GAME RANGERS
(Click on each ranger’s name to view their personal image gallery)
The Rangers and Trackers at Royal Malewane pride themselves on being of the highest standard in the guiding industry. All rangers hold the highest FGASA qualifications, including SKS-DG (Special Knowledge and Skills – Dangerous Animals) as well as advanced rifle handling certificates. These qualifications mean that guests are ensured an exceptional game experience; not only from a vehicle, but also on foot.
Guest safety is obviously priority, and all guides and trackers are continuously subjected to on-site wilderness emergency training, conducted by experts in their field.
Training is the rule, rather than an exception at Royal Malewane, and industry expert are often called upon to ensure that guides have the highest level of knowledge and skills possible in the tourism industry.
All the guides at Royal Malewane are also avid photographers, with numerous awards among them. This also proves invaluable at assisting guests with their photographic requirements. In addition they have an extensive knowledge of the beautiful Africa night skies.
The following is a short profile description of the ranger/tracker teams at Royal Malewane:
Juan Pinto and Wilson Masiya:
Juan has been working in the guiding industry since 1993. Together with his
Tracker, Wilson, they are arguably the most experienced and knowledgeable team working in guiding in Africa. As Head Ranger and Head tracker respectively Juan and Wilson have created an ethos that is followed by the other teams at Royal Malewane. Juan is a FGASA (Field Guide Associate of Southern Africa) Scout (a combination of the
SKS-DG and Senior Tracker qualifications). Juan also holds the SKS- Birding specialist qualification. He is unique in having these qualifications and is often involved in the evaluation and education of trackers. (Click here to view further information on the Wilson Masiya Tracking School )
The other half of the team is Wilson Masiya who is one of only two Master Trackers. Wilson has spent his entire life in the bush and his interpretations and insight into what has or is about to occur in the bush is uncanny. Wilson and Juan are putting back their skills into the community by evaluating and educating trackers. The soon to be opened tracking school at Royal Malewane will be named in honour of Wilson Masiya.
Craig McFarlane and Patrick Moyane:
Craig started guiding in 1990 after spending his early years getting ‘bush’ experience with his father’s Safari Company. His experience is very broad having worked extensively im Zambia and the Lowveld. He joined Royal Malewane in 2001. Craig holds the FGASA SKS-DG , as well as a Tracker level 2 qualification, and is recognised in the industry as being one the most experienced and knowledgeable guides. Patrick grew up in the Sabi Sand game Reserve, on the border of the Kruger National park. He has worked in this area for many years, where his tracking skills and keen eyesight quickly became legendary. It is also here where he met, and worked with Craig. Patrick has also worked as a guide, and holds a level 2 Tracker qualification. He joined the Royal Malewane team in 2008.
Ryan Jack and Terrance Mhlanga:
Ryan has a diploma in Game Ranch Management and has worked on the rehabilitation of wild animals. He has worked in the Kruger National Park and the Lowveld and is a FGASA SKS-DG and Tracker level 2 guide. Ryan is also a keen herpetologist and is also currently doing a diploma in photography. He joined Royal Malewane in 2004.
Terrence who has been at Royal Malewane since 2003 is a level 3 tracker. He has grown up in the environment and has been tracking all his adult life. He has an excellent knowledge of the tribal use of the various plant species.
They have been a team since 2004.
Jonathan Wightman and Jonas Mhula
Jonathan has been working in the industry since 1995. He is a FGASA SKS-DG guide. He also holds a diploma in wildlife management and has substantial wilderness experience which was gained through his interest in the country’s flora and fauna. Jonathan joined Royal Malewane in 2005 where he teamed up with Jonas.
Jonas grew up in the bush, with his best friend, Wilson Masiya, where his bush skills were used for ever day living. Jonas is a senior tracker (one level below master tracker) and is considered one of the top trackers in the country with almost 20 years experience.
Riaan Fourie and Shadrack Mnisi:Riaan entered the industry in 1999.
He holds a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and is FGASA level 3 guide with Trails guide and tracker qualifications. He has worked as an ecologist in the Kgalagadi Trans frontier Park and as a Ranger in the Sabi Sands and the Karoo area. He joined Royal Malewane in 2006 and is a highly skilled and entertaining guide.
Shadrack is Wilson’s first protégé at Royal Malewane, having honed his tracking skills under Wilson’s guidance from the time he started as a swimming pool cleaner at Royal Malewane in 2001. Shadrock is enhancing his tracking skills and is currently a level 3 tracker.
Apprenticeship Guides;
Royal Malewane subscribes to the practice of training potential guides. To this end Nic Vonnou has been working as an apprentice to Juan and Craig. When his apprenticeship of 2 years is completed at the end of 2009 he will be a fully qualified level 3 FGASA guide.
Nik Vounnou
Nik is an apprentice guide, who has joined the Royal Malewane team in January 2008. He has since obtained his National diploma in Nature conservation, FGASA level 2, Trails guide theory, Tracker level 1, Advanced rifle handling, and first aid. By the time Nik has comleted his two year apprenticeship, he will be a fully qualified guide, with invaluable practical experience gained, through the careful guidance of his mentors.
