Barry Wolhuter

• Responsible for overseeing tourism operations, including activity planning, guide management, and the administration of lodges and camps
• Over this time, I played a key role in the reconstruction and refurbishment of a photographic camp, provided staff training, and developed and implemented systems and documentation for a climate-focused initiative

Involvement in Conservation and Infrastructure Development

• Rhino Conservation: Participation in rhino tagging initiatives.
• Water Management: Involvement in water resource management projects, focusing on sustainable practices and infrastructure development to support wildlife habitats.
• Infrastructure Development: Contribution to the planning and implementation of projects, ensuring that these initiatives align with environmental conservation goals.

• Operations Manager for Amalinda Safari Collection, overseeing the operations of three lodges located within Hwange National Park and one lodge in Matopos, Zimbabw
• Additional duties include training and running the APU unit in Hwange on the concession and conducting walking safaris for top end guests

• Employed as Operations Manager for five star lodges contracted to Croisi Africa / Europe in Namibia
• Additional duties include but not limited to, training local staff to ensure the high standards of CroisiEurope are maintained, liaising with local communities regarding wildlife conflict, overseeing the total rebuild and refurbishing of one of the lodges
• These lodges are on the Zambezi River and part of a top end circuit for Croisi Africa in Southern Africa, being in a very remote part of Namibia and far from any major towns, logistics and supply chain needed continual attention
• Unfortunately, work permits became an issue and I could no longer continue with this employment

• Joined the Shangani Sanctuary as the General Manager to return to my passion of wildlife and conservation
• It is the long-term intention to incorporate into the Shangani Sanctuary those contiguous properties surrounding the core existing wildlife properties to be fully enclosed by a continuous game fence around an area of approximately 70 000 hectares and then reintroduce wildlife species that have either been totally eradicated or reduced to low numbers
• My duties included but were not limited to the following: The planning and of the erection of the game fence and the ordering of the required materials and supplies and delivery thereafter
• The appointment and control of various onsite managers to ensure the project ran smoothly
• Planning and coordination of the training and deployment of game scouts
• Overseeing the building and maintenance of staff compounds
• Ensuring the existing photographic camp was managed correctly and to the required standards
• Liaising with the surrounding local communities and stakeholders, Zimpark and Government officials to Ministerial level as well as members of the Zimbabwean Police Force and Army
• Dealing with labour and other human resources problems with the workforce
• Ensuring all the relevant Government permits and licenses were obtained and kept valid
• Meeting and dealing with potential investors and donors

• Overseeing a salaried staff complement of approximately 280 and waged staff of 800 on various construction and mining sites around Zimbabwe
• Other functions including meetings with Government officials on tenders and projects, developing local community initiatives, dealing with various stakeholders and implementing safety, health and environment management systems
• Labour issues and disciplinary measures as well as developing a Company Code of Conduct fell under my umbrella

• Company Overview: The Hide Safari Camp was voted the best Photographic Safari Camp in Zimbabwe every year under my tenure
• During this period, my duties included overseeing the guides and training, vehicles, repairs and servicing, the upkeep of the concession, maintenance of the camp, ordering supplies, guest relations and staff management
• I was involved in meeting with Zimparks Managers, all stakeholders, and the local community on a regular basis and ensuring we maintained a good working relationship with them
• I worked very closely with the Zimparks Area Manager Main Camp Mr A Masakwa who is now a Zimparks Director with involvement in new roads construction and maintenance, anti-poaching, and fire management as well as with Wildlife Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ) on various projects including borehole and water management in the Park
• I also became involved in assisting CIRAD and other research NGO's and worked with WildCRU in their lion research as well as the Painted Dog Project
• During this period, I was a founding member of the Friends of Hwange Trust of which I am still a Trustee and actively involved
• I became involved with Animal Planet / Discovery Channel in filming the Big Five Challenge One & Two as well as being involved in Karina Wild on Safari
• I was appointed local coordinator for Wildlife Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ) and won their Conservationist of the year award in 2005
• The Hide Safari Camp was voted the best Photographic Safari Camp in Zimbabwe every year under my tenure

• Freelance guiding and running my own photographic and hunting safaris throughout Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa with relief Management at various photographic lodges and camps
• I then decided to move solely to lodge management, conservation and photographic safaris

• Worked as a trainee hunter and guide
• I realised that my passion was in photographic safaris and conservation and concentrated on this aspect but I do have vast hunting experience that allows me to understand the value of ensuring wildlife in Africa is properly protected and managed correctly
• Part of this training was the building of camps and lodges, the maintenance thereof as well as vehicle and workshop maintenance, the construction and maintenance of roads, anti-poaching and meeting with the local communities

• Worked as Junior Accounts Auditor