A specialist guide at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, Jonny Motsieloa, has been voted one of the world’s top guides at the Wanderlust Travel Awards held at the Royal Geographical Society in London. 

The awards, launched by Wanderlust magazine in 2006, have a category to recognise guides and tour leaders. Every year, around 3 000 guides are nominated by readers, who are then assessed and shortlisted. Motsieloa ultimately took the Bronze Award.

“I was very ecstatic, and I am glad that my work has been recognised,” says the 45-year-old guide and father of three.

“He came to us on Friday the 13th, lucky for some, in September 2002. Jonny is super knowledgeable, has eagle eyes – I swear he could spot game through a solid brick wall – and really takes you into his world on his drives and walks,” Caroline Lucas, owner of Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge, explains.

Now a senior field guide at Mosetlha, Motsieloa started working in the reserve as a security guard in 1997 until he was given the opportunity to attend the Mafisa Training Programme to qualify as a guide – his dream job.