Bushwise expands: Career & lodge services
- Bushwise
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Bushwise, South Africa’s leading guide development specialist, has officially expanded its services. This evolution is a natural progression of Bushwise’s mission — expanding from a focus on training to now also include long-term career support for experienced guiding professionals and tailored staffing solutions for lodges across the hospitality and ecotourism industries throughout Southern Africa.
“Training the next generation of field guides will always be at the heart of what we do,” says Eugene Relling, Director at Bushwise. “But with over 20 years of industry experience, we saw an opportunity to apply that expertise to support individuals beyond the training phase – and to help lodges build and retain skilled teams. This expansion is a natural next step.”
New professional services:
Professionals in the safari and hospitality space can now access a range of free and paid services through Bushwise, including:
Job vacancies: Professionals can browse current openings across lodges or join the Bushwise talent pool, a database of recommended candidates directly referred to lodges.
Skills training: Choose from a variety of targeted training programs for ongoing professional development, with industry-recognised certifications such as ARH and Trails Guide.
IFGA certification and booster: Guides can gain or upgrade their IFGA certification to stand out in a competitive industry.
Free 1:1 career advice: Individuals can access personalised, practical support from senior recruitment experts tailored to their career goals.
Staffing solutions for lodges:
Bushwise also offers a wide range of staffing solutions to help lodges maintain excellent service levels:
Permanent and short-term recruitment: Bushwise sources high-quality candidates for seasonal or permanent roles, ensuring lodges are supported during peak seasons or staff shortages.
On-site training: Lodges can upskill their teams with customised, on-site training without disrupting daily operations.
Graduate placements: Lodges can trial candidates for six months, assessing their suitability with no commitments or risks.
IFGA assessments: Lodges can enhance their guest experience by certifying their teams with IFGA, which focuses on both soft skills and technical knowledge.
Fractional head guide: Fractional head guides provide mentorship, performance analysis, and more to elevate lodge teams. Lodges can access their expert guidance without full-time commitments.
Guide Academy: A community-driven model that allows lodges to develop their own talent pipeline, contributing to local communities, with the added benefit of tax-deductible contributions.
All-in-one solution: A year-round, all-encompassing staffing solution that meets the dynamic needs of a lodge through a predictable subscription model.
Complimentary team audit: Lodges can book a free, no-strings-attached audit to assess their team’s strengths and areas for growth, with actionable recommendations.
“Exceptional people create unforgettable experiences,” adds Eugene Relling. “We want to help great staff become exceptional – and help lodges find them, and keep them.”
To learn more or take advantage of Bushwise’s new services, visit:
About Bushwise
With over 20 years of experience, Bushwise is South Africa’s leading field guide training provider and the exclusive IFGA training partner in Southern Africa. Through its CATHSSETA-accredited programmes, Bushwise has built a reputation for developing world-class guides. With its expanded offering, the organisation now serves as a strategic career partner and end-to-end staffing solution for the safari and hospitality industries.
For recruitment or career-related enquiries:
Ryan Cousins — Head of Recruitment
For media or general enquiries:
Eugene Relling — Director
