The Role
Leads the lodge guiding department, conducts game drives, bush walks, and specialized excursions, and delivers safe, educational guest experiences. Manages and mentors guides and trackers, oversees safari vehicles and equipment, maintains safety and environmental standards, and handles activity scheduling, logs, fuel reconciliations, and incident reporting. Requires strong field-guiding expertise, leadership, conservation knowledge, and relevant South African guiding, firearms, driving, and registration credentials.
Summary Generated by Built In
a luxury four-star lodge located near Musina, Limpopo, is seeking a highly experienced, passionate, and professional Head Guide to lead our guiding department and deliver world-class wilderness experiences.
This live-in role is ideal for a dedicated conservationist and mentor who can manage a guiding team while providing unforgettable, educational, and safe safaris for our local and international guests.
Position Overview
The Head Guide is responsible for the overall management of the guiding department, vehicle fleet, and guest activities. You will lead by example in the field, conducting exceptional game drives, bush walks, and specialized tours (such as trips to the nearby Mapungubwe National Park or local rock art sites). Beyond hosting, you will mentor junior guides, ensure strict safety protocols, and maintain all tracking and game-viewing equipment to the highest standards.
1. Field Guiding & Guest Experience
- Safari Operations: Conduct professional game drives, interpretive bush walks, and specialized excursions, delivering deep knowledge of local fauna, flora, geology, and cultural history.
- Guest Hosting: Act as a key host for the lodge, dining with guests when required, managing daily activity schedules, and tailoring safaris to meet diverse guest fitness levels and interests.
- Safety Excellence: Ensure the absolute safety and comfort of guests at all times by adhering strictly to dangerous game protocols and bush safety regulations.
2. Departmental Leadership & Mentorship
- Team Management: Manage, schedule, and motivate the guiding team, ensuring high morale and professional conduct.
- Training & Mentorship: Implement ongoing training programs for junior guides and trackers to elevate their tracking, birding, botany, and guest relation skills.
- Environmental Stewardship: Ensure all guiding activities comply with environmental legislation and ethical ethical wildlife viewing practices to minimize ecological impact.
3. Fleet, Equipment & Administration
- Vehicle Maintenance: Oversee the daily checks, cleaning, service schedules, and general upkeep of all open 4x4 safari vehicles.
- Equipment Control: Manage the maintenance and inventory of guiding equipment, including firearms, ammunition, spotlights, first aid kits, and reference books.
- Admin Duties: Handle daily activity logs, fuel reconciliations, incidence reporting, and coordinate closely with the Lodge Manager regarding guest schedules.
Requirements
Requirements & Qualifications
- Qualifications: FGASA / CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF4 (Level 2) qualification is required (FGASA Level 3/Professional Field Guide highly preferred).
- Specialist Qualifications: Valid FGASA Full Trails Guide (or Professional Trails Guide) status with valid Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) is essential.
- Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of active guiding experience in big game areas, with at least 1–2 years in a senior or lead guiding capacity within a 4- or 5-star lodge environment.
- Registrations & Licences: Valid DEAT/NDT registration, valid PrDP (Public Transport Driver’s Permit), and a valid SASSETA firearm proficiency certificate.
- Attributes: Exceptional communication skills in English (additional languages are a plus), strong leadership capabilities, a sober habit, and a deep love for remote bushveld living.
Benefits
Location: Musina (Messina), Limpopo, South Africa
Salary Range: R15,000 – R25,000 per month (Negotiable based on qualifications and experience)
Benefits: Live-in accommodation,discount on Meals- Meals not included
Skills Required
- FGASA or CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF4 Level 2 qualification
- FGASA Level 3 or Professional Field Guide qualification
- Valid FGASA Full Trails Guide or Professional Trails Guide status
- Valid Advanced Rifle Handling qualification
- 3-5 years of active guiding experience in big game areas
- 1-2 years of senior or lead guiding experience in a four- or five-star lodge environment
- Valid DEAT/NDT registration
- Valid PrDP Public Transport Driver's Permit
- Valid SASSETA firearm proficiency certificate
- Exceptional English communication skills
- Strong leadership capabilities
- Sober habit
- Willingness to live in a remote bushveld environment
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The Company
What We Do
Bushwise is a Southern African training provider specializing in practical safari-guide and conservation education. It offers hands-on field-guide courses and practical conservation training, with programs aligned to professional certification and standards. Its courses prepare students for careers in guiding and conservation through immersive bushveld learning and experienced instruction, supporting ethical participation in safari, environmental, and wildlife stewardship sectors.
