Nikki’s contagious enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation was instilled at an early age. Growing up on his family’s farm in South Africa’s Free State, Nikki gained hands-on experience implementing sustainable farming practices, meticulously recording rare plant species, rehabilitating previously disturbed areas and completing several environmental education programmes.
This invaluable experience and unwavering passion for the environment would go on to shape Nikki’s future. He completed a qualification in Nature Conservation and Game Farm Management and in 2015, Nikki enrolled at &Beyond’s Inkwazi Ranger Training School at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve.
&Beyond Phinda stole Nikki’s heart. Not only was he engrossed with Phinda’s diverse landscape, but he was also inspired by &Beyond’s dedication to sustainable development. So much so, that he compiled an in-depth environmental management plan for the reserve, which gave a detailed overview of geology of the land, the anti-poaching legislation, as well as ways to further foster sustainable development in the surrounding communities.
A true gentleman and animal lover at heart, Nikki remains actively involved in caring for the land, wildlife and people and firmly believes that conservation should not be a job, but rather a lifestyle that is practiced each and every day.
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