Full Circle: My journey from student to safari guide mentor
Words by Hugh Morris, facilitator at MORE Field Guide College
Before I got into guiding, I was studying at UCT while also working in hospitality around Cape Town. My dream was to combine my studies in biological sciences with my work experience in the service industry. That all came together when I spent six months in Zambia working at a budget safari lodge on the South Luangwa River.
After my first few game drives in the national park, I had already seen wild dogs, lions and quite a few leopards. That’s when I knew this was the answer to my craving to work with both people and animals. I decided to research how to pursue this path and discovered several training providers in Southern Africa. After consulting with various friends and family, I knew I had made the right choice.
My true journey started in 2017 at the NJM Field Guide College in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. I had no idea what to expect, but I was blown away by the sheer size of Marataba Game Reserve and the serenity that came with it. I thoroughly enjoyed my six-month course, as well as the kind staff and excellent trainers. I made connections with other students that I maintain to this day and will probably keep for the rest of my life.
Afterwards, I was offered a six-month placement or internship at Madikwe Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve. That was also an incredible experience that introduced me to Kalahari sand and the pink elephants that come with it. I was offered a full-time position there as an apprentice guide, where I learned so much thanks to the busy nature of the reserve.
At the beginning of 2020, I decided to move back to the Waterberg to work in the same game reserve where it had all started. I immediately fell back in love with the mountains and the endless space they offered to explore. Eventually, I achieved my Advanced Field Guide status and after that became a qualified Trails Guide. This only added to my hunger to learn and go even further.
In 2023, I decided it was time to go back to school and get involved in training. That’s when I moved to the MORE Field Guide College to work as an assistant trainer with one of my old mentors. This has been one of my greatest decisions, as now I have realised my true potential as not only a guide but also a mentor. Although I have come full circle to where it all began, I feel like my story here has only just started.
