Field Guide

FIELD GUIDE - Birding specialist and Skipper licence a bonus
Lodge in Hluhluwe is seeking an energetic, passionate, and professional Field Guide to join our luxury bush hospitality team. Situated in the rich ecosystems of Hluhluwe, our reserve offers exceptional wildlife viewing, walking safaris, and specialized eco-tours. The ideal candidate must hold a valid NQF2 and display excellent communication skills. As we closely neighbor prime water ecosystems, an advanced specialist focus on Birding and a valid SAMSA Skipper's License will be a massive distinct advantage for handling specialized boat safaris.

Key Responsibilities

• Safari Guiding: Conduct world-class, educational, and safety-focused open-vehicle game drives and guided bush walks.
  
• Water Safaris: Safely skipper commercial guest boat excursions and river cruises (for skipper license holders).
  
• Specialist Excursions: Lead custom, niche bird-watching safaris tailored to seasoned global twitchers and photographers.
  
• Guest Relations: Host premium lodge dinners, boma events, guest orientation, and maintain consistently high guest satisfaction scores.
  
• Vehicle & Gear Care: Conduct meticulous daily pre-trip vehicle checks, handle cleaning, and manage game-drive equipment.
  
• Conservation & Safety: Ensure total adherence to reserve environmental protocols and handle unexpected wildlife scenarios safely.
  

Requirements

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Qualifications: NQF2 absolute minimum.
  
• Registration: Valid and current DEAT / NDT registration number and a valid active First Aid certificate.
  
• Logistics: PRDP
  
• Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of active commercial guiding in a Big 5 or premium luxury game reserve.
  
• Birding Skills: Advanced, proven expert Birding knowledge (calls, habits, nesting, and rapid identification) is highly preferred.
  
• Skippers License: A valid SAMSA Skipper's License (Category R) for commercial passenger vessel handling is a massive plus.
  
• Compliance: Completely clear criminal record background checks and valid South African citizenship/ID.
  
• Soft Skills: Exceptional hosting etiquette, friendly demeanour, fluency in English, and strong storytelling ability.