SOUTH AFRICA

 Become a Safari Ranger

Step into the shoes of a safari ranger, on this journey to an exclusive lodge in the African bush. This 14-day “African Nature Guide Experience” is an opportunity for the ardent safari-goer. Enjoy a unique safari ranger experience with an international group of travelers. This trip is perfect for nature lovers who want to take it a step further.

Accommodation at the Honeyguide Ranger Camp (Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Activities)

The Waterberg Biosphere – Johannesburg / 14 Days / 13 Nights

Day 1: Honeyguide Ranger Camp, The Waterberg Biosphere

Situated amidst the towering Waterberg Mountains in the Limpopo Province, the Waterberg Biosphere, as the name suggests, serves as a water reservoir for the region. Renowned for its rugged beauty, the landscape is characterised by low-lying mountain ranges and escarpments, as well as a network of streams, rivers and lakes. It is the home of South Africa’s first-ever savannah biosphere reserve and is also home to many other nature reserves which provide a protected habitat for an array of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in natural hot springs, discover the ancient World Heritage-listed archaeological site in Makapans Valley, and view abundant birdlife at the Nylsvley Wetlands.

Day Itinerary

Step into the shoes of a safari ranger, on this journey to an exclusive lodge in the African bush.

Enjoy a unique safari ranger experience with an international group of travelers. This trip is perfect for nature lovers who want to take it a step further.

We will explore the savannah in SUVs and on foot in order to get close to the wildlife and incredible nature. Learn about animal behavior, how to recognize insects and birds, tracking and the unique African ecosystem in daily ranger training classes. Our Instructors are experienced rangers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge of these amazing surroundings and its wildlife.

Tasks may vary from physical work to interesting and interactive lecture-based content. There are several monitoring projects which assist in capturing vital information used in the research and management of all species on reserve. The experience is diverse and structured, yet not prescheduled as result of the nature of working in and around wildlife and a reliance on prevailing conditions.

The Ranger Camp, perfectly located in the Entabeni Game Reserve, is a small, exclusive lodge with a swimming pool and restaurant.

Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, a representative will be waiting to escort you to the vehicle. You will then make your way to Pretoria, the Executive Capital of South Africa for a quick tour before you transfer to Honeyguide Ranger Camp, where you will join the Ranger Training Course over a period of 13 days.

Upon arrival, the check in formalities will be completed, before a representative from the lodge will go through the activities, schedules and lectures on offer as well as the times for the game activities and meals.

A late lunch will be enjoyed before freshening up for your scheduled evening game drive.

The duration of the game drive is approximately 3 hours, which includes a scenic viewpoint where sundowner drinks can be enjoyed.

We return to the lodge, where a hearty dinner will be waiting to be enjoyed and a catch up of the day experience with your fellow friends.

Overnight: Honeyguide Ranger Camp

Honeyguide Ranger Camp is located in the magnificent Entabeni Reserve in Limpopo, part of the 22 000 hectare, malaria free, world heritage Waterberg Bio-sphere. One of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and perhaps the most beautiful area in Southern Africa.

A true gem with water all year round, magnificent scenery, ravines, canyons and waterfalls, you cannot help but to fall in love with this un-spoilt part of the country. Five different ecosystems within one reserve, the big game viewing, rich variety of wildlife and exceptionally beautiful scenery promises an extraordinary safari holiday.

This intimate camp has 15 luxury tents built in canvas on wooden decks, consisting of 10 x standard, 1 x triple, 2 x family & 2 x family deluxe. Features include: open air showers, private terrace/balcony, fan, mosquito nets, bottled water and other homely comforts.

Guests can look forward to game drives in open viewing vehicles, both in the early mornings and late afternoon/evening’s. The late afternoon/evening drives include sunset drinks, with views of the breath-taking Yellowwood Gorge where the road twists down the escarpment between cliffs, waterfalls and forests.

Days 2 – 13: Honeyguide Ranger Camp, The Waterberg Biosphere

Over the next eleven days, there will be an exciting mix of safari experiences, short courses and workshops in wildlife guiding. We provide daily classes where we cover various subjects related to the African savannah and the duties of a ranger.

Each safari is different from the previous one and the possibilities are rich in Entabeni. We embark on early morning and afternoon safaris in four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as walking safaris where we follow animal tracks on foot in the bush. We alternate between safaris at the foot of the Entabeni massif in the wet lowlands, and safaris in the highlands, where the landscape and wildlife is different.

The main group will be divided into smaller ones during the safaris. Note also that the order of the planned excursions may change, depending on game sightings and weather conditions.

The first class will review the basic rules of good guiding and the ethical rules that underlie this. We also learn about the savannah’s wildlife. We begin with a little ecology – food chains and symbiotic relationships that are ever-present in the wild.

The beauty of learning about the wildlife here in Entabeni is that within minutes of a classroom setting, we can be seated in our safari vehicles on the way to observe the very animals we just talked about.

During the course of the holiday we learn interesting facts about the animals and good stories that help make a guided safari an extraordinary experience. We also get a brief introduction to the vehicles and a short driving course that give participants the opportunity to know how to approach the animals without disturbing their behaviour. During ranger training, the focus is on safety, and the instructors will also provide information about using rifles.

Frogs and toads are not usually animals you notice from the safari vehicles but in the evening when we enjoy the star-studded African night sky, you can hear thousands of them call. We learn how to distinguish the various species by listening to them.

Entabeni is located in the Waterberg area, known for its huge reddish rock formations that form a beautiful ridge in the area. We learn how they were created as well as their impact on animal and plant life. It is also important for a guide to know about the flora in the area. This will be covered in a lesson on how to recognise the most common trees and plants.

Alongside classroom lessons, we learn how to track the savannah’s wildlife. A track is not just a footprint, but fur, scratches and stool, also help reveal the animals’ movements. Tracking is said to be like reading the morning newspaper – you can see what has taken place the night before. But one must be able to read between the lines, a good imagination is crucial to reconstruct the animal’s actual actions. A track is in fact rarely clear and easy to read, and often it is necessary to follow the trail to get more details and a more accurate assessment. The South African guides are experts in tracking animals in this way.

We gain insight into their knowledge and ability to infer the tracks secrets; a track reveals not only the animal, but also the direction in which it was headed, the speed in which it moved, and often the gender – it’s unbelievable!

Besides the ranger training programme at the camp, there will be other activities and excursions in the surrounding area.

Day 14: End of Itinerary

After breakfast and checkout, we say goodbye to Ranger Camp and the instructors – but all the skills we have learned, and not least the memorable experiences, we will bring home with us.

On the way to Johannesburg we stop at a shopping centre where we can spend some hours and spend the remainder of our South African rand.

Time to say goodbye as we make our way through to OR Tambo International Airport in time to board our onward flight home.

As we depart OR Tambo, we take home with us fond memories and souvenirs not to be found anywhere else in the world.