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Researchers’ Logistical Support

Fieldwork Guidelines

When doing field work in any of the national parks there are some important protocols researchers must follow. These are in place to help you plan your trip as well as to ensure your safety while in the field.

  1. An indemnity form, obtainable through your project coordinator, must be signed before the commencement of fieldwork.
  2. Section Ranger contact note – it is standard practise across all parks that the researcher notify the relevant rangers on commencement of the actual fieldwork. See the individual parks for the contact details of the rangers, or contact your coordinator.
  3. In parks with dangerous animals it is a requirement that you be accompanied by a game guard if you will be working outside of your vehicle. See the individual parks for details about hiring a game guard.
  4. Normal park rules apply to researchers, unless special permission has been obtained from the relevant park manager.
  5. No fauna, flora or abiotic material may be captured, collected, marked or removed without a collecting and/or movement permit.
  6. Equipment cannot be erected, set up, installed, utilised or mounted and left unattended, without permission.
  7. Research accommodation should be booked well in advance as accommodation is limited. Time limits may apply in certain parks .
  8. Transport within the park is the researcher’s responsibility. Most of the SANParks protected areas are accessible by sedan vehicles but 4×4 vehicles are required in some areas.
  9. Please copy your assigned coordinator in all your SANParks correspondence.

Additional Considerations by Research Node