Take your Hospitality career to the next level! Leading training providers in the Safari Industry in South Africa since 2006
Sophie Niemann founder of Bushwise
Since my business partner, Richard Walton, and I founded Bushwise in 2006, we have been proud to offer high quality FGASA training courses which provide an ideal platform for students to gain all the relevant qualifications, practical experience and importantly develop professionalism and ethics to secure high level jobs in the exciting safari hospitality industry and wildlife sector. Bushwise has built a reputation of excellence in the safari industry and over the years we have developed strong links and relationships with many luxury safari lodges across South Africa, through the placement of our guides and interns, and through this we realised there was a great need in the lodges for assistance in the hospitality teams in addition to the guiding teams. We also saw an increase in interest from applicants in gaining experience in safari lodge operations, as opposed to safari guiding, to add to their CV and boost their career.
The idea was born, and in 2013 the Bushwise Hospitality internship programme was launched to assist already trained hospitality professionals in getting unique and life-altering work experience to boost their CV and career prospects, whilst living in some of the most spectacular wildlife areas in Southern Africa.
Further your hospitality career in the exhilarating environment of the African Bush
Life-altering career-boosting opportunities in the African wilderness!
Why Choose Bushwise? Our Culture: Bushwise was founded in 2006 and has since trained and placed over 300 students from within South Africa and around the world, and has built a reputation of excellence as a leading training & placement provider in the safari industry. At Bushwise it is our mission to provide unique and life-altering experiences for all of our students and interns. We pride ourselves in finding the best placements and lodge destination to suit the skills and experience of our interns, and provide value to our partner lodges through a skills exchange. Bushwise equips students with the education, skills, confidence and networks necessary to take their career to the next level and excel in one of the most rewarding and exciting careers in the world.
“Everything about a Bushwise course is life changing. It is not just about the knowledge and qualifications gained but also about the people you meet and the experiences you share together”
What we offer: Bushwise Hospitality Internships 10 and 20 week Hospitality Internship programs at luxury safari lodges across South Africa Each internship begins with a 2 week Bush & Wildlife Orientation Course where students gain an understanding of South African wildlife and the Big 5, conservation issues and an overview of the safari hospitality industry, to prepare them for their pre-arranged work placement at a luxury game lodge in one of South Africa’s pristine game viewing destinations The orientation course takes place on the idyllic Bushwise campus on a Big 5 reserve in the heart of the African bush, with the dramatic lowveld landscape and views of the Drakensburg Escarpment, abundant with wildlife, in a pristine game viewing area of the Limpopo Province, just an hour away from Kruger National Park. Interns then move on to the pre-selected luxury safari lodge for the duration of the internship, where they will work in a pivotal role in lodge operations, participate in a skills exchange with local staff, gain an understanding of how luxury lodges work in Africa, as well as being immersed in diverse cultures and endangered wildlife. An exciting and unique way to build international work experience and skills in the culinary, hospitality, or tourism industry, whilst living alongside African wildlife and wilderness. The skills and experience the Bushwise Hospitality Internships provide will make a vibrant addition to a CV, will catch the eye of future employers and make you stand out from the crowd. An ideal platform from which to take a career in the Hospitality Industry to the next level!
A once in a life-time opportunity!
“Bushwise is a great training asset to the Safari world� ~ Courtenay Blunden, Africa on Foot Safari Lodge
What’s included? Prepare for your luxury safari lodge experience with a 2 week Bush and Wildlife Orientation Course on a Big 5 Reserve in a pristine game viewing area in the Limpopo Province!
Topics included: Introduction to the SA hospitality industry Introductory course on birds Introductory course on mammals Introductory course on trees Introduction to SA wines Potentially Dangerous Animal behaviour and safety (in camp context) Potentially venomous reptiles and insects Bush banqueting SA Health and Safety legislation General lodge policies and procedures. Wilderness First Aid course Orientation to South Africa culture and history Behind the scene tours of luxury lodges and bush camps in the area and in Kruger National Park Big 5 Game Drives Held on the Bushwise campus, you will live with and get to know your fellow interns embarking on the same amazing adventure! You will be taught by the leading FGASA-qualified Bushwise trainers and come away equipped with essential bush and wildlife knowledge to enhance your experience, and that of the guests, at your luxury safari lodge placement.
...whilst pouring a drink or checking in guests, the guest hears a bird call or spots a mammal running past the lodge. They will undoubtedly ask you what it is. We will help prepare you on the orientation course and teach you some basic identification skills to which you can build during your internship making this a unique and diverse experience.
Add bush skills & wildlife knowledge to add to your professional experience! ...while walking back to your room you come face to face with a bull elephant feeding on a tree above your accommodation. What do you do? We will help prepare you on the orientation course and teach you some basic animal behaviour to help you get out of these common situations safely and responsibly.
We match you with the best lodge and the best role for you!
“Signing up and completing Bushwise has changed the course of not only my career but my entire life. I now get to wake up every morning to the sounds of baboons and hyenas and end each day with the setting African sun; none of this would have been possible without undergoing a Bushwise Hospitality course.�
Placements tailored to suit your skills and experience! After the orientation course you will move to the pre-selected luxury safari lodge for your placement phase. The team at Bushwise will carefully select your placement to match your specific skills, strengths and aspirations. You will be able to utilise and build upon your prior Hospitality experience, learn about the safari hospitality industry in South Africa and share your valued skills and experience with the lodge staff team in a mutual skills exchange. Internship positions available at our partnering luxury South African lodges include: Chef/culinary staff Food and beverage Front of house/receptionist Spa therapist We get to know you as an individual, learn about your skills and expertise and match you with a role at a lodge that will allow you to build on those skills and play an integral and valuable role in the staff team at your placement lodge!
Where could you be placed? Luxury safari lodge placement destinations For example: Motswari Game Lodge - Open to the Kruger National Park and playing host to Africa’s Big Five, Motswari is one of South Africa’s jewels nestled within the Timbavati Nature Reserve - this familyowned and operated four-star luxury safari lodge prides itself on its warm atmosphere and luxurious accommodation. The Karongwe Portfolio - a Portfolio of luxury game lodges on Karongwe Private Game Reserve, overlooking the majestic Drakensberg mountain range in the Limpopo Province, a pristine game viewing area of South Africa.
Nkambeni Tented Lodge - a rustic tented safari camp in a prime game viewing area of the majestic Kruger National Park Rhino River Lodge - a private game lodge KwaZulu Natal, offering you an intimate and comfortable safari experience, with excellent game viewing and luxury accommodation Ngama Tented Safari Lodge - Ngama meaning ‘place of the eagles’ is a delightfully intimate, family run tented safari lodge, that offers a true African experience. Where guests fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and are pampered with the warm hearted service that embodies the soul of Africa.
Immerse yourself in the exhilarating African wilderness!
Who can apply? In order to apply, all students MUST: Be FLUENT in written and spoken English Be 21 or over Have AT LEAST ONE YEAR’S professional experience in the Hospitality Industry OR Must have completed a Hospitality-related course Relevant experience: Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary or Hotel Management
What are we looking for in an intern? We’re looking for responsible, reliable, friendly professionals who have an interest in exploring new places and meeting new people. If you take pride in what you do, love to learn, and often step in to lend a hand without being asked, then you’re a great candidate!
Start dates and course fees We have 3 start dates each year – 10 and 20 week durations
Program fees 10 weeks: £1,995 / $3,392 / €2,394 20 weeks: £2,245 / $3,817 / €2,694 *South African Citizens only can apply for ZAR Rate Included in the course fees: Guaranteed 10 or 20 week internship program secured prior to departure Two week orientation program in-country Guaranteed 8 or 18 week internship at luxury safari lodge secured prior to departure Accommodation and food (during working hours on placement) First aid course certificate 24/7 support before, after and during the experience in Africa Bushwise T-shirt and cap Transport to orientation program from Johannesburg airport (international applicants only) Skills exchange
Imagine your office spanning for miles over some of the most majestic landscapes on earth
Bushwise can make your dreams a reality
Testimonials
“Taking part in the Bushwise course was the beginning of the rest of my life” ~ Beth Silvester, former Bushwise intern
”Thanks to the knowledge, experience, patience and dedication of all the Bushwise staff there couldn’t be a better way to boost your career. It is literally the best thing I have ever done in my life and that’s saying something because I’ve seen AC/DC and KISS play live!” ~ Liz Spencer, former Bushwise intern
“The knowledge and information I received during Bushwise means I have been able to serve my guests at a level that exceeds the expectations of many.” ~ Chris Tilbury, Former Bushwise Intern
“Completing the Bushwise course was a dream come true for me - I knew that it was a challenge that I wanted to take on!” ~ Viv Eckersley, Former Bushwise intern
What else do we offer? Bushwise FGASA Professional Field Guide Course Train in the South African wilderness to become a professional safari field guide working with dangerous game & endangered wildlife on the South Africa’s finest game reserves! 23 and 50 week professional field guide training courses allowing students to achieve the FGASA Level 1 professional field guiding qualification with an optional 6 month work placement We offer one of the most comprehensive FGASA level 1 courses available, including career-boosting qualifications and skills such as tracking, wilderness first aid, 4x4 certification, advanced rifle handling and trails guide theory and FGASA level 2 knowledge base and much more. An ideal platform for a highly successful and far-reaching career in the challenging and competitive “Big 5” Industry. With the high volume of practical hands-on training as well as the high standard of theoretical training with Bushwise, Bushwise graduates are highly sought after in the safari tourism industry and career opportunities are unparalleled. The idyllic Bushwise campus is set in the heart of the African bush, with the dramatic lowveld landscape and views of the Drakensburg Escarpment , abundant with wildlife, in a pristine game viewing area of the Limpopo Province, just an hour away from Kruger National Park.
Last year the Bushwise students achieved the highest marks out of all FGASA long term providers and are considered some of THE best trained guides in the safari industry!
To enquire about the Bushwise FGASA Level 1 training Course simply
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Bushwise Hospitality Internships
UK - +44 (0)1727 250 250 USA - 1 888 653 6028 SA - +27 (0)21 782 2386 rachel@bushwise.co.za