Head Guide

SUMMARY:
A luxury lodge in the Kruger National Park is seeking an experienced Head Field Guide with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in a Big 5 Game Reserve and Luxury Lodge environment. The Head Guide plays a pivotal role in the success of a lodge operation, as they engage extensively with guests throughout a significant part of each day. The safari experience is often the primary motivation for guests visiting Africa. Consequently, the guide’s professionalism and ability to convey knowledge in a safe yet immersive manner significantly shape the overall guest experience.
An essential part of the lodge team, the Head Guide’s duties include, but are not restricted to:

• A “Head Field Guide” is a senior position within a wildlife or nature reserve, responsible for overseeing a team of field guides, ensuring the highest quality wildlife viewing experience for guests, maintaining safety standards, and often playing a key role in staff training, conservation efforts, and guest relations within the lodge or reserve; essentially leading the guiding operations and acting as the primary expert on the local ecosystem and wildlife.
• Meticulous in all aspects of Managing the guiding department
• Manage, Oversee and Discipline staff in the guiding department
• Staff training and development
• Assist the Marketing team in managing social media content and submitting the monthly newsletters
• Perform all administrative duties pertaining to the guiding department
• Allocation of Guides to daily game drives
• Staff scheduling and rosters
• Manage daily game drives and bush walks
• Follow up on CarTrack and monitor Guide Movements
• Assist around the lodge in other departments if needed
• Light concession work – trimming of branches and light road maintenance
• Operational Stock control
• Compile weekly and monthly reports
• Have thorough technical knowledge and understanding of vehicles, operations and equipment – strong mechanical background will be beneficial
• Perform Duty Manager shifts when necessary – hosting guests and ensuring the service shift runs smoothly

POSITION INFO:

1. A valid and current South African guide’s licence and valid PrDP special driver’s licence.
2. Self-disciplined, punctual and respectful. Mature and responsible.
3. Strong communication and interpersonal skills for international guests with diverse cultures. Must have an outgoing hosting personality.
4. Strong communication and interpersonal skills for staff, being respectful of their culture. A basic knowledge an African language is recommended.
5. Must be familiar with basic vehicle maintenance in order to communicate with the maintenance team to troubleshoot problems.
6. Must be familiar with how to drive in a variety of on- and off-road conditions.
7. Must be familiar with radio etiquette and able to ensure that radio conversations are kept short and direct, with no unnecessary chatter.
8. Good initiative to cope with difficult situations in a remote environment.
9. A valid first aid training certificate to handle trauma care, with Wilderness certification.
10. Well-spoken, well-groomed and presentable.
11. Strong leadership skills – be an effective manager of the Guiding Team.
12. High standards of service excellence and a passion for the hospitality industry, environmental management and wildlife preservation.

• NQF 4 qualification or higher
• Full Lead Trails and at least 3 years’ experience with guiding on foot (VPSA, ARH)
• A minimum of 7 years of work experience on a Big 5 Game Reserve, with a minimum of 5 years working in a Luxury Lodge environment
• A level 2 FGASA qualification or higher with theory and practical completed
• Registered with DEAT and THETA in terms of improving his/her qualifications
• Firearm competency
• Track & Trails guide certificate
• Valid first aid certificate
• SASSETA Certificates
• A valid South African Driver’s license and PDP Experience

• Leadership
• Guiding Skills
• Wildlife Knowledge
• Geology, Geography, and History
• Basic Food and Beverage Service
• Tracking and Bushcraft
• Guest Engagement
• Safety and Risk Management
• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
• Passion for Nature
• Fluency in English is essential, and proficiency in additional languages may be advantageous for catering to diverse guest demographics.
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Training and Development
• Conflict Resolution
• Financial Acumen
• Experience in Wildlife Photography will be beneficial
• Computer literate
• Basic understanding of Labour Law and Disciplinary Procedures
• Ability to keep calm in stressful situations