Things were really going well for me until the whole COVID–19 outbreak happened around the world. I worked on a 42-days on and 14-days off cycle system. I am based at the smallest Sabi Sabi lodge called Little Bush Camp which offers a unique home away from home experience. On my 42-days on duty I will spend almost all of my time in the magnificent bushveld taking groups of wonderful people from all over the world out on safari drives and safari walks, sharing the knowledge I have about the bush and everything in it and showing them how passionate I am about it.

We normally do a three hour safari in the mornings and another three hour safari in the late afternoons with a walking safari after breakfast that lasts anything from an hour to an hour and a half and can sometimes last even longer. Accompanying me on the driving safaris is my friend and tracker Zeblon who is a tremendous help when we are off-roading, tracking animals and spotting animals. Zeblon has a key sense of the bush and is known for his leopard spotting abilities even in the thickest vegetation. Zeblon is also well-known for his Marula dance that he does for guests while on safari or during breakfast time at our famous bush breakfast site. Zeblon also enjoys sharing his knowledge about traditional believes and medicinal uses of plants. Zeblon and I make a great team and together we try and give all of you the best safari experience possible.

I am the Relief Assistant Manager at Little Bush Camp and help the Assistant Manager and Lodge Managers wherever and however I can. I also have multiple other duties over and above the duties that also needs lots of attention like Senior Ranger duties, which all in all make it a very busy 42 days. The 42 days are long and tiring, but also rewarding in many aspects. In my 14 days of leave I normally go and visit family and friends to unwind and prepare myself for the next 42 days of work. At the end of every 42 days I am always excited to go home and unwind but before the 14 days of leave are over, I am already excited to return to Sabi Sabi.

Unfortunately, because of the COVID–19 outbreak, I have been home for quite a while now and I am missing the bush so much. I would give anything to return to the bush and continue the above duties, but unfortunately, I will have to wait a little bit longer for that to happen.

At home I am currently keeping myself busy by studying to get my next qualification in field guiding, writing blogs, and doing as much as I can for myself and Sabi Sabi. I have even started a herb garden which contains basil, rocket, thyme, parsley and chives. I believe that we must stay as busy as possible during this lockdown period, but also keeping safe at the same time. Even though I am keeping busy and studying about nature, I still seem to miss the real deal without a doubt. Nothing compares to being amongst wild animals in their natural environment. Here at home the only thing that comes close to nature is garden plants and flowers and luckily a few birds to keep me entertained. We also have three wild dogs at home, okay not real African Wild Dogs, but two Maltese and one Fox Terrier who are pretty wild if I have to say so myself!! I kind of miss driving a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicle over the gravel roads at Sabi Sabi, the closest I can get to that here at home is driving my small Toyota Etios Sedan over the lawn.

After 3 years of dating, I finally asked Renche the BIG question!! And she said YES!!! We met at Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, when she started working there in 2016 and started dating in 2017 after guests tried to set us up multiple times, and now we are engaged. This is a start to a new chapter in our lives and can't wait to build a future together.

Well I think it’s safe to say that most of us are probably excited to leave the cities and towns for some peace and tranquility. I can’t wait to get back to Sabi Sabi and take all of you out on safari and help you to unwind and relax taking a break from all the chaos in the world. Come visit us soon and you will get the chance to experience nature’s wonders.