7 day Eco Ranger Experience, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE
This is an authentic life changing adventure. Be a ranger for a week while experiencing the magic of the northern Kruger National Park. Engage in the basics of typical ranger training including practical bush cooking and bush survival strategy.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Stargazing
• Animal tracking
• Bush sleep-out in the Kruger National Park
• Acquire survival skills
• Practical bush cooking
• ‘Big 5’ game viewing
Description & Instructions When Visiting Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE
This is an authentic life changing adventure. Be a ranger for a week while experiencing the magic of the northern Kruger National Park. Engage in the basics of typical ranger training including practical bush cooking and bush survival strategy.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Stargazing
• Animal tracking
• Bush sleep-out in the Kruger National Park
• Acquire survival skills
• Practical bush cooking
• ‘Big 5’ game viewing
Itinerary
Day 1: JOHANNESBURG to HOEDSPRUIT AREA via DULLSTROOM (±470km)
Stop At: Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Greater Johannesburg, Gauteng
Breakfast (own arrangements and for own account)
Hotel transfer to O.R Tambo International Airport Bus Terminal (included)
Shuttle transfer from Johannesburg (O.R Tambo International Airport Bus Terminal) to Hoedspruit (Eastgate Airport) (included)
Lunch stop en route (own account)
Lodge driver only transfer (included)
Dinner at the lodge (included)
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Timbavati Safari Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast (3-star)
Day 2: HOEDSPRUIT to MAKULEKE CONCESSION (±235km)
Stop At: Hoedspruit, Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province
Breakfast at the lodge (included)
Scheduled driver only road transfer from the lodge to Punda Maria Gate (included)
Enter the Kruger National Park at Punda Maria Gate (included)
Open safari vehicle Transfer/game drive from Punda Maria Gate to Makuleke Camp (included)
EcoTraining Meet and Greet at Makuleke Camp (included)
Lunch upon arrival (included)
Safety briefing will be conducted, an orientation of camp, as well as an introduction to the staff
Briefing of what the experience is all about
Participants will be shown to their accommodation, followed by time to settle in
Afternoon activity which will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Makuleke Camp – Dinner, lunch, breakfast, and activities (3-star)
Day 3: MAKULEKE CONCESSION – Basic ecology and geology (theory and practical experience)
Stop At: Makuleke, 1007, South Africa
All meals at camp (included)
Morning activity:
• A morning activity will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk
• Focus on the basic ecology and geology of the surrounding areas
Noon discussion and practical experience:
• Interactive discussion by instructor based on basic ecology and geology – understanding the inter-relatedness and with a focus on the local area, including geology and soils, weather and atmosphere, food web and energy flow, habitat ecology and conservation
Afternoon activity:
• Afternoon activity will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk
• Incorporating general game viewing, with the emphasis on the basic ecology and geology – topics covered during the noon discussion
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Makuleke Camp – Dinner, lunch, breakfast, and activities (3-star)
Day 4: MAKULEKE CONCESSION – Animal tracks, anti-poaching and sleep-out/astronomy (theory and practical experience)
Stop At: Makuleke, 1007, South Africa
All meals at camp (included)
Morning activity:
• A morning activity will either be in the form of a game drive or bush walk.
• Trail from camp focusing on animal tracks and tracking, birding and tree identification
Noon discussion and practical experience:
• Interactive discussion by instructor based on animal tracks and tracking, anti-poaching, birding and tree identification.
• Introduction to basic tracks, track identification as well as animal tracking skills.
Early afternoon activity:
• Afternoon activity focusing on the elements discussed in the lecture will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk culminating in a sleep-out incorporating bush survival skills locating and sourcing water, preparing a bush fire, learning bush cooking and ensuring the location is safe etc.
• Evening activities will include stargazing (astronomy) that will continue late into the evening focusing on the night sky including the Southern Cross, Milky Way and common constellations.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Makuleke (bush sleep-out) – Dinner, lunch, breakfast, and activities
Day 5: MAKULEKE CONCESSION – Field observation challenge and birding
Stop At: Makuleke, 1007, South Africa
All meals at camp (included)
Morning Activity:
• A morning walking activity back to camp testing your newly found skills as well as focusing on Bird Identification and Behaviour. This includes Basic Bird Identification, understanding basic Bird behaviour as well as how to use Bird Reference guides.
Noon Discussion and Practical Experience:
• Interactive discussion by instructor based on Bird Identification and Behaviour.
• Discussion topics and practical experiments to include:
o Basic Bird Identification, Understanding Basic Bird Behaviour & How to use Bird Reference guides.
Afternoon Activity:
• Game drive, combining with a walk if there are interests, and incorporating general game drive viewing, with emphasis on Bird and Animal ID and Behaviour. Incorporating common species found in the local area.
Duration: 6 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Makuleke Camp – Dinner, lunch, breakfast, and activities (3-star)
Day 6: MAKULEKE CONCESSION to HOEDSPRUIT via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (±320km)
Stop At: Makuleke, 1007, South Africa
Very early departure from Makuleke
Breakfast packs provided (included)
Day spent exploring northern Kruger National Park while travelling south through the park.
Lunch in the Park (own account)
Exit the Kruger National Park at Phalaborwa Gate
Arrive at lodge late afternoon
Afternoon open safari vehicle game drive (included)
Farewell dinner at lodge (included) as well as awarding of certificates
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Leopards Lair – Dinner, breakfast, and 2 game activities (4-star)
Day 7: HOEDSPRUIT | Day of departure
Stop At: Hoedspruit, Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province
Morning open safari vehicle game drive
Breakfast at lodge (included)
Transfer to Eastgate Airport or Johannesburg (own account
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Duration: 7 days
Starts: Johannesburg, South Africa
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
