Meet the team
With nearly a century of experience combined, we are a specialised team with experts in entomology, ornithology, conservation, rifle handling, botany and more. Join us and work with award-winning staff, including Pioneer Moyo and Nico Brits, category winners from the Safari Guide of the Year competition 2022 and 2023. Get to know these amazing individuals:
Best trainers in the industry
Darryn - Head Trainer, Mahlahla
My passion for the bush came from my parents, spending many holidays all over South Africa in various game reserves or on birding trips. I completed my training course in 2012 and began my career in the Waterberg region of South Africa. I have since gone on to work in several reserves around South Africa including Entabeni, Madikwe, Klaserie and Greater Kruger National Park. My qualifications include Professional Field Guide, Professional Trails Guide and SKS Birding. I’m currently working towards mentor status.
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Wayne - Head Trainer, SAWC
As a child growing up in Johannesburg, I always knew that I would be doing something nature-related when I grew up. I completed my training course in 2012 and began my career in the Lowveld close to Hoedspruit. I have worked in reserves around South Africa including Kapama, Madikwe and Greater Kruger National Park. I currently hold FGASA Field Guide and Trails Guide qualifications. I am working towards Professional Field Guide and an SKS qualification.
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Pioneer - Trainer, 60-day Safari Guide course
My passion for nature comes from my childhood growing up in the remote Nkayi region of Zimbabwe. I would tend the family’s cattle, collect firewood and wild fruits, and fetch water from rivers and dams. I did my FGASA course in 2007 in South Africa and have since worked as a field guide, tour operator and field guide trainer. My qualifications include Professional Field Guide, Professional Trails Guide, Trail Guide Mentor, SKS Birding, Specialist Track and Sign, Tracker 3 and FGASA Assessor. My next goal is the Professional Trailing and Cyber Tracker Assessor qualification.
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Fred - Trainer, SAWC
Originally from the Free State, I hold a degree in Nature Conservation and I’m working towards getting my Professional Field Guide qualification. I did a practical year with the Veterinary Services of SANParks before moving into guiding in 2015. I’ve worked at various lodges around Kruger and Northern KZN province. During my time at the lodges I got involved with training and mentoring new guides; I realised this is where my passion lies! I joined Bushwise in February 2023.
Watch Fred's video
Aneen - Bushwise Online
I grew up in Paarl and from a young age my parents introduced me to the Kruger National Park, sparking my love of the bush. I made a few detours as a singer and actress before realising that I want to spend my life sharing my passion and knowledge with guests and students. My husband, Wayne, and I are based at the Wildlife College campus. I still keep my creative side alive through my art business. What better inspiration than the African bush!?
Our support staff
Claudia - Camp Operations
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to experience the eastern coast of South Africa through to the west coast. Only in 2017 was I introduced to the bush. It has taken hold of my soul and I am so privileged to be able to assist the next generation of field guides in becoming the best they can be!
Rose - Chef, Mahlahla
Cooking is a passion of mine and I love spending time in the kitchen and experimenting with the food I make. I started as camp chef with Bushwise in 2007. Other than a period from 2012-2015, when I was a freelance chef at various lodges, I have worked for Bushwise. I’ve been the chef at the Mahlahla campus since 2015. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working and interacting with the students. There is always something new to see and learn on campus! My sister Iris, my best friend, also works on campus which I love.
Iris - Chef, Sabi Sabi
My career journey began with Bushwise in 2011 as a camp chef. I worked here until 2016 when I briefly worked at the luxury Rukiya Lodge. I decided to return to Bushwise, where I took up the role of housekeeper. I also help my sister Rose out in the kitchen. I love working at Bushwise for many reasons, but the one that sticks out the most is the students. Whether they are from overseas or local South Africans, there is always a lot to learn from them. Plus I’ve made some really great friends!
Pulane - Housekeeping, Mahlahla
I’ve been working as a housekeeper at the Bushwise Mahlahla campus since 2011. I love living and working in the bush, it’s my favourite place. I really enjoy learning about nature and have endless opportunities to do that here. I’ve learned so much about the plants, trees, birds and animals we see around camp. The students have helped me learn some of these things and I always enjoyed speaking with the students and meeting new people.
Philip - Groundsman
The Bushwise Mahlahla campus has been my home and place of work since 2018. I’m responsible for all the groundskeeping and maintenance of the camp. I enjoy making sure that everything looks good and is in running order for the rest of the staff and students. Before coming to Bushwise, I worked in anti poaching, which is where my love of nature began. I find it peaceful and relaxing in nature. I have a great time working with the students, I enjoy chatting with them and getting to know a little more about them.
Holding down head office
Eugene - Director
I was born and bred in Durban but have called various parts of South Africa home. I’ve always had a passion for wildlife. I studied operations management and over the past 15 years I’ve been in roles that range from restaurant owner, project and operations management as well as sales manager for various leading tourism and safari organisations. I joined Bushwise in 2021 with a mission to ensure we train the next generation of ethical ambassadors of the natural world by providing unmatched skills and experience.
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Sharin - Operations Manager
My passion for the bush came from growing up on a farm and spending most holidays in Kruger National Park. I have worked for many years in the corporate industry and gave it all up for the bush. From working as a leopard researcher to managing 5-star lodges all over South Africa, with a bit of overlanding in between, I realised my passion is definitely people and conservation.
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Rohandi - Administrator
I grew up in Cape Town, where I wanted to become a marine biologist growing up. I am now based in a beautiful town called Hoedspruit where my love for the African bushveld grows every day. After 10 years in the real estate industry, I finally decided to follow my passion and joined the amazing team at Bushwise. I am a mother of three beautiful children, and I love teaching them about nature.
Annie - Head Communications
Originally from the USA, I’ve lived in South Africa since 2014. I have a masters in global policy studies and my career has slowly shifted from international relations to conservation. Writing has always been a passion of mine. After I became a qualified field guide and back-up trails guide in 2019, I pursued work that combined all of my interests - which led me to communications at Bushwise!
Simone - Trainer, Mahlahla
From a young age, my deep love for wildlife guided me toward a career as a nature guide. Starting in the hospitality industry at 19, I found joy in sharing my knowledge and passion with guests from around the world. Now, my goal is to give back to the industry by mentoring and empowering the next generation of guides. I aim to inspire them to be ethical stewards of our natural world, equipped with the skills to make a meaningful impact.
Nic - Head Trainer, Sabi Sabi
My guiding career started in 2009 with a Diploma in Hospitality Management. I went from lodge management to guiding, where my passion truly was. I also ran my own business and worked in restaurants, construction and game farm management. I cut my teeth at some of the best lodges from the Eastern Cape, Sabi Sands, Kalahari, Balule and Klaserie. I’m a qualified Field Guide and a Lead Trails Guide and I’m working towards Professional Field Guide and Professional Trails.
Andrew - Trainer, 60-day Safari Guide course
Growing up in Newcastle's foothills, my dad ignited my love for animals. We were the go-to for snake removals in our neighbourhood. After earning my guiding qualifications, I worked across various lodges in the hospitality industry, driven by my passion for wildlife, which even led to a YouTube channel. As a head guide and concession manager, I craved something more. Now, as a guide trainer with Bushwise, I’m dedicated to sharing my passion and years of experience with others.
Jason - Trainer, Mahlahla
Growing up on a small farm near a tiny town sparked my love for nature. This passion kept me away from big cities, drawing me to wildlife reserves where I immersed myself in diverse ecosystems and learned about different species. My career began in 2013 in the Eastern Cape, quickly evolving from guiding to managing teams. I've worked across various game reserves in South Africa, exploring its rich biomes. Today, I strive to share my passion with others, shaping the future guides of the industry.
Esther - Housekeeping, Mahlahla
Hi, I'm Esther Chabangu from Enable Village. I'm always eager to learn new things and take on new challenges. I work as a housekeeper at Bushwise Field Guide, and I absolutely love it! I’m a university graduate, and working with my team in such a dynamic environment is something I really enjoy. Being surrounded by nature every day has sparked a deep interest in wildlife for me. I feel lucky to be part of Bushwise Field Guide, where I get to learn more about the natural world and its amazing creatures.
Bellah - Housekeeping, Sabi Sabi
I started working at the Bushwise Sabi Sabi campus in 2024. I like animals and meeting new people. The campus is beautiful and we all get along well here. I enjoy getting chances to learn with the students about nature in camp or if we go on a game drive, and I enjoy my job very much. We here at the Sabi Sabi campus are just one big family!
Kim - Enrollment
Starting from the age of 18, I worked my way through the ranks in the hospitality industry, from a golf resort to beach resort, boutique lodges and luxury private game lodges. At the age of 30, I achieved a major goal, becoming a general manager at a luxury bush lodge. I have a keen interest in the travel industry, especially the bush. Eventually I shifted towards sales and combined my passion for conservation and the game lodge industry by helping people pursue their career goals by becoming field guides with Bushwise.
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Nico - Training Manager
I was exposed to the bush early on, spending time with my family in the Caprivi. My grandfather played a massive role in my life, sharing his passion, knowledge and stories of the African bush with me. I have been in the tourism industry for 11 years and actively guiding for 9 years. My current qualifications are Professional Field Guide, Professional Track & Sign, Trailing Level 3, Tracker 3, Regional Birding, and Trails guide. I am working towards SKS qualifications such as birding and walking.
Watch Nico's video
