6 months Ranger training in South Africa
- Right in the national park
- animals in the wild
- High learning value
Live in a national park and experience South Africa's wildlife up close! During the ranger training in South Africa, you will learn everything a safari guide needs to know about South Africa's wild animals and their natural habitat. Whether as an adventurous trip - ideally during a sabbatical - or as an apprenticeship with a final exam: you will return with new knowledge and exciting experiences!
Marakele
from 18 years
26 weeks
/ from €13.990
Wednesday, Sunday
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Working in the South African National Park
If you volunteer in the field of wildlife and animal welfare, you should make sure that the welfare of the animal and species protection are the top priority for the project. With our magazine article, we don't just want to help you with what to look out for when choosing a project. We also want to show you why animal welfare is important in tourism and during a project assignment.
South Africa has a great diversity of species and extensive savannah landscapes. The ranger training in South Africa in the national park not only offers you the opportunity to get to know South Africa's nature and wilderness intensively, but also a varied break from your job. From the day you arrive you live like a ranger with the other safari guides and other participants in the camp in the middle of the national park. You will quickly find like-minded people among the other participants who share your enthusiasm for wildlife. Experience an exciting break from everyday life that will help you personally and at the same time gather valuable knowledge about wildlife and nature.
The camp sets itself high standards to enable qualified training and diverse experiences. In addition, great importance is attached to the participants gaining a comprehensive insight into various methods of preserving nature. With a deeper understanding, the trained safari guides can also provide future guests with more comprehensive information.
The Ranger training in the national park in South Africa
Your assignment in the national park
Due to its location in a 24.000 hectare national park in northern South Africa, the camp offers the perfect starting point to get to know South Africa's wilderness. The sanctuary with its diverse savannah landscape, mountains, rivers and pristine valleys is home to numerous wild animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes and hyenas.
The experienced rangers have wilderness in their blood and are happy to pass on their specialist knowledge to the participants. Care is taken to ensure that there are no more than eight participants per trainer in order to create an optimal learning environment. This makes it possible to get a comprehensive impression of South Africa's nature and wilderness as well as the work of a safari guide.
The camp has set itself the goal of training responsible safari guides and giving them the necessary awareness of Africa's wilderness.
6 months Ranger training in South Africa
If you have half a year to spare, then we recommend the six-month ranger training course. First you complete the three-month FGASA basic training. FGASA (Field Guide Association of Southern Africa) is the central authority whose ranger certificates are of the highest standard and recognized throughout the industry. The camp, curriculum and all trainers/managers are FGASA certified. Building on this, you will take part in numerous specialist courses in the six-month program that will qualify you to become a safari guide.
So you should be interested and enjoy learning and studying. After completing the six-month program, you will have earned all the certifications you need to be a safari guide.
Please note that there are fixed dates for the Ranger training.
Start dates 2024: January 8, 2024 and July 8, 2024
Included courses at a glance:
- FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2) Level 1
- FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide (Backup Trails)
- Introduction to Rifle Handling & Advanced Rifle Handling
- Wilderness First Aid Level 1 and 2
- Reading and interpreting traces and signs
- Ornithology (bird species and their sounds)
- Navigation & Orientation
- Driving the SUV
- Principles of reserve management and anti-poaching
- Wildlife Photography
- Basic knowledge of mechanics
- Catering to Five Star Safari guests
However, if you only have three months, but you still want to expand your knowledge of South Africa's wildlife and nature, then you should check out the shorter program in the national park: 3 months ranger training
Here you have the opportunity to get an insight into the ranger training without having to take exams.
Your working day during the Ranger training
During the ranger training, you have to get up early because the day begins in the morning with a 3,5-hour game drive. Here you will observe elephants, buffalo and other wild animals in their natural habitat and learn about their behavior. You sit behind the wheel of the 4x4 off-road vehicle and learn to become a safari guide with your trainer. This includes interpreting tracks, identifying bird calls and providing knowledge about the wildlife. After the safari, it's back to the camp, where your theoretical knowledge will be deepened after the meal. You have time to relax before the afternoon safari starts. You can end the evening comfortably with the other participants and rangers around the campfire and listen to the sounds of the bush.
Accommodation Catering
Camp in the national park
The lush bush camp is set in the heart of an 24.000-hectare National Park in northern South Africa. Your home during your stay at the camp is a spacious, comfortable safari tent with views of the wilderness.
The main house has a kitchen where the chef prepares three meals a day. There is also a lounge with a pool table, darts, library, PC and comfortable sofas, which invites you to relax and chat after a busy day. The room is open to you at all times and also has WiFi. In summer, the swimming pool invites you to cool off.
Location
Marakele
The camp for the ranger training is located in the middle of a national park in northern South Africa. There is a lot to discover on the approximately 24.000 hectare site.
Located near the Waterberg massif, the mountains meet flat savannah landscape. But the national park has a lot to offer not only because of the impressive landscape, but also because of the great diversity of species. You can encounter numerous wild animals such as lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, leopards and hyenas. In order to preserve this biodiversity, the national park is strongly committed to nature conservation.
Due to the good location in the national park, the camp offers the perfect location for living and learning. From the comfortable safari tents, you can still watch the wilderness after work or just enjoy nature.
So if you want to live right in the national park, surrounded by wild animals, this is the perfect adventure for you!
Your free time in Marakele National Park
During your assignment in the project you will find yourself in the middle of the Marakele National Park in South Africa. In your free time, you can decide whether you would rather stay in the national park or explore the surrounding area.
In order to find a balance to everyday work, you don't necessarily have to leave your place of residence. There is a library in the lounge, you can play billiards with the other participants or cool off in the swimming pool.
If you want a little more variety, all you have to do is take a look at the national park. The full beauty of the park reveals itself in the form of large plains, vast bush landscapes, rushing rivers, imposing mountains and deep valleys. It is home to many different animal species: from lions, leopards and hyenas to elephants, rhinos and hippos to giraffes, antelopes and numerous bird species including the rare Cape vulture. With a bit of luck you can discover and marvel at these animals during your stay.
If you have a little more time available, for example after your project work, a trip to Johannesburg is worthwhile. The city is about 250 kilometers south of the Marakele National Park. The Maboneng district is particularly worth seeing. Creativity has a home in this hip district. Mainly young people, artists, designers, photographers and entrepreneurs hang around here. There are cool restaurants and cafés, street art, numerous galleries, boutiques and hip shops for you to discover.
If you are interested in historical and political backgrounds, a visit to the Apartheid Museum is also worthwhile. There is also something for book lovers. In Johannesburg there is a huge bookstore with over two million books.
Incidentally, Johannesburg is an ideal starting point for tours to Pretoria, the Drakensberg, the Krüger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park and the Panorama Route.
On-site procedure
Arrival in Johannesburg
For the ranger training in South Africa you first fly to Johannesburg. From the airport you drive directly to the meeting point with the team and the other participants: You can either travel on your own or use the pick-up service of the hostel where the introductory program for the training takes place. This is where you will also spend the first night.
Orientation Program in Johannesburg – Kick-Off
The introductory program takes place on the first evening. Here you get to know the team on site and receive all information about the camp. The training content and the daily routine will be explained to you. You will also learn everything you need to know about safety. All your questions will be answered here.
The next day we continue to camp together. After a 3,5 hour drive you arrive at the camp and your exciting time in the national park can begin!
Your first day in the project
Thanks to the kick-off meeting in Johannesburg, you are well prepared for your time in the national park. In the next few days you will get a more detailed introduction to the organization. Then you start with the first course for the training.
Pricing
-
23 weeks of participationbase fee€ 13.990, -
included
Services
Before departure
- Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
- Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
- Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
- Non-binding flight advice
- Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
- RGV t-shirt
On site
- Orientation program with the team on site
- Support and guidance from the on-site team
- RGV 24h emergency number
- Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
- Accommodation on site
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- FGASA certificate
After return
- Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
- Reflection course on your experiences abroad
- Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
not included
Services
- Round trip
- Private expenses on site
- Excursions with microlight flights
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Visa and Vaccinations
- All nights outside your agreed accommodation
- Public transport and extra transfers
- Airport transfers on agreed days (the team will be happy to help you organise)
Individual
Recommended additional offers
& must-haves
Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?
With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.
The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.
These special tariffs give you special added value:
- maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
- generous baggage allowance
- Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.
The following building blocks are included:
- Health Insurance
- Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
- Travel insurance
- Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course for volunteers
- Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course
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Two tools to get you started on your personal developmentPersonal development introductory courseFree of charge
Marakele
Team
site
Your local contact in the national park is Stephanie. After studying cultural economics and years of professional experience in marketing and PR in Germany, she went to South Africa in 2010. There she fulfilled her longtime dream of becoming a ranger.
She has now been the camp's ranger and general manager for over six years. It is her fulfillment to support others who have a similar dream with advice and action, to pass on her knowledge and to support them in the implementation.
RGV
FAQ
to the project
What are the project fees used for?
Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.
What visa do I need for South Africa?
You can apply for a tourist visa for South Africa when you arrive at the airport. This is valid for 90 days.
What language skills do I need for the project in South Africa?
You definitely need good English skills for the project. An Afrikaans course is also recommended.
What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?
If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.
We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.
You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.
When does the project always take place?
The start dates for this project are January 09.01.2023th, 10.07.2023 and July XNUMXth, XNUMX.
What are the requirements for the project?
This project requires an interest in safari, a willingness to learn, outdoor activities, animal and nature conservation, physical fitness, the ability to work in a team and a well-groomed appearance.
What do I have to bring?
For this project, you should bring outdoor clothing in muted colors, sturdy shoes, a daypack, sunscreen, and a flashlight.
What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?
Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.
For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.
What do I have to consider when making the deposit?
For this project, a deposit of 40% of the total price is required in advance in order to reserve the participant place in the project.
Ready to get involved as a volunteer in South Africa? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!
Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.
You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.
Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.
RGV
Your way
to the volunteer
1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.
2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.
3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.
4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.
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South Africa | wildlife
from 2 -12 weeks
from 18 years
South Africa | wildlife
from 2 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
