This is a NEW course which is designed to cater for those people who want to learn and experience a wealth of information and get a taster of what it is like to be a game ranger, during their short stay on the reserve.

There will be minimal formal training. Most of the information will be passed onto the participants during daily walks or drives or excursions to nearby facilities. In between these activities the participants will have the opportunity to work alongside the reserve staff as they conduct patrols on the reserve, searching for any poaching activity, compiling species lists, clearing away any old materials which have been left lying in the veld after years of being farmed agriculturally before becoming a conservation orientated reserve.

There are fences and fence posts to be removed, roads to be maintained and trees to be cleared after elephants push them over in their quest for additional food. There will also be time to sit and relax around the pool, watch the odd wildlife video or even go into the Kruger park and explore on your own.

Some of the other activities that participants may be exposed to during their stay include

• A visit to a local reptile park to learn how to identify the various reptiles
• A trip around a local wildlife rehabilitation centre
• A trip around one of the buffalo breeding projects on the reserve
• Take a cruise for 3 hours on board a boat on the Olifants river and get some great bird watching in. Guaranteed sightings will include hippo and crocs of which there are dozens in the water.
• Sleep out under the stars over 2 nights in an unfenced area of the reserve and get to keep watch for an hour or so while your colleagues try to catch some sleep, hoping that you will warn them of any approaching elephant, lion or hyena. This experience is a chance in a lifetime and will probably rate as one of your highlights
• Spend a couple of hours walking with lions or cheetahs on a nearby reserve and experience them stalking prey or just playing and having fun as the sun rises over the African Savannah. You will be treated to a fried breakfast afterwards as you recount the morning experience.
• Experience the feeling of shooting with a heavy caliber firearm as used by most game rangers and guides within the wildlife industry. 

How much does it cost? £1240

Dates Available:

• 11th July 2010 to 28th July 2010
• 10th August 2010  to 25th August 2010

What's Included?

• Accommodation
• Transfers to/from local airport
• Meals
• Tea/Coffee
• All related excursions
• Vivisto Alumni membership