Contact us:

 info@bhejanenaturetraining.com

         +27 (0) 83 726 3826

Awareness through Wilderness . . .

© Copyright Bhejane Nature Training cc  2011   

Nick van de Wiel - Guest Instructor

When not busy conducting tours for his safari company, Tailor Made Safaris, Nick conducts guest lectures at Bhejane, specialising in Astronomy and Ecology.

Nick holds a Masters Degree in Biology and is a FGASA qualified guide in the process of completing his FGASA Level 3 qualification.

Nick is also an enthusiastic wildlife photographer.

South Africa, like the rest of the world, has seen rapid growth in Ecotourism. With such rapid growth, there
is always a demand for professional services. Bhejane aims to provide a training and education service to
people of all ages wishing to pursue a career in guiding and related activities.

We operate in Northern Zululand. A very rural area, characterised not only by its rich tapestry of landscapes, history and wildlife, but also by large scale poverty and unemployment of the surrounding communities. Bhejane works in association with various other organizations to empower and educate these communities to ensure a better quality of life, as well as to ensure a vested interest in conservation.

We actively seek sponsors to train local community members and also sponsor a limited number or students ourselves for different training courses each year. In fact, every paying student that takes part in any of our programmes by default becomes a sponsor to a local student from the surrounding community.

Courses are led by professional instructors, all of whom are legally qualified and registered with the relevant authorities and standards setting bodies in South Africa such as CATHSSETA (Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and SportEducation and Training Authority, and FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa).

Bhejane Nature Training is owned and managed by Dylan & Christa Panos (see below for more about them).

uBhejane is the Zulu name for the African Black Rhino, a flagship species for northern KZN. Bhejane Nature Training has
been established with the inspirational history of the Black Rhino in Zululand in mind. The dedication, persistence and high standards of the KwaZulu Natal Game Rangers was the driving force
behind the successful re-establishment of Black Rhino populations in South Africa. The Black Rhino represents
a successful conservation effort, against all odds - led by pure passion and determination of these rangers.

Dylan Panos  - Owner and Senior Instructor (Trails Guiding)

Dylan is the principal trainer for Bhejane Nature Training. His qualifications and experience include:

•  FGASA Level 3 Trails Guide
•  FGASA Marine Guide Level 1
•  SKS Birding (Special Skills and Knowledge)
•  PADI Rescue Diver
•  CATHSSETA Assessor and Moderator
•  Qualified Professional Hunter
•  Registered ITA Firearm Instructor and SASSETA     Assessor

Jana Beets - Camp Coordinator &  Office Assistant

Especially imported from the Karoo,(where most good people come from)Jana Beets is our camp
coordinator, and ensures that students are well fed and happy on course. Jana accompanies groups when travelling and ensures the smooth running of the camps.

Of course being surrounded by Bush and Beach enthusiasts, Jana also got bitten by the bush bug and is now studying towards her FGASA Level 1 qualification.

Sibongile Zulu - Camp Coordinator & Office Assistant

Sibongile grew up in Zululand and managed the Ehlathini Bush Camp prior to Bhejane moving in there. Sibongile assists with camp operations and keep our office and student library in order.

She is also currenlty completing a Diploma in Hospitality Management.

Dylan has got over 18 years of experience as a guide and trainer and started his career in the lowveld where he started working as a trainee guide under the mentor-ship of Master Tracker Wilson Masia.  After guiding for  a number of years, Dylan started working as a trainer and instructor for various Field Guide Training organzations prior to starting Bhejane Nature Training in 2009. Dylan became the national programme head for the Damelin Game Ranging and Lodge Management progamme and developed the African Modules for the Hons Degree in International Wildlife Biology offered by  the University of Glamorgan (UK).

Dylan’s passion is Trails Guiding and to ensure that he stays relevant as a guide, conducts wlderness trails for KZN Wildlife in  the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve and various Zululand Private Game Reserves.

Freya  van de Wiel - Senior Instructor (Marine Guiding)

Freya is a FGASA qualified Terrestrial and Marine Guide and holds a Masters Degree in Marine Biology with specialisation in Marine Mammals. Freya is also a qualified  Advanced Open Water Diver.

Apart from teaching our Marine Guide modules, Freya also owns and runs Tailor Made Safari's together with husband Nick van de Wiel, specialising in both terrestrial and marine safaris in Zululand and Southern Africa in general.

Freya’s specialsit knoweldge of the marine diversity of the Elephant Coast ensures top quality training for our Marine students.  Freya also remans relevant as a guide by working as a local Boat based Whale Watching Guide for local operators.  

Ryan Tippett - Senior Instructor (Nature Guiding)

Ryan’s qualifications and experience includes:

•  FGASA Level 3 Trails Guide,

•  SKS Birding (Special Skills and Knowledge)

Ryan started his guiding career after completing a 1 year Field Guiding  Course (Bush Academy).

Having worked as a guide in northern Zululand for over 6 years, Ryan has become established as one of the best Fishing Guides in the region as well as a specialist birder before joining Bhejane in 2010. Ryan is currently completing his SKS Birding as well as  FGASA Marine Guiding qualifications.

Ryan has got an immense interest in anything natural and his passion and enthusiasm for all elements of nature ensures that students get a very well rounded training experience.

Growing up and guiding in KZN, Ryan has developed an in depth knowledge of the vegetation of the area, and he is recognised as a Sand Forest and Coastal Forest Specialist Guide.

Ryan’s other interestes inlcude Photography.

Christa Panos - Owner and Programmes Director

Christa has got varied experience in the fields of environmental research,field guiding, hospitality, cultural guiding and education and training. Her qualifications and experience
includes:

•  Hons BA Geography & Environmental Science
•  FGASA Level 1
•  FGASA Marine Guide Level 1
•  PADI Rescue Diver
•  National Diploma in Hospitality Management

Christa spent many years workng alongside husband Dylan in various South Africa Game Reserves before joining Damelin as a lecturer for Game Ranging and Lodge Management. Christa developed a passion for education and training and progressed to become the Head of School for Damelin’s Lesiure and Lifesyle Faculty. She moved from Damelin to the Independent Institute of Education where she led the Leisure Faculty as Senior Head of Programme. Christa’s in depth knowledge of programme development and training and assessemnt practice is applied extensivley in the development and management of Bhejane’s academic and practical learning programmes.

Christa is also a CATHSSETA Assessor & Moderator and currently serves as the Regional Chairperson for FGASA (KZN North Region)

Christa’s guiding interests include the Marine Environment and Birding.

Amon Ndlovu - Junior Instructor & Butterfly Specialist

Amon has is a home-grown Zululand Nature Guide. Amon started his career as camp manager in the Pongola Nature Reserve. He also  managed camps and projects for the Space for Elephants Foundation before joining Bhejane in 2009 as a Junior Instructor. He has guided for several lodges and reserves in Zululand and have also undergone extensive training and mentorship with Australian Entomologist Dr. Andy Young.

Amon’s local and specialist knoweldge adds great value to our courses. Amon is also our Zulu teacher. Amon is currently working towards his FGASA Level 2 and Trails Guide Qualifications.

Ashley Wormald - Training Assistant

Ashley joined the Bhejane team after completing his Professional Field Guide Course with us.  He is a FGASA Level 1 Nature and Marine Guide and is currenlty training towards his Back-up Trails Guide qualification.

Ashley also holds a  BsC Degree in Plant Pathology and Agrometeorology.