En route 24.9279° S, 31.5249° E

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao Tzu

Journey.

Noun

1. An act of travelling from one place to another.

Journeys can be daunting, mine certainly was. I didn’t know where I was going, where I was going to end up or in actual fact where I wanted to end up.

For those of you who don’t know, working in the bush wasn’t my first career. I was in the teaching industry prior to this for four and a half years. I lived a planned lifestyle, enjoying what I did, until one day I realized I was done.

I realized I was in love. I was fiercely in love with the bush. I had been since I was a little girl. I was delaying the inevitable.

After much debate, sleepless nights and tears – yes folks even when you’re trying to make adult decisions about your life, you can cry like a child – I set aside some time to do some research.

“How to become a game ranger 101.” I did most of my research holidaying in Botswana, which really made my choice crystal clear. With the support of loved ones and friends who knew my heart’s desire, I eventually took a six months course in the bush and qualified as a Field Guide, a very proud one at that.

I sat, certificate in hand contemplating my next move, as one does. I needed a job.

There are plenty of lodges within Southern Africa to find a job. But not many that would set my soul on fire. I looked for something that was challenging, that would test my character, my knowledge, my physical capabilities, even my outlook on life.

I am a lady built for the wild life enjoying good competitive spirit yet the comforting touch of family bonds, this was always important to me when looking for places to settle down.

Enter Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.

I stepped into the exact world I imagined myself in.

I’m a sucker for tradition. I love old school rules and history that has been passed down for many years, and the thought of being a part of it excited me.

Driving through Sabi Sabi gates, I felt I was home. I had to remind myself that I haven’t even secured a spot here yet, slow down cowboy.

Interview process - nervous wreck; Brett Heasman (Safari GM) - cool as a cucumber.

“Interview drive?” They said. “No problem.” I replied.

Tree Safari.

Not one animal I tell you, not one!!

As any guide will tell you, if your strong point is not trees, you bet your bottom dollar you’re going to feel as though you’re being eaten alive by the botany gods.

And through the all the stress, because we all become a basket case at some stage or another when making life choices, I made it. I landed up in my dream career.

Oh, but as much as we may feel this moment deserves a round of applause (for many of our successful candidates), hold your horses, it doesn’t end there. I was grouped with a number of fellow field guides as we went through training, intense training. A molding process of tradition, knowledge and lifelong friendships that will remain with me for the rest of my time.

Enter “Nkombe Camp”

A rather “transforming” period, where both rangers and trackers are put to the test. In this time our knowledge regarding the phenomena of the bush is tested, as well as our character, our perseverance and stamina. It’s long hard days and very little sleep coupled with minimal shower time, few supplies and some interesting team building and let me tell you that nothing screams team building like the formidable Boundary Walk.

After this grueling process of molding, training and very little sleep, our minds are pumping with new knowledge, leaf structures, how many hairs on a scrub hare, scientific names, squawking like birds, suffering from lack of good coffee, considering taking up a job in scatology (if they offer jobs in identifying poop, we would be the top candidates)... We woke up at 05h00 and made our way to Bush Lodge to depart for The Boundary Walk.

Bond.

Verb.

1. Join or be joined securely to something else, especially by means of an adhesive substance, heat, or pressure.

We embodied the very meaning of this verb. If ever there were a fitting word for our time together, this is it. It is a day in your time at Sabi Sabi that will be ingrained into your very being.

Adhesive substance came in many forms. We walked as a group, stuck together at every turn, through every kilometer.

It came in the form of sweat, because it is no “walk in the park” completing 42km without the mandatory armpit leak.

It came in the form of rain. Yes folk we were lucky enough not to be obliterated by Mother Nature’s fire ball, but instead suffered from ridiculous thigh chafe because we walked in wet clothes for roughly three hours of our eleven hour walk.

It also came in the form of rifles. We walked with rifles for safety because can you imagine if the reserve had six “Dora the Explorers” channeling their inner Bear Grylls. Chaos.

But bottom line is we were there to complete it as a team, be it through blood, sweat or tears. Which, might I add blood and tears did not arise, because we are strong, competent, enthusiastic individuals... that’s what Brett tells us. It’s like a mother’s love, always supportive and unconditional whether they have faith or not. But don’t worry he had faith guys, we all made it!!

Pressure.

We all felt the pressure to make it, to make sure that we completed this task together, before the stars came out and as strong at the hour we left. We did! We came through despite the blisters and aching muscles or frustrations of climbing what was thought to be the last hill.

Along the walk we had encouragement from many members of staff. I have never met people that are so supportive. Not once did any of us think we weren’t capable. In fact we thought we could go for round two the next day! I will look back on this time with my fellow guides, turned family, for years to come.

Most importantly and in conclusion, this experience came in the form of friendship. Adhesive, sticky, pressure filled friendship that has crept into each of our hearts and has helped us become the determined, driven guides of Sabi Sabi that we are today.

As tradition has it, we have the “Nkombe Camp Party”. A party where we receive our eps and people celebrate that we actually managed to survive! I’ll have you know we are now all fully-fledged hatchlings growing beneath the guidance of the many knowledgeable staff members of Sabi Sabi.

Guiding for Sabi Sabi has been a dream come true and I know that this is the first adventure of many.

Enter “Round of applause”.