Ranger Experience Safari

Arrive at Johannesburg before getting a short flight to Hoedspruit, where you will be picked up and transferred to your camp.

Arrive at camp and meet your guide for the week and settle in. Go for an early evening game drive to be introduced to the beautiful Makalali game reserve and the incredible ecosystem you will be spending your trip in.

After dinner at camp your guide will give you your first insight into living in the wild with a talk about safety in the bush and using and understanding nature’s signs for your wellbeing.

Today you will concentrate on learning about bird calls, bird identification and the nesting behaviours of different species. This will begin with a morning game drive looking at these aspects before returning to camp for breakfast.

In the afternoon your guide will teach you about wildlife photography and the key to getting those perfect shots during the “golden hour”. After this, enjoy a drink at the bird hide where you can test out your skills developed that morning.

Finish off the day with dinner cooked on an open fire.

Time to get out on foot and get as close to nature as possible, as your guide will show you how to understand the signs of the bush. Learn to tell the difference between a lion and leopard track or start to recognise the calls of Africa’s built in alarm system.

Spend the middle of your day at your leisure around the pool after brunch, before the afternoon spent trying tracking the modern way; with GPS and a Telemetry machine. Your guide will show you how to track and locate animals with these instruments as you gain an understanding into the work of conservation specialists.

The day ends with sundowners over a waterhole followed by a traditional South African braai.

Today you will get the opportunity to see what goes into keeping you safe when out for a walk with a lesson on the rifle, its safety and the infamous lion charge tests used by professional guides across Southern Africa.

After a light brunch and a relaxed late morning the afternoon will see you out for a guided bush walk where you will focus on the smaller side of bush life; the insects and reptiles.

Enjoy a sundowner overlooking a waterhole before a discussion about modern conservation and the challenges facing wildlife in Africa.

The morning bush walk will explore the local trees and their uses and benefits for the local people. Return back to enjoy brunch and relax by the pool before the afternoon’s excitement.

In the afternoon you will get the chance to put what you’ve learnt so far together as you walk to a sleepout location, concentrating on your understanding of nature as you feel the evening arrive. You will then set up camp and prepare for the evening.

A night under the stars follows, you have the opportunity to truly appreciate the African night sky, as your guide teaches you about the southern sky constellations and the traditional local Shangann beliefs and stories about them.

Having watched the sun rise with a fresh brew, pack up camp and enjoy the guided walk back to a warm brunch waiting back at camp for you.

Refresh and relax for the remainder of the morning before spending an afternoon tailored to your interests and the activities you and your group would like to try. Maybe you’ve found a new passion you want to explore further from the earlier teachings or have always wanted to try something, today is the chance.

End the day with a sundowner at the bird hide and enjoy a traditionally prepared meal by the local team members.

Take part in a reserve conservation project as you see experience the behind the scenes work that goes into protecting and looking after a game reserve like this.

The day continues with your ability to learn about your interests or just enjoy a final evening game drive before sundowners. Pre-dinner have the chance to go through your favourite experiences, photos and memories from the trip before a final dunner under the stars.

Enjoy one final session with your guide on conservation Ethics before breakfast. After, its time to say goodbye to your guide and the fabulous team at camp before you transfer to Hoedspruit for your short flight to Johannesburg.

Upon arrival, transfer to the International departures to board your flight to home, having truly immersed yourself, and become more attuned to the natural world and the work that goes into looking after the world’s last wildlife havens.