8-Day Learn To Be A Safari Guide In Kruger National Park | 2025 2026
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Child age: 0-12
Highlights
Ever dreamed of being a safari ranger? This is the trip for you. Set in the heart of Kruger National Park, you'll get up close with the Big 5 and even closer to what life’s like for the Game Rangers who protect them. With expert Game Ranger guides leading the way, you’ll learn to navigate, track, and survive in one of the world’s most iconic wildernesses. Your days will be filled with learning, game drives, tranquil trails and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Get ready to discover what it's like to live life on the wild side.
- Head to Kruger National Park and discover what it takes to do this dream job!
Dates & Prices
Price in USD (per person, based on double occupancy)
Limited Offer
3% Group Discount: 1. Receive 3% off when you purchase 3+ rooms on the same tour (single order only). 2. Receive 3% off when you book 3+ multi-day tours with minimum order total of $500 at once. Not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or pricing offers.
Itinerary
Welcome to South Africa! An included transfer will take you to your hotel close to the airport. You have today to explore Johannesburg - head to the Apartheid museum for a dose of history, check out sprawling Soweto, or take the Gautrain to the shopping destinations of Rosebank or Sandton.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, and one of the largest in the world.
Departing Johannesburg today, we'll drive to Pafuri Gate, the entrance to Kruger National Park.After meeting our guides and taking the safety briefing, we'll get acquainted with Makuleke Camp. The agenda for tonight? Set up a crackling bonfire, chill with your crew and get ready for all the magic that awaits us tomorrow.
Rise and shine! Today is all about Ecology & Conservation, so after a cooked breakfast we'll head out on a game drive or bush walk. Along the way our Game Ranger guide will teach us about the area's ecology and geology, as well as how the wildlife interact with the land. Back at camp we'll enjoy an interactive discussion by our instructor about the inter-relatedness of geology and soils, weather and atmosphere, food webs and energy flows, and habitats and conservation. Clued up on all things ecology, we'll then head out on another game drive, incorporating game viewing with an emphasis on ecology and the topics covered during the lecture.
Kruger, South Africa
Today's topic is tracking, an essential skill if you want to be a safari ranger! We'll take a morning bush walk and learn all about how to identify animal tracks. After living our best Aragorn lives, it's back to camp for our daily lesson, focussing on track identification and trailing skills. Then it's time to put it into practice, as we take a bush walk and try and trail some animals.
Kruger, South Africa
Good morning! Today's topic is bird identification and behaviour, so we'll take a morning walk and learn how to spot different types of birds using reference guides. Back at camp we'll enjoy another interactive discussion, this time on Kruger's magnificent birdlife. Then it's time for our game drive, as we try to spot hornbills, storks, kingfishers, starlings and more, learning about their behaviour and conservation status.
Kruger, South Africa
Another day, another fascinating topic - this time Navigation & Orientation. We'll take a trail from camp and learn how to use nature as a tool to navigate and orientate ourselves in the bush. Making our way to the midday picnic spot, we'll enjoy lunch in the bush, discussing everything we've learned, before heading back to camp. Here we'll take our interactive discussion around bush skills and navigation, including how to use landmarks, the sun, a compass and maps to make our way in the wild. Tonight, we'll spend a night under the stars! So, settle down into your camps and snooze to the view of the star-studded sky of the Southern Hemisphere. Oh, and if you're up for it - you can even take turns on night watch!
Kruger, South Africa
One more day of lessons, and today's topic is animal identification and behaviour. We'll take our customary morning bush walk, trailing from camp and learning about the behaviour of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and arthropods. Then we'll enjoy another interactive discussion on how to identify and study wildlife, before another afternoon game drive, with a focus on spotting Big Game animals.
Kruger, South Africa
It's our final day! But don't feel blue: we've still got time for one more unforgettable game drive to end the trip on the high... Then it's back to Johannesburg where our adventure comes to an end. But having lived life on the wild side, it's hard not to start planning our next safari...Botswana, anyone?
Kruger, South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, and one of the largest in the world.
Includes & Excludes
Price Includes
Additional Notes
- SOUTH AFRICA: USA passport holders traveling to South Africa do not require a visa for tourism stays up to 90 days. However, please ensure that guests passport has at least 2 blank visa pages. Guests must be in possession of a return air ticket or onward ticket.
- IMPORTANT: Please see important visa details sent with your invoice.
- START/END TIMES: Trip starts in Johannesburg with an included airport shuttle transfer from OR Tambo Airport and ends with an airport drop off to OR Tambo Airport on the last day arriving approx 3pm. You can arrive anytime on the first day as long as you are at the start hotel at 7am on Day 2 for the departure to Kruger. We do not recommend booking departure flights prior to 6.00pm on the last day.
- TRIP STYLE: This is an Open Age, non exclusive departure, where some travellers will be outside 18-35 and booked through third parties. This is a glamping trip. Travellers will be accommodated in comforable thatched, tented rooms, placed on wooden decks in the shade of large nyala trees. Each room has an ensuite bathroom as well as a veranda overlooking the surrounding bush.
- ENTRY INTO SOUTH AFRICA - All travellers entering or leaving South Africa must complete an online traveller declaration at Customs Online Traveller Declaration | South African Revenue Service before they travel. The declaration must be submitted no more than 24 hours before departure and is required for Customs purposes. Website https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/
- VACCINATION: Yellow Fever vaccination is recommended for trips visiting East Africa. Yellow Fever certificate is not required for this trip, unless travellers are arriving from or transiting through a country or region listed by the WHO as infected with Yellow Fever (e.g. Kenya). We encourage travellers to check with their doctor for recommended immunizations and vaccinations prior to travel.
- GROUND OPERATOR: This trip is operated on behalf of Contiki by our trusted third party supplier Eco-training, and led by one of their Trip Managers too.
- TRANSPORT: This trip is operated Open Game View Vehicles.
- IMPORTANT: Please note there is no wifi or phone reception for the duration of the trip.
Policies
All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 2-3 business days after booking. Please do not book airline tickets until you have received the confirmation.
Complete operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, is included on your e-ticket. You must print the e-tickets and take them along on your trip; they are your proof of purchase.
Travel Documents
Each passenger must carry a valid travel document. (Valid visa for countries needed) (E.g. Green Card, Passport, Re-Entry Permit, and etc.) Tour operator is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
Each passenger must carry a valid travel document. (Valid visa for countries needed) (E.g. Green Card, Passport, Re-Entry Permit, and etc.) Tour operator is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
Cancellation penalties per person (request day and departure day are not counted)
30 days or more prior to departure - $175/person penalty.
2-29 days or more prior to departure - $280/person penalty.
Day of departure no show or late - 100% per person.
If the tour include airtickets, additional $75+airline surcharge will be charged as penalty.
Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
Trips require a minimum number of participants to avoid cancellation. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip to fully refund affected customers although tour companies will make every effort to maintain normal operations.
The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds more than 30 days after completion of the tour.
30 days or more prior to departure - $175/person penalty.
2-29 days or more prior to departure - $280/person penalty.
Day of departure no show or late - 100% per person.
If the tour include airtickets, additional $75+airline surcharge will be charged as penalty.
Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
Trips require a minimum number of participants to avoid cancellation. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip to fully refund affected customers although tour companies will make every effort to maintain normal operations.
The refund amount will be credited directly to your TakeTours wallet as credits for future use. Or the refund can also be forwarded directly to your credit card with a 6% handling fee.
NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds more than 30 days after completion of the tour.
Q & A
Popular FAQs
London: Our Detour trips are minibreaks packed full of unique, local-led experiences. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a short weekend trip or just wanna spend a little more time at your destination.
London: You know we love social travel here. While most of our trips have large groups, the Detour trips are all about small group travel. Check out the maximum group size on the trip page above, your group will never be larger than this.
London: In classic Contiki style, your accommodation and transport are included in the trip. Plus, we’ll sort out some meals and activities that are outlined in the itinerary. That’s not all, though. You’ll also have an expert Local Host to give you an inside scoop at every destination.
London: All you have to do is check whether you need a visa (and apply for one if you do!), book your insurance and arrange your transport to the start location of the trip. We’ll handle the rest!
London: Our trips are short & sweet (and loaded with fun activities). That’s why we don’t offer pre or post trip accommodation.
Kruger: Lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffaloes make up the Big 5 AKA the most prestigious animals to spot on safari.
Kruger: Not much. There’s some walking on this trip but it’s suitable for those with basic fitness.
Kruger: Nope, whether you’re young or just young at heart – everyone is welcome on this trip.
Kruger: This trip is your chance to make new friends from all around the world (even beyond Contiki!). You’ll find a mix of people on this trip who may have booked through other operators. Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same awesome experience, we promise.
Kruger: There won’t be a specified Contiki Trip Manager on this trip. But don’t worry. You’ll have professionally trained safari guides with you the whole time. They’re absolute experts in their field & are the perfect people to show you the Safari ropes. Plus, they’re locals too!
Kruger: Your Host will endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible. Vegetarianism, lactose intolerance, and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however, some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements. Please use My Contiki to notify us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your Host will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in the dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Chobe National Park: As the name suggests, a Special Stay ain't your ordinary accommodation - it's much more than that. Think of it as an experience in its own right. On this trip, you'll be able to camp under the stars (all while being surrounded by wildlife) at your Special Stay.
Amboseli: You don't have to. Your road crew will set up camp, cook meals, and clean up afterwards - but you're always welcome to help!
Amboseli: You'll have access to your very own private ensuite (shared with just one more traveller). These come with proper toilets, hot showers and everything you need.
Amboseli: Nope, you're all good! All equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc) will be provided for you.
London: You know we love social travel here. While most of our trips have large groups, the Detour trips are all about small group travel. Check out the maximum group size on the trip page above, your group will never be larger than this.
London: In classic Contiki style, your accommodation and transport are included in the trip. Plus, we’ll sort out some meals and activities that are outlined in the itinerary. That’s not all, though. You’ll also have an expert Local Host to give you an inside scoop at every destination.
London: All you have to do is check whether you need a visa (and apply for one if you do!), book your insurance and arrange your transport to the start location of the trip. We’ll handle the rest!
London: Our trips are short & sweet (and loaded with fun activities). That’s why we don’t offer pre or post trip accommodation.
Kruger: Lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffaloes make up the Big 5 AKA the most prestigious animals to spot on safari.
Kruger: Not much. There’s some walking on this trip but it’s suitable for those with basic fitness.
Kruger: Nope, whether you’re young or just young at heart – everyone is welcome on this trip.
Kruger: This trip is your chance to make new friends from all around the world (even beyond Contiki!). You’ll find a mix of people on this trip who may have booked through other operators. Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same awesome experience, we promise.
Kruger: There won’t be a specified Contiki Trip Manager on this trip. But don’t worry. You’ll have professionally trained safari guides with you the whole time. They’re absolute experts in their field & are the perfect people to show you the Safari ropes. Plus, they’re locals too!
Kruger: Your Host will endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible. Vegetarianism, lactose intolerance, and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however, some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements. Please use My Contiki to notify us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your Host will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in the dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Chobe National Park: As the name suggests, a Special Stay ain't your ordinary accommodation - it's much more than that. Think of it as an experience in its own right. On this trip, you'll be able to camp under the stars (all while being surrounded by wildlife) at your Special Stay.
Amboseli: You don't have to. Your road crew will set up camp, cook meals, and clean up afterwards - but you're always welcome to help!
Amboseli: You'll have access to your very own private ensuite (shared with just one more traveller). These come with proper toilets, hot showers and everything you need.
Amboseli: Nope, you're all good! All equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc) will be provided for you.
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