This Women’s Month, we’re proud to celebrate one of our passionate and inspiring team members: Sarah Barratt, a guide at Thornybush Game Lodge. With a deep love for wildlife, an unwavering commitment to conservation, and a strong voice for women in the guiding industry, Sarah embodies leadership rooted in knowledge, compassion, and courage. Her journey is a powerful reminder that passion fuels strength, expertise drives change, and that the African bush, with all its challenges and magic, is a place where women not only belong but thrive.
We honour Sarah and all the remarkable women making their mark in conservation, guiding, and the protection of our wild spaces. We sat down with Sarah to learn more about her journey, her connection to the bush, and the lessons she’s gathered from a life immersed in the wild.
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a guide at Thornybush? I’ve been fortunate enough to guide at many wonderful reserves before coming to Thornybush. Still, I always knew I wanted to work somewhere with the incredibly high standards of conservation and guest experience that Thornybush offers. I was also drawn to the raw wilderness of the Greater Kruger area, so Thornybush was a perfect fit!
What drew you to the world of wildlife conservation, and how has that passion evolved over time? It’s hard to say what drew me to the world of wildlife conservation. My earliest memories are of my being obsessed with wildlife. Since as far back as I can remember, I have had an intense love for animals, wild spaces and their conservation. I have no idea where this love came from, it has just always been a natural part of who I am. This love has definitely evolved over time. Initially, I was only interested in the hands-on field work of conservation; however, now I focus more on educating people. A lot of my time is spent teaching others about the importance of conservation, sharing my passion with them so that people feel enthused to protect these precious wild spaces.
Do you have a favourite animal? Definitely! My favourite animal by far is the Spotted Hyena! I know they are not everyone’s favourite. Most guests’ first words when they see them are ‘ew’!. Unfortunately, they are given a bad reputation and are often portrayed as dirty, evil scavengers, playing the role of the bad guys. However, they are absolutely amazing animals, incredibly intelligent with fascinating social structures. They are always doing something interesting, making them a wonderful animal to see on safari! I could watch them forever!
What has been your most unforgettable sighting? That’s a tough one! I’ve had the privilege of witnessing many incredible things, from animals being born to killings and insane inter-species interactions. But one moment stands out. Early in my career, I was setting up a drinks stop for another guide in this stunning setting. We were down in this deep valley, with breathtaking, jungle-like scenery and a little stream running by. The guests came, enjoyed their drinks, and as the sun set, a few fireflies came out around us. It was very beautiful. When the guests left, I was left to clear up alone. It was now fully dark. I turned the lanterns off and threw a bucket of water on the last fire. And as I looked up into what I expected to be total darkness, I realised that hundreds and thousands of fireflies surrounded me. Clouds of them. Lighting up the pitch-black forest around me. It was like something out of a fairy tale. I sat there for way over an hour taking in the unbelievable beauty. This was the moment I realised this was the office for me. I’ve never experienced anything like it again. Nature has endless surprises for us, and it’s often the ‘little’ moments that are really the most important ones.
Watch Sarah’s TikTok wildlife guiding and commentary as our Marketing Correspondent: Watch here.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the African bush?
Sarah: Anthropology is a huge passion of mine, and something I really wish more people understood about the African wilderness is that this is where we come from as a species. This is where humans belong. It’s our home. And we actually have a natural place in the natural world. We act now as if we are separate from nature, but no matter how hard we try, that will never be the case. We need nature. And without it, we have no future. So if we want a future on this planet, then we need to regain our connection with the natural world and protect it at all costs.
What does being part of the Thornybush team mean to you? It’s an absolute privilege. I get to work for an organisation that’s leading the way in conservation and guest experience. The product we deliver is something I’m incredibly proud of, both professionally and personally. As part of the marketing team, I also have the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with a broader audience, which is a privilege.
What’s your favourite season in the bush? Autumn, without a doubt. April and May are perfect—the rains have passed, the bush is still green, and the winter chill hasn’t quite set in. It’s a beautiful balance.
How do you keep learning as a guide? The bush is constantly teaching us—no two days are ever the same. But staying current through reading and research is key. Nature is dynamic, and our understanding of it changes all the time. Keeping up to date is part of being a responsible guide.
What’s one life lesson the wild has taught you? The bush has taught me many lessons. One of the most important of which is that knowledge and understanding is key. If you don’t understand this environment and the animals with it everything can be dangerous, the creatures, the plants, the conditions, but if you understand it, and you behave in the correct way, you don’t just survive you thrive. Knowledge really is power.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the industry, and what advice would you give aspiring female guides? Eish! Being a woman in this industry, as is the case in many industries, can definitely be extremely challenging. Unfortunately, it can mean being constantly undermined, underestimated, second-guessed, mocked and harassed by colleagues and guests alike. At the start of my career, this used to really upset me; however, I have learnt to allow these experiences to only make me stronger. My advice to aspiring female guides would be never to let yourself be lessened to make others comfortable. Take up the space that is rightfully yours, call people out for their nonsense and never let the challenging moments hold you back. Keep pushing forward and become the incredible guide you know you can be.
Sarah Barrat works at Thornybush Game Lodge.
Book your next safari with us today! Email: res@thornybush.com and visit:www.thornybush.com
Follow us on TikTok: @thornybush.safari and keep up with Sarah in the wilderness, at Thornybush
