SANParks.org Forums

Do you want to know more about the SANParks Honorary Rangers, or have a question?

Please post here!

We will try and answer your questions here.

I've always wondered, how did the HR's get their start? And when? And who were in the Inaugural Class?

That is an easy one to answer. Thanks!

I took this from the HR website.



There are currently still 4 members active from the original 1964 group. Two of their photo's are available on the HR Website.

Is there any way KNP lovers who live overseas can get involved in the HR? My family and I would love to be able to contribute to protecting the Park that we are passionate about.

Hi Busybee

Yes, we have a region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers called the "Virtual Region." The Virtual Region is active on these Forums and offers people from overseas the opportunity to participate in support of SANParks. The Virtual Region also launches projects, which is mostly internet based, in support of SANParks.

To join the Virtual Region you will have to show yourself to be active on the Forums, as this is our base of activity. You can then apply to become a member.

So ... are you up for it?

Thanks!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Hi Imberbe, what is the criteria that must be adhered to to become an HR? I assume you cannot just apply and hope for the best as such? I could probably have found this out myself but since you so selflessly asked for questions I decided to bother you with it :-)

Most important: A love for nature and our national parks and a willingness to serve this cause in a selfless way.

You don't need any official conservation training. The HR's serve in many different ways.

If you are interested, there is a region in Pretoria.

You apply to the region. They will have a meeting with you. If you are admitted as applicant you need to do the Honorary Rangers membership course, which is a one day course and also become involved in activities.

You may then be admitted as an HR and then you will need to do the necessary course for the park you want to become involved in.

More info here: Joining

Many of our activities are outside of parks, and often our members can use their personal abilities / work contacts or knowledge / hobbies to promote the SANParks cause.

So yes, you can simply apply!

I would like to apply to become a Honorary Ranger.

i have filled in the forms and it says i need to get it signed by a chairperson before i submit the forms.

How do I go about getting them signed?

There is something bothering me and I want to get it off my chest. Allow me to start by saying that I appreciate the wonderful work done by the HRs, but are they not a group of elitists who consider themselves a bit better than we commoners? Why I say so is that a while ago, someone complained about something. (his first and last post) For the sake of peace I will change the details. Now, his forum name was 'Beechcraft Baron' which is an expensive light aircraft. He then started by saying the following "Whilst I was visiting 'Sand Lodge' where I own a place, I went to Kruger and.... He continued by stating that he has been an HR since 1970 and found the toilets at afsaal to be dirty. The idea I got was that this individual was telling us what plane he owns, how affluent he is by owning a place at an exclusive lodge, and that he should be respected because he is a longstanding member of the HRs.

Then there was this incident (reported here) where little children got out of the car at a rhino capturing exercise. When admonished by other people, they were told that they are HRs and allowed to get out of the car.

If one looks at the functions of HRs i.e. doing work at a SANPark then a lot of people who simply haven't got the money, but who are serious nature lovers, will be barred from becoming an HR.

Please tell me I am wrong.

Rooies, I know that when you become an HR you sign documents telling you that exactly the same rules apply to you. So those people surely are in the wrong. You don't get any special privileges simply because you are an HR.



I'm not sure what you mean with this???

@LQ What I mean is that the proverbial Post Office worker who simply do not earn enough to make regular trips to a reserve to do duty will not be able to join.

'K, you are wrong.

Rooies, unfortunately I cannot comment on the two examples you quoted but I can assure you that the H.R.'s are no elitist group. Anyone wanting to become an H.R. can do so and H.R.'s are expected to adhere to the parks rules the same way visitors do. In the line of duty it may be required for an H.R. to leave his vehicle or drive after dark but if it's not in the line of duty, they have to stick to the rules.

A person's financial standing does not play a role, only ones passion for our National Parks do. More affluent regions often help poorer regions to enable them to do duty in parks. Anyway, one can also do many other sorts of duty which does not include traveling to a park.

I can assure you that most H.R.'s are down to Earth passionate people who do what they do for the love of the cause and not for any personal shoe shining. You will always get the exception to the rule but that is definitely not the norm.

Hi Dsmilner,

Have you decided which region you want to join? I suggest you getting in touch with the chairperson of that region and discuss it with him/her.

Should you need help or contact details, please PM me?