This blog was written by Matthew Dufty, a Bushwise International Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.
4 min read
I’m Matthew, a 26-year-old from the United Kingdom who gave up his life back in England to travel over 8000 miles to pursue my life-long passion of working within nature. But, why?
From an early age I was obsessed with the wildlife in the southern part of Africa. My earliest memory is watching a documentary following the lives of a pack of wild dogs. I was hooked from then on.
Being from the UK the only opportunity to see these animals would be on TV, so from that moment I added “South African safari” to my bucket list. This was only emphasised more when a TV show called “Wild at Heart” came out when I was eight. The series shows the journey of a family emigrating to South Africa where they attempt to rehabilitate a game reserve for animals. This opened my eyes to the fact that not only can you go to South Africa to see these animals but you can also go there to work with them. This blew my mind.
In 2019 and 2021 I ticked “South African Safari” off the bucket list with trips to Malelane and the Sabi Sands, and as mind-blowing as those experiences were, it just wasn’t enough; there was still something missing.
That something was working with animals. In 2023 in had the privilege of spending three weeks in Namibia volunteering at the Namibia wildlife sanctuary and the Kanaan Desert Retreat. The first 2 weeks were spent at the wildlife sanctuary where the focus is to rehabilitate vulnerable animals, with the hope of releasing them back to the wild. The final week was more focussed on the conservation of the area allowing animals to have free movement in the area without the obstruction of the fences from farming areas that were once there. These 3 weeks gave me the realisation that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life working in a retail environment with the mundanity of repeating the same day over again. I spent a couple of weeks reminiscing about the past 3 weeks when I returned home and made the decision to search for something that could help me scratch that itch of working in nature. That’s when I found Bushwise.
But why Bushwise? The thought of becoming a nature guide had me hooked instantly and I knew that was my future. As mentioned, I have been on safaris before, some better than others, but what was the factor that defined each of them? The guide.
For me, personally, the guide is the most important piece in the game drive puzzle. They are the person that turns a good sighting into a great sighting and also creates an experience which will be memorable for the guests on board. An international trip to South Africa for safari isn't cheap and the last thing you want is for your experience to be ruined by a guide that doesn’t show the same excitement and enthusiasm as you. Having spent time researching Bushwise I soon realised that, for what I wanted, Bushwise was the logical choice.
Other organisations provide a very similar experience but the option of a 6-month placement seemed like an opportunity I couldn’t pass on. The possibility of actually working within a lodge environment had me sold. In addition to the advantage of being taught by high-quality and knowledgeable trainers, the Bushwise team are also there to help support the transition of becoming a qualified nature guide.
So what does the future hold and what do I want to do with my career? I would love to have a long and distinguished career as a nature guide. I left my job of 6 and a half years to pursue a dream and I want to make that dream my reality. I enjoy my life back home – the job security, financial freedom and being surrounded by friends and family – but I am only truly myself when in a natural environment surrounded by the sights and sounds of all things South Africa has to offer.
It's not going to be easy – becoming a nature guide isn’t something that happens overnight, it's dedication to a purpose which is greater than yourself. You’re not only an ambassador for the country and place you work but also for the conservation and protection of the wildlife. You are being a voice for the voiceless and need to spread the impact that humans are having on the natural environment.
I am currently in my second week of my 50-week course and I am already gaining invaluable knowledge on, not only what a nature guide should know, but also how to carry yourself to ensure that you are being professional every day. It’s a long way from my life back in the UK, but with the environment Bushwise has created, they give you the best chance of following your dreams. Here is to the next 48 weeks!
Ready to follow your passion for wildlife and conservation? Learn more about Bushwise courses and apply now to start your adventure!
