Game ranger course in South Africa

This course has been planned for visitors who want more than the regular safari experience, and will offer an introduction to a variety of topics and give insights into African wildlife, the environment and survival skills. Highly experienced instructions will give you an understanding of wildlife ecosystems and their inhabitants. You will have the opportunity of experiencing the African "bush" first-hand, on foot or in open 4x4 safari vehicles. To take a course such as this one, is an adventure all of its own.

The course will be held in a large reserve in the Kruger Park area. Through the reserve flows three rivers, carving their way through the bedrock and dividing the reserve. The vegetation of this reserve falls within the Savannah Biome. The reserve has abundant wildlife with over 60 different species of mammals, including lion, leopard, elephant, white rhino, wild dog and cheetah. The camp where you will be staying consists of large, walk-in style tents with twin beds (2 guests share each tent). There are shared shower / WC facilities and a central recreation area. Linen will be supplied. This will be an experience of a life-time, you have watched "game rangers" on TV and in films - come and join this course for a real-life experience of a "day in the life of a game ranger". A totally unique experience!

The course is structured to maximise the practical experience of our students in the bush. Each day allows for hours of time spent in the field interpreting the ecology and enjoying a wildlife experience. During the first week, the morning and late afternoon excursions are conducted on foot, whereas the remainder of the course alternates between walks and driving.

During the course, students will cover the following topics:
Welcome and Introduction - The game drive vehicle - Ecotourism and Guiding - Spotlighting - Field guiding as a profession - Basic 4x4 driving - Attributes, skills and duties of a field guide - Planning of game drives and walks - Bush navigation and orientation - Radio procedures - Ecology - Reptiles - Geology - Amphibians - Soils - Sensitivity - Weather - Anticipating animal behaviour - Plant communities - Astronomy - Plant identification and uses - Identification and ecology of invertebrates - Grasses - Bush habitat management principles - Presentation skills - Photography and binoculars - Animal tracks and tracking - Communication and facilitation skills - Bird identification and behaviour - Dealing with guests - Animal behaviour - Sustainable development and the wise use of natural resources - Approaching dangerous game - Ecotourism and local communities - Setting up a bush camp - Taxonomy - Sleepout in the bush - Working in the industry - Bush skills and survival - Career opportunities - Dangerous game / Rifle handling - Testing and evaluations.

If you are interested in this course but don’t have a full month, then please contact us to enquire about our 14 day courses.
A typical day starts with a hot cup of coffee before we head off on a walk or drive out in the landrover at sunrise. The activity may focus on a specific subject such as birds or animal behaviour, or we may spend the time game viewing and broadly learning about the ecology. At times we encounter more dangerous game including lion and elephant on walks and drives, this allows for important exposure for trainees for the potential work that lies ahead in their future careers. A brunch is served in the late morning comprising of fruit, cereal or porridge, toast and a cooked meal such as bacon and eggs.

The study time follows which involves topical instruction and discussion on the subject of the day, followed by further reading and feedback by students. A siesta or personal time follows for a couple of hours in the early afternoon. Tea, coffee and sandwiches are served in the mid afternoon. An evening drive in the landrover or an afternoon walk follows. Students are exposed to a world of nocturnal animals such as frogs, owls and perhaps leopards under starlight skies.

Dinner is served around the fire where we discuss the day’s experiences and wonder about tomorrow’s adventures. Our daily programme and course structure is flexible to allow for unexpected events such as a lion kill during a lecture on astronomy, or rain storm during a sleepout in the bush. These subjects are relevant to any aspiring guide or bush enthusiast.