From Laundry to Leading Safaris: Stanley Tono Gowaseb’s Journey at Ongava

Every great guide has a story. Stanley Tono Gowaseb's didn't begin behind the wheel of a safari vehicle, or out in the bush tracking a stalking predator. It began in the laundry department, where curiosity, patience and a willingness to learn quietly laid the foundation for an extraordinary career.

Today, Stanley is one of Ongava's senior guides, helping guests experience Namibia's wildlife through knowledge, patience and a deep respect for the natural world. His journey is a reminder that the best guides are shaped not only by training, but by years of observation, humility and simply paying attention.

A Journey Built on Curiosity

Stanley, from Outjo, joined Ongava Game Reserve on 25 June 2012, in the laundry department at Wilderness. "I wanted to learn everything," he recalls.

Rather than settling into one role, he rotated through nearly every department, from maintenance to hospitality, each step laying a little more of the foundation for what would come next.

Finding His Place in the Bush

In 2013, Stanley took a step that would change the course of his career, moving into a role as a waiter, one that brought him into closer contact with the guiding team and opened the door to guide training.

He enrolled in entry-level guiding courses at Tamara Lake and later Paterberg, completing both, and shadowed senior guides on drives and bush walks to absorb the terrain, the wildlife and the judgement required to lead guests safely and with confidence. "I also did my weapons training levels one and two, and whenever guides went out on walks or to the shooting range, I joined them," he says.

Even while still working as a waiter, Stanley began leading waterhole tours and bird-watching walks, gaining hands-on experience long before it was officially his job.

From Student to Senior Guide

By November 2015, Stanley had officially become a guide, first at Ongava Lodge and later at the Adventure Camp at Inosence. Through continued training and certification with AFCA and Field Guiding Levels One and Two, he steadily advanced to senior guide, known today for his expertise and his calm, steady presence in the field.

Lessons From the Wild

What Stanley treasures most about guiding is the connection it offers, to nature and to people. Over the years, he's learned as much from his guests as from the bush itself.

"Within these ten years of guiding, I've learned a lot from our guests," he reflects. "I start reading their behaviour, their body language, their interests. Going out with different people from different cultures, you learn a little and sometimes a lot from them. That is also part of guiding."

He's equally candid about what nature demands of those who enter it. Recalling a recent incident in which tourists blocked wildebeest during their migration, Stanley doesn't hide his disappointment. "From the ground, animals see us as predators," he explains. "Wildebeest may have to return to strong flowing river currents with crocodiles, or even jump off cliffs, which can cause injuries. We need to respect animals' space, because unnecessary interference can also lead to fatal accidents for guests."

"In nature, you have to expect the unexpected," he adds. "Reading books helps, but experience is the real teacher. Observing animals every day teaches you so much."

Always Learning

Looking ahead, Stanley dreams of taking his love for the bush further still, perhaps as a host, an assistant manager, or a care manager. For now, he leads with humility, knowledge and a deep respect for the wilderness, embodying the spirit of Ongava in everything he does.