Tracks of Trust

This World Ranger Day, we celebrate the men and women whose devotion makes the moments we share in the bush possible. They’re more than experts in animal behaviour or drivers behind the wheel, they’re interpreters of instinct, custodians of ancient knowledge and companions for our guests.

In today’s world, where wild spaces grow even more fragile, the work of our rangers and trackers has never been more vital.

A Symphony of Senses

At the core of every unforgettable game drive is a deeply intuitive partnership
between ranger and tracker. The tracker, often with decades of ancestral wisdom, reads the landscape for clues or signs: the faint trace of a footprint, a snapped twig, a speck of blood, a single call on the wind. The ranger receives that knowledge and shapes it into a story – navigating, observing, guiding.

Together, they transform a safari into a connection with the wild. A glimpse into the life of the bush, told in real time by those who live and breathe it.

Learning And Leading

To become a Sabi Sabi ranger is to commit to a life of service and curiosity. Most of our candidates arrive with academic credentials in ecological and biological sciences, rifle proficiency and first-aid training, but that’s only the beginning.

At the Sabi Sabi Ranger Academy, formal training is layered with fieldwork,
mentorship and an emphasis on connection with guests, the land and with the stories they encounter. And once the ranger badge is earned, the real education begins; every sighting, every question from a guest, every unexpected moment in the bush becomes part of a lifelong journey of learning.

Born Of The Bush

Our trackers follow a different path, one shaped by culture, community and tradition. Many come from neighbouring Shangaan communities, where they grew up walking the bush, learning its language from elders. Their knowledge is not written, it is lived. Some have guided guests at Sabi Sabi since the lodge’s earlier days, preserving a craft that is intuitive and irrepressible.

In Their Own Voice

Being a ranger to me means bringing forth meaningful information about our environment, and the wonders of the world we live in. Sharing these unique experiences with the guests we receive from around the world and helping to create memories that will last them lifetime is a privilege and something I take great pride in. As a ranger, I believe that if a person has the means to, everyone should come on safari and experience Africa’s wilderness at least once in their lives- it’s not just a vacation, it’s a reconnection to our deepest human roots. - Viviane Ladner – Ranger at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

When someone asks this question, it is always tough one to answer. Being a ranger is so much more than interpreting animal behaviour and sharing this with our guests. It is a privilege being able to give people the experience they have been dreaming of for years. Meeting people from all over the world and making lifelong memories, while getting to spend every day in the bush when my heart and soul feel at home - that is the best part of being a ranger. - Ruan Mey – Ranger at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

I love being a ranger because it allows me to find a deep connection with nature. I have a profound appreciation for ecosystems, wildlife behaviour and natural rhythms. Being a guide is not just a job – it’s a lifestyle. The bush gets into your blood. There is something incredibly fulfilling waking up each day with purpose and passion. - Jan Nel – Ranger at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

What I love most is 'possibility'. Each time we venture out on safari there are palpable feelings of excitement and anticipation. Around every corner is the possibility of something remarkable. Being able to make people’s dreams come true, by revealing the beauty of nature, is a privilege. Ronald Mutero – Ranger at Sabi Sabi Selati Camp

To our rangers and trackers – thank you. For rising when the air is crisp and it’s dark, for spotting the signs that tell the story before it unfolds, for watching, listening, guiding and helping guests fall in love with this special place. Because of you, the bush doesn’t feel wild, it feels like home.