African Bush Camps’ Annual Guides Training Program 2025

African Bush Camps’ Annual Guides Training Program

African Bush Camps (ABC) is proud to announce our 2025 annual Guides Training Program. This highly anticipated Program brings together our talented guides from Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe for a meaningful exchange of knowledge and skills. It’s more than training – it’s about growing as a team, sharing insights, and ensuring our guests receive the very best safari experience.

Be Guided by the Best

We believe that an exceptional safari requires an exceptional guide.

An authentic African safari experience is deeply rooted in the expertise, passion, and intuitive nature of the guide. We were founded in 2006 by professional local Zimbabwean guide, Beks Ndlovu. As we grew from the ground up, Beks prioritized the inherent value of our guides who continue to remain the driving force behind ABC today.

Our guides are trained, knowledgeable locals who grew up in the areas our Experiences are located. They love to share their passion and knowledge about the bush with our guests and are all united by the same passion: to share and conserve Africa, together. This commitment ensures that guests will be guided by the very best in that they experience Africa through local eyes – making us the home of the authentic safari.

To consistently cultivate skills, refresh knowledge, and fuel curiosity, we launched our annual Guide Training Program.

Annual Guide Training Program

Since 2016, we’ve begun each year by leading an immersive ten-day Guide Training Program in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and Botswana’s Linyanti Reserve. This rigorous program is a significant undertaking, with all of our Experiences closing temporarily so that every ABC guide can participate. In 2024, 33 guides completed the program, which combines practical training with theoretical learning to ensure they’re well-prepared to deliver exceptional safari experiences to our guests.

Practical Training

During practical training, emphasis is placed on tracking, aging techniques, shooting, astronomy, and the identification of plants, insects, and birds. Our guides learn how to safely approach elephants and other wildlife on foot. Our more experienced guides lead walks to demonstrate their knowledge, while everyone else contributes and elaborates, facilitating rapid learning through shared interactions.

The Zimbabwe Guides Association and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife require that all guides undergo advanced first aid training every two years. At ABC, we ensure our guides attend a yearly practical first aid course. Within the Guides Training Program, mock scenarios are conducted unexpectedly to test their emergency response skills and ability to administer aid.

Theoretical Training

Theoretical modules in ornithology, conservation, history and culture, geology, and biology are delivered by a diverse team of external experts. These lessons complement practical training, providing a well-rounded foundation of skills and knowledge.

Mentorship Program

Our mentorship program pairs each guide with a more senior guide, who’s there to offer practical advice and ongoing support throughout the year. It’s a way to ensure the momentum from the training doesn’t fade, keeping our guides inspired and on the path to continuous growth.

Female Guides Program

In 2021, we launched the Female Guides Program through our African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) with the aim of spearheading change in the safari industry by empowering women and championing equality in the industry.

ABCF’s vision is to have female guides in all three countries in which we operate and to develop more varied talent in our business and the safari industry at large. Women from local communities can be trained in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors: no previous experience required.

This two-year program combines theory, practical training, and on-the-job learning, equipping aspiring guides with essential skills in tracking, conservation, safe guiding practices, photography, natural history, communication studies, and traditional mokoro navigation.

Quotes from Leaders

Beks Ndlovu, Founder and CEO of ABC, shares his enthusiasm: “At African Bush Camps, our annual guides training brings together nearly 600 years of guiding experience under one roof to learn, share, and inspire.”

Nick Polenakis, Professional Private Guide, Safari Consultant, and Head of Guides Training Program, reflects on the importance of the event: “Having all the African Bush Camps’ guides under one roof is an inspiration to all the guides and in particular the trainee guides who are keen to take themselves to the next level. The knowledge base here is extraordinary where everyone is expected to interact and to contribute which is an incredible opportunity to learn.”

Mash, Head Guide in Mana Pools, emphasizes the continuous learning aspect: “Guiding is like an endless classroom; you never stop learning.”

A Commitment to Excellence and Empowerment

Our Guide Training Program and Female Guides Program are challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. Over time, we’ve watched our guides grow in confidence and professionalism, which directly enhances the safari experiences we offer our guests.