Date: May 24 – May 30, 2027
Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Price: $3,000 per person | Shared accommodation

Step into the boots of an anti-poaching ranger during this immersive conservation field experience in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Ranger for a Week: South Africa is designed for adventurous travelers who want to experience the realities of wildlife protection firsthand.

Guests will live and train in a rugged environment alongside conservation professionals and anti-poaching teams. Meals are prepared together as a group, accommodations are shared, and days are focused on teamwork, field experiences, and ranger-based activities in remote wildlife areas.

Only 6 participant spots are available.

The Ranger Experience

Throughout the week, guests will participate in realistic conservation and anti-poaching activities designed to give insight into the daily challenges rangers face in the field.

Experiences may include:

• Walking in Big 5 reserves alongside trained professionals
• Mock anti-poaching scenarios and tactical simulations
• Tracking exercises and bush navigation
• Conservation field activities and team-based challenges
• Learning directly from frontline anti-poaching rangers

Guests will also attend the Wildlife Warrior Challenge, where anti-poaching units from across South Africa compete for sponsorship funding and equipment support for their teams. Optional: Compete against real antipoaching rangers on the obstacle course and in the hot dog eating contest to see if you are as fast, as strong, or as hungry as a ranger.

What to Expect

This experience is physically active and designed for travelers who are comfortable with rugged conditions, group living, and hands-on participation. While wildlife sightings are possible throughout the week, this is not a traditional safari centered around daily game drives or luxury accommodations.

Instead, the focus is on conservation, field exposure, teamwork, and experiencing life alongside the people protecting wildlife on the front lines.

What’s Included

• Participation in the Ranger for a Week field experience
• Access to the Wildlife Warrior Challenge event
• 6 nights shared accommodation
• Round-trip ground transportation from Port Elizabeth airport
• Group-prepared meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• Conservation education and ranger-led activities
• Access to multiple conservation areas and reserves

What’s Not Included

• International or domestic airfare
• Trip insurance
• Health insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Souvenirs and personal purchases
• Accommodation or transportation outside the GCF program schedule

Booking & Payment Details

• 50% deposit required to secure your spot
• Final payment due 6 months prior to departure (December 2026)
• Deposits and payments are non-refundable within 6 months of departure
• All participants must apply and be approved prior to booking

Ranger for a Week: South Africa is more than a trip—it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, gain real insight into anti-poaching operations, and directly support the rangers protecting wildlife every day.