real estate industry, I finally decided to follow my passion and joined the amazing team at Bushwise. I am a mother of three beautiful children, and I love teaching them about nature.

I’m an experienced Talent Acquisition leader with over a decade of building and scaling recruitment functions across diverse industries. I currently lead the launch and growth of Bushwise People, a specialist talent solutions business connecting top talent with opportunities in conservation, tourism, and hospitality. I have a strong track record in shaping talent acquisition strategy, leading high-performing teams, and implementing efficient, scalable processes that support long-term business growth.

Conservation has been in my blood since day one. After studying Nature Conservation at TUT, My journey took me from the dusty tracks of the Hoedspruit and Pilanesberg to the operations of luxury lodges, with a unique five-year chapter in dentistry in between. This diverse path taught me that whether you’re caring for a rhino calf or a dental patient, the core values remain the same: dedication, empathy, and resilience. Love Living in Hoedspruit with my husband and three boys and now part of  the Bushwise family, helping students and candidates turn their own wild dreams into reality.

Born and raised in the city, my heart has always belonged to nature. I spent 10 years living in the bush, embracing the simplicity and serenity of life surrounded by the sounds of the wild. My career spans corporate roles and the citrus industry, with a strong foundation in finance, particularly in the hospitality sector. Now, I reside in Hoedspruit with my family, where my love for nature continues to thrive.

I am originally from Hoedspruit, where I grew up surrounded by the bush and wildlife, developing a genuine appreciation for nature and the environment. I am very excited to be in my first job with Bushwise, where I am gaining valuable hands-on experience and skills and meeting new people! In addition, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business of Commerce qualification to build a strong academic foundation and work towards obtaining my degree.

Hi, I’m Esther Chabangu from Enable Village. I’m always eager to learn new things and take on new challenges. I work as a housekeeper at Bushwise Field Guide, and I absolutely love it! I’m a university graduate, and working with my team in such a dynamic environment is something I really enjoy. Being surrounded by nature every day has sparked a deep interest in wildlife for me. I feel lucky to be part of Bushwise Field Guide, where I get to learn more about the natural world and its amazing creatures.

My name is Vumile Kubheka, and I have been working as a chef since July 2025. With two years of experience in cooking and serving, and a Diploma in Management Assistance, I take pride in transforming simple ingredients into memorable meals that delight guests. Working in the bush has strengthened my connection to nature and reinforced my commitment to preserving it.

Cooking is a passion of mine and I love spending time in the kitchen and experimenting with the food I make. I started as camp chef with Bushwise in 2007. Other than a period from 2012-2015, when I was a freelance chef at various lodges, I have worked for Bushwise. I’ve been the chef at the Mahlahla campus since 2015. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working and interacting with the students. There is always something new to see and learn on campus! My sister Iris, my best friend, also works for Bushwise.

My career journey began with Bushwise in 2011 as a camp chef. I worked here until 2016 when I briefly worked at the luxury Rukiya Lodge. I decided to return to Bushwise, where I took up the role of housekeeper. In 2024, I was promoted to chef at the new Sabi Sabi Campus. I love working at Bushwise for many reasons, but the one that sticks out the most is the students. Whether they are from overseas or local South Africans, there is always a lot to learn from them. Plus I’ve made some really great friends!

I’ve been working as a housekeeper at the Bushwise Mahlahla campus since 2011. I love living and working in the bush, it’s my favourite place. I really enjoy learning about nature and have endless opportunities to do that here. I’ve learned so much about the plants, trees, birds and animals we see around camp. The students have helped me learn some of these things and I always enjoyed speaking with the students and meeting new people. 

I started working at the Bushwise Sabi Sabi campus in 2024. I like animals and meeting new people. The campus is beautiful and we all get along well here. I enjoy getting chances to learn with the students about nature in camp or if we go on a game drive, and I enjoy my job very much.  We here at the Sabi Sabi campus are just one big family!

The Bushwise Mahlahla campus has been my home and place of work since 2018. I’m responsible for all the groundskeeping and maintenance of the camp. I enjoy making sure that everything looks good and is in running order for the rest of the staff and students. Before coming to Bushwise, I worked in anti poaching, which is where my love of nature began. I find it peaceful and relaxing in nature. I have a great time working with the students, I enjoy chatting with them and getting to know a little more about them.

My passion for nature comes from my childhood growing up in the remote Nkayi region of Zimbabwe. I would tend the family’s cattle, collect firewood and wild fruits, and fetch water from rivers and dams. I did my training course in 2007 in South Africa and have since worked as a field guide, tour operator and field guide trainer. My qualifications include Professional Trails Guide, Trail Guide Mentor, SKS Birding, Specialist Track and Sign, Tracker 3. My next goal is the Professional Trailing and Cyber Tracker Assessor qualification.