How to Be a Safari Ranger
Dreaming of watching lions saunter across the African desert? Want to track rhinos and face a wild elephant? Becoming a safari ranger can lead to dangerous adventures, working in the great outdoors and engaging guests. Land a job by undergoing a challenging safari training and qualification coursework to master tracking, bush skills and animal behavior.
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Things You'll Need
- Safari training
- Field Guides Association of South Africa membership
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism membership
- First aid training
Instructions
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Visit a safari to learn about the typical day of a safari ranger. Pick a lodge in an area you wish to work in, such as Bostwana, Kenya, South Africa or Tanzania. Check Wildlife Africa (see References) for a list of safari locations. Make note of how your ranger educates, entertains and keeps his charges safe.
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Consider a degree in zoology, volunteering at the local zoo and building your experience as a game hunter to help set yourself apart from the competition. Start in your hometown or state by going on intense wilderness hikes, becoming adept with rifles, tracking animals and testing your survival skills.
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Give outdoor tours in your area to brush up on your speaking and guiding skills. A safari ranger's success is contingent on presentation and engaging the guests. Safari rangers also act as knowledgeable tour guides and need the confidence and authority to keep their guests safe and control the situation. Be prepared for life-or-death situations in the wild and balancing tourism with safety.
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Learn about exotic animals and conservation efforts in the wild. Brush up on your knowledge of warthogs, elephants, rhinos, lions and other wild animals. If you want to work at a theme park safari in your area, take a tour and learn about its animals and wildlife.
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Join the Field Guides Association of South Africa and the country's Department Environmental Affairs and Tourism (see Resources) and complete safari qualification coursework. Some rangers also hold dangerous animals qualifications, the highest in the safari industry. Learn about guiding, geology, climate, botany, grasses, reptiles, animal behavior, bio-domes of South Africa, ecology and astronomy.
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Enroll in a safari ranger school to train to treat snake bites, deal with lions, survive in the wild, to perform bush skills and track wild animals. Schools such as CC Africa (see Resources) offer in-depth training courses for safari rangers.
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Start an exercise regime before starting safari training. Building up endurance through running and weight lifting will increase your chances for success. Safari schools frequently make cuts, or students drop out due to the physical demands.
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Contact safaris and ask about job openings. Although landing a job at an African safari may be challenging, finding one at a local safari theme park may be easier to break in. Consider accepting sales and retail jobs to get your foot in the door and learn more about the lodge or park.
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Tips & Warnings
All safari rangers should be first-aid qualified and capable of working under a crisis.
A safari ranger works under dangerous conditions and is responsible for the safety of those around him.
