Kirkman’s Kamp and Tengile River Lodge
Jade van Heerden
&BEYOND Guide
At a glance
TAKE MOMENTS, AND PINCH YOURSELF OFTEN…
BASED AT KIRKMAN'S KAMP AND TENGILE RIVER LODGE
3+ YEARS GUIDING EXPERIENCE
SOCIAL MEDIA CHAMPION
INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY, PAINTING & CANOEING
FAVOURITE ANIMAL
Rhino and leopard
MEET JADE
Although her early life unfolded in the City of Gold (Johannesburg), for Jade, the real treasure was spending time with her family camping (or sometimes glamping, she admits) on holidays to the bush. As a little girl, head resting on the open car window, wind in her hair, eyes searching for animals, she imagined what it might be like to be immersed in the outdoors every day.
In pursuit of other dreams, however, Jade completed a degree as an Industrial Designer and initially worked as a lighting and jewellery designer based out of a somewhat different jungle – the concrete one. But then in 2020 when the pandemic hit, like so many all over the world, she and her husband, Wayde, began considering more meaningful ventures. The dream to work in the wild was reignited.
Most married couples do not have the same kind of whirlwind start to their marriages as Jade and Wayde did when their (some might say) crazy aspirations really started taking shape. In the summer of 2021, they successfully completed their 6-week guides selection and training course at Inkwazi Ranger Training Centre on &BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve and were set to live and work in the bush at last. The reality was so incredible to them that they regularly had to say to one another: “pinch yourself!” This has become a well used catch-phrase between them ever since.
Jade and Wayde found placements at &BEYOND Kirkman’s Kamp and &BEYOND Tengile River Lodge in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. We believe they are on course to live and work here happily ever after…
To be lucky enough to watch the sunrise and sunset almost every day, makes me pinch myself often
A selection of Jade’s images
FROZEN IN TIME
Jade’s sightings
CAUGHT IN MOTION
Keep connected
Follow @jadevheerden_photography on Instagram
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