Field Guide

Field Guide

Job Summary

The Field Guide is responsible for delivering exceptional guided safari experiences to guests through informative, safe, and engaging game drives, bush walks, and wildlife activities.

This role includes interpreting the natural environment, ensuring guest safety, promoting conservation awareness, and representing the lodge or reserve in a professional and guest-focused manner.

The Field Guide will also assist with reserve duties, conservation support, vehicle checks, lodge duties, and guest interaction while promoting ethical wildlife practices and hospitality excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience and Guiding

• Conduct high-quality game drives, bush walks, and wildlife experiences.

• Provide guests with in-depth knowledge of flora, fauna, birdlife, tracking, and animal behaviour.

• Interpret natural behaviour and share educational, engaging information with guests.

• Tailor safari experiences according to guest interests, including photography, birding, and family safaris.

• Maintain strong guest relations before, during, and after safari activities.

• Ensure guests enjoy a safe, memorable, and professional safari experience.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure the safety of all guests during game drives, bush walks, and wildlife activities.

• Follow FGASA, lodge, and reserve safety protocols at all times.

• Handle wildlife encounters confidently, calmly, and responsibly.

• Maintain up-to-date rifle competency where required.

• Follow all weapon safety procedures where applicable.

• Comply with guiding regulations, reserve rules, and lodge operating standards.

Conservation and Reserve Support

• Assist with conservation initiatives, research projects, and wildlife monitoring.

• Participate in invasive species control, road maintenance, anti-poaching support, and general reserve duties when required.

• Report ecological sightings, animal behaviour, injuries, or unusual wildlife activity.

• Promote conservation awareness and responsible tourism practices to guests.

Vehicle, Equipment and Lodge Support

• Conduct pre-drive and post-drive vehicle checks.

• Ensure safari vehicles are clean, safe, and fully operational.

• Maintain guiding equipment, including rifles, radios, binoculars, spotlights, and related field equipment.

• Report vehicle faults and mechanical issues immediately.

• Ensure compliance with vehicle maintenance schedules.

• Assist with camp hosting, guest check-ins, guest check-outs, and general lodge duties when required.

Professional Conduct and Brand Representation

• Uphold the lodge’s hospitality standards and values.

• Deliver friendly, respectful, and professional service at all times.

• Represent the lodge positively during all guest interactions.

• Work closely with lodge, reserve, and guiding teams to ensure smooth operations.

• Maintain a high level of professionalism, discipline, and personal presentation.

Qualifications

• FGASA Level 2 or Level 3, depending on lodge requirements.

• Full Trails qualification.

• Valid driver’s licence.

• Valid Professional Driving Permit, also known as PDP or PrDP.

• Registered with relevant guiding authorities, such as CATHSSETA and NDT/DEAT.

• Valid First Aid Level 1 or higher.

• Rifle competency and Advanced Rifle Handling, where required.

• SAPS firearm competency, where required.

• Tracker qualification or FGASA Trails Guide qualification will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 1–3 years’ experience as a Field Guide.

• Experience guiding in Big 5 reserves will be advantageous.

• Experience working in a lodge or reserve environment.

• Experience engaging with local and international guests.

• Knowledge of reserve management and conservation practices.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of wildlife, ecosystems, conservation, and the natural environment.

• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.

• Confident guest interaction and hospitality skills.

• Good tracking skills and understanding of animal behaviour.

• Strong environmental interpretation skills.

• Good situational awareness and risk assessment ability.

• Ability to remain calm in high-pressure wildlife situations.

• Basic mechanical ability for vehicle checks will be advantageous.

• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors for extended periods.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about nature, wildlife, conservation, and guest experiences.

• Courteous, energetic, and guest-focused.

• Responsible, safety-conscious, and reliable.

• Positive team player.

• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.

• Adaptable and comfortable living in remote environments.

• Professional, disciplined, and well-presented.

Working Conditions

• Remote bush lodge or reserve environment.

• Long working hours and split shifts.

• Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays may be required.

• Exposure to wildlife, outdoor conditions, and varying weather.

• Accommodation is often provided on-site at lodges or reserves.