When guests review their stay at Rare Earth Retreats’ Tshwene Lodge and Ekuthuleni Lodge, one name appears so frequently he has practically achieved celebrity status: Steven.
For more than two decades, Steven has guided guests through the Welgevonden Game Reserve, sharing not only his remarkable tracking skills and deep understanding of the bush, but also the quiet passion that makes every drive feel personal.
When we asked Steven about his journey, he sat down and carefully handwrote his answers. Reading through his notes, you quickly get a sense of the man behind the ranger: thoughtful, humble and deeply proud of the work he does.
From 22 years in Welgevonden to his unique relationship with the reserve’s elephants, here’s Steven’s story.
“Steven is the crown jewel of this wonderful establishment. He is the first face you see on arrival and he sets the standard for the entire experience. You can tell the guides from the other lodges also respect him tremendously. He is so in tune with the animals and it shows in the exceptional sightings we had.”
– Alwyn, April 2026
Q: How did you become a safari guide and what led you to this lifelong career in the bush?
Steven: “I was hired back in 2004 by a guide named David. They started me in a maintenance position and gave me different jobs to do. I worked hard and always made sure every job was done to the best of my ability. They also taught me to be a waiter and a housekeeper, and I enjoyed learning every part of the lodge.
By 2005, David started training me as a guide. Whenever the owners came to the lodge, I was the one driving them. That same year, David took a position overseas and left. The owners had a meeting and, because of the work I had put into the lodge, the family voted for me to become the new manager.
They sent me to Mabula Lodge in Bela-Bela for my FGASA guide training. The passing mark was 75%, and I achieved 90%. I returned as a qualified guide and lodge manager. Since then, I’ve managed a number of lodges in the reserve. I completed my FGASA Level 2 in 2017 to further develop my skills, and I’m looking forward to completing my Trails Guide qualification and rifle handling in the near future.”
Q: Safari guide might be your title, but what does it mean to you on a deeper level?
Steven: “As a safari guide, I meet people from all over the world. My job is to showcase the beauty of what we have here in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. Years ago, I thought the main duty of a guide was to show guests the Big Five: elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo. I excelled at that!
But after many years of guiding, my thinking has changed. I’ve learnt that every guest comes with different interests. I don’t just focus on the Big Five. We chat about all kinds of animals, birds, fauna and flora, geology and the different soil types in our region. I also know that many people have travelled widely and are very knowledgeable about the bush and safaris. Because of that, I’m always researching and learning new things to share with my guests. I’ve noticed they really enjoy that extra depth.
People save for a long time to visit places like this, and I always want them to leave feeling they’ve received more than what they paid for. I call it value for money, but to me it’s really about creating memories that will last forever. And making sure they have a reason to come back!”
“Steven did a truly incredible and absolutely extraordinary job. He responded to every individual request, no matter how different the customers were. His flexibility is particularly noteworthy here: where it made sense and was necessary… he extended the game drive beyond the usual 3 hours so that we could have unforgettable experiences… He really gives his all.” – Sfneiss, January 2026
Q: Is there a game drive moment that has stayed with you? Which was it and why?
Steven: “There are so many! One morning on a game drive, we were watching a herd of elephants. We were four vehicles in a row when the herd moved around us. They started behaving differently… one elephant bull nudged one of the vehicles, and two vehicles were able to reverse while the other two remained where they were. They were trumpeting with their ears wide open, showing they were unsettled.
One young elephant bull came towards our game viewer vehicle, trumpeting as he approached. I stayed calm, although it was definitely an intense moment for everyone. I said something loud that I usually say during elephant sightings: ‘Jumbo, HABARI, MAZURI.’ It’s Swahili for, ‘Hello, how are you?’ At that same moment, the matriarch rumbled, just as the young bull was getting close to us. As soon as she spoke, everything changed. The young bull lowered his ears, dropped his trunk and turned back to the herd.
It became a big talking point afterwards, and I believe the elephants know me in this reserve. We work very well together, and we always treat them with respect, which I believe they recognise too.”
“Our designated guide has to be named. Steven is an experienced ranger, has amazing driving skills and showed his excellence, once we got held up by a herd of elephants… Steven, as a true elephant whisperer, explained to us how the animals needed to be approached and predicted the outcome. Not only did he get us through safely, he was also fully aware that several cars behind us needed a safe pass as well.” – Northstar, January 2026
Q: Do you have a favourite animal to spot? If yes, what is it and why?
Steven: “My favourite animal to spot is the leopard. It’s often the one guests are most excited to see, so if we find a leopard, there’s a good chance they’ve seen the whole Big Five.
I love tracking them because there’s nothing quite like the thrill of following the signs until you finally find one. Reading the faint paw prints in the dust, listening to the alarm calls of monkeys and birds, and tracking it patiently until it’s hidden in a thicket… that is the ultimate reward for me.
And then, seeing the pure joy on the faces of my guests makes every single hour of tracking worth it.”
“The big big plus of this lodge is the guide, Steven, being exceptionally knowledgeable, passionate, and generous in sharing his experience… Thanks to him we had the chance to see all the key animals in exceptional situations (hunting, playing, fighting, sleeping, swimming).”
– Stanislas, January 2026
Experience Welgevonden with Steven
Ready to climb into the tracker’s seat and experience the magic of the African bush through Steven’s eyes? Explore our luxury accommodation options at Ekuthuleni Lodge and Tshwene Lodge or get in touch with the Rare Earth team to secure your next luxury safari itinerary.