Head Guide

A luxury lodge in the Kruger National Park is seeking an experienced Head Field Guide with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in a Big 5 Game Reserve and Luxury Lodge environment. The Head Guide plays a pivotal role in the success of a lodge operation, as they engage extensively with guests throughout a significant part of each day. The safari experience is often the primary motivation for guests visiting Africa. Consequently, the guide’s professionalism and ability to convey knowledge in a safe yet immersive manner significantly shape the overall guest experience.

An essential part of the lodge team, the Head Guide’s duties include, but are not restricted to:

• Managing the guiding department.
• Overseeing and disciplining staff in the guiding department.
• Staff training and development.
• Assisting the Marketing team in managing social media content and submitting the monthly newsletters.
• Performing all administrative duties pertaining to the guiding department.
• Allocation of Guides to daily game drives.
• Staff scheduling and rosters.
• Managing daily game drives and bush walks.
• Following up on CarTrack and monitoring Guide Movements.
• Assisting around the lodge in other departments if needed.
• Light concession work – trimming of branches and light road maintenance.
• Operational Stock control.
• Compiling weekly and monthly reports.
• Having thorough technical knowledge and understanding of vehicles, operations and equipment – strong mechanical background will be beneficial.
• Performing Duty Manager shifts when necessary – hosting guests and ensuring safety.

Minimum Requirements:

• A valid and current South African guide’s licence and valid PrDP special driver’s licence.
• Self-disciplined, punctual and respectful. Mature and responsible.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for international guests with diverse cultures. Must have an outgoing hosting personality.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for staff, being respectful of their culture. A basic knowledge of an African language is recommended.
• Must be familiar with basic vehicle maintenance in order to communicate with the maintenance team to troubleshoot problems.
• Must be familiar with how to drive in a variety of on- and off-road conditions.
• Must be familiar with radio etiquette and able to ensure that radio conversations are kept short and direct, with no unnecessary chatter.
• Good initiative to cope with difficult situations in a remote environment.
• A valid first aid training certificate to handle trauma care, with Wilderness certification.
• Well-spoken, well-groomed and presentable.
• Strong leadership skills – be an effective manager of the Guiding Team.
• High standards of service excellence and a passion for the hospitality industry, environmental management and wildlife preservation.

Education and Experience:

• NQF 4 qualification or higher.
• Full Lead Trails and at least 3 years’ experience with guiding on foot (VPSA, ARH).
• A minimum of 7 years of work experience on a Big 5 Game Reserve, with a minimum of 5 years working in a Luxury Lodge environment.
• A level 2 FGASA qualification or higher with theory and practical completed.
• Registered with DEAT and THETA in terms of improving his/her qualifications.
• Track & Trails guide certificate.
• Valid first aid certificate.
• SASSETA Certificates.
• A valid South African Driver’s license and PDP experience.

Skills Required:

• Leadership.
• Guiding Skills.
• Wildlife Knowledge.
• Geology, Geography, and History.
• Basic Food and Beverage Service.
• Tracking and Bushcraft.
• Guest Engagement.
• Safety and Risk Management.
• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance.
• Passion for Nature.
• Fluency in English is essential, and proficiency in additional languages may be advantageous for catering to diverse guest demographics.
• Problem-solving.
• Decision-making.
• Training and Development.
• Conflict Resolution.
• Financial Acumen.
• Experience in Wildlife Photography will be beneficial.
• Computer literate.
• Basic understanding of Labour Law and Disciplinary Procedures.
• Ability to keep calm in stressful situations.

Level: Junior Management