I must preface this post with the fact that there will be a part two to this blog, as the nature of living and working out here at Londolozi, there is never time to stop learning, and that is the beauty of this place. Whether it be learning about the natural world, about the different cultures you encounter while being here or about the specific people, the learning curve is endless.
The reason I say that there will be a second part to this blog is that in my short guiding career I have already learned so much and I think it will be great to reflect in a later post if what I actually learned aligns with my expectations while getting started.
Trails and Training
As part of becoming a guide at Londolozi, you go through an in-depth training course where you are not only equipped with a wealth of information but are also given several opportunities to be present and experience what this place has to offer. One of my highlights of the training was the opportunity to embark on our walking training. It started with a primitive trail which was led by two guides Shaun D’Araujo and Barry Bath.
Shaun D’Araujo and Barry Bath led the then trainees through the Manyathi River bed
The trail entailed us spending three nights out on the reserve taking everything we needed – the goal being that we left no trace that we were ever there. It was an unbelievable experience, immersing yourself in the place that we grow so fond of. This, too, taught me so many lessons that are covered in Barry Bath’s blog.
A mixture of current guides and past trainees about to embark on day one of the primitive trails.
Linking up with Life Sibuyi
Upon becoming a guide I had the privilege of being paired with a tracker – a man who has more than 20 years of experience in the African bush at Londolozi. Life Sibuyi is one of the kindest humans with the most infectious spirit I’ve ever met. He often starts off as what comes across as relatively quiet and timid but rapidly becomes excited to impart the wealth of knowledge that he has gained from all his years of experience. So with this in mind, I have the huge privilege of working with this man for up to 10 hours every day. It is here where my second phase of learning began…
Often a man of few words, Life.Before we had guided our first set of guests together, Life and I sat down so we could discuss how we, as a team, wanted to deliver our experience. After all, I had so much to learn from how he operates out in the bush. It is here that he taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve learned so far:
“Listen to the bush, and it will provide”.
Throughout my time guiding he’s taught me that it is as simple as turning off the vehicle and listening to something as small as the trill of a mongoose or the bark of a kudu which could lead you to the animal you’re looking for.
The second “Life” lesson is to stop and look up before making a decision, and this proved very evident a couple of days ago when we were tracking the two leopard cubs of the Nkoveni Female. Having followed the tracks for a while, all of a sudden the tracks disappeared, and instead of jumping off the tracker seat to try and establish where the tracks had gone, Life scanned the area around us first, only to see both of the female cubs lying on a termite mound about 30 meters off the road.
The Nkoveni cubs being followed very closely down the road by their mother
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
Also young and playful but rather with a spot pattern of 3:2. She is slightly bigger than her sister.
I feel like both of these lessons can be translated not just when I am guiding but also into my everyday life. Life has a fantastic way of giving me a nudge in the right direction whenever necessary. I look forward to spending many more hours soaking in as much of the knowledge that he has to offer.
I had the pleasure of meeting Life. He had to get me to the airport on time. Exactly at the same time South Africa were playing Rugby against England. We both agreed the Rugby was very important and we “flew” to the airport to ensure the match was not missed. As we all know South Africa won and went on to win overall. Great personality and good fun.
Hi Susan, I’m glad Life managed to get you to the airport on time, and that you managed to watch the game. I completely agree with you, I am very privileged to spend so much time with such a great man.
Thank you for sharing your early experiences Ross, as later you’ll look back at this blog and realize how much you’ve learned from not only Life, but also from your own immersion into nature. Good luck and have fun.
Thank you Denise, I cannot wait to reflect on this post in years to come and look back on the many lessons I have learnt.
How great to have such a wise partner to learn from. Nature is The Now, the present, the only time.
I completely agree. Indeed i am very lucky.
My next life I want to do what you all do! So wonderful!
It must be really so exciting to start as a young guide at Londolozi and it is great that you can benefit from Life’s knowledge and experience in the bush. 20 years of experience. It would be interesting to know what Life has seen and heard and experienced and what his best adventure with animals was.
Life has some phenomenal stories, I’m always in such awe of some of the stories and experiences he has to share.
Ross your career has just started and being paired up with Life Sibuyi and his experience of over 20 years is going to bring you lots of knowledge, wisdom in nature. Take every word he says and saver it because it will stand you in good stead in your on going career. Thanks to people like Life who share there knowledge and experiences with you so that you can grow and become a formidable Ranger. Good luck to both of you.
Hi Valmai, thank you so much. I am extremely lucky to be able to learn from such an experienced man.
Always happy to wear my Springboks jersey! We were there for the unfortunate loss to the All Blacks in 2015.
We certainly picked the right game to go to, it was so special to share that experience with him.
Ross, what a wonderful way to start your career. Learning from a valued partner and colleague is invaluable. Keep u[ the good work.
Thank you so much William. It has been an incredible start to my guiding career and I am looking forward to the continuous learning
Thank you for sharing these experience Ross!!