For those who love the wilderness and amazing diversity of life in the African bush, a profession as a Game Ranger might appear to be the perfect choice. However, studying conservation is only one aspect of a rather involved process. One must firstly have a love, understanding and commitment for the African bush and all its diverse life forms, from great elephants to tiny insects and develop an intimate knowledge of the workings of the environment.
Salaries for game rangers vary but the profession is not known to be very well paid. Food and accommodation are usually provided.
Career Description for Game Rangers in Africa
A Game Ranger in Africa will have to have excellent inter-personal skill. Even when tired and not in the mood for visitors, he will have to muster enthusiasm in order to present information on plant-life, insects, reptiles, predators and primates; show people how to track; and also impart an appreciation for the whole bush experience for hours at a time.
Guests have different expectations and agendas – some will be quite happy to sit quietly in the bush watching the game at a waterhole; others will be impatient and demanding, perhaps easily bored and some will possibly be really frightened or easily scared. The challenge for the game ranger is to keep everyone happy and entertained – from grandmothers to teenagers to children.
Safari Jobs - Technical Skills
Expecting the unexpected means that the game ranger needs to be practical and know a little about basic mechanics in case anything goes wrong with the vehicle. Although usually in radio contact with the lodge, a ranger will be expected to deal with smaller problems such as changing punctured tires or other small repairs.
The ranger will have to have off-road training and know how to drive in sand or mud. Other tasks might include mending broken fences, darting and collaring animals for research or re-location, locating and removal of alien plants etc.
Game Ranger Training
Game rangers usually attend a 6-month theory training course and then will write exams on all major naturalist topics, including an 8-hour exam on the "Big Five". Rangers will have to demonstrate an ability to track and locate game species, and engage visitors in an inter-active experience, along with giving a full orientation of the game area around the lodge.
Additionally, the ranger will have to be an expert marksman and will be tested on accuracy and ability to shoot a moving target while in a vehicle in case of an emergency like facing an enraged animal.
A good place to start off a career choice of this nature would be to book for an adventure experience designed to provide an insight into a Game Ranger's life. This would include modules such as field guide training, tracking, weapon handling and dealing with dangerous animals.
The average work lifespan of a game ranger is 7 months because there are expectations of a glamorous and exciting job but the reality is quite different – early mornings, late nights, grueling 7 day work weeks and constant contact with people.
References:
What is a Game Ranger – Tab "The Game Ranger"
Career Expo - South Africa – Game Ranger
Fleur Hupston - Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer based in Botswana, Southern Africa. From this unique perspective, she writes travel ...
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