World Ranger Day is celebrated around the world on July 31st each year on the founding anniversary of the International Ranger Federation, an organisation that supports the work of rangers as the key protectors of parks and conservation. World Ranger Day is also a day to remember the many rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty while protecting national and state parks.
Providing protection for our precious natural recourses comes in many forms. Front line fighting, investigation, rehabilitation and public education. Although the rangers at Nambiti Hills Private Game Experience are not fighting on the front lines against poachers and putting their lives at risk, their function in this fight is no less crucial or important. While creating a fun and entertaining experience for their guests, they educate and pass on their passion for nature, the environment and the creatures found in it. We all know that education and understanding is the key to any sort of change we want in our world. And our noble rangers have devoted their lives to this cause. With their wealth of knowledge and passion for wildlife, our rangers endeavour to help to our guests understand, appreciate and love our natural world and, hopefully, become ambassadors and guardians when they return to their normal lives.
So, without further ado, we would like to introduce the game rangers of Nambiti Hills Private Game Experience:
Tim
Being the Head Ranger, this man lives and breathes the bush. His whole working life has been spent as a Game Ranger. Tim is also a skilled guitarist and enjoys relaxing in the evening with his guitar and a glass of brandy!
What’s your favourite Nambiti animal?
“A Serval, as it’s one not many people are lucky enough to see in the wild.
Normally found in the tall grass, it hunts by pouncing on prey from a distance…”
What spectacular sighting have you witnessed first-hand at Nambiti?
“In my 13 years in the industry I have had the opportunity to see many breath-taking sightings with many a lucky guest. One of my most memorable at Nambiti is, while sitting watching a lioness having an early evening stroll down the road looking for one of the males who was close by, I happened to glance up to one of the cliff faces and saw a female leopard keeping a watch-full eye on the lioness walking below. Absolutely incredible to see these two amazing cats so close to each other.”
What made you want to become a Ranger?
“I am passionate about all aspects of nature, and enjoy every moment of being out on a game drive or a bush walk, enjoying the sights and sounds that nature has to offer.”
Biggie
This veteran of the African bush has been a guide for 19 years. He has also run the Comrades Marathon, the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon of approximately 89 kilometres, run annually in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
What’s your favourite Nambiti animal?
“Giraffe. The way it walks unlike any other animal, moving two legs at the same time as if it only has two legs. They are very interesting to watch when they run as well. At the water hole when they stretch their legs apart to reach the water is an amazing sight, and many of the women that come on safari with me are jealous of the giraffes amazing eyelashes!”
What spectacular sighting have you witnessed first-hand at Nambiti?
“When a lioness left her cubs and stalked two male Kudus, managing to hunt one as the other got away. Once she had made the kill, she called the cubs and they joined their mother and fed on the Kudu.”
What made you want to become a Ranger?
“To be a ranger has always been my passion, I love to be in harmony with nature since a very young age. Before I worked at the lodges, I worked as an overland guide throughout Southern Africa. I experienced many different cultures and learned of their countries. Now I am at Nambiti Hills and enjoy sharing the knowledge that I have gained our the past 19 years with my guests.”
Joe
Joe has been a guide for over 10 years and he is a talented soccer player.
What’s your favourite Nambiti animal?
“An Elephant. They are extremely intelligent and incredibly powerful, and they alter their environment to benefit the whole eco-system.”
What spectacular sighting have you witnessed first-hand at Nambiti?
“I saw some white rhino mating!”
What made you want to become a Ranger?
“I am proudly South African. I take pride about our nature and especially like to make sure that all our guests experience the best, not only during my game drives but at the lodge as well while they are relaxing.”
Siya
What’s your favourite Nambiti animal?
The Elephants, because I admire the strong family units they live in. I’m also fascinated by Cheetah – their hunting ability is astounding!
What spectacular sighting have you witnessed first-hand at Nambiti?
I always feel fortunate to witness any of the animals hunting, but especially the Cheetah. Seeing the world’s fastest land animal race across the savannah is a sight to behold.
What made you want to become a Ranger?
I’m an incredibly social person and enjoy sharing my passion of wildlife with guests to Nambiti Hills.
A guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge can make any safari magical, even if you don’t get to see all the Big 5. Now that you know the Nambiti Hills Private Game Experience Rangers that little bit better, come test their talents!