Into the wild: My journey to becoming an assistant head guide
Words by: Andreas Dett, Assistant Head Guide at Lion Sands Kruger National Park. Images by: Otto Scribante, Francois Fourie and Jameel
After being in the yachting industry for over a decade, I decided to pursue a childhood dream of working in the ‘Bush’.
I left my career in yachting and started my journey to become a guide with MORE Family Collection. Francois Fourie was my initial contact, and it was through him that I was accepted into the MORE Field Guide College.
Arriving at the college for the July 2021 intake in the beautiful reserve of Marataba, I was in my element and put my head down, focusing on being in the moment. Unfortunately, I was struck down with Covid-19 as the course started, which hit me extremely hard. I was very close to quitting due to my condition, but I pushed through and persevered.
On the 21st of September 2021, it came full circle as Francois was there to assess my NQF2 game drive. I never looked back from there and set goals ahead of me which I strived to reach.
Being placed at Lion Sands Kruger National Park in January 2022, I was paired with a friend and fellow guide from the college, Cameron Jones. Together, Cameron and I went on this journey of being student guides at Tinga and Narina Lodges. Apart from the time we gave to the lodges and the guiding teams, we often went on our own adventures around the Kruger to go birding and game watching. We both worked extremely hard during our placement time, but unfortunately, the lodge could only take one of us on. I was offered to stay, and I joined the team permanently in June 2022.
Now into the full swing of guiding, I was where I had worked so hard to be. I kept pushing through and working towards furthering my qualifications and knowledge. I especially enjoy the walking aspect of being in the bush, and I jumped at any opportunity to get out there. In June 2023, I successfully obtained my NQF4 and full trails qualification. Looking back, it was such an incredible journey that had got me to that point.
A couple of months later, the position for assistant head guide was advertised. At first, I really didn’t think of applying as I was so focused on and enjoying my role purely as a guide and team player. After a few weeks of the job being posted, I decided I would like some more responsibility, and I found that I had a lot more to offer. I applied, and not expecting to get the offer, I was surprised a few weeks later to be offered the position.
Now spending most of my free time in the office fulfilling my duties as assistant head guide, I feel I can show and share my passion for the bush through the work done with the guiding team and linking the safari department as an integral component of the big picture. It has its challenges that arise every day, but with the solid team around me, no challenge is too great. I still have a lot of energy to get out into the bush and assist with walking hours for guides and planning sleep outs for the students.
So, from my first day at the MORE Field Guide College on 10th July 2021 till now, a lot has happened in a very short time, which proves to any aspiring person on this journey that if you put your heart into something, it’s possible. Drive, determination and passion have got me here, and that’s what will carry me forward.
