GAME RANGER
EXPERIENCE
Introduction
Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the largest private game reserves and
conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. It has been awarded the World’s
Leading Safari and Game Reserve Company since 1998 and has won numerous
environmental awards, including the Environmental Award from the American
Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
It boasts a dedicated Wildlife Department (including qualified veterinarians,
ecologists and environmentalists), wildlife rehabilitation centre, wildlife
hospital and environmental education centre.
Our game ranger experience offer participants a once in a lifetime nature
based experience and is aimed at those enthused by learning more about the
skills set, duties and knowledge of game rangers and field guides. It allows
participants to gain first hand exposure to how incumbents are required to
interface, educate and management a wildlife resource. Topics of interest
include geology, animal behaviour, ecology, tracks and signs of the wild and
anti-poaching exercises. On completion of this short stay experience
participants should leave with a far greater understanding of African
conservation biology and the eco-tourism industry.
Definition of a Game Ranger
According to the Game Rangers Association of Africa it’s a person working at
the ‘’coal face of conservation’’. In Africa the prime responsibility of the Game
Ranger is to ensure the terrestrial integrity and safety of the protected area
under his/her management. Their tasks are multi-faceted and include;
ensuring the day to day health and well -being of the game, research and
monitoring, game captures and introductions, population management,
burning programs, infrastructure and equipment maintenance, public
relations, environmental education and local community relations.
Definition of a Nature Guide
The field guide by definition is a person that leads and guides people into the
environment considered to be a natural area. The field guide may operate on
foot (walking trails), from a vehicle (game drives), on horseback or in a boat or
canoe, in natural areas including game reserves and national parks. These
areas may consist of many different types of terrain, including riverine areas,
mountains, savannah and coastline, encompassing many vegetation types
within the Biomes of Southern Africa.
The field guide acts as a link between the natural surroundings and the clients,
taking on an educational role. The field guide provides a learning experience in
a manner that the individuals learn more from the environmental interaction
in the company of the field guide than they would without the presence of the
field guide.
These experiences are operated over an average of a 14 to 21 day period and
are structured by nature, with specific educational and experiential outcomes
in mind.
Location
Shamwari Game Reserve is situated close to the N2, approximately 70
kilometres from Port Elizabeth on route to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape.
Shamwari is currently 25 000 hectares in size.
Accommodation
You will be staying at a purpose built student facility, located in the scenic
Southern part of Shamwari Game Reserve. The facilities boasting both a solid
bricked structurewith twin bedded, en-suite rooms and a tented camp
facility.Communalfacilities include a plunge pool and entertainment area for
activities which include a range of board games and TV with assortment of
satellite channels. Internet access on availability is at an additional cost.
What does this experience offer:
Through guided game drives, walks and sleep outs, this experience covers the
theory and practical knowledge behind the life of a Game Ranger and Nature
Guide and includes the following elements:
Geology
• Geology is the science that deals with the history of the earth as
recorded in rocks. South Africa has numerous famous geological features
and this aspect of the experience will give you a fascinating insight into
how today's landscapes where formed.
Botany
• With a better understanding ofthe geology that lies beneath, the
understanding and appreciation ofhow this influences the very plants
that occur on site, is highlighted.
Participants will be looking at plant biomes, communities, classification,
taxonomy and the management thereof.
Mammal Biology
Lectureand talk venues vary from open air to classroom and are where
you will learn the biology, ecology and anatomy of African mammals and
the skill of identifying wild species that you may encounter on game
drives and walks. This will also include taxonomy, classification and
management aspects.
Ecology
• Ecology is the study of the relations between organisms and their
environment. As a game ranger it is vitally important that you have a
good understanding of the role an animal plays within its ecosystem and
how they are interconnected.
Animal behaviour
• Animal behaviour is the scientific study of everything animals do. It
involves investigating the relationship of animals to their physical
environment as well as to other organisms, it includes topics such as
how animals find and defend resources, avoid predators, choose mates,
reproduce and care for their young.
Bird identification
• You will learn about different species and how to identify them based on
physical characteristics and habitat preference.
Tracking and Sign Identification
• A spoor is any sign of creatures such as tracks, trails and droppings used
for animal tracking and to survey what types of animals live in or have
passed through an area. This experience provides an introduction to
animal tracking using spoor identification skills.
Dangerous game and their behaviour
• Game drives and walks will allow you to venture into the world of some
of the potentially dangerous animals. You will learn which animals pose
threats, the warning signs to look out for and how to approach them
safely. This skill allows guides to interpret and safely approach most
dangerous game.
Basic fire arm handling and theory
• The safe and effective use of a firearm is essential in the life of a Game
Ranger and Nature Guide. They need to know how to handle their
firearm when working with dangerous game. This rifle range exercise is
conducted by a qualified range officer.
Off-road 4x4 driving skills and Theory
• Very often the terrain that the Game Ranger and Nature Guide will need
to traverse is challenging by nature. Prevailing weather conditions could
turn a quite usable road into a river and often the Ranger has to safely
negotiate obstacles to pass through these areas.
Snake Handling
• It's important to be aware of the various types of venomous and non-
venomous snakes that one may encounter in the bush. Through an
informative and interactive show and tell exhibition, participants will
learn more on snake behaviour and how to respond to encounters with
them.
Astronomy
• Astronomy is the study of celestial objects such as stars, planets, comets,
nebulae and galaxies.The bush environment having little to no artificial
light pollution makes star gazing a popular activity when enjoying an
evening out under the stars.
High profile conservation work
During their experience, the participants will be exposed to some of the
conservation projects running at time of stay. This may include:
• Behind the scenes visit to the Born Free Animal Rehabilitation and
Rescue Centre.
• Telemetry tracking of large predators on the reserve for research
purposes.
• Community outreach experiences with the local community.
• Anti-poaching patrols.
• Monitoring of rhino population for anti-poaching purposes.
• Monitoring of our elephant population.
• Sleeping -out in the Shamwari Big 5 area.
• Vehicle based “be the ranger exercises“
• Local History show and tell exhibitions and talks.
Draft Itinerary
M
O
R
N
I
N
G
Introduction
@ Camp
Meet the
team
Lectures
Geology
Lectures
Botany
Includes-
Biomes
Taxonomy
Identification
Medicinal
uses
Lecture
Animal biology
Includes-
Taxonomy
Identification
Selected
wildlife
diseases
Practical
Community
work
Weekend
excursion
LUNCH
A
F
T
E
R
N
O
O
N
Game Drive
and
introduction
to the
reserve
Practical
Out on
reserve to
look at
geological
formation
Lecture
Out on
reserve
Practical
Telemetry
Tracking of
Predators and
monitoring of
large
herbivores
Practical
Excursion to
snake and
reptile park
Practical
Snake
Handling
TIME
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day
14
M
O
R
N
I
N
G
Lecture
Wildlife
capture and
its value in
modern
conservation
practises.
Practical
Tour of
rehabilitation
centre and
holding
facilities and
capture sites
Lecture
Anti- Poaching
Practical
Shooting of
shotgun and
.22 @
shooting
range
Practical
Birding
Lecture
Tracks and
Sign
Practical
Visit to the
Born Free
foundation
Weekend
at leisure
LUNCH
A
F
T
E
R
N
O
O
N
Lecture
Bird
Identification
Birding
Practical
Animal
behaviour
TIME
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
M
O
R
N
I
N
G
Lecture
Off road
driving
Lecture
Wildlife and
Reserve
Management
Lecture
Alien Veg
Practical
Control of
Alien
Vegetation
Lecture
On foot
approach
of wildlife
Practical
Approach
of animals
on foot
Self-study
Be the
Ranger
exercise
Weekend
at own
leisure
Weekend
at own
leisure
LUNCH
A
F
T
E
R
N
O
O
N
Practical
Off-road
driving
Practical
On the
reserve
excursion
Practical
Sleep-out
and
Astrology
Practical
Final
drive
Be the
ranger
exercise
CONTACT DETAILS:
Booking and General Enquiries
Nadia Muller (Operations Manager)
Landline: +27(0)42235 1121
Mobile: +27(0)72141 6495
Agent and Group Enquiries
Quinton Gilson (Marketing & Product Development Manager)
Landline: +27(0)42235 1127
Mobile: +27(0)728901988
Postal Address
P.O. Box 93
Paterson
6130
South Africa
Student Communal telephone line:
+27(0)42235 1119