Why are Safari Ranger guides different to tour guides?
Your safari guide is a critical part of making
a safari a success - that's a fact.
During the planning of your safari you need
to make sure you
are dealing with a safari tour operator who knows how
important it is to employ guides who are more than just tour guides
or driver guides.
A tour operator requires a 'type of guide' who
is very much committed to making every client's safari an exciting
and enjoyable experience. It's beneficial to the client which
in tern benefits the tour operator, which benefits the guide.
That 'type of guide' is known as a Safari Ranger.
A Safari Ranger is a tour guide who has extra passion and is completely committed; who has carried
on with his or her career to train and qualify as a Field Guide,
then going on to live and work in the bush as a Professional Game
Ranger.
The increased amount of knowledge and experience thus gained working in the bush,
far out weighs the exposure obtained by a tour guide who is content
with only passing a tour guide course in
downtown Jo'burg.
All our Safari Rangers are friendly,
experienced and are registered with the relevant guiding associations
of South Africa - FGASA (Field Guides Association of South Africa)
and DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism).
Some
Safari Rangers hold level 3 and SKS DA (Dangerous Animals) qualifications
which are currently recognised as the highest qualifications in
the safari industry throughout Africa.
Note
Your safety is very important to us.
You will depend on your ranger for your safety. Therefore safety talks will be conducted whilst on safari. The ranger must be obeyed at all times. Failure to co-operate in this respect could lead to the immediate cancellation of your safari.
Tipping your Safari Ranger. It's a sign of saying 'thanks for a great time'. A suggestion or indication is R50 per day.
SATOUR - South Africa Tourism
is no longer the governing body
regulating tour guides. Legal tour guides are now registered
with DEAT or FGASA. Safari Rangers are registered with both
DEAT & FGASA.
All Safari Rangers are in the process of having their qualifications THETA validated in accordance with the NQF guiding standards. Every Safari Ranger is first-aid qualified.
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