Two top end luxury properties within The Madikwe Collection, South Africa, have taken on female guides for the first time in the history of the game reserve to offer expertise and guidance on safari.
Patience Bogatsu of Thakadu River Camp and Ezelle Van Dyk of The Bush House are both qualified field guides with the Field Guide Association of South Africa, FGASA.
Bogatsu hailed from the rural village of Molatedi, 6km from Madikwe Game Reserve. She strengthened her knowledge of animals and South African history when she joined a community theatre group. She is a proud Motswana of the Batlokwa tribe and her grandfather educated her well on the herbs, trees and their healing powers, allowing her to gain a wealth of knowledge about the fauna and flora, as well as game within the bushveld.
Bogatsu is every bit the community-oriented women, actively and passionately involved with educating youngsters about the bush and the career opportunities available to them. She is also a member and secretary of Sebolao Development Trust, which oversees the Thakadu River Camp www.thakadurivercamp.com. Thakadu is a community owned lodge where the staff are members of the Moletedi community and are proud of their lodge, it is no wonder Bogatsu fits in so well here. This luxury camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico River consists of 12 tented suites, each with their own viewing deck overlooking the river.
Van Dyk grew up on a farm in the small country town of Sannieshof with a strong background in dancing and sport. As well as being a field guide for The Bush House www.bushhouse.co.za, an old homestead in the Western part of The Madikwe Reserve, Van Dyk also manages the lodge. This charming game lodge has a lot of history and many stories to tell. The veranda and garden over look one of the best waterholes in the reserve and often the sightings are as exciting as they are on a game drive.
Van Dyk has always been intrigued by nature and is addicted to the adrenalin of being out in the wild of the bush. She began her interests in the bush by purchasing a book on birds, and later books on insects, grasses, trees, animals, and so her collection grew until she became a qualified member of FGASA.
Both female guides have so far proved to be a real success within their lodges and look to each other’s achievements to set goals of their own. Bogatsu, looking at Van Dyk’s managerial role in The Bush House, hopes to one day become more involved in the business side of the hospitality industry, maybe even running her own lodge in the future. Van Dyk, similarly shares Bogatsu’s sentiments of the bush and looks forward to completing the tracker and walking trails courses to further her qualifications.
