Tracking in the
Karoo has been a traditional method of locating animals, birds and reptiles for many years. Originating from the time of the Khoisan, tracking was used to follow and locate the animals, primarily as a source of food for themselves. Although the hunt was not always successful, the tracking method was
. Thus the need for trained and qualified trackers came about.
The SA College of Tourism Tracker Academy is a partnership between the SACT, Samara and renowned Senior Tracker, Alex van den Heever. Alex holds the highest qualification for a guide in South Africa, one of only 18 Senior Trackers. His passion in tracking has given him the unbelievable opportunity of tracking jaguars in the Amazon jungle, bears in California and the black-mane lions of Botswana.
The person leading and training the trackers at Samara is Master Tracker, Karel “Pokkie” Benadie. Master Tracker status is higher than that of Senior Tracker and there are only 2 in South Africa thus making Pokkie Benadie is an exceptional tracker. Pokkie has highly developed veld and tracking skills and has had a thesis published on the Black Rhino. A rare individual with extraordinary talent, ex the Karoo National Park is also an expert on medicinal plants.
The programme at Samara endeavours to contribute significantly to the preservation of indigenous knowledge in South Africa by creating passionate African naturalists. Samara’s aim is to empower the custodians of Africa’s wilderness to preserve the continents last remaining wild areas.
The aim of the Tracker Academy and Samara is to empower and to go beyond the ‘identify and follow’ to a greater understanding of the wild-life eco-systems.
The Volunteer programme assists the trackers with language skills as well as learning for their Field Guide Association test which they will have to write. In order to be a good tracker the students need to learn to convey their knowledge which they will need to do to managers and guests once employed. The Tracker students will then take the Wildlife Programme Volunteers out in the field with them and teach them all they know about tracks, animals, plants, birds etc.
It is an incredible experience for the volunteers, learning to see nature on such a small and detailed scale, noticing things that most people would overlook. Spending a day with the trackers allows one to see the environment from an animal’s perspective.
For more information, please contact Hayley at Volunteer Programme on volunteer@samara.c.o.za or visit www.samara.co.za/volunteer.htm
About Samara Private Game Reserve
