When guests think back on their time at Samara, there are many scenes that might come to mind. The moving sight of a cheetah mother and her cubs stalking through the grass. The thrill of hearing a lion roar. The breathless wonder of watching a rumbling herd of elephants cross a river. The soulful feeling of witnessing shooting stars streaking across endless Karoo skies.
All these memories make up the very essence of a safari. And more often than not, it’s a guide that brings these moments to life.
At Samara, field guides are far more than wildlife spotters or drivers. They are storytellers, educators, conservationists, mentors and ambassadors for one of South Africa’s most unique wilderness landscapes. Every game drive, walking safari and fireside conversation is underpinned by years of study, practical experience and an unwavering commitment to conservation.
As part of our Humans of Samara series, we’re celebrating the remarkable individuals behind every safari experience – and recognising the achievements our guiding team has accomplished over the past year.
A Team Committed to Growth
One of the defining characteristics of the Samara guiding team is a shared commitment to continual learning.
Whether it’s qualifying as a Full Trails Guide to lead bush walks, advancing through Field Guide qualifications, specialising in more niche fields like astronomy or mentoring the next generation of guides, every member of the team is constantly working to expand their knowledge and refine their craft. These achievements represent hundreds of hours of study, practical assessments, mentoring and time spent immersed in the wilderness.
That commitment doesn’t just benefit the guides themselves – it directly enriches every guest experience.
Meet the Guides
Roelof Wiesner | Head Guide
Recent achievement: RAM Mentorship qualification
As Head Guide, Roelof leads with passion and purpose. His greatest focus is cultivating a guiding team grounded in strong ethics, continual learning and genuine care for both people and Nature.
A passionate birder and walking guide, few things bring him greater satisfaction than mentoring fellow guides on foot through the Karoo wilderness. His calm leadership, love for people and dedication to sharing Samara’s conservation story ensure every guest leaves with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the landscape.
Roelof recently achieved the Resident Assistant Mentorship (RAM) qualification which allows him to mentor and supervise Apprentice Trails Guides at Samara as they conduct the required mentored hours of tracking dangerous game on foot, in preparation for safely and professionally guiding guests.
Dominic Cory | Deputy Head Guide
Recent achievements: FGASA Full Trails Guide Qualification and Advanced Rifle Handling
Dominic combines an exceptional knowledge of botany with a passion for walking safaris and mentoring others.
As Deputy Head Guide, he plays an important role in developing the next generation of Samara guides while continually encouraging the team to grow. His meticulous attention to detail and appreciation for the often-overlooked beauty of plants and flowers adds another dimension to every safari experience.
Mzi Dlakavu
Recent achievements: FGASA Full Trails Guide Qualification and Advanced Rifle Handling
Mzi’s journey with Samara began in 2017 as an elephant monitor after a stint at Tracker Academy. Thereafter he became a tracker and ultimately one of Samara’s senior field guides.
One of Mzi’s greatest strengths lies in storytelling. Drawing on his own life experiences and deep connection to the land, Mzi combines exceptional tracking skills and intimate knowledge of Samara’s wildlife to curate safaris with a unique perspective.
Ivan Buregoo
Recent achievements: FGASA NQF4 Field Guide Qualification and Advanced Rifle Handling
Ivan’s career began at Tracker Academy, where he progressed from a tracker to a facilitator before following his passion into guiding.
A keen birder with a conservation background, including anti-poaching work across the Eastern Cape, Ivan thrives on exploring the bush on foot. His local knowledge, tracking expertise and enthusiasm for sharing the smaller details of the ecosystem make him an exceptional walking guide.
Skye Jooste
Recent achievements: FGASA NQF4 Field Guide Qualification and Advanced Astronomy
After swapping the Lowveld for the wide-open spaces of the Karoo, Skye quickly discovered a passion for Samara’s slower, more immersive style of guiding.
Curious, enthusiastic and always eager to learn, Skye has completed multiple qualifications within a short period while continuing to work towards becoming a Full Trails Guide. Whether joining sleep-outs beneath the stars or sharing the wonders of the night sky through his astronomy training, Skye’s excitement for the natural world is infectious.
Joshua Pretorius
Recent achievement: FGASA Full Trails Guide Qualification
Growing up in the bush instilled in Joshua a deep respect for the natural world from an early age. Personable and always up for an adventure, he has a remarkable ability to read animal behaviour, allowing him to anticipate wildlife encounters and create unforgettable moments for guests.
Whether guiding on foot or from the game viewer, Joshua’s sensitivity towards the bush, strong ethical approach and intuitive understanding of wildlife make him a natural guide. Becoming one of South Africa’s youngest Full Trails Guides at the age of 21 is a testament to both his dedication and maturity, with an exciting career still ahead of him.
Jason Hesi
Recent achievement: FGASA NQF2 Field Guide Qualification
Jason’s story is one of passion, perseverance and purpose. Growing up on a farm near Samara and having dreamed of becoming a guide from a young age, the achievement of his NQF2 qualification marked an important milestone in a lifelong ambition.
Known for his warm personality and infectious enthusiasm, Jason has a natural ability to connect with guests while sharing the wildlife and conservation stories that make Samara so special. Every safari with Jason reflects his genuine love for the Karoo, particularly birding and tracking.
Henrico Thys
Recent achievement: FGASA NQF2 Field Guide Qualification
After spending almost three years as a tracker, Henrico recently qualified as a field guide – a milestone that reflects his ambition and ability.
Tracking remains one of his greatest passions, providing him with an incredible ability to interpret animal behaviour and read the stories of the bush from the ground up. Combined with his humour and natural rapport with guests, Henrico has quickly become a valued member of the guiding team, with his sights now set on achieving his NQF4 qualification.
Marnus Ochse
Recent achievements: FGASA RAM Mentorship and Advanced Astronomy
Although Marnus leads Samara’s tourism operations as General Manager, his passion for guiding has never faded.
Whenever the opportunity arises, he is always eager to join guests in the field, sharing his extensive knowledge, supporting the guiding team and providing tips for wildlife photography. His commitment to mentorship continues to play an important role in developing the next generation of Samara guides.
The Samara Guiding Ethos
At Samara, qualifications are only one part of what makes a great guide.
Our guiding philosophy is built on ethical decision-making, sensitivity towards the environment and a deep understanding that no two guests experience a safari in the same way.
Every guide is encouraged to develop their own strengths and personality while remaining united by a shared purpose: to tell the story of the Great Karoo, inspire meaningful connections with Nature and showcase the conservation work that makes Samara so unique.
It is this diversity of knowledge, experience and passion that allows our team to create unforgettable safari experiences – whether your interests lie in tracking, birding, discovering rare plants, getting spectacular wildlife photographs, walking through the wilderness or simply slowing down to appreciate the extraordinary beauty of the Karoo.
We believe that guiding isn’t simply a profession – it’s a lifelong commitment to learning, conserving and sharing one of South Africa’s greatest rewilding stories.
Samara Karoo Reserve is a leading conservation journey to restore 67,000 acres of South Africa’s Great Karoo landscape and beyond through rewilding and responsible tourism. Staying at one of Samara’s lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision.