Limpopo: Head Guide posted by Wild Dreams Hospitality

About the Role

The Head Guide at Wild Dreams Hospitality is a critical leadership role that requires exceptional guiding skills, administrative expertise, and a strong commitment to conservation and guest satisfaction. As the registered responsible person for company firearms, you will oversee all aspects of the Guides and Safari department, ensuring seamless operations, excellent guest relations, and effective incident management.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee, train, and monitor all Field Guide functions according to FGASA standards and the established guiding culture.
• Ensure efficient allocation for all game drives, back-up drives, and stand-by duties.
• Assume full responsibility for obtaining and maintaining valid departmental licenses, and for ensuring efficient and safe weapon handling and proficiency across the entire department.
• Oversee the workshop function and vehicle maintenance.
• Chair and record departmental meetings, and attend other meetings as required.
• Assist in managing lodge social media platforms, ensuring consistent delivery of relevant and engaging content with the aim of increasing knowledge of the wildlife and operating area.
• As one of the primary incident coordinators, ensure effective incident management in the event of emergencies or evacuations, including medical incidents, fire, and flood situations.

Requirements

• Minimum FGASA Level 2 and Trails Guide (essential)
• Advanced Rifle Handling and Rifle Proficiency
• First Aid Level 2
• Valid Driver’s Licence and PDP
• Previous experience as an Assistant Head Guide or Head Guide
• Sound knowledge of planning, budgeting, and departmental administration
• Sound knowledge of applicable property and company procedures for the department, in line with FGASA standards and the established guiding culture

Qualifications

No formal qualifications mentioned.

Salary & Benefits

Salary information not specified.

Training, Development & Mentorship

• Mentor, train, develop, motivate, and guide the team (including Field Guide College students and trainee field guides) toward achieving and maintaining required and higher qualifications.
• Compile feedback and progress reports to the Field Guide College Head Trainer on placement guides.
• Identify and develop individuals who show potential to grow into future positions within the wider collection.
• Implement training and mentorship plans, facilitating the use of appointed internal and external trainers, and identifying potential mentors within the department.
• As part of the broader collection, facilitate inter-property training opportunities for employees who would benefit from exposure at other properties.

Conservation

• Work closely with the Reserve Conservation Team to support and promote conservation initiatives across the reserve.
• Participate in regular meetings, contribute insights from guiding operations, and remain actively engaged in all factors influencing the guest experience — from conservation messaging and wildlife management to daily reserve activities.
• Through leadership, communication, and collaboration, ensure conservation values are meaningfully integrated into guest interactions and guiding standards.

General Service & Guest Care

• Ensure all available guest information is collected and communicated prior to arrival.
• Collect guest preferences and feedback during guest interactions and inform Management to ensure preferences are recorded and acted upon.
• Ensure all guest complaints are reported to Management immediately.