Our Team

Making You Feel Part of the Family

DUNCAN & LOUISE RODGERS - Operations Director & General Manager

Duncan and Louise have been in the Game Lodge industry for the last 32 years, and have worked at 5-star lodges throughout their careers. They joined Leopard Hills during the building and development stage in 1998 and together with many of the Leopard Hills team members have been here ever since. Duncan and Louise have a passion for Leopard Hills and strive to create a family atmosphere for the staff as well as the guests. This is evident in the relaxed yet professional service at the Lodge.

Raising their two daughters, Megan and Kiara in the bush has been a blessing, and has allowed them to learn a holistic approach to life. Duncan, Louise and the Leopard Hills team look forward to welcoming you to this little bit of “paradise” they are lucky to call home.

MEGAN RODGERS - Assistant General Manager

Megs has been blessed to call Leopard Hills her home since the lodge first opened in 1998. Being born and raised in such a unique environment, has allowed her to follow her dreams of a career in the bush, affording her the opportunity to meet people from all around the world, and introduce them to this very special place.

Upon completing her schooling at Leopard Hills, Megs started job shadowing within the various departments of the lodge to learn the ropes before a position became available and she jumped at the opportunity to join the team. Megs then moved onto the next step as the Front of House Manager where she thrived while also studying Hotel Management through the world renouned International Hotel School from which she graduated in 2018.

Six years after embarking on her Leopard Hills career journey, she fulfilled her dream and became the Assistant General Manager. Megs looks at each day as a new page in the book of a life she loves and she cannot wait to write the next chapter.

DEAN WOLMARANS - Maintenance Manager

Dean was born in Johannesburg and has spent a lot of time growing up on farms in and around Johannesburg and Nelspruit. He has a deep love for animals and has always been fascinated with the wildlife of Africa. Dean studied Hotel and Catering after leaving school but had a yearn to travel and see as much of the world as he could, resulting in him leaving South Africa in 2008 for the USA. While he was in the USA, he got his Captains License and was active as Captain of various luxury yachts, taking tourists and guests on cruises throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean Ocean Islands. Dean is a relaxed and friendly person who has a love for people and a passion for his work with them. However, after being in the USA for 12 years he longed to come back to South Africa where his roots are. Dean’s dream for the rest of his life is to work in the African Bush with people and be near the wildlife. Being employed at Leopard Hills has fulfilled his dream and he is determined to fulfil the opportunity to be part of the Leopard Hills Team.

KIARA RODGERS - Front of House Manager

Being immersed in this unique environment her entire life, Kiara has been privileged to have called Leopard Hills her home since day one. After working a six month temporary position the dream of officially joining the Leopard Hills Team became a reality which she grasped with both hands. Starting out as HOD Relief Manager, she then moved on to become the Front of House Manger.

Kiara’s affinity and love for animals has led her to pursue her ultimate dream of becoming a ranger by studying FGASA. Since she is at her happiest living among nature, she is able to cultivate another of her greatest loves, Photography.

SELINA RAMOKKI - Relief Front of House Manager/Spa Therapist

Selina was born in Cullinan, close to Pretoria. Her first job as a Spa Therapist was in Pretoria. After six years working in the city, she decided to it was time for a change of environment and moved to the bush to work at Simbavati. After three years there, an opportunity arose in July 2019 to join her new family at Leopard Hills. Selina is passionate about her job, loves challenges and learning new things. Most of all she is a believer.

CLEARANCE MONARENG – Restaurant Manager

Clearance was born and raised at a village just outside the Manyeleti Game Reserve. After finishing his schooling, he worked for a construction company, working his way up from a general worker to a builder and a plumber. After that he worked at the Kruger National Park Invasive species control unit for 6 years. From there he joined Leopard Hills in 2018 as Night scullery and Security. He was then promoted to Barman and Waiter, and after a year and a half his dream came true when he was promoted to Restaurant Manager. Clearance is passionate about his job and always willing to learn and improve.

COBUS MULLER – Head Chef

Cobus was born and raised in Vereeniging and at about the age of 16 years old he realized that he wanted to be a chef. He attended the North West University and completed his B-Com Law Degree. During his time at University, his passion for braaiing / cooking and entertaining friends became even more ignited. After finishing his degree, he went to culinary school to follow his passion. As he finished his diploma, he got the opportunity to come and work at Leopard Hills and what an amazing journey thus far.

PENNY NGWENYA – Assistant Head Chef

Penny was born and bred in Springs; she realized her passion for food at an early age. After matriculating she enrolled with HTA School of Culinary Arts via Singita Culinary School in the year 2017. She graduated in 2018 and went on with her journey in the city. At the end of 2018 she got the opportunity to start at Leopard Hills as a junior chef. Through hard work and dedication anything is possible, and she grabbed the chance to take on a new challenge as the Assistant Head Chef.

CARMEN JACOBS - Food & Beverage Manager

Carmen was born and raised in Johannesburg where she pursued her passion in Tourism after College. She started her career in the Sabi Sand at Idube in 1993, then on to Savannah where she first met Duncan, Louise and Megan. She moved with Duncan and Louise and joined the Leopard Hills team during the building and development stage in 1998. Having met her husband at Singita Game Lodge she then moved to Johannesburg and became a wife, mother and pre-school teacher until moving to Wakkerstroom. Carmen counts herself as one of the luckiest humans to have the unique opportunity to come back to her first love and bush home – Leopard Hills.

PORTIA NGOMANE - Spa Therapist/Relief HOD Manager

Portia was born and raised in Badplaas. Her interest in how the body works and the healing effects that massages therapy brings is what ignited her passion and lead her to a career in beauty therapy. After studying at Oxbridge Academy her first job was close to home at a wellness resort in her hometown of Badplaas. Portia’s beauty therapy skills coupled with her fascination in the special healing qualities of the bush environment are what lead her to her to her passion of being a “bush beauty therapist”.

After four years at a lodge not far from home, she decided it was time to grow and an opportunity to join the Leopard Hills family arose; needless to say, she jumped at the chance!

Be on the lookout for her happy, smiling face on your arrival at Leopard Hills!

NADINE OLIVIER – Receptionist

Nadine’s love of animals and her passion for people was evident from a very young age. Growing up in Sabie, nature has always been an important part of her life. This led her to search for ways to make it a part of her eventual career.

Upon completing her schooling, she went on to study Recreation and Tourism Management at the University of Potchefstroom. Nadine always knew she wanted to work in the bush and was elated at the opportunity to join the Leopard Hills Team. Her fun & bubbly personality as well as her desire to be the best at what she does makes her the perfect fit.

To Nadine, every day is an adventure, and she can’t wait to see what her future holds.

THANDI MABUNDA – Housekeeping Manager

Thandi’s affinity for people and deep love for nature were ignited at a young age while growing up in the community bordering the Sabi Sand.

During her school years, Thandi was selected above everyone else in her class to take a trip to a lodge in the Kruger National Park. While there, her eyes were opened to the endless possibilities that a career in this unique industry could bring. For Thandi, there as no looking back once she realized her dream.

Thandi started her Leopard Hills journey as a waitress in 2016 and through hard work and pure passion, she found herself as the Housekeeping Manager before long.

In 2021, Thandi left to start a family but after three years she found herself returning home to Leopard Hills.

We are delighted that Thandi has rejoined our special team as Housekeeping Manager.

REVIEW

Amazing Honeymoon

We were lucky enough to celebrate our honeymoon at Leopard Hills. The Leopard Hills team really went above and beyond to make our time there even more special. The game viewing, friendly staff, food and accommodation are all exceptional. Special mention to Johan and Walter for being the best ranger and tracker team!

Tanur, (April 2021)

View on TripAdvisor

Our Rangers & Trackers

Your Guides to Our African Wilderness

STUART BUY - Head Ranger
Stuart has been visiting Leopard Hills since he was 7 years old, and it was here that he fell in love with the bush. Spending time in this beautiful piece of Africa, with the rangers and trackers, his knowledge and interest in all things flora and fauna grew into a passion.

After completing his training and qualifying as a guide in 2015, Stuart’s guiding career started off in the Madikwe Game Reserve. When a ranger position opened up at Leopard Hills Stuart was elated to have the opportunity of realising his childhood dream of guiding in a reserve he had grown to love at a young age.

Every day in this job is a blessing, and living a dream just makes it even better.
JOHAN DE LA REY - Ranger/Habitat Manager
Growing up on a farm with animals around him, Johan learned to respect and love nature from a young age. After school he worked with an overland company (Tours Across Africa) as a tour guide. Travelling across the African continent his true passion developed for the bush and its wildlife. In 2004, after three years of touring, his passion for the bush steered him to the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and in 2013 he joined Leopard Hills guiding team.

Johan’s hobbies include fishing, birding, photography and sports, so when the opportunity arises he enjoys playing a round of golf or a cricket match. As a guide Johan loves to immerse his guests in the true experience of the bush. He believes the bush is too special to rush around, we do that enough in everyday working life, so he enjoys taking the time to explain what guests are seeing; and not just ticking off the “boxes”.
MICHAEL SIMONS - Ranger
From a young age, Michael has always been fascinated by animals and loved being surrounded by nature! His passion for nature started as a kid going to the bush with his family and eventually “Veldskool”. Growing up on the outskirts of Krugersdorp it was not uncommon for him to cycle into the cradle of humankind where he found peace in the simplicity of nature away from all the hustle and chaos of a city. After school, Michael went straight into the bush completing a 3-year nature course where his spark grew into a fire and hasn’t stopped…

He’s a passionate photographer and loves capturing stunning moments in the bush. He also loves the smaller things that the bush has to offer like birds and reptiles.
JUSTIN DE LA REY - Assistant Head Ranger
After completing his degree in business management and marketing Justin decided to pursue his true passion in life, which was to work in the bush. He completed his training through Nature Guide Training and started at his first job in Balule Game Reserve. Justin has a huge passion for birding and gets excited at the idea of being able to share his love and passion for the African bush with people from all over the world.

From a very young age Justin was exposed to the bush during family trips into the Kruger National Park, and accompanying his parents on their work trips, which exposed him to many incredible private lodges, one of which being Leopard Hills during its early years.
MORNE HOFFMAN - Ranger

Growing up in Alberton Johannesburg, Morne had a far from “city boy” upbringing with both his parents’ love of nature. He can remember spending almost every school holiday in the Kruger National Park, viewing everything from the Big 5 to the Small 5 and everything in between.

After school, Morne spent some time studying in the North West University, to which he decided to leave it all behind to follow his passion of becoming a Field guide.

He truly believes that a guide’s role is not only to share their knowledge of the bush with guests but also to interpret animals and their behaviour, thus to be the so-called “translators” of the bush.
DESIRE SIBUYI - Tracker
Desire’s love for the bush started when she was 10 years old. He grew up in the local village, Justicia, just outside the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Every day he woke up listening to or watching different animals along the fence. His father taught him what he knew and that is where his passion grew. After completing his matric, Desire went to Nelspruit to study, but that was not his passion; he wanted to become a tracker, so he applied to the Tracker Academy and studied for the year. After passing his Tracking Course, he started working at Tswalu as a Field Ranger and tracking when needed. He is very excited to start his new future with Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve.
BONGANI SIBUYI – Tracker
Bongani was born in a local village North of the Sabi Sands and was privileged to have a father who was one of the first master trackers in the world. Having a great role model, he started learning from his dad which built a hunger for the bush. He started learning more and more about animals and their behaviour. Before his father passed, he told him to love what you do and you won’t work a day in your life.

Bongani started his career working for the Sabi Sands Wildtuin, part of the environmental monitoring group, saving up to pay for his tracking academy course which he passed top of his class.
RONALD GUMEDE - Tracker
Ronald was presented with an opportunity to join the Leopard Hills family back in 2004. Starting off as the dedicated groundskeeper, his hard work and passion for the bush quickly led him to join the tracking department.

Ronald is most comfortable walking, tracking and finding animals and sharing his joy with guests.
ADVICE HAMBANA - Tracker
Advice’s passion and desire to become a tracker started at an early age as his father is a well-known head tracker in the area. During his school holidays, he used to visit his father, who would take him and his brother on game drives. That is where he found his passion. He wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue with the family legacy. He got a sponsorship from The Tracker Academy and completed an intensive year of studies and tracking assessments. Advice has worked at a few different game reserves but realized his heart was The Sabi Sands. He is now blessed to be working with Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve.