Game Ranger Guide Course

  South Africa

• Other Cities in South Africa: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: year round (see our website for starting dates).

Description: A 2-week Practical and Theory Course In the African Bush

This course is ideally suited for people wanting an introduction to conservation in Southern Africa and those wishing to pursue a conservation orientated career, as well as wishing to improve their personal knowledge of wildlife. The course is also a perfect way to start or end your ACE placement, or is ideal as an unusual 2-week break from the 9-5 routine. Set in a magnificent Big 5 Game Reserve, most lectures take place out in the fresh air and practicals are carried out in the bushveld. The course is extensive and intensive and covers aspects of ecology such as animal identification, botany, animal behaviour and geology as well as rangering skills like 4×4 driving, dealing with dangerous game, snake identification and tracking. The course includes a sleep out in the African bush, aims to give students as much field exposure as possible and teaches a holistic view of the wilderness. It is conducted by a fully qualified and registered Field Guide. There is no entry level required for the course.

Highlights: Subjects Covered

    * Bird, insect and tree identification
    * Introduction to mammals
    * Bushveld ecology
    * Geology of Southern Africa
    * Spoor identification of all game
    * Practical tracking down of "Big 5"
    * Dangerous game and their behaviour
    * Sleep-out in the bushveld
    * Interpreting wildlife sounds
    * Habits of animals
    * Handling firearms
    * Basic 4 × 4 Driving skills
    * Conducting safaris and communication within the industry
    * Basic snake identification

Qualifications: No qualification or previous experience are necessary, just an interest and passion for the natural environment and wildlife.

Cost in US$: 2,000

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Participants of this course come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are people that have been on wildlife safaris before and want to go the extra step of learning about the African Ecosystem. We also get many professionals that are looking for an exciting two-week break.

Age Range: 17-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

African Conservation Experience's Mission Statement: African Conservation Experience organizes work placements for volunteers of all ages on wildlife conservation projects in Southern Africa. We work only with projects that we assess as having a real and beneficial contribution to conservation efforts. Volunteers get very much involved with the work, rather than sitting back and observing, and provide a valuable resource to the projects. We pride ourselves on the quiality, integrity and frendliness of the service that we provide. We ensure that volunteers understand fully what is expected of them and place particular concern on volunteers' security and safety.

Year Founded: 1999