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A guide to the Common String-of-Stars

On a late-summer morning in the lowveld, you might spot a patch of delicate white flowers curling along sandy paths, almost like a string of tiny stars. Stop and look closely – this is the common string-of-stars, Heliotropium steudneri, a modest but fascinating plant that often goes unnoticed!

The common string-of-stars is a perennial herb or subshrub, usually 60–100 cm tall. It’s woody at the base, with softly hairy stems and narrow, alternate leaves. Its signature feature is the coiled, elongated clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that slowly unfurl as they bloom. From a distance, it may seem unremarkable, but up close, the pattern and symmetry of each flower spike show just how beautifully adapted this plant is to its environment.

This species is widely distributed across eastern and southern Africa, from Eritrea and Ethiopia down to South Africa, and even across the Red Sea into Yemen and Oman. It thrives in open, sandy soils, dry bushveld, and shrublands, often appearing in disturbed areas or along roadsides. After seasonal rains, it bursts into flower, adding subtle life and colour to otherwise dry landscapes.

From a conservation and ecological perspective, the common string-of-stars is a pioneer species. It often colonises sandy, disturbed soils first, stabilising the ground and creating opportunities for other plants to establish. For wildlife, its flowers provide nectar for insects, supporting pollinator networks that ripple through the ecosystem. In this way, even a small plant like the string-of-stars contributes to the larger web of life on a reserve.

For Bushwise students and safari guides, recognising flower species isn’t about identification alone – it’s really about understanding the veld. Knowing which plants signal recovery, which provide resources for insects, and which require careful handling is part of developing the observational skills that make a guide truly exceptional. It’s also a reminder that every element, from the tiniest flower to the largest tree, plays a role in the ecosystem’s health.

Next time you walk a trail or drive a sandy road, take a moment to spot the coiled white spikes of Heliotropium steudneri. Pause, study its flowers, notice how they catch the light – and think about the quiet but essential role it plays in the bush. It won’t dominate your photographs or headlines, but it’s one of those species that teaches patience, observation, and respect for the African bush.

If you want to learn about the small wonders of the African bush, Bushwise Wildlife Courses give you hands-on experience identifying plants, tracking wildlife, and understanding ecosystems from the ground up.

June 18, 2026
The Lowveld of South Africa: A look at its fauna and flora

The Lowveld is the low-lying, subtropical region of north-eastern South Africa, mostly below 1 000 metres. It is known for its warm climate, open bushveld, and rich wildlife. Many people think of this area as the “classic African landscape” because of its broad valleys, rivers, and variety of plants and animals.

The climate of the Lowveld is a key factor in shaping its vegetation and wildlife. Summers are hot and wet, with most rain falling between October and April. The rest of the year is warm and dry. This pattern affects when plants grow and when animals breed or move. Soil type and elevation also influence which species are found in different areas.

Vegetation in the Lowveld includes open woodlands and savannahs with a mix of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Mopane woodland, common in parts of Limpopo, is dominated by the mopane tree, which supports many insects and browsing animals. Other areas feature acacia or thorn bushveld, fever trees, baobabs, and forest along rivers. This mix of plant types creates many different habitats for animals.

The wildlife of the Lowveld is closely linked to its plants. The region supports large herbivores and predators, including the Big Five, as well as smaller mammals and specialist species. Birds are common in areas with water and varied vegetation. Wetlands, rivers, and different types of woodland each attract their own bird species. The range of habitats is one reason the Lowveld is so rich in wildlife.

Different parts of the Lowveld have different species because of variations in climate, soil, and water. Temperature and rainfall can change quickly across the region, especially near escarpments and rivers. Soil types affect which plants can grow, with some soils supporting moisture-loving species and others supporting drought-tolerant trees like mopane. Permanent rivers and pans provide water for animals and attract migratory birds. Past land use, fire, and grazing also shape the landscape and the species it can support.

The Lowveld is a region of diversity. Bird-rich thickets sit beside open grasslands, mopane woodlands surround pans that attract elephants, and rivers provide life for many animals. Protecting these areas requires conserving rivers, managing fire carefully, and allowing grazing that does not harm native plants.

For guides, naturalists, and travellers, the Lowveld offers an opportunity to see how plants and animals are connected. By observing the trees, grasses, and water sources, it is possible to understand why each part of the Lowveld supports different communities of life.

If you want to experience the Lowveld and its species first-hand, view Bushwise’s professional wildlife courses and start your journey in South Africa’s remarkable bush.

November 14, 2025
Living my dream under the African sun – My field guide journey

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

From a young age, my parents nurtured in me a deep love and respect for the natural world. Whenever we had the chance, we would pack up and head to Kruger National Park — camping, exploring, and soaking up everything the park had to offer.

We’d leave home in the early hours of the morning, always aiming to reach the gate by sunrise. Most of our trips started in Phalaborwa, where we’d check in and watch the first golden rays break over the bushveld. Our destination was usually Letaba or Shingwedzi rest camps, where we’d set up camp for eight unforgettable days. And, of course, no trip ever began without a little family game: each of us would choose the animal we thought we’d see first.

It was during one of these family holidays, when I was 12 years old, that everything changed for me. I attended a presentation by a herpetologist volunteering as an Honorary Ranger at the Elephant Hall in Letaba. After the talk, I stayed behind to chat with him. His passion was contagious, and right then and there, I knew I wanted a future connected to nature. But life had other plans.

After school, I was offered a management position at the restaurant where I’d worked as a waiter. What was supposed to be a temporary detour became a 25-year career in the food and beverage industry. I worked my way up to Operations Manager and held that role for ten years.

Eventually, I hit a ceiling. I’d achieved everything I could in that field, and I knew it was time for a change. Two years later, after much reflection, that little boy inside me, the one who sat mesmerised in Letaba rest camp, reminded me of his dream. With the encouragement of my beautiful wife and son, I took a leap of faith and enrolled at Bushwise. That decision changed everything.

Now, four months into the IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course (6/12 months), I still can’t quite believe that I wake up to the African bush and its sunrises every single day. It’s been challenging and incredibly rewarding as my knowledge has grown exponentially since day one.

While there have been countless memorable moments, what I value most are our trainers. Their passion for guiding and willingness to share their knowledge is something truly special. To anyone considering this path, soak up every bit of wisdom your trainers offer.

One of my favourite things about training here is the unpredictability of each day. One moment, you’re having a quiet drive, identifying trees and grasses, and the next, you’re stumbling upon a giraffe carcass with lions nearby or tracking elephant herds. The freedom of stepping off the vehicle and following lion tracks down a dusty path is indescribable. My highlight so far? Learning to read tracks and truly understand animal behaviour. It’s like deciphering stories left behind in the sand.

Every day consists of early mornings spent packing my gear and savouring a quiet coffee, followed by 5:30 am game drives, incredible wildlife sightings, daily lectures, and afternoons chasing sunsets, and the best part is, I get to do it all again the next day.

It really does feel like I’m living my dream out here under the African sun, and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me once I complete the course.

Ready to reignite your childhood love for nature and turn it into a career? Explore Bushwise’s courses and take the first step!

April 17, 2025
Luxembourg to the Lowveld – My Field Guide Journey

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

Almost five years ago, I decided to become a field guide. At the time, I was camping in the Serengeti National Park as part of an overland journey from Kenya to South Africa, traveling with a group of strangers who, over time, became close friends. That night, under a sky so full of stars, we sat around the fire, reflecting on the last few days of game drives in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

As we shared our thoughts, one of the travelers told us something that changed my life. He mentioned that he had completed a 60-day field guide training course, IFGA Professional Safari Guide Short course (2 months), and was now a qualified safari guide. Until that moment, I hadn’t even known that such a career path existed. I was fascinated. The idea of living and working in the African bush, of spending every day surrounded by nature and wildlife, immediately took hold of me. He gave me an email address, and after a few exchanges back and forth, I was introduced to Bushwise. That was the day I decided that I would become a field guide.

At the time, I was just 20 years old and had only recently finished school. I decided to go to university first, but from that moment on, there wasn’t a single day – truly, not one – where I didn’t think about this dream. I followed Bushwise on every platform, read every post, watched every video, and counted the days until I could finally be here. And now, here I am.

The first four weeks of my 6-month training have felt like a dream. A dream I finally get to

live, and one I never want to wake up from. Every part of the training feels right – whether

it’s attending lectures, practicing my driving skills, memorising plant species, or heading

out on game drives. My heart has never been this full, and my mind has never been this

at peace.

It’s not just the big moments, like watching elephants calmly pass by or the thrill of

navigating the game viewer across rivers, that make this experience so incredible. It’s

the small, everyday moments that truly bring it to life. Starting to recognize plants and

trees, excitedly shouting “Knob Thorn!” every time we pass one. The growing instinct to

identify birds by their calls alone. Learning to identify birds, ticking new species off my

list, and slowly becoming a birder. These are the moments that make this experience so

special. The small victories, the quiet realizations, the growing connection to the bush.

Every day, it feels more like home.

Now, an exciting break lies ahead – our first off-week. A few of the girls from my campus

and I are heading to the very north of Kruger National Park, a region known for its

incredible birdlife. While taking a break from training will be strange, the thought of

exploring a new part of the bush with new friends makes it exciting. Of course, I have a small but important mission: to find and identify birds we haven’t seen yet. The Giant Kingfisher, in particular, has been on my mind, and I’m determined to finally tick it off my list.

Every day here reaffirms that I am exactly where I am meant to be. The road to get here

wasn’t always easy – it took patience, determination, and years of waiting – but it was

worth every second.

Five years ago, I sat under the Serengeti sky, dreaming of this life. Now, I wake up every

morning, step outside, and realize that I am living it.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Ready to start your journey as a field guide? Explore Bushwise courses and apply now to become a qualified guide!

March 11, 2025
From rugby fields to the African bush: My field guide journey

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

Bushwise is a place where like-minded people come together to complete a course that they are all passionate about. If that’s conservation, guiding or just nature in general. We have all heard the same story of “I’ve always wanted to do this” and “this has always been my dream.” Yes, to some extent this was mine, but it came about in a completely different way than I imagined.

My original dream was to play rugby, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have played at a decent level in different countries, experiencing things that one can only dream of. However, like a lot of dreams, you eventually wake up. I got injured multiple times with my shoulders and decided to call it quits long-term, as I would like to still be intact when I reach the age of 40!

This is where Bushwise comes in. If you told me a year ago that I would go from playing rugby, living in a flat with someone in my hometown, working a good job and progressing in it, to then moving to the South African bush, living with a bunch of strangers studying to be a field guide, I’d say you’re lying. But here I am.

This has honestly been one of the most important and fascinating decisions of my life. I feel at home here more than I have ever before. The people, the culture, the food, the brandy and coke, just everything seems right for me here in South Africa. I can say I have met some people I will be friends with for life – cringe, I know, but I do genuinely see myself keeping in contact with some and having them in my life forever.

This past week, I had the pleasure of being camp manager, which involves having more duties as well as a voice for your fellow camp mates. Fortunately, we have had a nice week of ARH (advanced rifle handling) which has been a great new experience as I have never shot with a rifle before. I say this, but due to us having rifle handling, and one of our golden rules being ‘drinking and shooting don’t mix’ it’s been quite a dry week where some of the camp mates have struggled adjusting to this new way of life! All-in-all, we have passed everything so far and have enjoyed it, but I can assure you we all have a lot to learn and none of us will be a James Bond any time soon.

In terms of what is next for me, I have no clue. One thing I have learnt about myself and about life out here is that it’s best not to plan too far ahead as everything changes on a dime. I want, and would love, to stay here and work in a lodge as I feel like I’d do well as a guide, or maybe one day even a trainer and share the knowledge I gathered through the years I was working and hiding here.

This is my plan and I know for some it will be theirs if they do this course too. Maybe one day I will go back home to the Southwest. One thing is for sure, though, I will never lose my love and respect for this place and its wildlife. My name is Charlie Birch and this is the beginning of my guiding journey.

Ready to start your own life-changing journey? Learn more about Bushwise courses and apply today!

November 22, 2024
Through the lens: A birder’s paradise

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

Hello Everyone! My name is Alex and I want to talk to you about birds! Why birds, you may ask? Well it may or may not have something to do with our schedule of just finishing up our Bird Theory exam, followed by Bird Slides and Sounds. I also really enjoy finding and observing our avian neighbors. There is just something relaxing about waiting a while to just listen to their plethora of calls and unique behaviours. So let’s dive right in.

I am based at the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy (also known as Greg’s Camp) and what I can tell you is that we are in an ideal location to see all kinds of birds. The camp is located along a drainage and is the lowest point in the surrounding area. This, coupled with a high water table, means that the drainage line has had water in it throughout the dry season. Sufficient water means a lot of healthy vegetation for birds to go about their daily business.

Of the kingfisher’s typically found in our area of operation, we have had visits from giant, pied, striped, brown-hooded and malachite kingfishers. It is also only a matter of time before the woodland kingfisher shows up. We have been warned that this particular kingfisher is rather noisy, so it should be relatively easy to find it when it does show up.

We have also had some regular visits from grey, striated and even a white-backed night heron! I always find these birds a bit awkward with how they walk around, until they manage to snatch something from the water with surprising speed.

Another group of birds we see (and hear) on the regular are the sunbirds. White-bellied, Marico and scarlet-chested so far. Much like us students before an assessment, these are busy, busy birds as they move from tree to tree and flower to flower.

From small to large, we have also had some visits from some of the resident raptors such as the African fish eagle, Wahlberg’s eagle, brown snake eagle, and a rather ruthless dark chanting goshawk, who has made it it’s life mission to find every crested francolin or Natal spurfowl in our camp.

And last but not least a few of my favourites! Hopefully we will find some more species paying a visit to our camp. And hopefully not during game drives! I hope you enjoyed this brief foray into some of the local birds. Goodbye everyone!

Ready to immerse yourself in the wild? Learn more about Bushwise’s field guide training programs and how you can start your journey today.

November 15, 2024
Fierce, fast, and under threat: The extraordinary life of African wild dogs

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

Facts:

African wild dogs are highly endangered animals with an estimated population of 6,600 with their current population decreasing. They have incredible hearing, with muscles allowing their large ears to swivel. They only have 4 toes per foot, unlike other dogs which have 5 toes. They can run up to 70 kilometres per hour. They generally live up to 11 years old in the wild. They communicate by touch, actions and vocalisation.

They have a success rate of up to 80% when hunting due to their high levels of communication, they are among the most effective predators in the world. To put that into perspective, lions have a one-in-four success rate. This is nearly all a result of their pack coordination, which is still a rich source of zoological research. It was only recently discovered that they use sneezes to ‘vote’ on hunting decisions.

Territories:

Wild dogs spend their days prowling huge amounts of territory, with home ranges of up to several hundred square kilometres. To put that into perspective, Greater London is home to 8.8 million people, but an area that size could only support one or maybe two Wild Dog packs.

Pack social structure:

African wild dogs are seasonal breeders, in South Africa pups are usually born mid winter, after a gestation period of 70 days. Litters can be 12 pups or more, the female cannot suckle offspring for too long. From the age of 3 weeks, milk is supplemented with regurgitated meat brought to the pups by other pack members. Their pups are given priority over dominant pack members when feeding. Packs average around 15 members and have been known to sometimes go up to 40. Before the recent population decline, packs of up to 100 were recorded.

Non-breeding adults sacrifice their own nourishment to ensure the pups in the group get enough to eat and grow. The packs typically hunt antelopes and will also tackle much larger prey. They are extremely social and known to help the other members of the pack when they are weak or sick. Once mature, males stay with their original pack while the females generally seek a new pack. They are extremely loyal to its species and habitat.

To form a pack:

To form a pack you need a few brothers and a few sisters who are NOT related and put them in an enclosure together and they will decide who becomes the alpha male and alpha female. Only the alpha female and male will mate and have pups but the whole pack will look after the pups. If they do not form any connections together, when they are sedated you can rub one on the other and when they wake up they will automatically be drawn together because their scents will be on each other.

Threats:

Unfortunately, they are often hunted and killed by farmers who fear for their livestock. They are also threatened by shrinking space to roam as well as susceptibility to diseases – these diseases include rabies and distemper from coming into contact with domestic animals. The IUCN reports that the population level of African wild dogs fluctuates but is in a likely irreversible decline. Genetic inbreeding may be the possible cause of the Kruger National Park wild dog’s life expectancy of only 6 years.

Conservation:

African wild dogs are among many species that benefit from the creation of protected wildlife corridors that help connect their increasingly fragmented habitats. Conservation groups are also working on initiatives that reduce conflict between humans and African wild dogs. These include awareness initiatives that dispel myths about the animals as well as educational initiatives that offer farmers training in livestock management techniques that prevent depredation

Learn more about Bushwise courses and find out how you can contribute to conservation efforts and make a real impact.

November 8, 2024
Inspiring the next generation of female field guides

This blog was written by Lihle Donecia Mndawe, a Bushwise International Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

Enrolling with Bushwise academy has been a great evolving journey for me, I have developed into a passionate and knowledgeable person with wildlife. This blog reflects my growth and development before, during and after. How I got to be part of the Bushwise 6-month program was a very fortunate experience for me, through the Sabi-Sabi Foundation which sponsored four candidates to study in becoming a field guide with Bushwise and the Sabi-Sabi Ranger Academy. Out of 700 plus candidates that applied for the sponsorship I got to be part of the four candidates that made it to the final selection. After the selection, that’s when I knew my life was about to change to an exciting one – new skills and development.

Before

I have always been passionate about wildlife, as I have worked at a safari lodge as a receptionist for over 6 years. With my great customer service, patience and being a team player, I knew I would be a perfect fit for being a field guide. Before stepping into Bushwise’s gates, I knew little about animal track, signs and trails, birds and trees, yet I had the eagerness to learn the ins and outs about the wild. I had so much interest in bush walks, even though I had a limited knowledge of the ecosystem. With the lack of information and direction, it took me a little bit longer to finally be where my passion is.

During

One can acquire a skill from an academy, from a role model or a mentor. Currently as a Bushwise student I have gained so many skills. I got my driving skills with Bushwise with the help of the head trainer – I will forever be grateful for such an opportunity. I have gained a lot of skills and am still learning, with the very knowledgeable and patient mentor I got to learn a lot. Practical assessments such as track and sign, birding, botany, astronomy and sleep out I enjoyed the most, theory lessons were also exceptional, reptile was a bit of a challenge but had a happy ending. Lodge hosting was top-tier for me as I have experience in hosting from my previous workplace; it reminded me of all the good times shared with customers creating unforgettable experiences.

At the beginning of the course I had less confidence in myself, especially being 1.5 metres in height. I had a few challenges that did not favour my height, like reaching the pedals [in the game viewer], getting on the tracker seat, and changing tyres, but it all comes with practice.

Future

Now all that is left is the fun stuff – rifle handling and trails . My goal is to achieve the remaining assessments and I am looking forward to getting placed at the lodge. That is when reality will hit, putting all the practical and theoretical skills into practice and engaging with the ecosystem.

There is still a long road ahead – more studying, research, learning new techniques and exploring to do. Everyday is a learning experience. Graduating will be the biggest part of my growth and development.

The Bushwise program is definitely a life changing opportunity, I would recommend it to anyone who has the passion to become a field guide because of their well-trained instructors, proper study material and good course planning. My mission is to grow in the industry and inspire other young females who are passionate to become field guides. Exploring outside the country and experiencing different ecosystems is definitely a dream for me.

Ready to begin your own wildlife journey? Apply for a Bushwise course and start your adventure.

October 25, 2024
Oceans to savannahs: My journey to becoming a field guide in Africa

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

My name is Jesse Lommerse. I am 22 years old, grew up in the Netherlands and for the past couple of years I’ve been living my best life. When I was 19 I bought my own sailing-yacht and started sailing around South and Central America. I have always been a big admirer of the outdoors and nature, but when I started my sailing adventure I really came in touch with my wild side having left everything behind from family, friends, luxury and comfort to wild seas, new countries, new people and lots of adventures. I spent almost 2 years travelling 3 oceans and over 20 countries with a good friend of mine, in which during the long days at sea I had plenty of time to think about my life and what I wanted to do with it.

Do I want to live on a boat for the rest of my life? Do I want to work for my Dad in the Dutch flower business or do I want to go my own way and make sure I find something that I really enjoy and what I want to be doing the rest of my days?

So I started thinking about what skills I have and what I’m good at. In my times of sailing I’ve noticed that when I was working on a charter I was very good with my guests and people seemed to like my character. They even liked it more when I started to talk about the colourful fish in the oceans, the big birds in the sky or about the big variety of insects everywhere in Latin America. With my passion for nature, my natural ability to work with tourists and my love for animals I came to the conclusion to become a field guide. However to begin with I had no idea where I wanted to be a guide until I remembered that I went to the Kruger National Park in South Africa with my dad when I was very little and that I really loved everything there. The guides were so kind and full of knowledge, the game reserves were full of animals and the landscapes were astonishing. Therefore I searched for the best training camp, joined up and started a new adventure.

Having arrived a couple of months later it was just how I pictured it, kind classmates and trainers all sharing the same interests, cosy huts to sleep in, in the middle of the bush with hyenas and leopards calling in the night and with over 30 birds waking you up in the morning. This was it! A place where I can learn and grow and become the best version of myself. With no regrets of leaving everything behind again, I promised myself I would become the best guide in my own way. One of the nice things of becoming a guide is that there’s not just one way of doing your job. I’ve met a lot of different people here in my camp from a lot of different countries and so many different ways of guiding. It would make sense, guiding is such an enthusiastic job and people express themselves in different ways.

Life as a field guide in training is the best! It never felt like I was back in a school studying subjects because I have to. I am here because I love learning these subjects. Although the days can be long, time seems to fly by. We’re now in the 4th semester and we have done so many wonderful things like: birding, track and sign, trailing, and so many more. It’s been a real honour to have been taught by one of the original master trackers Adrian Low and Colin Patrick, seeing them work is like watching the conductor leading an orchestra, it’s a piece of art. The birding week was also fun, although it was very rough in the beginning seeing and learning all the most common birds in our area in one week, but the further we got, the easier it got.

Since I’ve been here it’s been so much fun, I’ve learned a lot and made loads of good friends. It’s a shame knowing that when I get my certificate I have to leave everything behind again…

If you have a love for nature and a sense of adventure I would definitely recommend becoming a field guide.

Ready to start your own journey in becoming a field guide? Explore Bushwise courses and apply now to become a qualified nature guide!

October 18, 2024
The call of the bushveld

This blog was written by Jon-Harry van Wyk, a Bushwise International Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.

When I was a young boy growing up in South Africa, the ultimate experience would be to stay in the bushveld. The wildness of the place, the sounds you hear at night, the excitement of seeing animals looking at you through the underbrush – there is no place on earth where you feel more in touch with the beauty and magnificence of nature. It is hard not to have an awakening in your soul once you have travelled deep into the bush, along the rivers and looked out over it from atop the peaks.

The first experience that I can think of that really sparked my interest in becoming a guide was around the age of ten. My family and I went on a game drive in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve when this happened. I remember it was a sweltering day, the flies followed us as we moved in hopes of getting moisture from a bead of sweat. Our guide had found a herd of elephants who at the time were in the midst of their breeding season. We watched as two massive bull elephants struggled against each other for dominance and the breeding rights to their female onlookers. One of the bulls was defeated after a tussle that shook the ground and broke trees. As we sat there, he turned to face us, you could almost see the embarrassment in his eyes after his loss. There was a switch that flipped in his mind, he decided he would not stand the embarrassment, no mock charge or warning he flew towards us.

I remember in those moments of fear and the pumping of adrenaline how cool and collected our guide had stayed. He had read the situation before the fight had even finished, he had kept a cool head when the dust started flying and five tons were barreling towards us. After we had reversed for over three hundred meters or so the elephant felt he had gotten his frustrations out. As we drove back to the lodge, I felt an excitement and a newfound feeling of yearning to be the man in that seat, to be the man who could read the wild, to be a guide! Many years have passed since then, but that passion has always kept burning inside of me.

Now, as a young man, my passion for the bush has evolved. I want its serene beauty to still be here for my grandchildren and their children. I have taken the first steps in my journey towards becoming a guide by joining Bushwise. I want to immerse myself with this lifestyle and learn all it can teach me, I intend to leave no stone unturned in this experience. My end goal is to get involved in more of a conservation career through hunting. I’ve come across many individuals who disagree with my plan but in order to keep our parks ecosystems functioning there has to be checks and balances for populations. I hope that through my career I can learn from and teach those that I encounter how to ethically control population numbers, so that we may preserve the beauty of the South African bush for many generations to come.

My adventures along this path may very well lead me to different outcomes for my future, but my sights will always firmly be set upon preservation of the wild environment I now get to call home. Becoming a guide is just the beginning of this journey that I have set out upon, however it will not be its conclusion. Being in a place surrounded by people with the same passion and love for the bushveld was the perfect start. I encourage those that feel the pull of the bushveld to take that step deeper into its wonder and wildness, it is a place that changes you.

Ready to start your own journey in nature conservation? Explore Bushwise courses and apply now to become a qualified field guide!

October 11, 2024