This is a story told by a Field Guide working in the Kruger National Park…
My name is Lourens Botha, working in Berg en Dal Rest Camp in the Southern side of the Park.
A quick review of my history:
I was born and grew up in the Capital City of South Africa namely, Pretoria. Went to Primary and Secondary school over there and after school went to now called the Tshwane University of Technology (Old Technikon Pretoria) to study Nature Conservation.
For the 3rd year of your Diploma you have to get a experential learning place and I was one of 8 lucky students to do my practical year in the Park in Letaba Rest Camp within the Department People and Conservation from December 2004 until end of November 2005.
I worked in the Elephant Museum, with school groups and every second week with the Field Rangers, doing patrols etc.
After my practical year I got a Junior Field Guide position in Olifants Rest Camp, where I gained most of my experience. Worked with many excellent guides who I learned alot from to be where I am today. I did all the exciting activities which included the drives, walks, Mountain bikes and Astronomy (Star Gazing), with all its scary, close and memorable sightings. I got a promotion to Second Rifle (walking as back-up on walks and bikes) and after a year and 4 months got a permanent position and promotion to Senior Field Guide in Berg en Dal. I started to study my Bachelors Degree in Nature Conservation and finished my final exams last week, but still waiting for my results.
On the 15th of May 2007 I started posting all the activity sightings around Berg en Dal on the Forum, and over 13 000 people have visited the website, so I started the Diary today (2007-12-04) and will take you through the life of a Field Guide from day to day of all the nice, spectacular, sad, happy and lucky sightings that I do come across with or without guests and as long as I have the privilege to work in this land of Paradise with you as readers, friends and family…
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December 6th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Welcome Lourens and a great start! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
December 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Hey, Lourens. Great start.
December 6th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Lourens thanks for sharing, when we can not be there your input is needed to keep us sane. See you soon.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Hiyas Lourens,
Great to read you here.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Congratulations, at last!!
Can’t wait to find out more!!
December 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Hello Lourens,
Nice to read such experience! good luck in your new adventure to share with you.
December 8th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Lourens,
Keep up the good work!
December 10th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Now this is a mighty fine idea. Looking forward to reading more. (PS…. wanna swap jobs?)
December 16th, 2007 at 9:38 am
This is a great idea. Look forward to following your experiences.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hi Lourens, its now the 21st Dec. please post some more of your experiences and daily happenings.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Lourens
Looking forward to hearing more of your daily experiences. Thank you for this!
January 16th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Lourens
Just a note to say thank you for the passion and knowledge you demonstrated on the evening drive and morning walk my family and I did with you in late December. The sighting of Beauty, your favourite lion, roaring next to the vehicle on the road was one of the highlights of our holiday in South Africa. I hope you have been able to spot that elusive leopard.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I’ve said it before – but I’m going to say it again :- Thank you Lourens for your obvious passion for the bush and thank you for “infecting” everyone that you come in contact with with this awesome passion.
My husband, Rodney, & I have had the privilege of being on your walks & drives quite a few times – and you sure make it difficult for any of the other Field Guides to match you!!!
February 5th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Lourens
Ek sit hier in my groot kantoor in die beton oerwoud, en glo my ek sal enige tyd met jou plekke ruil. Ek en my vrou het laas jaar vir 27 nagte in die wildtuin geslaap… in kort, ons is fanaties oor die plek! Jou bydrae is fantasties, en ek sal jou graag wil ontmoet wanneer ek weer na my ware “huis” gaan (26 April tot 3 Mei 2008)
Groete
Willie Aucamp
March 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
well done, good job.
April 1st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I don’t know exactly what to say, ’cause it’s been said over and over … and over again. Lourens is fantastic in his job, passionate and entertaining.
I have never had the pleasure of going on one of his drives or walks, but know him from his early study days and have chatted with people who have experienced him in action.
So as far as his work goes, I can not comment much. Judging from all the blogs and forums, I can just imagine what an experience it is to be in the bush with Lourens. Being with him must feel the same as seeing one of the Big 5!
I believe everyone can agree with me that Lourens has a very sincere, passionate and honest heart, which is exactly what Kruger needs!
Should a voting pole start as to who is the best Senior Field Guide, I have NO DOUBT as to who I would vote for.
Lots and lots of love and good luck with everything Lourens!
We miss you SOOOOO much here in Pretoria.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
hi lourens, baie dankie vir dit wat jy met ons as mede bos liefhebbers deel. doen so voort.
het so pas vandag 21 april teruggekeer van die nkp. baie gesien en beleef. sien klaar uit ona ons volgende besoek in jul 08
January 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hi Lourens, as hardened bush lovers and disappointing previous nightdrives, I did not imagine we would find the best of the best. You certainly fit in to the never ending beauty of your surroundings which compliment each other.
I would recommend to anyone doing the drives, to book for you, and even if they do not see much they would take back with them the passion and knowledge, that you make so easy to share.
We have heard of you in the park and was damn lucky to get you on our drive. We saw 5/5 on our drive with you, and nightlife in abundant.
Even off duty you made the effort to come over and greet us and further share in some of your awesome experiences, as a South African myself, I can truly say you are a compliment to us locals and a true asset to the park. Our daughter and son-inlaw have taken a unforgettable experience back to UK. Thank you !
January 11th, 2009 at 1:23 am
Hi Lourens
I visited Berg N dal on the 4th Jan 09, on the morning of the 5th Jan I did the bush walk, and you where our guide on that trip
(I may have it wrong as you only introduced yourself as Lourens so I am not sure of your surname, but you did mention at the end of our walk that you tend to update the website as much as possible with sightings seen around Berg n Dal, so I am sure it was you, and naturally I have come to the site to check it out)
I just wanted to say that I enjoyed the bush walk throughly as you where extremely knowledable and you joked around as well which kept us all entertained. We saw Elephant and Rhino on the walk, and I particularly enjoyed the bird life and sounds that you pointed out. Your enthusiasim and love of nature definately showed.
I will definately recommed Berg n Dal to friends etc and hope to return one day.
Thank you for a lovely experience
Audrey x
January 8th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Hi Lourens
jy is so bevoorreg om in die Kruger te kan wees, baie dankie vir jou onselfsugtigheid om jou daaglikse roetines ervaringe ens met ons mede natuurliefhebbers te deel.
Dit voel vir my asof ek nou ‘n baie interressante boek aangeskaf het….