Dumi Mbatha, hailed as the most well-liked tour information in KwaZulu-Natal on TripAdvisor, is famend for his data, kindness, humor, and distinctive storytelling. Guests often describe their experiences with him as ‘superior’ and ‘the most effective’ a testomony to his talent and dedication.
Dumi’s journey to changing into a high tour information started in Jozini, Zululand, the place his love for nature was nurtured throughout college journeys to native recreation reserves. Initially contemplating a profession in accounting, his ardour for the surroundings led him to Phinda Non-public Sport Reserve after commencement. ‘I used to be good at accounting in school, so I assumed I used to be going to turn out to be a chartered accountant. However I used to be additionally a member of the environmental membership and I simply fell in love with nature,’ he admits.
Following seven years at Phinda, he moved to Thanda, one other luxurious reserve, the place he honed his abilities in catering to upmarket company. ‘I realized all about upmarket company and the way they wish to be handled. Which means I’m always striving to take care of very excessive requirements. I all the time attempt to problem myself to enhance and be higher,’ he says.
To broaden his expertise, Dumi labored at varied corporations, together with a short stint at a lodge in Pilanesberg, North West, which he left as a result of chilly local weather.
‘When you’ve grown up in Zululand you don’t perceive the chilly. I didn’t even final a 12 months. I used to be very comfortable to return again residence to KwaZulu-Natal,’ he remembers with amusing. Returning to KwaZulu-Natal, he continued his profession at Manyoni Non-public Sport Reserve and later in St Lucia, the place he obtained quite a few requests for personal excursions. This demand led him to determine Dumi’s Legacy Excursions in 2018. ‘I known as it Legacy Excursions as a result of I need to go away a legacy. That is additionally why my excursions are totally different. I attempt to convey one thing totally different to each tour that I do,’ he explains.
Dumi’s Legacy Excursions presents personalised experiences, together with half-day and full-day safaris to iSimangaliso Park, Cape Vidal, and Hluhluwe Sport Reserve. A singular function of his choices is the Elephant Interplay Expertise at Manyoni, the place company can find out about elephants Rachel and Rambo, who had been rescued from a cull as infants and have turn out to be habituated to folks.
The ‘Dumi Distinction,’ highlighted in customer opinions, stems from his storytelling prowess, which brings to life the tradition, historical past, and wildlife of Zululand. Dumi shares private anecdotes and cultural insights, making his excursions partaking for each adults and kids. ‘The place I grew up, the folks used vegetation for drugs. They knew the significance of animals within the wild. They understood the function of the spirits of the ancestors and the way they should be connected to the house. These are the tales I inform – the tales of Zululand, the folks, the tradition, the bush, and the wildlife,’ he says.
Photos: Equipped
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