Our Career Course students do six months training at the college campus and then embark on a 6-month industry placement within the MORE Family Collection properties and other prestigious partners in the eco-tourism industry. We loved this feedback from Joshua Marais who spent his time at Onguma in Namibia.
“Guiding at Onguma was incredible. The chance to guide in an area like Namibia, was one like no other. From the vast, open pan acting as a centre piece for the environment, the habitat was exceptional and offered a unique backdrop to complete my internship.
Not only did I get the opportunity to guide in Northeastern Namibia, but I was able to guide in not one, but two reserves. Due to Onguma bordering the Etosha National Park, guides at the reserve often take guests on morning drives into the National Park. The chance to guide in multiple reserves at once was incredible, giving me invaluable insight into how I can grow as a guide. Along with this drive, I had the opportunity to take guests on a range of activities including guided walks, hide experiences, bush breakfasts, and bush dinners within the private reserve.
Working with a team of passionate guides, like those at Onguma, made my time adjusting to practical guiding work, a smooth one. Together with the knowledge I gained at MORE Field Guide College and the knowledge I received from shadowing the other guides at Onguma, it didn’t take me long after my arrival at the reserve to start guiding and become a vital member of the team. During the later months of my internship, I even got the opportunity to take on some of the responsibilities that would otherwise be allocated to the head guide.
The only regret I have after the fact, is that I didn’t stay longer. I fell in love with the reserve, and I miss it every day. The memories I made guiding for Onguma are some that I will never forget, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to both the team at the MORE Field Guide College and at Onguma for giving me the chance to do this.”
