We are incredibly excited to welcome Shalin (Shay) Merrick, our new Volunteer and Guest Experiences Coordinator, to our Wild Tomorrow South Africa team. She has an extensive wildlife guiding background, having completed a 3 year Advanced Nature Guiding and Wildlife Conservation Course at Bhejane Nature Training – right next door to Wild Tomorrow’s Conservation Center - receiving qualifications as a Field, Trails, & Marine Guide. We cannot wait for our visitors to experience her warmth and expertise, read more about Shay in our latest blog post below!

Shay Merrick, Wild Tomorrow’s Volunteer and Guest Experiences Coordinator!

Before she began her path to conservation, Shay thought she’d end up studying accounting, but something shifted, and she realized she was far more drawn to teaching — especially if it meant being outdoors, surrounded by nature. That realization changed everything and ultimately led her toward a career that beautifully combines education, conservation, and a deep curiosity about the natural world.

After finishing school, Shay interned at a wildlife rehabilitation center while applying for funding to study Game Ranch Management. Although she was accepted into three universities, life took an unexpected turn and brought her back home to KwaZulu-Natal. It was there that their grandfather suggested she begin with field guiding as a foundation. At first, Shay was hesitant, as she never really saw herself as a “commercial guide.” What fascinated her the most was the intricate side of nature — the relationships between species, ecosystems, and the stories unfolding in the wild every day. More importantly, she wanted to help others understand and connect with those stories too.

That perspective was deeply shaped through her training with Bhejane Nature Training, where she completed the Advanced 3-Year Course and qualified as a Field, Marine, and Trails Guide. During the training, Shay was introduced to the work of Wild Tomorrow through the Sand Forest Rehabilitation Project. The Bhejane students spent time in the field with Wild Tomorrow identifying plant and tree species, assessing what was needed to restore ecosystems and support the growth of a true forest habitat. It was hands-on, purposeful work that strengthened both her ecological knowledge and their passion for conservation.

Shay’s placement year took her to Zingela Safari & River Company, where she worked closely with Animal Management, Veterinary, and Zoology students. Starting out as a guide, she taught students about the bush and eventually took on giraffe conservation work, including presentations, camera trapping, and data collection to help build an identification kit for monitoring giraffe populations. It was during this time that she discovered how much she loved bridging the gap between practical conservation work and education.

Today, as Volunteer and Guest Experience Coordinator at Wild Tomorrow, Shay is doing exactly what first inspired her: creating meaningful outdoor learning experiences that help people connect more deeply with nature. Whether working with students, guests, or conservation teams, she can bring an incredible sense of curiosity, passion, and purpose — helping others not only see wildlife but truly understand it.

We are so grateful to have Shay on our team, and we can’t wait for you to experience her amazing knowledge and guiding by joining us on a wildlife volunteer experience at Wild Tomorrow’s Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve.

JOIN US IN THE FIELD

WELCOME SHAY TO THE WILD TOMORROW, SOUTH AFRICA TEAM