Course Leaders
Train as a professional safari field guide in South Africa

Sophie Greatwood - Coordinator

Sophie is the founder of Global Vision International (GVI)’s South African wildlife research project, as well as being the coordinator of the South African National Parks internship programme. A UK resident by birth Sophie has a B.Sc. Honors Zoology Degree with First Class Honors. She was also awarded The Knight-Jones Zoology Prize in 1996 for outstanding work in Zoology. From August 1996 to April 1999 she was a Research Assistant at Makalali Private Game Reserve. From July 1999 to February 2000 she worked as a research assistant at the Lion Research Centre, in Moremi, Botswana. Having lived in Africa for the last 7 years, Sophie has a deep understanding of Africa, its people and wildlife. Having led GVI expeditions from May 2001 Sophie has developed exciting and innovating programs that allow those with little or no experience the opportunity to enjoy Africa other than as a tourist.

Sean Robertson - senior instructor

Sean is the senior instructor and has a world of experience in the training environment of field guides. He has been in the guiding and training industry for the last 6 years and is a qualified Level 3 (SKS) Dangerous Animals guide. Sean is also a FGASA National Assessor, registered with Deat and Theta and qualified in EFR Primary and Secondary First Aid. He is very passionate about the bush, especially the smaller species like insects, botany and amphibians. He has an Advanced Rifle Handling and View Potential Dangerous Animals qualification. Sean is responsible for the course material and facilitation. He has worked abroad in the guiding and training industry and he would love for you to join this course!

Ilze Montgomery - daily operations manager

Ilze is responsible for the daily operation of the training centre. She worked as a Camp Manager at Makalali Private Game Reserve for four years. She is in control of all meals prepared for you and has spend two years abroad working as a cook on a private yacht. She is in control of all the “behind the scene” aspects of running the training centre. Ilze’s responsibilities also fall into the marketing and accounts department. She is a qualified EFR First Aid Instructor in Primary and Secondary First Aid. She also has a keen interest in birding.

Mark Montgomery - Manager

Mark is the Manager and the Head lecturer of Bushwise. He was born in SA where he went to an agricultural school. After that he did his National Service and work at a petrochemical factory for eight years. He got bored with his job and found a job in Zambia doing horse trails and canoeing on the Zambezi River. After four months of doing that he started working for Makalali Private Game Reserve, where he gained most of his skills an knowledge of the bush. He is a registered field guide and has a FGASA Level 3 (SKS) Dangerous Animals qualification and registered with DEAT and Theta. He loves dangerous game and doing guided walks in dangerous game areas. He has an Advanced Rifle Handling qualification and is a FGASA National Assessor and a qualified EFR First Aider. He is a big fan of rugby and Moto GP. Mark is married to Ilze and they have two young boys.