I have been guiding for 14 years and have always known that my future belonged in the bush. Growing up in an outdoors-loving family, I spent my childhood camping, hiking, horse riding, fishing, and visiting game farms. From as early as the age of five, I told my parents, “I’m going to work in the bush one day.” That passion never faded,it grew into a lifelong career in conservation.
I completed my training through EcoTraining at both Salati and the Makuleke concession in the Kruger National Park. I currently hold an Advanced Field Guide qualification and am in the process of completing my Professional Field Guide certification. I also hold qualifications in Apprentice Trails Guiding and Advanced Rifle Handling.
When guiding guests, I especially enjoy sightings of black rhino. They’re incredibly rare, highly curious animals, and every encounter is a privilege, particularly as their numbers continue to decline due to poaching. Among birds, I have a soft spot for the shrike species, known for their tenacity and uniqueness. My favourite tree is the Marula, not just the source of the beloved Amarula liqueur, but also a spiritual symbol and “tree of life” across many African cultures.
One memorable encounter unfolded during a sighting of three lions, two lionesses and a male, hunting a nyala at Kaingo. One lioness disappeared into the thickets while the other two walked casually up the road. Suddenly, a young nyala burst from the bushes, chased by the first lioness straight into the path of the others. The male, being larger, muscled the females aside and claimed the prize, but the nyala was still alive. It managed to break free from the male’s grasp, startling him. The females quickly acted to finish the hunt, but the male took the kill and vanished into the bush, leaving them empty handed despite all their effort. It was a striking example of the raw, unpredictable dynamics of predator behaviour.
To me, conservation is essential. Every element in nature plays a role within a greater ecosystem. The more diverse and balanced that system is, the more resilient and sustainable it becomes,not only for wildlife, but for the survival and wellbeing of humanity itself.
Languages spoken: Afrikaans, English, and currently learning Zulu.
Kaingo is a 16 400 hectare (41 000 acre) private game reserve in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A pleasant 2.5-hour drive from Johannesburg, makes Kaingo one of the most accessible premier malaria free big game reserves in the country. It is a declared protected area with Critical Biodiversity 1 classification and a core area of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, which was officially declared by UNESCO in 2001.
As a declared Nature Reserve with the primary objective of Natural Resource Conservation the Reserve is run along pure, sustainable management and development principles, with an exceptionally low development and tourist footprint. Kaingo Reserve Foundation, a non-profit public benefit organisation is the appointed management authority of the reserve.
The grassy plains and savanna abound with animals such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and impala. It is the diversity of habitat on the reserve that encourages such a wide range of wildlife as well as over 300 bird species, including rare species such as African finfoot and Narina trogon.
Kaingo protects a unique and special environment and the reserve’s owners, and management is deeply committed to conservation and research. It is one of the few reserves where the full tourism income goes towards positive conservation. Every visiting guest directly supports the reserve’s primary objective of conservation.
Rich in human history there is also an array of rock art sites on Kaingo. With hundreds of images spread across 15 sites, Kaingo offers the biggest variety of rock art and archaeological finds dating to the Stone Age.
Engage in fishing activities in the Mokolo River, home to 32 different fish species. The area offers picturesque spots for mostly catch-and-release fishing, with the option to have caught bass prepared by our kitchen chefs as a delightful snack.
We’re striving to conserve the biodiversity, ecological integrity, landscape characteristics and cultural resources of Kaingo Game Reserve for future generations. As custodians of nature for the next generation we have an opportunity and thus responsibility to make a significant contribution to the protection of the Waterberg.
Embark on a serene Mokolo River Boat Cruise to witness the wildlife of Kaingo. Our expert guides ensure an educational journey through the reserves beauty. With the gentle boat pace, experience up-close encounters with animals and the diverse fauna and flora of the region.
Weather Dependant
*NB: River levels are low at the moment.