Hi everyone,
Welcome to my new blog! I thought this would be an excellent medium to share my news with you all and keep in touch throughout my adventures in Africa.
A little introduction... I have always wanted to work as a game ranger in the African bush...inspired in part by stories from my father who grew up in the bush in Zimbabwe; an incredible experience as a child on my first Safari in a reserve bordering Kruger National Park in South Africa; and more recently my own excursions into the Okavango delta in Botswana. When I graduated from University in 2009, I was sorely tempted to follow this path and train as a game ranger, however practicality won me over and I decided to gain some work experience using my degree as an Economist. Two and a half years later, I have saved enough money to finally follow my dreams, and in August this year, I am moving from Dubai to South Africa to begin my new African adventure.
Choosing a company to train with was difficult - for those of you who have tried such a thing, you will know there are many providers out there, from Universities offering Nature and Land Management courses, to private lodges offering short gap year type courses. I came across "EcoTraining" many times on my search and based on their extensive course offerings and many personal recommendations, I decided to go with them. I signed up for their One Year Professional Field Guide course, which seems to be the most comprehensive course available. It covers everything I will need to know as a game ranger, from learning about mammals, birds, botany (grasses, plants & trees), animal behaviour and animal tracking, advanced rifle handling, telementary, 4WD training, orientation & navigation, astronomy, wilderness medicine, bush survival to land management and conservation. It also includes a 5 month lodge placement which will help me gain experience and practise my new skills :)
Lordy, lots to learn. Good thing I have an A* in GCSE in Geography, hopefully that will help me pass the weather & climate exam and help me identify rocks. Ha.
Two months and counting - lots to organise in the meantime and must make the most of living in luxury, as it will be tents and cold showers form here on out! This move has been a really long time coming and I am so ready and excited to embrace everything to come!
N.B. Must overcome my fear of spiders...they could prove difficult to avoid in the bush.
Welcome to my new blog! I thought this would be an excellent medium to share my news with you all and keep in touch throughout my adventures in Africa.
A little introduction... I have always wanted to work as a game ranger in the African bush...inspired in part by stories from my father who grew up in the bush in Zimbabwe; an incredible experience as a child on my first Safari in a reserve bordering Kruger National Park in South Africa; and more recently my own excursions into the Okavango delta in Botswana. When I graduated from University in 2009, I was sorely tempted to follow this path and train as a game ranger, however practicality won me over and I decided to gain some work experience using my degree as an Economist. Two and a half years later, I have saved enough money to finally follow my dreams, and in August this year, I am moving from Dubai to South Africa to begin my new African adventure.
Choosing a company to train with was difficult - for those of you who have tried such a thing, you will know there are many providers out there, from Universities offering Nature and Land Management courses, to private lodges offering short gap year type courses. I came across "EcoTraining" many times on my search and based on their extensive course offerings and many personal recommendations, I decided to go with them. I signed up for their One Year Professional Field Guide course, which seems to be the most comprehensive course available. It covers everything I will need to know as a game ranger, from learning about mammals, birds, botany (grasses, plants & trees), animal behaviour and animal tracking, advanced rifle handling, telementary, 4WD training, orientation & navigation, astronomy, wilderness medicine, bush survival to land management and conservation. It also includes a 5 month lodge placement which will help me gain experience and practise my new skills :)
Lordy, lots to learn. Good thing I have an A* in GCSE in Geography, hopefully that will help me pass the weather & climate exam and help me identify rocks. Ha.
Two months and counting - lots to organise in the meantime and must make the most of living in luxury, as it will be tents and cold showers form here on out! This move has been a really long time coming and I am so ready and excited to embrace everything to come!
N.B. Must overcome my fear of spiders...they could prove difficult to avoid in the bush.
