photo-credit: &Beyond
An exclusive interview on Sabi Sands with Head Ranger & Naturalist - JUSTIN HALL
How many years have you been a naturalist and when did you first develop your appreciation for nature? I have been working since January 2009. My appreciation started as a young boy visiting the many game reserves around South Africa with my family. The only books I ever read were wildlife books both fictitious and non-fictitious. | JUSTIN HALL (to the left) |
Could you tell us about your fascination for the wild & what is it that continues to inspire you?
The fact that this is “real” life and that there is nobody on this planet who can predict what the animals will do. Around every corner lies a different possibility.
Being a naturalist, could you share with us any specific project or research that you’ve been involved with & are most proud of?
&BEYOND has a sister organization called the Africa Foundation. It is involved in many projects in the rural communities around the Sabi Sand reserve. Projects like income generating projects, universities bursaries for gifted students from the rural schools and opening toilet facilities and fresh water bore-holes for the people. These are the projects that I’m most proud of. As far as wildlife projects, we’re involved in daily recordings of animal movements and behaviour.
How long how you been working as the head ranger at &BEYOND EXETER RIVER LODGE?
Since the beginning of 2012.
What is it that differentiates a private gaming reserve to the ones open for public?
Public parks quite often allow no off-road driving, this means that animals have to be viewed from the road and no closer. In a private reserve like the Sabi Sands we can drive almost everywhere. Numbers of vehicles in sightings is also another difference, private reserve keep a limit to how many vehicles in a sighting, depending on the type of animal of course. Public parks have no limits with how many vehicles in a sighting so it can be quite chaotic trying to view the animal.
How is Sabi Sands private gaming reserve more exclusive for wildlife enthusiasts and what are its advantages?
It has been around for a long time, in one way or another since the late 1890’s. This means that the animals are very comfortable around the vehicles. They are still very wild, make no mistake, but they don’t see us as a threat to them, or to their food or young. We are able to get in quite close to view them and observe completely natural behaviour.
The fact that this is “real” life and that there is nobody on this planet who can predict what the animals will do. Around every corner lies a different possibility.
Being a naturalist, could you share with us any specific project or research that you’ve been involved with & are most proud of?
&BEYOND has a sister organization called the Africa Foundation. It is involved in many projects in the rural communities around the Sabi Sand reserve. Projects like income generating projects, universities bursaries for gifted students from the rural schools and opening toilet facilities and fresh water bore-holes for the people. These are the projects that I’m most proud of. As far as wildlife projects, we’re involved in daily recordings of animal movements and behaviour.
How long how you been working as the head ranger at &BEYOND EXETER RIVER LODGE?
Since the beginning of 2012.
What is it that differentiates a private gaming reserve to the ones open for public?
Public parks quite often allow no off-road driving, this means that animals have to be viewed from the road and no closer. In a private reserve like the Sabi Sands we can drive almost everywhere. Numbers of vehicles in sightings is also another difference, private reserve keep a limit to how many vehicles in a sighting, depending on the type of animal of course. Public parks have no limits with how many vehicles in a sighting so it can be quite chaotic trying to view the animal.
How is Sabi Sands private gaming reserve more exclusive for wildlife enthusiasts and what are its advantages?
It has been around for a long time, in one way or another since the late 1890’s. This means that the animals are very comfortable around the vehicles. They are still very wild, make no mistake, but they don’t see us as a threat to them, or to their food or young. We are able to get in quite close to view them and observe completely natural behaviour.
Could you tell us about the exotic &Beyond stay experience? Every one of our 33 lodges across 7 countries will be magical. The name says it all, &BEYOND! We have beautiful lodges in spectacular places, passionate guides and staff and aim to give the best safari experience possible. Apart from the wildlife safaris what is the one activity that a traveller must experience while staying in Sabi Sands? A nature walk in the reserve! | photo-credits: &Beyond |
What is the biggest fascination about the BIG 5?
The term “Big 5” is an old hunting term. Those are the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. We use the term these days to get people interested and to fuel expectations. The “Big 5” are amazing, but there is just so much else to look at over and above the “5”.
Which animals are the most challenging to encounter & photograph in Sabi Sands?
Black Rhino. They are shy and secretive creatures that live in thick areas. Seeing one is like winning the jackpot at the casino!
The term “Big 5” is an old hunting term. Those are the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. We use the term these days to get people interested and to fuel expectations. The “Big 5” are amazing, but there is just so much else to look at over and above the “5”.
Which animals are the most challenging to encounter & photograph in Sabi Sands?
Black Rhino. They are shy and secretive creatures that live in thick areas. Seeing one is like winning the jackpot at the casino!
photo-credits: &Beyond
What according to you is the “top most do & don’t” in the forests?
Do not ever walk alone or without a ranger, and always make sure your camera battery is charged!
What according to you is the best way for a tourist to understand the behavior of the forest and the animals?
Listen to your guide and ask many questions.
A tip you would like to give to our wildlife enthusiasts & readers.
Seeing these animals is not about checking them off a list. Every time you see them, even if it’s the same individual, they might be doing something different. Seeing different behaviour from the same animals is when safari gets really exciting!!
Do not ever walk alone or without a ranger, and always make sure your camera battery is charged!
What according to you is the best way for a tourist to understand the behavior of the forest and the animals?
Listen to your guide and ask many questions.
A tip you would like to give to our wildlife enthusiasts & readers.
Seeing these animals is not about checking them off a list. Every time you see them, even if it’s the same individual, they might be doing something different. Seeing different behaviour from the same animals is when safari gets really exciting!!