Game Ranger Conservation Experience

Highlights

Learn authentic ranger skills

During your expedition you’ll learn to track, monitor and identify many different animal and plant species. You’ll even find out how ecologists can quickly tell the difference between females and males.

Explore Kruger National Park

Covering nearly five million acres (two million hectares), Kruger National Park in South Africa is home to all of Africa’s ‘Big 5’ species, making it one of the continent’s best places for wildlife watching. Base camp for this experience is in a private concession within Kruger and you will also spend a night camping in the public area of the National Park, giving you a deeper insight into this iconic wildlife hotspot.

Many adventures in one

As well as exploring the wilderness of Kruger National Park, you’ll visit an animal rehabilitation centre, and take part in an introductory reptile course which will give you an insight into these fascinating creatures and may even help you overcome your fear of snakes.

Evenings around the campfire

You’ll spend most of your evenings learning to cook on coals under the African night sky, listening to the sounds of nature and sharing stories from the day with your fellow travellers and conservation experts.

The ideal introduction to conservation

If you’re passionate about saving Africa’s wildlife, this experience is the perfect place to start. You’ll get to see for yourself how conservation works, engage with professionals and make a real difference.

Do

During your two-week Wildlife Ranger Experience, you’ll get involved in the following activities:

• Track wildlife by identifying and interpreting their tracks, signs and spoor
• Monitor the movements of wildlife, including all the ‘Big 5’ species and many more
• Set up remote camera traps to monitor elusive species 24/7
• Identify individual rhino by their ear-notching patterns
• Visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre that offers long-term care for resident species
• Take a reptile course that will transform the way you view these incredible animals

Learn

With an experienced wildlife ranger as your tutor, you’ll pick up some important bush skills and get your head around the challenges of animal conservation in Africa.

You’ll learn about:

• The preferred habitats, behaviour and social structures of elephants, lions, giraffe and many other animals large and small
• How to track animals by identifying their tracks, also known as spoor, and signs of their presence
• How to identify different tree and plant species as well as their medicinal and practical uses
• How to identify some lesser-known species, including the differences between males and females
• How to build a campfire and other bushcraft skills
• The hunting, mating and territorial behaviour of predators
• The wildlife poaching crisis, which affects rhino and elephants in particular, and the methods used to protect animals in the field
• Other threats to wildlife such as hunting, poisoning and habitat fragmentation
• How to use a spotlight during a night drive to minimise the impact on animals
• How to approach dangerous animals safely and with minimal impact
• An introduction to astronomy