In conversation with SANParks Honorary Rangers West Rand Region – Riaan Beekman (Forensic Accountant), Heinrich Smit (COO – Data Management Company), Andy Branfield (Medical Doctor & Sports & Exercise Physician), Remco van Aalst (Indirect Tax Consultant)
Few visitors to Kruger National Park realise how much of the work behind the scenes is supported by a dedicated volunteer network. The SANParks Honorary Rangers is a registered non-profit whose members freely give their time, skills and resources to support South African National Parks. In Kruger – the flagship of the system – their contribution is both practical and deeply human.
Working alongside park management, Honorary Rangers raise funds for essential equipment including field vehicles, anti-poaching gear and specialised wildlife protection technology. They also support infrastructure upgrades, environmental education initiatives and improvements to staff facilities.
Their involvement, however, goes well beyond fundraising with many members playing an active supporting role. Within their ranks are IT specialists, engineers, doctors, accountants and legal professionals who donate skills that SANParks could seldom afford to outsource. Collectively, SANParks Honorary Rangers contributes millions of rands annually in funding, volunteer hours and specialist knowledge.
Conservation is also about People
While anti-poaching often dominates public perception, the organisation emphasises that conservation success depends equally on people. Through Project Embrace, SANParks Honorary Rangers focuses primarily on education-related support for park staff and neighbouring communities – particularly in relation to school and family assistance. Any additional needs would be midentified and submitted by SANParks through a structured ‘wish-list’ process, which would then be supported by SANParks Honorary Rangers where feasible. This wish list could encompass a broad range of requirements, from veterinary services to other park-specific operational needs. By enabling local families to experience Kruger firsthand through sponsored visits, the programme fosters shared ownership and strengthens long-term conservation outcomes.
Stepping in During Crisis
The value of the organisation becomes especially evident in times of crisis. Following the devastating floods that impacted Kruger, Honorary Rangers moved quickly to support staff who remained on duty despite damaged infrastructure and disrupted services. Volunteers coordinated food deliveries, drinking water and essential supplies to rangers stationed in remote areas, ensuring they could continue their work under extremely challenging conditions.
Beyond immediate relief efforts, SANParks Honorary Rangers members are actively involved in the significant clean-up operations required in the aftermath of the floods. From clearing debris to assisting with restoring facilities, their presence providing both practical help and moral support.
Support the Kruger Flood 2026 Fund here: https://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/kruger-flood-2026-fund/
The Birding Weekends: Access, Science and Connection
Among the Honorary Rangers’ longest-running initiatives are their fundraising birding weekends, now more than 26 years strong. Originally created to attract visitors during quieter months, these events have evolved into flagship conservation fundraisers and citizen-science platforms.
Kruger is home to more than 500 recorded bird species, making it one of Africa’s premier birding destinations. During these weekends, participants explore diverse habitats, sometimes gaining access to areas not ordinarily open to the public. Experiences range from relaxed learning opportunities to the well-known “Punda Extreme,” a pre-dawn-to-evening marathon for dedicated birders.
As guests on a recent Birding Weekend shared: “we arrived feeling slightly intimidated but soon found ourselves encouraged by the enthusiasm and generosity of experienced birders. By the end of the weekend, our “lifers” list had grown – along with a newfound confidence and excitement to keep binoculars close and continue learning.”
Importantly, sightings recorded during these events are uploaded via the BirdLasser app to the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2) at the University of Cape Town, contributing valuable data for long-term species monitoring and conservation planning.
Beyond fundraising and data collection, the weekends foster meaningful connection. Field rangers – rarely in the spotlight – share insights into their daily realities, and guests gain a deeper understanding of the dedication required to protect a wilderness as vast as Kruger.
At its core, the SANParks Honorary Rangers organisation is driven by passion – not by what members receive, but by what they give. That spirit of service continues to play a quiet yet powerful role in safeguarding the future of Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park Birding Weekends 2027 – Bookings Now Open
Join the SANParks Honorary Rangers (West Rand Region) in Kruger National Park between mid-January and mid-March 2027 for a two- or three-night Birding Weekend. Explore the park’s exceptional avian diversity, contribute to meaningful conservation projects and be part of a community united by a shared love for the wild.
Contact: Joan at westrandbirders@gmail.com
