Senior Guide
Location
uPhongolo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-5 years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
1w ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Senior Guide is responsible for delivering exceptional, safe, and educational safari experiences. This role involves supporting the leadership, mentoring, and development of junior guides, upholding conservation ethos, and ensuring compliance with reserve protocols in a Big 5 environment.
Job Summary The Senior Guide is responsible for delivering exceptional, safe, and educational safari experiences while supporting the leadership, mentoring, and development of junior guides. The role upholds the lodge's conservation ethos, ensures compliance with reserve protocols, and contributes to a consistently high standard of guiding within a Big 5 environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Guiding & Guest Experience
Conduct professional, informative, and engaging game drives and bush walks (where permitted).
Ensure guest safety at all times in an unfenced Big 5 environment.
Deliver memorable wildlife encounters while maintaining ethical viewing practices.
Provide accurate interpretation of wildlife behaviour, ecology, and conservation principles.
Respond professionally to guest feedback and adapt guiding style to guest expectations.
Conservation & Ethical Guiding
Uphold and promote the lodge's conservation values and responsible tourism principles.
Ensure strict adherence to reserve rules, wildlife interaction protocols, and carrying capacities.
Act as a role model for ethical guiding behaviour and environmental stewardship.
Support conservation initiatives, data collection, and reporting where required.
Safety, Protocols & Compliance
Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with lodge SOPs, reserve rules, and legal requirements.
Maintain clear radio communication and situational awareness at all times.
Respond effectively to emergencies, incidents, or wildlife-related risks.
Ensure guiding vehicles and equipment are checked and fit for use before each activity.
Leadership & Mentorship
Mentor, coach, and support junior guides and trainee guides.
Assist with assessments, training sessions, and on-the-job development.
Lead by example in professionalism, guest interaction, safety, and conservation ethics.
Support the Safari Manager with team coordination when required.
Operational Support
Assist with vehicle, equipment, and resource care and reporting of maintenance issues.
Participate in daily briefings, debriefings, and operational planning.
Support special activities, photographic safaris, walking safaris, and private drives where qualified.
Required Qualifications & Experience
FGASA Professional Field Guide qualification (minimum Level 2 recommended).
Valid Trails Guide qualification (advantageous, if applicable to operations).
Valid PDP and driver's licence (Code B / C1 as applicable).
First Aid Level 2 (minimum).
Minimum 3-5 years' guiding experience in a Big 5 reserve.
Clear criminal record.
Core Competencies
Strong Big 5 guiding and tracking skills
Excellent wildlife knowledge and interpretive ability
Strong leadership and mentoring capability
Calm, decisive decision-making under pressure
Excellent communication and guest service skills
High ethical and conservation-driven mindset
Working Environment
Remote Big 5 lodge environment
Flexible working hours including early mornings, weekends, and public holidays
Outdoor work in varying weather conditions
Updated 1w ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-5 years
Certifications
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Lodgistics
Team size
Growing team
Location
uPhongolo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Senior Guide
uPhongolo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa • Full Time