Jaco Buys Safaris

15/02/2019

14/12/2018

Spent the day on foot with some of the team of the Organization for Tropical Studies to mentor, coach and assess for Field Guide Qualifications. WOW!!! To walk with a
Lady that has done her Masters on Martial Eagles and a Gentleman that is a bird, tree and grass specialist, a privilege. The level of interpretation was incredible and the team dovetailed beautifully and added value to the guest experience. Bonus to spend time again with Bernard Coetzee, one of the lead scientists at OTS. The two of us provided security for the trailists so that our guides could interpret. They really turned it on and stimulated all the senses of our guests and involved them in the experience. Covered all the necessary specific outcomes and more! In addition, Bernard logged the hours and encounters and we covered an area for Section Ranger, Kally Ubisi, for anything worthwhile to report on. Thank you to Kally for the permission to enjoy his Section and to OTS for trusting me to add value to your staff's skills. Bernard and I firmly believe that science and practical field guiding, compliment each other. Great day in the bush with great people!

03/12/2018

Spent a great weekend on Mjejane Game Reserve. We were fortunate to have permission from one of the owners to stay over at their lodge for the weekend. We had our parents with us as well as our daughter and it was great to have a bit of a break away. It was convenient as we also had to do a FGASA Nature Guide practical assessment for Dave Reynolds. It is a pleasure, privilege and responsibility to be an assessor for FGASA. It is rewarding seeing how guides grow and settle in their role as facilitators of the guest experience. We set off on a pretty warm afternoon along the Crocodile River. One cannot experience the saying that water is life, more than driving along a river in an extended dry season. The ample birdlife, mammals and reparian vegetation giving Dave a lot of opportunities to interpret what we were seeing. The aim of this practical assessment is to do a game drive. Nothing more, nothing less. Two unit standards need to be adhered to and they are basically how to care for guests professionally and to interpret and facilitate the guest's nature experience by involving them and stimulating all their senses. It is crucial that the assessor explains exactly what is expected with the practical to ensure that the guide is confident to adhere to the standards set by FGASA and CATHSSETA. As soon as the assessor blasts off question after question asking the guide to identify trees and grasses for instance, the main aim of the assessment is lost. Guides must be allowed to plan the activity along a route, enabling them to cover what they know, as well as accommodating guests' special interests. Subjects not covered on the game drive, can be done post drive to gather enough evidence to meet specific outcomes. Dave knew that the dry conditions were not going to meet one of his guest's special requests as a birder and budding botanist. The heat meant that the river was the best option and the game drive was planned accordingly. Well done Dave on proper planning to cover a good general game drive and accommodating your guests special interests. Communication is key and we were informed of the plan before and during our activity with a genuine interest in our experience and comfort. If the assessor applies the principles of a good assessment and the guide takes responsibility for the planned activity, nature provides! It is amazing what happens when you let the bush dictate what you will see!

26/11/2018

24/11/2018

Designed a tailor-made safari for Linda and Roland based out of Tamboti Tented Camp. Included private game drives in Saseke Safaris' open safari vehicle, a full day private walk on the Muluwathi Concession and Jaco Buys as personal guide, host and cook!

11/11/2018

3 families each with their respective Matriarch passing by our vehicle after another SANParks Rhino Management Plan presentation to an American target group at Nkambeni Tented Camp. Completed a chemo session as well as two weeks of coaching and mentoring with Charlotte Earwaker. The perfect end to a great day, great light and setting. Enjoy the sounds of the herd! Leaving tomorrow for Tamboti Tented Camp for a exclusive safari with Linda Pampallis. Thanks in advance to Gregory Berthens for arranging a full day walk for us while we will assess one of Imbali Lodge's Field Guides for his Back Up Trails Assessment. It is a bonus to love what you do, but it is very difficult to leave Laurika and the children. I however try to honor my family and God by trying to do the best I can. Please keep an eye out for our fund raiser effort for the upcoming 94.7 cycle race to pay respect to the ladies and men that sacrifice it all to save Rhinos.

26/10/2018

Finished off shooting training and started heading back to the lodge for a well deserved break. Cleared some branches off the road left by a Elephant Bull. The sound of Impalas alarm calling drew our attention. We quickly made our rifles ready, grabbed our gear and walked quietly in the direction of the calls. We stopped when spotting the Impalas, followed their gaze and saw a Leopard Female hoisting the remains of an Impala kill in a White Syringa tree. She was focused on the task at hand and with the wind in our favor, we used the cover provided by Mopani shrubs to stalk a bit closer. It was an awesome sighting and turned out to be three Leopards. A mother with her 20 month old male and female sub adults. Four Leopards on foot in one day with the Male we spotted on the morning walk. Huge privilege! If you would like to be coached and mentored, with the focus on developing your skills and experience as a guide, make contact with us today!