Tracks and Trails

With over 15 years of experience in the field and a master’s degree in nature conservation, Steve brings a thoughtful, quietly profound approach to guiding. A certified Level 2 Lead Trails Guide, he specialises in botany, animal behaviour, birding and tracking, interpreting the bush with the precision of a scientist and the intuition of someone deeply in tune with the land.

Since joining WildEarth in 2018, Steve has become known for his gentle way of guiding, where curiosity is welcomed and every question is a door to deeper understanding. His favourite part of being with WildEarth is the freedom to explore any subject, from the structure of a termite mound to the quiet clarity found in stillness.

What sets Steve apart is not just his ecological insight, but his gift for creating space, space for reflection, connection, and often a sense of calm awe. Guests often speak of ‘Oh my word’ moments and quiet pauses spent in nature that feel a little like meditation.

His favourite animal? The honey badger, fierce, fearless, and full of character. Much like Steve himself, there’s more to them than first meets the eye. Away from the vehicle or the trails, you’ll find him playing drums, dancing, or simply soaking in the rhythm of the wild.

Renias Mhlongo is one of South Africa’s most respected traditional trackers, with more than four decades of experience working in the greater Kruger region. Raised in a Shangaan family who lived close to the land, he learned the principles of tracking from an early age and developed an instinctive understanding of wildlife behaviour.

His career began at Londolozi in the 1980s, where he became central to the habituation of the reserve’s well-known leopards. Over the years, his skill has been recognised across Africa and beyond. Renias has led tracking workshops in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, Brazil, and North America, adapting his knowledge to a wide range of environments.

He is the co-founder and principal trainer of Tracker Academy, where he has spent more than a decade teaching new generations of trackers. Renias is also a co-author of the Tracker Manual and has contributed to ecological surveys for reserves across South Africa.

Today, he continues to guide guests and naturalists through the Kruger Untamed camps, sharing a lifetime of practical skill, quiet observation, and deep field knowledge. His tracking expertise offers guests an experience rooted in authenticity and a rare understanding of the wild.