Nic and I hit it off immediately since we both share a passion for safari adventures, wildlife conservation -- especially elephants.  

When I first arrived in Hwange, it wasn't long before Nic took me on a walking safari into the bush. I marveled at Nic's encyclopedic knowledge of every animal track and insect. He could identify every bird sound and what it was communicating. Quite remarkable considering there are over 420 species of birds in Hwange!   

  

One of the highlights of my bush treks with Nic was following the tracks of an old lone bull elephant which we thought was solitary. The day was to have many surprises. For safety, Nic carries a large caliber .458 Winchester. He is so good at anticipating wild animal behavior -- whether elephant, lion, or Cape buffalo -- that he's never had to fire a shot!    

While following the tracks, we had not yet seen the elephant. Nic suddenly waved his hand palm down to stop. Not more than a hundred feet ahead, seen just above a clump of bushes, was the back end of the old bull! Then Nic started pointing excitedly to his left. He grinned. I gulped. There was another old bull just now emerging through the thorn brush lumbering toward his 7-ton friend! I looked around. Is there a tree to climb? 

Nic's confidence quickly puts you at ease. There's no macho swaggering to take needless risks. This guy knows what he's doing. And he's been doing it for 27 years in the bush. He reaches down to grab a handful of powdery dust to sift through his fingers to test the wind. Safe. We're downwind. We trek on. The two bulls are now walking side by side, almost leaning into each other. Old buddies. 

Our chuka boots step into monster tracks as the bulls head for shade. It's noon with the sun directly overhead. Insects whine around our sweat-soaked shirts. We keep our hundred-feet distance. The bulls find two tall trees to rest under. One bull leans against a thick bole of a tree, it creaks as he falls fast asleep. The other bull stands still, eyes shut, trunk hanging straight down. We move within 50 feet and stop. They look bigger. T.Rex size. My heart's hammering. Amazingly the bulls have absolutely no idea we're there. We're both grinning. Feeling really alive. One with the bush.

Nic puts you in the moment.

Relaxed around safari fires with drink in hand, you can talk freely and be yourself. You really listen and get to know people. Nic is one of the most unassuming and honorable men I've ever known. Over the years I've seen he's a devoted family man. I know his lovely wife Tracey and his animal-loving 13-year-old son Chris (who has an ever-grumbling Jack Russell named Grumpy, and a cool pet rooster named Mister Cheep Cheep!)

I ask Nic what first inspired him to live and work in the bush -- and what he had to do to make his dream come true as a safari guide. Nic thinks a moment and then tells his story to me...

"You know, Dick, being trained as a professional guide in Zimbabwe is extremely arduous and is arguably Africa’s toughest and most rigorous professional guides examination process.

I served my 3 year apprentice on a rhino conservancy under a fully qualified professional guide where I mastered the basics of bush lore, tree identification, animal behavior, mammals, birds, arthropods, star gazing, general knowledge, shooting, safety, advanced first aid, spoor and skull identification, mechanics and much more.

During this learning period I had many exciting forays. I lay in ambush against poachers, climbed trees to escape black rhino, was charged by elephant, stood face to face with 3 black mambas! Then, of all things, I had a close shave with a domestic Brahman Bull! Yes you heard right! I will never forget being told to go and destroy a Brahman bull that escaped its pen, and was running wild and could not be captured. 

I couldn't believe this easy task; I mean if it was a Cape buffalo it would be one thing but a domestic bull?! This was surely no challenge at all...

I finally located the ‘’wild animal’’ and after setting up an ambush I stood on a path and waited for it to approach. The huge Brahman bull ambled towards me, raised his head and charged! I was taken totally by surprise and raised my rifle and fired in time, dropping him only feet from me! This was nearly an embarrassing situation, one in which I don't think my fellow colleagues would have let me off so lightly!

After passing the stringent professional guides written exam, I was invited to the shooting practical exam where shooting both moving and fixed targets set at varying distances, where speed, accuracy, weapon handling and safety were paramount. This is a crucial aptitude when you are responsible for the safety of your clients on walking safaris into the bush.

Years earlier and after making my mind up that I was going to be a professional guide, I purchased a .458 Winchester mag and took it to the range to try it out. Sitting on the ground I raised my rifle, took aim at the target and slowly squeezed the trigger. After the dust had settled and my ears normalized, I sat there in total disbelief and shock!! My shoulder felt like it was broken, and I think I missed the target all together! What came to my mind was how on earth was I to one day become proficient at shooting this thing?

After passing the shooting exam, I was invited to the next step: a daunting oral interview where one sits in front of his peers and is bombarded with questions. This is then followed by the dreaded 'nature table' where one has to identify skulls, tree pods, arthropods, bird feathers, nests and seemingly endless 'artifacts'.

Only candidates whom the panel deem competent, and ready for the last hurdle, are invited to the final practical exam. 

This one-week-long practical exam is legendary, and not for the faint-hearted. Here, a total of 20 plus aspiring professional guides, are broken into groups of 4 to 5 hopefuls. They are expected to set up their tented camp and host some of the examiners. There is no place to hide and you are expected to excel. It is grueling, tiresome and nerve-racking where one is examined on everything and anything!

When I took the learner’s examination there were over 200 candidates. By the time the practical exam arrived 3 years later, there were about 20 of us left -- of which only 4 passed. I was one of them..."