Trails Guide

Bushwise; Mbombela; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury game lodge in South Africa seeks a qualified Trails Guide to join their conservation-driven team. This role combines exceptional guest experiences with a commitment to conservation, requiring strong guiding skills and a passion for wildlife. The successful candidate will lead bush walks, educate guests, and support wildlife monitoring initiatives in a stunning natural setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years guiding experience in a Big 5 environment.
• Physically fit and capable of leading extended bush walks.
• Professional presentation and a genuine passion for conservation.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging and safe guided bush walks in Big 5 territory.
• Educate guests on wildlife ecology and conservation.
• Participate in wildlife monitoring and ecological data collection.

Skills

Guest hosting

Wildlife ecology education

Communication

Situational awareness

Education

FGASA Level 2

Full Trails Guide Qualification

Advanced Rifle Handling

First Aid Level 1

Job description

Our client is a luxury 5-star game lodge located within a Big 5 reserve in South Africa, offering exclusive safari experiences rooted in conservation education and ecological integrity. The lodge partners with a Wilderness Conservation Programme, a leading conservation initiative focused on hands-on wildlife management, habitat protection, and volunteer engagement.

Through this collaboration, the lodge delivers unforgettable guest experiences and contributes to the preservation of South Africa's natural heritage. This role supports both the lodge's guiding excellence and Askari's conservation objectives.

We are seeking a qualified and passionate Trails Guide to join our guiding team in a dynamic conservation-driven environment. This position offers the opportunity to combine exceptional guest experiences on foot with a deeper conservation purpose through involvement in fieldwork initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a skilled naturalist and confident trail leader, capable of hosting guests in a luxury setting while maintaining high safety and ecological standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead engaging and safe guided bush walks and walking safaris in Big 5 territory
2. Educate guests on wildlife ecology and conservation with insight and enthusiasm
3. Assist in delivering game drives and lodge activities as required
4. Maintain situational awareness of wildlife movements to ensure safe trail planning
5. Participate in wildlife monitoring and ecological data collection in partnership with Askari
6. Enforce reserve and safety protocols during all guest interactions
7. Act as a professional and welcoming host, ensuring each guest has a personalized and unforgettable safari experience
8. Support broader lodge conservation and sustainability initiatives

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• FGASA Level 2 (or higher)
• Full Trails Guide Qualification (Lead Trails)
• Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) with field experience
• Registered with DEAT / NDT and valid PDP (Public Driving Permit)
• Minimum 3 years guiding experience with solid trails experience in a Big 5 environment
• Physically fit and capable of leading extended bush walks
• Strong guest hosting, interpretation, and communication skills
• Professional presentation and a genuine passion for conservation

Preferred:

• Tracking qualifications or CyberTracker accreditation
• Interest or experience in birding, botany, reptiles, or wildlife topics
• Previous exposure to volunteer or conservation programmes
• Experience working in a 5-star lodge setting

Additional education and qualifications include FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2 or higher), First Aid Level 1, and valid DEAT/NDT registration with a PDP.

Key Skills

Note: The listed skills such as Attorney At Law, Banking Operations, Basic Drafting, Jewellery, and Air Compressors appear irrelevant to this role and may be an error.

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience: Minimum 3 years guiding experience

Vacancy: 1

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