Trails Guide

Bushwise; Hoedspruit; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full live-in accommodation

Shared on-duty meals

Laundry services

Corporate uniforms

Structured leave cycle

Job summary

Bushwise is seeking a highly professional Lead Trails Guide for our luxury 4-star safari lodge in Hoedspruit, South Africa. The ideal candidate will lead immersive walking safaris and game drives, combining luxury hospitality with a passion for conservation.

Responsibilities include delivering educational commentary, ensuring guest safety, and maintaining equipment. Candidates must possess relevant qualifications and several years of guiding experience in Big 5 environments. Attractive benefits such as accommodation and leave cycle are included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of guiding experience in luxury Big 5 lodges.
• Proven experience in tracking and leading guests in potentially dangerous environments.
• Strong physical fitness for outdoor work in remote areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialized walking safaris and game drives in Big 5 territory.
• Deliver educational commentary on fauna, flora, and astronomy.
• Ensure safety through risk assessments and equipment management.

Skills

Guiding experience

English fluency

Storytelling

Physical fitness

Tracking abilities

Education

NQF 4 Nature Site Guide qualification

Lead Trails Guide certification

Advanced Rifle Handling certification

First Aid Level 1 certificate

Professional Driving Permit

Job description

We are a premier, luxury 4-star safari lodge committed to delivering authentic, low-impact, and deeply immersive wilderness encounters in a prime Big 5 territory. We are seeking a highly professional, safety-conscious Lead Trails Guide. The successful candidate will spearhead our specialized walking safaris and interpretive game drives, seamlessly blending top-tier luxury hospitality with a deep-seated passion for conservation, environmental storytelling, and mentorship.

Field Operations & Guest Experience

• Lead immersive, specialized walking safaris and multi-day wilderness trails in free-roaming Big 5 environments.
• Conduct safe, engaging, and highly informative game drives in open 4x4 vehicles.
• Deliver dynamic, educational interpretive commentary covering regional fauna, flora, tracking, geology, and stellar astronomy.
• Provide flawless guest hosting during traditional bush breakfasts, boma dinners, and fireside storytelling sessions.

Safety & Risk Management

• Maintain absolute situational awareness and execute continuous risk assessments on foot and on vehicles.
• Adhere strictly to national firearm handling protocols, company safety policies, and legal standards.
• Manage and maintain critical safety gear, including field radios, first aid kits, and corporate firearms.

Requirements

Required Certifications

• NQF 4 Nature Site Guide qualification (minimum requirement).
• Full Lead Trails Guide certification.
• Valid Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) certification with active South African Police Service (SAPS) competency.
• Current DEAT / National Department of Tourism (NDT) registration.
• Valid, up-to-date First Aid Level 1 (or higher) certificate.
• Valid South African Driver’s License with a current Professional Driving Permit (PrDP).

Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 3–5 years of guiding experience within a luxury 4 or 5-star Big 5 safari lodge.
• Proven track record of logging required tracking and walking encounter hours in potentially dangerous game zones.
• Exceptional English fluency alongside advanced, guest-centric storytelling capabilities.
• Strong physical fitness, sharp tracking abilities, and comfort working long hours outdoors in a remote ecosystem.

Benefits

Package & Benefits

• Competitive industry-related salary based on experience and certifications.
• Full live-in accommodation, shared on-duty meals, and laundry services.
• Corporate uniforms provided.
• Structured leave cycle (e.g., 6 weeks on / 2 weeks off).
• Statutory benefits, including Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and optional provincial fund allocations.