phillip wessels

Meet Our Captain – Lead Trainer Phillip Wessels

With over 20 years of guiding experience, our Lead Trainer Phillip Wessels is the perfect mentor for our students.

We chatted to him about his work, his passions, and more…

We know that you have a wealth of experience in guiding. How did your passion for nature begin?

I grew up on a farm, and was always running around barefoot, helping with horses and cattle. This is where my love for nature and animals started. My parents were both from Zambia so we spent a lot of time in there, and we also went to the Kruger National Park three or four times a month, as my father loved it there. A love for wildlife was instilled in us from both my parents from a young age.

What led you to become a field guide?

I never really thought about becoming  a guide because I always wanted to be in the military. But then one day a couple’s vehicle broke down on the highway close to our farm. The man happened to be a guide, and he asked me what I wanted to do, and if I would consider guiding. After our conversation, I was invited for an interview, got the job as a Trainee Ranger, and that is where my career took off.

What is your favourite part of training future guides, and why?

I get to see people grow from having no knowledge about nature, the environment and animals, to becoming potential guides. I also get to build a solid foundation for them at the start of their careers.

You have a passion for walking safaris. What is it about this experience that you love?

Freedom, peace and tranquillity. There is no better way of getting in touch with nature than doing a walking trail. Knowing anything can happen at any time, or nothing at all… It’s the adrenaline of being ready for the unexpected.

In your 20 years in the field guiding profession, what is the most valuable lesson that you have learned?

Trust your gut and get in touch with the sixth sense that grows within you every day while out in the bush, stay humble, and above all, safety always comes first.

What advice do you always give students while they are training with you?

Study hard. Have an open mind, and a good sense of humour. And just trust me – there is method in my madness!

In your opinion, what makes a good field guide? What qualities would he/she embody?

They must have integrity, and be humble, trustworthy, dependable and accountable for all their actions and decisions. Lastly they must have great people skills. It does not help if you say that you love animals, but you cannot work with people.

What life lessons has field guiding taught you?

Hard work is everything. You as a guide or a trainer have the opportunity to change a person’s life through that what you do. So, do what you do with passion and remember that it could possibly be that person’s first, or the only safari they will ever go on.

What is the most challenging experience you have had while guiding guests?

Dealing with expectations that can sometimes be very unrealistic.

What sets MORE apart from other field guide training facilities?

Everything from the passion, love and care that is put into this place from Arin, my dear wife, who manages the camp, and makes sure every single thing is in order, to the staff members who treat every student with respect and as a family member, to the trainers that put all their effort into laying strong foundations for up and coming young guides.

What is your advice to a young person trying to get into the guiding game?

Work hard. You must love not only nature and wildlife, but also working with people. Long hours and hard work is what you will be walking into when becoming a guide. But the great news is that guiding has become a profession. Come to MORE Field Guide College and allow us to assist you in changing your life and making your dream of becoming a guide a reality.

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