Trails Guide

Phoenix Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 172,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation and meals

Gym access

Staff discounts

Leave cycle 36/12

Job summary

Phoenix Recruitment seeks a seasoned Trails Guide for a 5* Madikwe lodge. The role combines guiding, guest hosting, transfers, and light maintenance, delivering safe, engaging wilderness experiences through game drives and bush walks.

A strong client focus, teamwork with trackers and lodge departments, and a passion for the African bush are essential. Requirements include FGASA Trails Guide (NQF2/NQF4), VPDA, ARH, NQF4 site guide, PDP, Wilderness First Aid, DEDECT registration, and SAPS firearm

Qualifications

• FGASA Trails Guide certification required.
• VPDA and ARH required.
• NQF4 Nature Site Guide and PDP required.
• Wilderness First Aid recommended.
• DEDECT registration for Madikwe game reserve.
• SAPS firearm competency or license required.

Responsibilities

• Wake-up and host guests for morning coffee.
• Conduct morning and afternoon game drives.
• Host high tea and dinner on select evenings.
• Assist with guest transfers and kids activities.
• Address wildlife concerns in rooms and assist with maintenance as needed.
• Coordinate with trackers and lodge departments to ensure guest satisfaction.

Skills

FGASA Trails Guide (NQF2/NQF4)

VPDA

FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH)

FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF4)

PDP

First Aid (Wilderness oriented)

DEDECT registered

SAPS Firearm Competency SASSETA

Education

FGASA Trails Guide certification (NQF2/NQF4)

VPDA

FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH)

FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF4)

PDP

Job description

5* Game Lodge in Madikwe Trails Guide

5* Game Lodge in Madikwe is looking for a Trails Guide responsible for delivering safe, engaging and memorable wilderness experiences to guests through professional game drives, guided bush walks and guest hosting.

The role requires a passionate and knowledgeable guide who can provide exceptional guest service while maintaining strong relationships with trackers, fellow guides and all lodge departments. In addition to guiding, the position includes guest transfers to the airstrip, kids activities, dinner hosting, attending to unwanted creatures within suites, and assisting with general lodge maintenance when required and if not busy with guests.

The successful candidate must be confident, responsible, adaptable and safety-conscious, with excellent communication and people skills, a strong team spirit and a genuine passion for the African bush and creating memorable 5* guest experiences.

Duties

• Wake-up calls to guests and hosting guests for morning coffee
• Conducting morning game drive
• Check-in and check-out of guests
• Hosting guests at high tea
• Conducting afternoon game drive
• Removing unwanted critters & creatures from guests' rooms during the day or night when needed
• Removing snakes from public areas/suites
• Airstrip clearing, pick up and drop offs while following Federal Air protocol
• Conducting bush walks according to NWPTB regulations
• Conducting kids activities for children under the age of 10 years old
• Hosting guests during dinner every second evening and every boma evening
• Assist with maintenance when needed/ on days when the guide does not have guests for game drives

Requirements

• FGASA Trails Guide (NQF2/NQF4),
• Viewing Potentially Dangerous Animals (VPDA),
• FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH),
• FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF4),
• PDP
• Minimum 3 years' experience required
• First Aid (preferably Wilderness orientated),
• Department of Tourism registered (DEDECT) for Madikwe Game Reserve,
• SAPS Firearm Competency SASSETA 117705 / 119651 / 123519 or License to possess a firearm, CATHSETA certified

Package on offer

• Basic salary and increase for each FGASA qualification level.
• Level 1 (NQF2): R15 400
• Level 2 (NQF4): R15 900
• Level 3 (NQF6): R16 400
• R320 for each bushwalk
• Medical Aid contribution after 3 months of R1 478.35
• Accommodation, meals, uniform, & medical contribution (after 3rd month), laundry
• Complimentary drink on game drive and two complimentary drinks when hosting guests
• 16 Lodge bed nights per year for friends or family to visit
• Access to use the lodge gym
• Free access to Wi-Fi
• Staff discount for drinks and curio items
• Staff discount on flights
• Leave cycle - work 36 days and off for 12 days
• 21 Floating days per year to take when suitable for the company