Although it can be super rewarding to find animals on your own, going on a safari with a qualified field guide will enhance your experience!
Although many believe that game rangers and field guides are one and the same thing, they are in fact not. A game ranger is directly responsible for the protection of wildlife and the maintenance and well-being of parks and reserves.
The difference between game rangers and field guides
Game rangers can, but are usually not employed to take guests out and educate people on animals, etc. In other words, they are not directly responsible for tourism as such, but rather for the upkeep and safety of wildlife.
Field guides, on the other hand, can also be involved with the maintenance and well-being of wildlife, however, they are more-so directly involved with guests and the education of wildlife to guests. Guests may include tourists, as well as locals.
Most of our guides also make use of the Latest Sightings App to ting and so can you!
To become a qualified and registered field guide, one has to go through quite immense training and studies. Broad spectrums such as astronomy, ecology, and tracking – to name a mere few – are covered and exams have to be strictly passed and assessed – both theoretically and practically. On top of that registered field guides also have to have a professional driving permit to legally drive guests around for the purpose of tourism.
Of course, field guides are absolute wildlife fanatics. Their passion for the bush is utterly contagious and they do what they do, because not only do they love nature – but the existence and future thereof truly matters to them.
We have a few guides that ting frequently on the Latest Sightings app and WhatsApp groups. Should you be interested in booking a safari with one of these incredible guides, feel free to look them up by following these links and request them by name:
Book a safari with a guide in the Kruger National Park:
- Discover Kruger Safaris – Jean (2928 Tings)
- Matimba Bush Lodge – Alberto (411 Tings)
- Kruger Pride Safaris – Kerry (3933 Tings)
- Kruger Gateway Safaris – Gerrie (252 Tings)
- Bushbaby Adventures – Elize (207 Tings)
- Muzi Safaris – Forgive (85 Tings)
- Kedibone Safaris – Renata (80 Tings)
- Legend Safaris – Mbuso (80 Tings)
- Capture Nature Kruger Safaris – Christelle (363 Tings)
- Viva Safaris – Patrick (243 Tings)
- Mthunzi Safaris – Solly (50 Tings)
- Deon Kelbrick – (Private) (628 Tings)
Book a safari with a guide in Pilanesberg Game Reserve:
- Tshukudu Bush Lodge – Jann-Rick (326 Tings)
- Kgabo Safaris – Buffalo Soldier (Solomzi) (68 Tings)
- Heinrich Neumeyer – (Private) (2236 Tings)
- Leop Safaris – FatmanJ (422 Tings)
- Mankwe GAMETRACKERS – Tarryn Rae (262 Tings)
“As a field guide, you have a lot of intel about the animals.”
Going on a self-drive safari is of course a wonderful experience, as one does not have a time limit and only has to consider oneself in terms of what you would like to see. That being said, field guides often have inside information as to where the best spots may be to see animals – as field guides communicate with one another via radio, apps, etc. They know their areas of operation very well and are familiar with the different dynamics of animals found in that area.
From their studies and training, guides also build and grow their knowledge extensively – as the bush is their television and they get to observe it on a daily basis! The beauty about their job and office is that no day is the same. There’ll always be something new to see, explore, observe, hear – just experience!
Going on a safari with a field guide can truly enhance your experience tremendously, as they have so much knowledge and experience to share.
Next time you are lucky enough to go on a guided safari, ask them as many questions as possible! Ask them about their sightings and stories. They really do love sharing their passion and experience with people. These conservationists do a fantastic job and we salute them for sacrificing so much, to ensure that humanity understands the importance of Mother Nature.