Managing the vast wilderness areas of Kruger National Park is a challenge the SANParks Rangers and conservation staff face daily.  A key aspect of good management, whether it is invasive species control, counter poaching activity or aspects such as fire management and disease control, is the effective gathering and use of information.  To achieve this SANParks staff need access to functional technology.

The Kruger Trail is an unassisted backpack trail that traverses the entire length of Kruger.  Guests spend more than a month in some of the most remote and unspoilt wilderness areas of the park.  This six hundred and fifty-kilometre trail is divided into six legs of approximately one hundred kilometres each and is completed over three years.  This is a bucket list experience for any nature lover and probably the ultimate wilderness experience.  The trail is managed by the SANParks Honorary Rangers, the official volunteer organisation of SANParks.  Profits generated by this trail are dedicated to supporting conservation activities.

The Kruger Trail recently joined hands with the Kruger Ranger Corps and donated two hundred and thirty data management devices to the value of one million rands.  This will provide every Ranger deployment working in the bush, as well as the Airwing Pilots and conservation staff, with a device loaded with the necessary software to accurately log and geo-locate key conservation and law enforcement information across all 22 Sections of Kruger NP.  Gathering this information from across this vast park will enable management to better manage and protect this special place.

Receiving this donation from Louis Lemmer, SANParks Honorary Rangers Magalies region chairperson, Kruger National Park Head Ranger Cathy Dreyer said “the Kruger National Park is incredibly grateful for the continued support received from the Honorary Rangers and the valuable contribution the donated devices will make towards achieving the Parks biodiversity Conservation and Law Enforcement objectives”.

Louis then thanked the rangers for their work and expressed the wish that this donation will assist the rangers in protecting the park and ensuring its continued value for generations to come.  He stated that the value of true wilderness may not be underestimated.  “It enriches your soul.”

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