The Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy
A journey of education, conservation and employment
The academy empowers aspiring conservationists with advanced guiding skills and practical work experience. Not only are we empowering the youth through education and career opportunities, but our Ranger Academy also contributes to strengthening sustainable conservation.
A drive to do better
As early as the 1980s, the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve recognised the important role that guides play in terms of protecting nature, sharing her secrets with others, and as an employment opportunity for those living in local communities.
Sabi Sabi aimed to develop more than just field guides by also incorporating specialised skills such as rifle training, vehicle maintenance and hospitality into their programmes. To achieve this, an in-house ranger academy was established, offering training and education that went well beyond the basic guiding requirements.
Situated in a remote section of the Sabi Sabi bushveld, Nkombe Camp had been the traditional base for training and selecting new guides. Since the official collaboration with Bushwise in 2024, the training base is now located at Greg's Camp within the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.
Conserving nature through the empowerment of local talent
The academy's goal is to empower local talent by equipping the next generation of field guides, rangers and trackers with the necessary professional skills to find employment while protecting and conserving Mother Nature's treasured reserves.
Where high-calibre guides are born
The academy draws on its 40 years of training experience to produce professional and knowledgeable guides that are internationally recognised.
A natural collaboration
The Sabi Sabi Collection and Bushwise have joined forces to bridge the gap between high-level conservation education and meaningful on-the-ground, practical experience in a luxury lodge.
Where experience, expertise and opportunity connect
Bushwise is an accredited field guide training provider in South Africa. Their collaboration with Sabi Sabi Ranger academy is often regarded as the "university of the bush" for its ability to produce highly skilled graduates for the eco-tourism and conservation industry.
Founded by Sophie Niemann and Richard Walton, Bushwise was created to support wildlife conservation through immersive, practical training, while opening pathways for passionate individuals to build careers in conservation and tourism.
Our collaboration with Bushwise allows us to offer:
- Highly specialised skills training.
- Practical work experience in a luxury lodge.
- Access to employment opportunities.
Advanced skills embedded in experience
Each of our courses is embedded in decades of invaluable experience while being aligned with Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) training standards. Our courses also include practical experience, and offers a pathway to work opportunities within the luxury game lodge environment.
Courses
- This stringent course is a year in duration and is made up of 6 months training and 6 months in work placement.
- Modules include Wildlife & Ecology, IFGA Professional Safari Guide, Practical Game Management, and Wildlife Hospitality.
- The Wildlife & Ecology modules adheres to the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) standards and Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) requirements.
Eligibility
- This training programme is open to South African citizens over the age of 21 years.
- Candidates must have a Grade 12 National Senior Certificate.
- Must be in possession of a driver's license including a Professional Driving Permit (PDP).
Limited intake
- Only 8 candidates are accepted into the academy annually with 50% of the intake coming from local communities, who each receive a full scholarship through funding from the Sabi Sabi Foundation and the Gillespie Foundation.
- To be selected, candidates must undergo a competitive and rigorous selection process.
- The process entails a 10-day camp out in the bush in which their physical endurance, mental fortitude, knowledge, personality traits and ability to work in a Big 5 environment will be assessed.
- Candidates must then complete a 3-hour written examination and panel interviews with senior management.
- The 8 successful applicants will then embark on 6 months training, followed by 6 months’ work experience within a Big 5 environment.