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The Bushwise Journey: Looking Back on Unforgettable Experiences

This blog was written by Femke van Nieuwkerk, Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

3 min read

It all started on the 7th of January, when some of us arrived on time by car, others arrived together through an organised shuttle and one of us took a lovely detour to the wrong campus, but luckily ended up with us. The first day consisted of filling in forms, forms and some more forms. Keys to the tents were distributed and you got to know who was your roommate for the next 22 weeks.

First aid training and new wildlife sightings

The first week consisted of First-Aid training, seeing wild dogs and spotted hyenas at the fence line, the early beginnings of many friendships and getting our uniforms. Afterwards, we started to dig into the modules and learn all about topics such as geology, weather and climate and botany. In the meantime, we slowly started to go on game drives, where everyone had turns in driving for one hour. During the first semester real friendships formed – such as the Black Backed Puffbacks (blog of Regardt van der Westhuizen). Who would have known from the beginning that in many cases in this course, the two other random people in your tent would become such good friends?!

After the first off-week, our big group of 31 people was split into two groups – those doing their International Field Guide Association qualification and those doing the Bushwise Professional Field Guide qualification – each with its own schedule. Where PFG had their exams on bird sights and sounds, IFGA was busy with their Track & Sign. On days that PFG had a late start, IFGA had to start early. Most of us had to get used to this difference, even some friendships got lightly tested during the first days and afterwards came out stronger than before.

Getting into the game drives

For PFG the first three hour drives started and we got a real taste of how it feels to guide and the preparations that come with it, such as making sure the hotbox is filled, making sure that your route makes sense and doing a vehicle check. Semester two ended with the FGASA exam for all of us. As of now, we don’t have the official results back yet – but most of us feel positive about it. In my opinion, you could sense the growth in everyone during this semester, be it in becoming more professional, having better study methods, having more confidence or in becoming more open.

We are now two weeks into the third semester and this time it is IFGA’s turn to learn bird sounds. The PFG group had their two weeks of Track & Sign with Colin and Sam Patrick, which is considered as a highlight for most of us. As I am writing this blog, half of our group (IFGA) will leave to go to Sabi Sands for four course weeks to get experience with working in a lodge. This leads to a day which is filled with a lot of mixed emotions; saying (a teary) goodbye to each other, excitement and anxiety about what has to come and maybe even some – healthy – jealousy of the group staying at SAWC.

Looking forward to the next steps

For PFG the rest of semester will be about botany, bird theory, slide and sounds of all species and mock assessment drives. For IFGA it will be about birds, mock assessment drives, learning how to work in a lodge and how to effectively heat your water for your shower – as they will not have proper showers for the next four weeks (something nobody in PFG is jealous about).

In conclusion, we have learned vast amounts about nature, guiding and ourselves during the past months. Strong bonds have been formed, which probably only will become deeper and stronger as the time will pass on. I can only imagine how much we will learn in the next semesters, for example doing ARH and our assessment drives, but the thing I am looking the most forward to is for the IFGA group to come back and tell us all about their stories.

Ready to start on your own field guiding journey with Bushwise? Apply today!

May 8, 2024
Signs of life: Following the trail that leads back to me

This blog was written by Cameron Dodge, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

3 min read

At the start of my camp manager week, my peers and I have begun to learn the art of tracking and trailing, a skill used to track animals in the bush. Track and sign has, for me at least, opened up a new dimension to the bush. As I slowly begin to understand the story of each trail and spoor, I feel that the bush slowly begins to reveal its secrets to me. By being able to see the activity of the bush you begin to write your own story about the daily comings and goings of animals and the journey each one takes.

As we looked deeper into animal behaviour and the trails that each species leaves behind, I started to wonder what story has been left behind in my wake? As I trudge through the hard times and overcome the obstacles I face in my own life, I started to question what signs are guiding me to my next destination. My own life’s path is marked by signs, perhaps subtle and easily overlooked, yet each a vital turning point to reach today’s destination.

My journey to Bushwise is a perfect example of how my own trail through life has been met with unexpected twists and turns. My decision to join Bushwise was at the very last minute. It was a choice I made one afternoon when I was having a small meltdown about what to do with my life. It was an instinctive click on an Instagram ad that has now led me to sit miles away from my past life learning how to track wildlife through the bush. Just less than 4 months ago I was at university attempting to finish up my honours research paper on perceptions of crime in urban areas, now I am spending my days traipsing through the bushveld and having naps under shady trees whilst looking out for signs of animal activity.

This drastic change has led to a lot of introspection in an attempt to understand how and why I ended up here. The trail I have left behind in my own personal journey is filled with twists, turns, and unexpected encounters. What seemed like an impulsive decision to venture into the bush and become a guide transformed not only my physical surroundings but the people I face every day, as well as my daily routine right down to what I eat and the clothes I wear. I am not the same person; I don’t have the same friends, nor do I live in the same place. But somehow, somewhere, there was a sign along my track that pointed me in the direction of the bush.

When coming to Bushwise I had little to no idea what to expect, I wanted a change, a new life outside of anything I had known before. This past week trekking through the bush and discovering its secrets has shown me that taking the initial leap and joining Bushwise was a decision that I am proud of, one that has made all those sleepless nights worrying about what I would possibly do after university seem pointless, and one that makes me excited for my future. As I now reflect on my week as camp manager, I can appreciate the choices I have made leading me to where I am today. I have had an unbelievable week getting to know the bush, myself and my peers. My week as camp manager was one which placed me in a role of responsibility, but also a position that allowed me to reflect on my experience at camp so far. I have had a week filled with brand new experiences and adventures that I could have only dreamed possible before.

Follow your trail of self-discovery at Bushwise. Join one of our programs now.

May 8, 2024
Finding my way home: My journey from Switzerland to the South African bushveld

This blog was written by Tecla Mohr, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

4 min read

Who am I?

When Bushwise assigned me to write a blog, I considered various topics, such as animals or messages, to share with the audience. However, I decided to introduce myself and reveal my true identity. My name is Tecla, I am 31 years old, and I come from Switzerland, known for its chocolate and watches. Before discovering the South African bushveld, my life was typical of any other European. I lived with my parents in a nice flat, attended school, and spent evenings with friends. How did a Swiss girl end up at the Bushwise camp in South Africa? This is a good question and all the answers will be revealed below.

Although I appeared similar to my friends, I always felt out of place. When faced with the choice between spending a day shopping or hiking in the Alps, I always chose the latter. I felt suffocated by the society I lived in and unable to express my true self. I grew up surrounded by animals such as cats, dogs, and rabbits. From a young age, I had a passion for animal welfare and dreamed of one day owning a zoo to save and protect them.

The big change of life

I believe in destiny, and I think that each of us has a thread with a beginning and an end, leading us to where we are destined to be. My thread led me to South Africa. In this location, I have had the privilege of meeting people from diverse cultures and ethnicities, providing me with the opportunity to learn more about humanity. Additionally, I have had the fortune of working with a variety of wild animals, including lions, leopards, and hyenas, as well as smaller, harmless animals such as dwarf mongooses and vervets, which contributed to the project of my PhD.

Although South Africa was once my biggest dream, it also became my biggest fear. In recent years, I have faced significant personal challenges that have caused me to lose myself. I was never afraid of getting lost in the bush because, thankfully, my orientation skills have always been good enough. However, I never thought I would lose myself as a person. After almost eight years of working with wild animals in South Africa, it seemed like this dream was no longer achievable.

After a car accident, I spent two months in bed with a broken back. For almost two years, I experienced instability and fear, despite doctors’ attempts to provide hope for recovery. I struggled to regain my confidence and hope, but eventually some lovely people helped me. Through hard work and determination, I was able to return to my normal life, until the day I took the plane which brought me back into the bush.

At first, It was not easy to return to my previous wildlife. I found myself unable to walk for hours, I could not carry heavy bags, and I needed frequent breaks during the day. Additionally, I think the hardest part was that due to all these limitations, I was unable to care for people. But as in all things the glass is not always half empty, in fact mine was becoming full again. I was back in South Africa and despite my fears I was once again surrounded by nature and animals, I was back and with the animals, my dream also returned. Am I now the same Tecla I was before? No, I acknowledge that I have undergone a transformation and become a new version of myself (I hope a better one) who recognises the fallibility of her body but is driven by her mind, motivation and dream.

The person I am today, and the person I will be in the future

And so here I am, writing this blog from the Bushwise camp classroom, learning and studying everything that surrounds me, so that one day I will have the opportunity to share my knowledge but also the emotions and adventures that this magnificent world has given me and that I hope I will continue to experience in the future. A friend once described me as “a South African girl born in the wrong country” and I think she was right because here in the bush I am at home.

Ready to embark on a life-changing journey of your own? Explore Bushwise programs today to experience the wonders of the South African bushveld firsthand.

April 24, 2024
Unleashing our secret weapon: How dogs are fighting poaching in South Africa
This blog was written by Keenan Rencken, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

4 min read

Since an early age I have had an undeniable passion for dogs, their innate abilities to learn various commands and the utilisation of various breeds for specific functions. Growing up on a small holding on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, I had the opportunity to have several dogs and see many of them in action. The first dog to have a profound impact on my life was a border collie. I was intrigued by his intelligence, natural or genetic disposition to listen and his fierce loyalty to his loved ones.

Tapping into these traits that various breeds have allows us a select opportunity to tailor dogs for certain requirements. This fascination of mine has led to many hours of researching dogs and understanding the psyche behind them. Dogs, like humans, need a “purpose”, and like many of these breeds their jobs have become redundant. However, their abilities to do things that people, or even technology, still at this present time cannot do, gives dogs the opportunity to be at the forefront of stopping and deterring poachers. Dogs, therefore, have a strong place in conservation and the protection of South African wildlife.

Before the Bushwise course I had an opportunity to see the Manyoni K9 unit in action. The things that I took note of were the undeniable bonds between the handlers and their canines. Secondly, every dog was treated differently – what motivated them, how they were trained, what they were used for – ensuring that the dog received positive reinforcement even if it was slightly off the mark. Their handlers are so in tune with these dogs that they can sense whether the poacher is within a 100m radius or if the scent has been lost. Whether they are trained to track pangolins or a specific person in a vehicle, these vital resources (which can cost anything upwards of 100K) have an important role to play in the conservation of that area.

Since I joined Bushwise doing my 6 months Field Guide Course, I have come into contact with many of the dogs that are at the K9 unit just below our Campus at SAWC in Hoedspruit. Whether it be in passing on a game drive as the dogs are out on their morning training activities, on campus while the dogs get some socialisation and exposure to various sights and smells of the campus or at night hearing them howl while I lie in bed. These are all things I treasure and cannot wait to experience on the course.

There have been several breeds that I have been in contact with, each utilised slightly differently. Bloodhounds have been in operation all over the world, primarily in use of tracking, often on old trails. However, due to their size, in recent times they have been crossbred with dobermanns to ensure that they are a little sleeker to fit the helicopter, and for increased stamina and endurance. The German shepherds and malinois are used more on new and shorter tracks as well as for the apprehension of poachers.

The K9 unit at the SAWC campus has been the pioneer for handler-free pack running dogs. These are usually hounds such as the “Blue Tick”, “Red” and “Walker Treeing” variety. These are used specifically on fresh tracks due to the pace that the pack is able to track. Dogs (5-8) are flown by helicopter to the point at where the poachers were lost and fitted with tracking devices and GPS harnesses. From this point they are released and the armed handlers remain in the helicopter while the dogs trace the scent of the poachers. The helicopter follows the dogs and will be alerted by their behavior and GPS movements. Once the poachers are apprehended, the dogs are rewarded and taken back to camp. This ability to let the dogs loose with no handler ensures a faster apprehension. This is a “game changer” with something where time is of the essence.

Some statistics that have been taken from Feb 2019- Dec 2022:
- 81 rhino saved
- 193 arrest made
- 88 weapons removed
These statistics show an increase in apprehension from 10% to over 60% when off-leash or on-leash dogs are utilised. These dogs are seen as a great asset in the fight against poaching. Not only are the dogs carefully selected, they are also paired with the appropriate ranger. This is seen as a “must” for a field ranger to competently do his job.

As is evident, these canines ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the apprehension of poachers due to their ability to pick up on subtleties such as perimeter intrusions, ability to follow tracks and their ability to apprehend. This tool is fundamental to the success of the park’s efforts and ensuring the longevity of animals for future generations. With all these added efforts I feel we have barely scraped the surface of human/canine potential. And with a dog and handler relationship being more and more recognised for higher successes, this can only go up.

Explore Bushwise programs now and become part of the solution to safeguard our wildlife.
April 11, 2024
Igniting a passion for wildlife conservation in my village

3 min read

My name is Khoza Honest from Worcester village, Ga-Sekororo. I’m 25 years old. I went to Mmalesiba Secondary School and completed my matric in 2020. I have been making a living since my younger age by looking after village elders’ cattle so that I would be able to provide for myself since my mother was not able to work due to her health condition.

That boosted me to help her out with minor things as I was not putting demand on her. I enjoyed looking after the cattle – it gave me an adventure in the forest as I used to fetch the cattle each and every day after school. The forest taught me so much, and I realised how connected we are with nature and that made me start to develop the instinct to want to know more.

I started with the aim of wanting to explore what the forest was offering me. Unfortunately, it was not easy for me due to lack of resources and discouragement from some of the community members. They kept on teasing me that those things are not meant for me, but there was one thing that kept on playing in my mind – that they do not know what they are talking about.

I used to catch snakes at home and release them in the forest. Particularly brown house snakes and puff adders, and that was not sitting well with my mother. She did not like what I was doing. One day she came across a Mozambique spitting cobra and she called me. When I got there, I told her that I could not catch that one because it was too fast and it would spit at me. They killed it and I was not happy with that.

Sometimes I was surprised when some people questioned me about things regarding nature. It made me realise that I’m not the only one who loves to know more about the wild. After experiencing nature firsthand, I’m motivated to cultivate a love for it and seek answers rather than passively accepting its revelations.

All this personal experience made me start looking for ways that could help me further the little knowledge I already had. I had applied to a few institutions for nature conservation, unfortunately, it did not go as expected until I came across Bushwise. But I did not have financial muscle at that time.

I decided to approach one of my community leaders about my goals and he told me that he would approach me if he came across a scholarship. In 2023, I was working at Makalali Private Game Lodge under conservancy doing fence maintenance. After that, he did as promised and introduced me to the Tourvest scholarship through Bushwise. That time I already knew that this is what has been waiting for me and I told myself that I’m going to take this opportunity to make changes to my village so that they would be able to know the importance of nature.

Ready to embark on a transformative journey of your own? Explore Bushwise courses here!

April 4, 2024
Answering Mama Africa’s call: My journey to wildlife conservation

This blog was written by Luke Rauby, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

3 min read

At age 21, I find myself sitting on a patio outside my tent, which I now call home for the next six months, overlooking the expansive bushveld of the greater Kruger. How on earth did a boy from the Winelands of the Western Cape end up here? Back when my parents were young, dumb, and broke, they were guiding overlanding trips through Southern Africa. It was during this time that they met, and a few years later, I arrived.

I grew up in a small town called Riebeek West in the Western Cape. My Father is an architect and my mom worked in tourism for a long while before becoming a full-time mother. My grandfather on my dad’s side owned a game farm outside of Kimberley in the Northern Cape, which I grew up visiting from a very young age. He taught me a lot about the complexities of the African bush, and this is where my love for the bushveld was born.

With my parents’ background in overlanding, I was very fortunate to go on many family trips across Southern Africa and to see the most amazing things at a young age. From this early age, my love and interest in nature continued to grow. I was never the child who wanted a PlayStation or had any interest in anything indoors. You would always find me outdoors chasing the chickens or finding eggs in birds’ nests up dangerously tall trees.

I matriculated from Paarl Boys High School, and like most teens nowadays, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was, however, very passionate about rugby and pursued a career in the sport I loved most. After two years of playing rugby full-time, I had sustained too many injuries, and it was no longer safe for me to continue. During high school and playing rugby after, I was so caught up in the rat race of life. I never had time to visit the bush like I did when I was younger, and slowly, I started to forget what it was like.

When rugby didn’t work out, I decided to chase money and moved to Cape Town. I enjoyed the pretentious life of a city boy for about a month until I realised something just didn’t seem to feel right, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. The city was driving me crazy, but I had no idea what else to do. This unsettling feeling sat with me for a while.

One day, a few months later, I got an invite from an old friend from school to visit him on his game farm in the Karoo. It was on that farm, while sitting under a starlit night sky around a crackling fire in the veld, that I heard it. I heard Mama Africa’s whisper, calling me back to where I belonged. To the place where generations of my family had always found themselves – the African Bush.

I knew instantly that the bush was where I wanted, and needed, to be. It was the part of my soul that was missing. A month after visiting my friend’s farm I heard about Bushwise. And, to make a long story short, here I am, sitting on my patio outside my tent which I now call home for the next six months, overlooking the expansive bushveld of the greater Kruger.

Explore Bushwise courses and embark on a journey of your own. Apply now to start the adventure!

March 26, 2024
A life-altering adventure at the Southern African Wildlife College

This blog was written by Reggie van der Westhuizen, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager and writing a blog is part of the experience.

3 min read

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden tone across the vast African wilderness, I found myself standing on the doorstep of a life-altering adventure. Little did I know that my role as the camp manager at the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) for Bushwise would unfold into a week of wild experiences including: driving assessments, tree explorations, and a newfound fascination with bird calls. With 31 ambitious students from all across the globe, our journey towards becoming nature guides unfolded like the pages of a fascinating novel, I became not only a camp manager but also a proud member of the “Black-Backed Puffbacks,” a name that echoed the spirit of tents 15,16 and 17…

The week started with the anticipation of driving assessments that would test our capacity as future nature guides. After departure we navigated the rugged terrain of SAWC, learning the art of 4X4 driving. The adrenaline-fueled moments were not only a testament to our individual capabilities but also served as the foundation of teamwork.

In the classroom, we delved into the world of trees, immersing ourselves in the study of various species and their leaf structures. With our newfound knowledge, we ventured into the wilderness alerted on all fronts to the subtle whispers of the bushveld. The connection between theory and practice became evident as we identified trees, deciphering the language of leaves that spoke volumes about the ecosystem we have always been a part of.

One of the highlights of my journey as of yet, was exploring the bird calls – an art that proved both intriguing and challenging (was maybe a case of the more I hear it the less I know it). The symphony of birdlife filled the air as we learned to distinguish the amazing tunes, our ears became finely tuned instruments capable of distinguishing a black-backed puffback from a black headed oriole. The fascination with bird calls was also a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains ecosystems. Every organism has a role to play in this wonderful ball we call earth, it is honestly mind blowing.

We 31 students became united by a common passion for nature, we formed a unique bond that transcended borders and cultural differences. The birth of our group, the “Black-Backed Puffbacks,” was marked by laughter, shared discoveries but more so mischief, like the bird we called ourselves after, we became a symbol of resilience and adaptability, navigating our life in the bush through brotherhood.

The evenings around the campfire (mainly Saturday nights) became an environment for everyone to be themselves, and you tell me what is more beautiful than that? The diversity within our group became a source of strength, enriching our understanding of the natural world and creating a global perspective on LIFE.

As the week as camp manager drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the profound impact this experience had on my journey as a future nature guide. The challenges, the moments of fun, and the bonds forged during this week were not just chapters in a training program; they were the building blocks of a lifelong adventure in understanding and protecting our planet’s natural wonders. In the heart of the African wilderness, I discovered not only the secrets of trees and bird calls but also to hurry up and slow down – the true essence of the Black-Backed Puffbacks. PS – To any members of the Black-Backed Puffbacks if you are reading this, I love you gents.

Ready to embark on your own wildlife adventure? Explore more about Bushwise on our website!

March 21, 2024
“Wild dogs? On the airstrip? Yeah I’m coming!”

4 min read

This blog was written by James Frost, a Bushwise Professional Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager and writing a blog is part of the experience.

Two weeks. Just two weeks in the bush and everything seems to have happened all at once.

I am James Frost, a ‘fake Aussie’ as one of my new friends has named me recently. Half Australian, half South African and all human, I was born in Australia and then moved to South Africa, which is the opposite direction to most people. We’ve been at Bushwise on the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) campus for two weeks and have had some pretty incredible experiences.

After doing some serious theory busting for the first week, we finally started doing our first game drives. Each vehicle had a trainer with them and six members of each driving group had about an hour each to drive throughout the concession that SAWC is based on. I had the first go on Tuesday morning and we hadn’t been driving for more than fifteen minutes when we came upon some wild dogs.

These dogs are a part of the Orpen Pack and their alpha male has very floppy ears, one of the ways to identify them as wild dogs have massive home ranges that they traverse. These home ranges can be as large as 1000km² however, 500 – 600km² is more common. The dogs will traverse this range regularly, often covering great distances in a day. A big pack like the Orpen Pack hunts once a day most of the time. Impala is one of their favourite foods and mostly they will target smaller antelope. However, there are reports of certain packs going for much larger prey like buffalo but this is very rare behaviour. Melchize and I have affectionately named the Orpen Pack alpha male ‘Floppo’ due to his ears.

It’s not the first time we had seen this particular pack either. They made a kill right on the fence line on Monday evening. Myself and three others watched it happen. Although, to be fair, we barely saw any of it. An impala burst out of the scrub, bolted across the airstrip and hit the fence at full speed. All four of us immediately turned to look in the direction she came from. And then the dogs came, dead silent and would have looked quite scary had they not been bouncing above the tall grass like painted dolphins.

Once the front runner was in the clear it caught up to the impala who had gotten up and was a little dazed. There was a slight scuffle as another dog caught up as well, a single anguished call from the impala ewe and then dead silence. None of us could get decent photos because it was so dark but soon all of us had a chance to see one of the rarest sights on the planet. Quite often the dogs start feeding before their prey is fully dead and will tear into it with wild abandon. Our trainers have told us stories of dogs eviscerating prey on the run and the guests looking rather sick upon witnessing their brutality.

By the next morning there was nothing left of the carcass and the dogs, after greeting me in the morning, were off and had made it quite a distance away from campus when we finally caught up to them. They were spread out, buried in the long grass snoozing off their meal from the night before. I was driving, as I mentioned previously, and we crept past them slowly when, out of the bushes, appearing like a breaching whale was a spotted hyena.

From what I’ve observed in the last few days and from what I’ve been told by Fred (one of our trainers), hyenas follow dogs around hoping to glean scraps from their meals. The dogs aren’t a fan of this and will harass the hyenas, driving them away from their kills. We were fortunate enough to see this on Sunday night when the dogs first appeared. Yes, we saw the pack three days in a row. The younger dogs had backed a hyena against a bush and were really bugging it.

Eventually the hyena found an opening into the bush behind it and soon the dogs got bored and went off for a nap. This particular hyena next to our vehicle was looking rather concerned. She was looking for the dogs very carefully and was also staying downwind of them. This meant that she roughly knew where they were at all times. She was careful to stay near enough to them that she could follow them when they started hunting but just far enough away to avoid suspicion.

Just three days. That’s all it took to learn an incredible amount about one of the rarest creatures on the planet. We saw them hunting (briefly), saw them playing and relaxing. Saw the interspecific competition with hyenas, even had a chance to see how they reacted to an elephant running through their midst. If I’ve taken anything away from the past two weeks it’s that there’s going to be a lot of experiences, a lot of insane little moments that need to be respected, shared and treasured. Both with the animals and with the friends we’ve made.

Would you love to experience wildlife firsthand like James? Apply today and make it a reality!

March 13, 2024
Get to Know the Mongoose
This blog was written by Ryan Sakinofsky, a Bushwise IFGA Safari Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

Read time: 3 mins

No one is quite sure of the plural of mongoose, is it mongooses? Mongeese? Mongera? Well according to a trusted source (Google), it is mongooses.

Mongooses are small carnivores well known for their long tails, agile bodies, small ears and pointed faces that are adapted for burrowing. Mongooses occupy many habitats from forest to savannah. They have a wide range of behavioural traits, whether they live in social groups or are solitary individuals.

Mongooses belong to the family Herpestidae, which includes all mongoose species as well as suricates. Those who have visited the Mahlahla Campus have undoubtedly caught a glimpse of our cutest residents, the dwarf mongooses.

Since arriving at Bushwise in July, we have spotted or seen tracks of:
- dwarf mongoose (Helogale parva)
- banded mongoose (Mungos mungo)
- white tail mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda)
- water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus)
A mongooses’ place in the food web

Ecologically, mongooses are important links in food webs acting as secondary consumers. They consume insects, rodents, and even birds. Mongoose get eaten by larger carnivores – known as tertiary consumers – such as jackals, hyenas, eagles, and other birds of prey. However, a major threat to the mongoose species is the wildlife and traditional medicine trade.

Unfortunately, many conservation measures are focused on large species and not the smaller species we have. There is a method in the madness though as larger species need more space and resources and by conserving areas that are suitable for them, many of the smaller species will be conserved as well.

Mongoose business

The social mongoose species – dwarf and banded – live in large family groups called a business. Individuals within the business will all contribute to its success. Individuals will groom each other – known as allo-grooming – to strengthen social bonds. Social mongooses are even known to mark each other with secretions from the anal glands which means that the business will have a very distinct smell and members can recognize each other.

Members of the business will also assist in the raising of the young which ensures that most young make it to adulthood. Most importantly, there is safety in numbers and social mongooses will often mob potential threats to intimidate them and cause them to flee.

The birds and the mongooses

Dwarf mongoose has mutualistic relationships with many insectivorous birds, such as fork-tailed drongos, lilac-breasted rollers, shrikes, and hornbills. Drongos are exceptionally useful to the mongooses as they alert the mongoose to any potential predators in the area. In exchange, the birds eat any insects that are disturbed by the mongooses while they forage.

However, drongos are exceptionally good at mimicking the calls of other birds and animals and will sometimes mimic the alarm call of the mongoose! The mongooses scatter, leaving the drongo to feast on the insects they left behind. It is fair to think that the mongooses would get annoyed with the drongos for cheating them out of a meal, but the drongos are smarter than that and rarely cry wolf.

Mongooses are intelligent. They see the value in working with insectivorous birds and using them as alarm systems. Those that do work with birds have less of a need for sentries which means each individual gets to spend more time foraging.

Social mongooses

Recent research has shown that yellow mongooses (Cynictis penicillate) in residential areas can learn how to solve puzzle boxes and can do the puzzles quicker over time. Additionally, social mongoose species as well as the suricate (Suricata suricatta) show a wider variation in their communication signals compared to the slender mongoose, which is solitary.

Many of us, myself included, have previously seen mongoose species as something cute and entertaining to watch, but once they disappear into the long grass or back into their burrows, we never really give them a second thought. Mongooses are intelligent, socially adept creatures. I have had the pleasure of observing them every day on campus, and I know that many future students will get as much joy out of watching our smallest mammal residents as I do.

Join us out here and be part of the next group of Bushwise students discovering all the new and incredible things there are to see in the African bush.
February 1, 2024
Late Nights And Early Mornings

This blog was written by Zac Newman, a Bushwise IFGA Safari Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

Read time: 3 mins

Turns out I can be a morning person

Monday morning I woke up early to open the kitchen for the students completing their mock drives that morning. Due to the earlier game drive times this week, the morning jobs were done earlier than usual.

By now most people know around camp that I can be a bit grumpy in the morning. However, due to this earlier-than-usual wake-up (4:00), I found myself becoming a bit of an “early bird gets the worm type of” guy. Setting up breakfast items like tea and coffee, whilst filling the urns forced a wake up making the morning drive much more enjoyable.

Botany walks

Throughout the week, we had been revising for the botany exam which was on Friday. Because of the panic, some students had gotten themselves into (myself included), several students led botany walks around the campus which were organised with my co-camp manager because of his knowledge of the trees and plant life all around. This greatly helped most students pass the exam on Friday.

And if you are thinking “Zac did everyone go thirsty during this practical assessment?”, I would say no. I was up on the day at the crack of dawn making hot boxes for the group… and despite them not being used, it was a success.

Discovering quirks of the industry

When managing the camp, there are several responsibilities that you have. There is the obvious job of opening and closing the kitchen as well as ensuring it stays clean. Then there are other things to consider like having a strong leadership attitude when there are problems within the group and making sure they are resolved as smoothly as possible. This includes problems being brought up to you or discovering them yourself.

Toward the end of the week, I was given responsibility for the camp radio, which luckily I did not have to use as there were no medical emergencies, snakes, or other issues. Although I did look important carrying it, the only noise that was ever heard from it was the occasional low battery beep in the late evening.

As the end of the week came to a close, all students had a bird exam to write early on a Saturday morning meaning that the kitchen had to be open late the night before. Late nights and early mornings, as I found out that day, are something that will be a big part of the industry and not the most pleasant. However, making that small sacrifice is majorly worth it and not an opportunity to pass up because of a bit of sleep deprivation. And anyway who needs sleep… not me.

My week as camp manager was enjoyable and a great learning opportunity. It will hopefully majorly benefit me going forward in this line of work – which we have learned this week can be very tiring but worth it.

Out here we’re constantly discovering new things about the birds, plants, and animals that call the African savanna their home. Join us where the wild becomes home.

December 11, 2023