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Next Gen Ranger

The Next Gen Ranger course is an immersive wilderness experience for young adventurers aged 16 to 19, combining wildlife, conservation, adventure and personal growth in the African bush.

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A classroom without walls

What if your classroom had no walls? What if your lessons came from lion tracks in the sand, towering trees, breathtaking sunsets and the sounds of the African wilderness?

The Next Gen Ranger course is more than just several days in the bush. Designed for young adventurers aged 16 to 19, it combines wildlife, conservation, adventure and personal growth into a life-enriching wilderness experience.

Participants will learn to identify wildlife, track animals, navigate using nature, master essential bush survival skills and discover the fascinating ecosystems that keep Africa’s wild places alive.

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What to expect from the
Next Gen Ranger Course

Learn in the African wilderness

The Next Gen Ranger programme combines practical field-based learning with interactive sessions led by experienced EcoTraining instructors.

Participants will spend their days exploring the African bush on guided walks and game drives while developing practical wildlife, conservation, navigation and bush survival skills.

Adventure, teamwork and practical skills

Highlights include interactive family challenges, the Ultimate Botany Quest, the Family Birding Challenge, wildlife tracking and spoor interpretation, bush skills activities, bush picnic breakfasts and astronomy beneath the African night sky.

Evenings around the campfire, complete with stories, laughter and s’mores, provide the perfect way to end each day and reconnect as a family.

Where the course takes place

The Next Gen Ranger course takes place at selected EcoTraining camps in South Africa.

Greater Kruger Balule Pridelands, South Africa

Situated in the scenic Limpopo province of South Africa, this camp offers sights of a ...
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Karongwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Karongwe Camp is on the banks of the Karongwe River, southwest of the Kruger National ...
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The benefits of taking the
Next Gen Ranger Course

The Next Gen Ranger course is an opportunity to step away from everyday life and immerse yourself in the African wilderness.

Through hands-on experiences in the field, participants develop practical wildlife knowledge, bush skills and a deeper understanding of nature and conservation, while building confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork.

What you can expect to graduate with

  • EcoTraining Certificate of Participation
  • Improved wildlife knowledge
  • Practical bush skills
  • Greater Confidence, Teamwork and Leadership abilities

Entry level requirements

  • 1 16–19 years old – designed specifically for the next generation of young adventurers.
  • 2 Ready for the bush – participants should be fit and able to walk at least 2km
  • 3 Passion for nature – a genuine interest in wildlife and the African wilderness is all you need to get started.

What to pack

Packing List download

We’ve put together a useful packing list for you so you know what you need to bring with you on this course.

What kind of clothing, gear, bedding, toiletries and shoes you’ll need to be comfortable and make the most of your time in the African bush.

No need to guess or overpack.

We’re here to guide you every step of the way

Course dates

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8-day Next Gen Ranger

04 Jan 2027 – 11 Jan 2027 — Karongwe Game Reserve, (SA)
05 Jan 2027 – 12 Jan 2027 — Greater Kruger Balule Pridelands, (SA)
16 Dec 2027 – 23 Dec 2027 — Karongwe Game Reserve, (SA)

10-day Next Gen Ranger

24 Jul 2027 – 02 Aug 2027 — Karongwe Game Reserve, (SA)

From the field on the
Next Gen Ranger Course

FAQ about the Next Gen Ranger Course

The Next Gen Ranger course is designed for young adventurers aged 16 to 19 who are passionate about nature and want to experience the African wilderness through practical, hands-on learning.

No previous wildlife experience is stated as a prerequisite for the course. Participants learn through guided field experiences, interactive sessions and practical activities.

Participants will learn about ecology, habitats and weather, animal tracks and tracking, birds, mammals, trees and plants, orientation and navigation, bush survival skills, and astronomy.

Have more questions? Check out our general FAQ page or get in touch for more information.

General FAQ
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Student Loan Partners

EcoTraining has partnered with leading financial institutions in order to facilitate educational loans.
Please click the logos below to apply directly with the bank.

Testimonials

“Because the camp is unfenced, I really love waking up and seeing what animal tracks where left during the night. Waking up with an elephant standing at my tent was a bit scary, but also very cool. The whole experience here has been fantastic. A word of advice: If you know on the inside it’s for you, do it. Listen to your gut and trust it. Being here has given me peace of mind. It makes me happy and truly soothes my soul.”
Sam BakelAustralia
Sam Bakel
"During the course I rediscovered my love for birding - something that I have enjoyed since I was little - and one of my biggest highlights was learning tracking and trailing with Renias Mhlongo. It put me out of my comfort zone and really challenged me, which I loved. Being part of a group of all different cultures and making new friends has been really special. After the course ends, I’m definitely planning on continuing my career in guiding, where ever it may be."
Rufus CottrelUK
Rufus Cottrel
"I already feel I can go into the industry with a contribution to add, thanks to this course. It all seemed impossible before, but now it’s real and feasible. I love the course, the camps, the instructors and I am learning so much and having so much fun too. We have built a beautiful community here, all with a common goal and wanting the same things.”
Liam MueenuddinUSA
Liam Mueenuddin
“The online course teaches skills that can be translated to wherever you are working. You really don’t need any background knowledge to do the course, as the modules build on each other. The course opens your eyes to the earth itself. I believe it’s important to have an understanding of nature, which is what EcoTraining offers.”
Kaitlyn CampbellUSA
Kaitlyn Campbell
"It has been so refreshing to be somewhere where you live by the sun and weather and not your watch - to totally switch off from the world and not know what will happen next. I have had so many highlights - from seeing hyena on foot, having lions and rhino walk around our vehicle, hearing an elephant right outside my tent and even seeing incredible bush paintings - every week gets better."
Bert JansenBelgium
Bert Jansen
"What an amazing month! Friends made for life and I learnt so much . Thank you to the three instructors Norman, Tsundzukani and Kitsiso - you are all world class trackers and instructors. EcoTraining is lucky to have you. Thank you everyone for one of the best months of my life."
Brennon KnottSouth Africa
Brennon Knott

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