Author: Trevor Myburgh

African nomenclature is rife with symbolism and meaning. Bushwise general manager, and true master of the field – Trevor Myburgh – explores the symbolism behind the names of Southern Africa’s most notorious animals in this series.

The Zulu word for lion Ngonyama means ‘the master of all flesh’. This name consists of two words, ‘ngo’ meaning very high, and ‘nyama’ which means flesh or power. 

Another Zulu term for lion is Ibubesi, meaning ‘to make the final decision’. This variation supports the belief that the lion is king of the beasts; and includes the lioness’ representation of the moon, femininity and fierce motherhood.

In Shangaan, ku va nghala, or simply, Ngala, literally means ‘to be a lion’ and translates to being brave or ‘to fight like a lion’.

Judge of Beasts

The African people have always known of animals more powerful and fearsome than the lion (such as the hippo, elephant and rhinoceros) and so they revered the lion as being the judge of the animal kingdom. 

A judge who weeded out the weak (antelopes) by eating them; and mad hyena’s (free loaders) by killing them. One African proverb says “The mad hyena who causes other animals to weep will feel the heavy paw of the heavenly lion fall upon him,” illustrating the point that justice will prevail.

The myth and the majesty

Like all cats and other catlike animals, the lion is believed by some African tribes to possess powers to protect the Earth from demonic entities.

Although most tribes in Africa have revered and admired the lion for aeons, there are a few who view this noble beast as the very personification of evil. One of these tribes, which have historically kept large herds of cattle (the favourite food of lions), named the lion ‘the beast of a thousand omens’ – a viewpoint fuelled by their shamans and healers.

Mystery and intrigue swirls around an even more elusive entity, the infamous ‘white lions.’ Zulu witch doctors and other African elders regard white lions as the fulfilment of ancient prophecy, identifying these majestic creatures as “angelic messengers from God.” 

They believe that white lions are the most sacred animals on the African continent and are placed here to deliver sacred messages for humanity during times of great crisis!

Has the symbolism of the names of the Judge of Beasts captured your imagination? Stay tuned for more fascinating revelations throughout the year.

Bush greetings!

There are so many variables in field guiding, previously known as a game ranging or game ranger, and possibly the biggest of these is your guests!

Thus, the field guide’s attitude and enthusiasm are most important as guests spend at least 6 hours each day with you as their field guide, and at some game lodges you join your guests for dinner so you could be spending up to 10 hours per day with them. If you are not passionate, pleasant and enthusiastic it’s going to be an awkward experience for both you and your guests.

It is of key importance that you have a passion for nature, conservation and preservation. Then comes people skills, an encyclopedic knowledge of natural history, of animal behaviour and having the ability to interpret this information to your guests. These being some of the many areas we at Bushwise field guides focus on to provide the exceptional, above average and experienced Apprentice field guides.

Like anything in life, you get people who are better at what they do than others. So, what makes an exceptional Field guide?

This is a difficult question to answer, because the difference between a good field guide and an exceptional field guide often lies in the subtleties of a gifted individual. All field guides, as a minimum requirement, should communicate well, be polite, approachable, knowledgeable, professional, attentive and respectful of the environment. These basic qualities are essential to any decent safari experience. The key characteristics are not necessarily skills, but rather the personal traits of the individual. One of these being humble, there is no place for an ego in the guiding industry. What many field guides and even guests do not realise, is that going on safari is not only about facts regarding animals or the bush – books and the internet offer ample information, what everyone is really after is what you cannot experience in a book or online – a genuinely wild safari adventure.

In addition, what makes a field guide truly exceptional is your attention to detail, sense of humour, story-telling ability and total infatuation with the African bush. Your enthusiasm should be contagious, infecting all within hearing distance, and deep respect for wildlife should be evident in everything you do. These qualities elevate an experience from the enjoyable to the unforgettable. As a field guide with these qualities, you will lead your guests through the wilderness with complete confidence. Not lecturing, but creating an interactive experience focused on your guests and their specific goals. This is to ensure total comfort and enjoyment as you explore the many mysteries the African bush has to offer.

A passionate curious nature, coupled with constant learning and challenging yourself as a field guide will ensure that you retain your passion, a practise we as trainers at Bushwise field guides strongly encourage throughout our 23 and 50 week courses that we conduct. You should continually learn because it becomes impossible to be enthusiastic about facts if you have been regurgitating the same facts for the last 10 years.

Lastly, become a ‘finder’ field guide, the field guide that tends to go out earlier, rather than being a ‘follower’ field guide. Go out 30 minutes earlier on drives or walks, from my experience most guests do not mind getting up earlier. By adopting this attitude, you and your guests will be rewarded with the better sightings which gives you the advantage of providing the best field guided experience ever. The proactive, committed field guide will suggest this to guests while the ‘follower/clock-watcher’ won’t, (sadly most field guides have become ‘clock-watchers’).  ‘Clock- watchers’ will spend no more than the suggested 3 hours on each game drive. They have fallen into a rut and are purely performing a task as they have not adopted the simple practise of self-improvement outlined above.

If you find yourself in this predicament, SNAP OUT OF IT! Spend time on some self-reflection and remind yourself why you became a field guide in the first place. Spend less time with negative people and influences, and rub shoulders rather with dedicated professional field guides to rejuvenate the passion for the great outdoors and work at lodges that honour and respect this quality in their field guides.

Find out more about Bushwise courses.

Blog by General Manager & Trainer, Trevor Myburgh

#fieldguide #gameranger #training #working

After completing his course with Bushwise Field Guides in December 2016 Ernest, the second of our bursary students’, was invited to attend the and Beyond’s Inkwazi Ranger Training course. It is common knowledge that the course on offer goes through a stringent selection process and although Ernest did not make the final selection, he gained invaluable experience, which together with his skills and knowledge gained at Bushwise Field Guides set him up for the next chapter in his already successful and exciting career path.

Not to be deterred, Ernest took up a position with a highly successful and well-known Safari tour operator in the Greater Kruger National Park that have been operating in the Kruger National Park since 1998, specializing in this area with safaris into Kruger National Park. We at Bushwise Field Guides are extremely proud of Ernest and his achievements thus far, and thus asked of him to share his thoughts and feelings regarding his dreams and aspirations for the benefit of the reader who is considering a career within the guiding industry.

“Working out in the bush with different people and cultures from around the world is a dream come true.  Every day in nature brings different challenges and friendships that make every second of it worth it.  I enjoy the personal attention I can provide my guests and passion most of my guests have about the conservation and history of South Africa.”

“I still love to get involved with the community and with a recent trip driving to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport after dropping of guests, I came across young African kids from a local village playing soccer outside of Hazyview and I ended up having a fun afternoon with the kids.  To be involved with the youth of South Africa is so rewarding in many ways as they are eager to learn.  It was a truly rewarding day after spending time with these youngsters teaching them about the conservation of South Africa and plant the seed of a future career in some of their minds”

“To be a field guide or tour guide is in many aspects rewarding and by touching one person’s soul and make all their dreams come true on a “Safari Holiday” is worth every second spend and all the hard work that is going into this type of career.  Early mornings, late nights, 18 hour working days make all the sense in the world if you can be a True guide and be the best with every group of new faces you will get to meet during your career.”

“If you have a passion for the bush, environment and South Africa, my only advice to young and upcoming field guides is to live your dream and learn as much as you can from everyone.  Always stay humble and never think you know everything.  Being out in the bush surrounded by passionate guests and God’s creation, will make every long day worth the while.  Be true to yourself and you will become a natural guide and enjoy the Field Guiding industry tremendously.”

Deep and meaningful words Ernest and Thank You for them. We at Bushwise wish you well on your future endeavours, remember always that we are still there as a support to you, we are merely a phone call away, and indeed so do we extend this offer to all our past students!

Whilst about the Bushwise Bursary student programme, it is fitting that we make mention of Trico Chiloane who is our current bursary student for 2017. Trico is halfway through the course and is forging ahead at a rapid rate. No task too big or too small, no lack of enthusiasm nor effort, Trico is simply applying himself diligently and is progressing most satisfyingly. Soon Trico will be reaping the rewards of his labours, and I the writer cannot wait for his graduation day so that I may be able to inform the reader of his successes in the future. Exciting times indeed.

That is all for now, until next time,

Warm Bushveld Greetings

Trevor Myburgh

Bushwise Field Guides

Find out more about Bushwise Courses.