How does one treat a snakebite, and what on earth does a kudu spoor look like? How does one scraggly tree in the bushveld differ from another and what does one need to know in order to track down the ‘Big Five’? How do you interpret the sounds of the bushveld or identify rare birds and insects?
Have you always wondered how game rangers in the African bushveld are able to interpret their environment. Well, wonder now more – make your next holiday a learning adventure-cum-holiday in South Africa.
If you’ve been on a game drive in South Africa – you’ll know that it takes years of experience and practise to really understand and get to know the bush intimately. Our game rangers have spent long hours under the African skies – getting to know the different animal and plant habits, and they’ll tell you that they still don’t know enough!
However, for some tourists a crash-course in how to understand life in the wild is hugely rewarding. Not only do you get to view and interpret the bushveld terrain in an entirely different way, you’ll get to go home with first-hand knowledge of wildlife that you will never forget (….not to mention some superb memories to treasure forever).
Closer to Nature
Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre in Limpopo province offers a twelve-day course that is of interest for those who want insight into gainful employment in the industry, Moholoholo is renowned for the work that it does in restoring injured animals back to health and sending them back into the wilds.
The course has an extensive syllabus ranging from game farm management skills (learning about waterholes, bush clearing, handling and treatment of injured animals) as well as bird, insect and tree identification, practical tracking of the big ‘5’, interpreting wildlife sounds and spoor identification of all types of game.
A maximum of ten people are allowed on each course which makes for some serious bonding and excellent personal attention and interaction. Part of the fun of the experience is the accommodation – a combination of staying in a bush camp in a big five reserve and/or sleeping around a campfire under the stars.
On completion of the course, participants should complete a theoretical and practical exam and those who pass this final exam will receive a certificate of success. The course is accredited by the Field Guides Association of South Africa and the South African Wildlife Society.
Environmental ranger Course:
For the more serious game ranger types (and if you have time on your hands) there is a fantastic Environmental Ranger course available for visitors to South Africa. The course is a full sixteen days, so it really is for those who are committed to a real experience.
The itinerary includes 4x4 driving skills, bush walking, a river guiding skills course, a 3 day Drakensberg hike and a snake and reptile course component. En route from the Drakensberg to Zululand to the Kruger National Park, students learn about the various aspects of ecology: from identifying animals to learning essential game ranger skills.
The course is based on the Field Guides Association syllabus and is pretty comprehensive. (It is stressed that those going on the course must be super-fit and participants should not be over the age of 45).
Field Guiding
The Antares Field Guiding Course in the Balule North Nature Reserve (Northern Province) is another notable course. This six-week long field guiding course is an absolute must for those who love the great outdoors.
EcoTraining From their bush classrooms in remote areas in and around the Kruger Park, EcoTraining courses will teach you all you need to know about the environment, ecosystems, animal behaviour, approaching big game on foot; bird life, plants and trees, bush survival skills and more. Try out one of their courses: Professional Field Guide; Game Ranger; Wildlife Photography, Birding at its Best and more.
Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve in the south of the Kruger Park, also offers a game ranger course particularly aimed at young adults during their ‘gap year’. However, the reserve also offers a six-week course for those wanting to enjoy a ‘safari and conservation holiday’.
Essential Information:
- Those taking part in the game ranger or field guide courses will be asked to sign and indemnity.
- Accommodation is generally rustic, although some courses take place from luxury lodges.
- For 4 x 4 driving skills component, one must have an international driver’s license.
- Note that during the summer season temperatures can reach 30 degrees and above.
- A game ranger course caters for the fit and adventurous and can be physically demanding.
- The game ranger course holidays are for those who want to combine an active holiday with a safari learning experience.
- You will need to invest in certain items before going on a game ranger course ie: neutral-coloured clothing, binoculars, insect repellent, Water bottle, sunscreen lotions and the like. However you will be able to source this information from the organisation responsible for the course.
Links: