Our client is a luxury 5-star game lodge located within a Big 5 reserve in South Africa, offering exclusive safari experiences rooted in conservation, education, and ecological integrity. The lodge partners with a Wilderness Conservation Programme, a leading conservation initiative focused on hands-on wildlife management, habitat protection, and volunteer engagement.

Through this collaboration, the lodge delivers not only unforgettable guest experiences but also contributes meaningfully to the preservation of South Africas natural heritage. This role plays a key part in supporting both the lodges guiding excellence and Askaris conservation objectives.

We are seeking a qualified and passionate Trails Guide to join our guiding team in a dynamic, conservation-driven environment. This position offers the unique opportunity to combine exceptional guest experiences on foot with a deeper conservation purpose through ongoing involvement with fieldwork initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a skilled naturalist and confident trail leader, capable of hosting guests in a luxury setting while upholding the highest safety and ecological standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead engaging and safe guided bush walks and walking safaris in Big 5 territory

• Educate guests on wildlife, ecology, and conservation with insight and enthusiasm

• Assist in delivering game drives and lodge activities as required

• Maintain situational awareness of wildlife movements to ensure safe trail planning

• Participate in wildlife monitoring and ecological data collection in partnership with Askari

• Enforce reserve and safety protocols during all guest interactions

• Act as a professional and welcoming host, ensuring each guest has a personalised and unforgettable safari experience

• Support broader lodge conservation and sustainability initiatives

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• NQF2 (or higher)

• Full Trails Guide Qualification (Lead Trails)

• Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) with field experience

• Valid First Aid Level 1

• Registered with DEAT/NDT and valid PDP (Public Driving Permit)

• Minimum 3 years experience in guiding, with solid trails experience in a Big 5 environment

• Physically fit and capable of leading extended bush walks

• Strong guest hosting, interpretation, and communication skills

• Professional presentation and a genuine passion for conservation

• Preferred: Tracking qualifications or CyberTracker accreditation

• Interest or experience in birding, botany, reptiles or specialist wildlife topics

• Previous exposure to volunteer or conservation programme collaboration

• Experience working in a 5-star lodge setting