The prestigious Safari Guide of the Year competition was held recently in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, a stunning wildlife sanctuary nestled within the Waterberg mountains. This picturesque location provided the backdrop for the finalists to test and showcase their exceptional skills and knowledge.
The five finalists were some of Southern Africa’s top guides. HJ Esterhuizen (Royal Malewane), Ashley Meintjes (Lalibela Game Reserve), Tracey Bruton (Thorybush Game Lodge), Phillip Wessels (Cheetah Ridge Lodge), and Themba Mabunda (Lion Sands Private Game Reserve) all competed in eight categories: hospitality and professionalism, storytelling, track and sign, guided game drive, guided photographic experience, guided bushwalk, bird slide and sound, and advanced rifle handling.
The host lodge sponsor for the Safari Guide of the Year 2024 was the fantastic Mhondoro Safari Lodge nestled in the reserve within the rugged Waterberg Mountains – a pristine wilderness gem. Here all staff, competitors, judges and guests were accommodated, fed and looked after by the amazing staff for the duration of the competition.
Winter in the Waterberg tests resilience; cold grips valley dips while the sun beats the high ridges. Bitterly cold in the mornings and evenings, but warm during the day – Ruggedwear, the main prize sponsor, and a proudly South African apparel provider, kitted everyone out in various top-quality items of clothing, from pants to insulated jackets, vented safari shirts and hoodies, ensuring comfort for VIP’s, finalists, guests, and staff throughout the competition.
The competition was not just about winning, but also about celebrating the dedication and passion of the guides who devote their lives to nature. The event aimed to show appreciation for their career achievements, motivation for development, and unwavering commitment to the environment.
In a very closely fought competition where all competitors showcased their skills, HJ Esterhuizen of Royal Malewane finally emerged as the grand prize winner and clinched the title of Safari Guide of the Year 2024, taking home a trophy and the cash prize sponsored by Ruggedwear, and presented by MD Howard Rogerson. HJ impressed the judges with his expertise and won the guided bushwalks, track and sign identification, advanced rifle handling, and storytelling categories. He was runner up in the guided photographic experience and hospitality and professionalism categories.
Ashley Meintjes took the runner-up honours and accepted that trophy and the cash prize from WISE’s (Women In Safari Excellence) Candice Pretorius and Jody Cole. He captivated the judges with his warm personality and won the guided photographic experience and hospitality and professionalism categories. He was runner up in the guided bushwalk, storytelling and the advanced rifle handling categories.
Phillip Wessels brought deep wisdom, insightful commentary and philosophy to this year’s competition. He went on to win the guided game drive and the bird slide and sound categories.
Themba Mabunda, whose infectious smile and tracking expertise shone through, earned him the runner-up spots in both the track and sign and the guided game drive categories.
Tracey Bruton deserves recognition for her unwavering spirit and dedication as a guide. Her meticulous attention to detail and determination secured her a runner-up position in bird slide and sound category.
Lewyn Maefala, the invitational candidate, deserves special mention. She leads the Bush Babies Environmental Education Project, inspiring hundreds of children to become conservation ambassadors. Her participation rekindled her passion for guiding, and she’s now pursuing further qualifications.
The Safari Guide of the Year event would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of all the guides involved, FGASA (who powered the competition) as well as all the judges who gave of their time. All their efforts must be complemented for ensuring a world class event.
It is important to remember that the competition is a celebration of excellence within the guiding profession. It recognizes the dedication, knowledge, and passion that guides bring to their work, ensuring unforgettable experiences for safari-goers, while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. The Safari Guide of the Year competition is a testament to the remarkable talent and dedication of these individuals. Each guide competing was a winner in their own right, and their efforts were greatly appreciated by all involved.
As the sun sets on another successful, world class Safari Guide of the Year event, the participants can bask in the knowledge that their passion and commitment to nature have been acknowledged and celebrated. The competition not only showcases the incredible talent present in Southern Africa’s guiding community but also serves as a reminder of the important role guides play in conserving and protecting our natural environment. Thank you to all the sponsors involved and congratulations to all the finalists – thank you for your dedication to the wild places we all cherish.
We see you!
