This year our Zambezi Regional Guide Training was held at Makalolo Plains Camp in Hwange National Park from the 7th to the 14th February 2020, and we were once again joined by our fellow guides from Botswana. This cross-pollination brings a lot of camaraderie and certainly yields results. Thanks to Ona Basimane and his team for joining us and making this such a special time in the bush.
We also spiced things up by conducting Toyota 4x4 training, so thanks to Workshop Manager Victor Chinwadzimba for organising this. What an eye-opener it was as we realised we could learn so much more.
We were joined by external guide trainers Dave Carson (Camp Hwange owner, and Zimbabwe Professional Guide examiner) and private guide Gavin Ford, who donated their valuable time. We were also joined by the incomparable Andrew Dalzell of Discover Africa; Andrew is also a freelance guide based in Victoria Falls.
We adopted the same system as last year, where our days were characterised by an early start, with guides split into groups to do field work in the bush. We tracked elephant, buffalo and lion, and in all cases we were successful – some of these walks entailed more than four hours on foot.
This year the guides were really competitive in their small groups, and this generated a lot of fun.
Lectures were conducted after lunch, followed by more field work. One night we did some frogging – and again, this was a great highlight for everyone involved.
One afternoon we were joined by Caroline Grant, Field Operations Manager, and Christine Kloppers, Service Manager for Wilderness Safaris Zimbabwe, who came in to discuss guest services, and certainly added a lot of value to the training. Sundowner setups and dining were highlights.
This training wouldn’t have been possible without our own internal trainers, who dedicated their time and knowledge to help everyone involved. Special thanks goes to Charles Mzambezi Ndlovu, Godfrey Kunzi, Mundoga Kambazvi and Mr Peter Gava.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Wilderness Safaris Operations team, Wilderness Touring for transferring our staff, Cosam “Cosy” Milazi and his team at Makalolo Plains Camp for hosting us, and all the Hwange Camps for your help.
Divided we fall but united we stand. Our journeys change lives.
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