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