South Africa: Head Guide – 5* Game Lodge – Northern Waterberg | Sl posted by Kendrick Recruitment

About the Role

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an exceptional Head Guide for a luxury safari lodge group in the Northern Waterberg. This is a senior leadership role requiring a highly skilled guiding professional with strong operational management ability, mentorship focus, and a deep commitment to guest safety, guiding standards, and conservation-based storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee, train, and monitor field guiding functions in line with FGASA standards and internal guiding culture
• Conduct and uphold high standards for game drives, interpretive walks, guest safety orientations, and bush events
• Ensure efficient drive allocations, back-up drives, and standby duties
• Maintain exceptional guest relations, hosting, and service recovery standards
• Act as the registered responsible person for company firearms
• Maintain relevant licences and ensure safe handling and proficiency across the guiding team
• Support incident coordination in emergencies, including medical, fire, flood, and evacuation situations
• Oversee workshop function and vehicle maintenance standards
• Ensure vehicles, equipment, and assets are maintained, tracked, and managed responsibly
• Mentor, train, develop, and motivate the guiding team, including trainee guides
• Compile feedback and progress reports for trainees and placement guides
• Identify high-potential team members and support succession planning and development
• Implement training and mentorship plans using internal and external trainers where required
• Facilitate inter-property training opportunities where beneficial
• Conduct regular performance appraisals with meaningful development plans and follow-through
• Work closely with the Reserve Conservation Team to support and promote conservation initiatives
• Attend relevant meetings and ensure guiding operations align with conservation messaging and wildlife management
• Integrate conservation values into guest interactions and guiding standards consistently
• Ensure guest information is collected and communicated prior to arrival
• Collect guest preferences while hosting and communicate this to management for action
• Chair and record departmental meetings and attend management meetings as required
• Assist with guiding-related content support for lodge social media where needed

Requirements

Minimum FGASA NQF4 and Full Trails Guide qualification (essential)

ARH and Rifle Proficiency

First Aid Level 2

Valid Driver’s Licence and PrDP

Proven experience as an Assistant Head Guide or Head Guide in a luxury lodge environment

Strong planning, budgeting, and departmental administration experience

Excellent leadership, mentoring, and people management skills

Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and confident guest hosting ability

Highly organised, proactive, and able to work accurately under pressure

Professional, emotionally mature, and committed to standards and development

Qualifications

No formal education or certifications mentioned in the original job description.