Armand Kissoon
Guide
My journey in the bush began with a deep passion for wildlife and conservation, which led me to spend my formative years working at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit. There, I gained hands-on experience with the realities of human-wildlife conflict and the plight of Africa’s wildlife, which is something I remain deeply passionate about today.
As one of the guides representing Elephant Plains Game Lodge, I aim to share not just the beauty of each sighting but the bigger picture behind it. I believe strongly in conservation through education—using each drive as a chance to inspire awareness, respect, and a deeper understanding of the fragile balance that sustains wild places like the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve.
While the Big Five often steal the spotlight, I find equal joy in highlighting the smaller, less celebrated creatures—the ones that are so often overlooked. From the tireless work of a dung beetle to the perfect camouflage of a chameleon, these moments reveal the intricate web of life that makes the bush truly extraordinary. Every species matters, and I love helping others see the beauty and importance of it all.
Colbert Khoza
Tracker
Growing up in Utah, I would help my father track his cows after school. He would teach me the differences between male and female tracks, the freshness and how the soil type would affect the tracks. He taught me that all tracks should be treated the same and that the only thing that changes is the animal’s footprint.
I started as a General Worker at Mala Mala in 1999 and was promoted to the position of Tracker in 2000. I gained my tracker certification at the Londolozi Tracker academy, and then continued to work at Mala Mala for a further 12 years.
Following my time at Mala Mala I worked as a tracker in Thornybush with our Head Ranger, Darryn. I am now fortunate enough to work in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, where I can continue to pursue my passion.
I look forward to meeting new guests and teaching them some of what I know about tracking.
Deon Mnisi
Tracker
I grew up in a village called Thorndale, close to the Manyeleti Reserve. I spent many hours tracking and following my family’s goats and cows. While out looking after the livestock, I passed the time by learning to identify tracks of small antelope, mongoose and other small mammals. When I first joined Elephant Plains, I was part of the maintenance team, but whenever a tracker was sick or on leave, I filled in as a tracker. About a year later I was promoted to be a tracker and have now been tracking at Elephant Plains for the past 5 years.
Dumisani Machabe
Tracker
I was born and raised in a village called Utah. I passed my matric during the year 2000. I grew up in a family where my parents had livestock – cattle, cows and goats.
I was the cattle herder and used to know and identify where they were going and if they were safe, by making use of the technique called tracking.
My ambition was to become a tracker. My dream came true when I started my training at Londolozi CC Africa Training Academy as a tracker. I received my certificate in 2002. I started my tracking career at Kapama Game Reserve and for more experience, I decided to move to Umkumbe Game Lodge.
I started at Elephant Plains Game Lodge in 2021 and I love working closely with the team. It is also close to my home. I enjoy it here!
Jordan Delvecchio
Guide
Qualifications: FGASA Level 1, Lead Trails Guide (VPDA), Tracker Academy Track and Sign Level 1, Tracker Academy Trailing Level 2, Tracker Academy Tracker Level 2, Advanced Birding Certificate
Originally from Johannesburg, I have always been passionate about animals and nature, so becoming a Field Guide was my natural career choice. My family would take holidays to the Kruger National Park multiple times a year and my love of the bush was fostered during these special trips.
I am a keen birder and an avid photographer, and I believe that this adds an extra element to my game drive experience.
I completed my guiding qualifications with Eco Training in the Makuleke, Mashatu, Karongwe, Pridelands and Selati Game Reserves. Following on from this, I was placed at Elephant Plains Game Lodge for my practical work experience. As a student here, I was exposed to the intricacies of working in a lodge which further developed my love for the industry.
After my placement, I began working at Nkomazi Private Game Reserve and gained valuable working experience.
When I was contacted to return to Elephant Plains I did not think twice and took the opportunity to re-join the team where my career began.
I am currently studying towards my Level 2 Guiding Qualification so that I am able to provide a more in-depth, detailed experience to my guests.
I love meeting people from all around the world and experiencing different cultures. I find great joy in showing guests the diverse beauty of our country and sharing a life changing experience with them. I hope to share my passion for many years to come.
Jordan Nell
Guide
Originally from Durban. My journey into the wild began incredibly early – I was a mere eleven years old when I knew that the bush was exactly where I was meant to be. Growing up, my parents and grandfather nurtured this dream with countless visits to the bush, instilling in me a deep, unwavering connection to nature. That passion led me to formal training at Bhejane Nature Training in Hluhluwe, and soon after, I landed my first guiding role in Nambiti Private Game Reserve.
One of my greatest passions is birding, and I’ve worked hard to hone that skill, even earning my FGASA Birding Specialist qualification. While I love the thrill of guiding from the vehicle, there’s something truly special about exploring the bush on foot. It offers such a unique and intimate perspective of the wilderness, allowing you to truly feel connected to the environment. Whether it’s pointing out a majestic eagle soaring overhead or a tiny, intricate insect, I love sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for every aspect of the ecosystem.
I’m definitely an extrovert and a real people-person, so interacting with our guests is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I particularly cherish the opportunity to share those “first-time safari” experiences, seeing the wonder in someone’s eyes as they witness the magic of the Sabi Sand for the very first time. My ultimate goal in life is to educate and inspire, hoping that by sharing these incredible moments, we can all contribute to sustaining these wild environments for future generations to come.
Matthew Lippstreu
Guide
I am originally from St Francis Bay, a small town on the coast of the Eastern Cape. Growing up, my family and I often visited the bush. This is where my passion for the wilderness first began. After completing school, I knew that a career in the bush was the path I wanted to pursue.
I obtained my guiding qualifications through EcoTraining, gaining experience in renowned reserves such as Makuleke, Selati, Pridelands, Karongwe, and Mashatu. Throughout my training, I was exposed to a variety of guiding styles, all of which helped shape and refine my own unique approach to guiding.
As part of my practical training, I was placed at Elephant Plains Game Lodge for six months, where I deepened my understanding of field guiding and gained valuable insight into lodge operations and management. Following this placement, I was offered a position as a junior guide at Elephant Plains, providing me with the incredible opportunity to begin my professional journey at one of South Africa’s premier game reserves. This role has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, as I continue to develop the skills and knowledge required to excel as a field guide.
My specific interests include birding, tracking, and exploring the smaller, often overlooked ecological aspects of the bush. I am also an amateur photographer, passionate about capturing the unique and fleeting moments that make every day in the bush different and memorable.
Currently, I am working towards achieving my FGASA Level 2 qualification, with the goal of providing guests with a more comprehensive and immersive safari experience. I take great pride in connecting with people from all walks of life and strive to deliver memorable encounters that leave the African bush as a place they’ll always want to return to.
Nicholas Greeff
Guide
Qualifications: Lead Trails Guide, Level 2 Field Guide, CyberTracker Level 2.
I was born in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) in the Eastern Cape. I spent the majority of my childhood growing up on a small farm and always enjoyed the great outdoors. Spending time in nature showed me that my first love is nature, and I decided that the most fitting career would be one in the wilderness.
I began my training in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal at Bhejane Nature Training, where I completed an in-depth two-year course. I began guiding in 2018 and spent 5 years in the Manyoni and Nambiti Reserves.
In late 2022 I decided to pursue my dream of guiding in the Lowveld and was fortunate to be offered a position at Elephant Plains Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
I am a passionate birder and find great interest in the smaller, often unnoticed aspects such as botany, insects and reptiles.
My favourite animal is the majestic elephant. Experiencing this mega-fauna up close is a truly humbling experience which is incomparable. As the name suggests, Elephant Plains Game Lodge is the perfect place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Being able to live and work in the bush is always interesting as every day is different- you can never predict what’s going to happen. I hope that I am able to share these experiences with people for many years to come.
Thapelo Chabangu
Tracker
My path to becoming a tracker began in the Kruger National Park where I used to work as a driver for a project called BSP (Biodiversity Social Projects). Every day, as I drove through the park, observing the animals in their natural habitat, a strong desire grew within me: one day, I wanted to work directly with these incredible creatures and truly connect with the bush.
To pursue this dream, I approached a friend from my village who had dedicated almost his entire life to tracking. He generously shared invaluable advice on what it takes to become a great tracker. Our journey began with learning basic tracks, and soon we were practising in my village, tracking cows and goats. He saw potential in me and later advised me to apply to Tracker Academy, widely recognised as one of South Africa’s premier tracking schools.
My application was successful, and receiving that acceptance was one of the happiest days of my life, as it meant I was finally on my way to pursue a career in the bush. My training took me to the Eastern Cape for six months. We spent every day immersed in the bush, learning about trees, shrubs, animal behaviour, tracks and signs, and so much more. Following this, I completed my next semester of practical training at Londolozi Private Game Reserve.
Upon completing my comprehensive training, I secured my first position as a tracker at Kapama Game Reserve. Since then, I have gained further experience at other distinguished game lodges, and I am now proudly part of the team at Elephant Plains Game Lodge. As part of the team, I feel an immense sense of joy at playing my role in providing our guests with an unforgettable and unique experience.
