Why Track Cheetahs on Foot?
Immersive Experience: Walking alongside expert guides allows you to immerse yourself in the wild, feeling the thrill of being close to cheetahs without disrupting their natural behaviour.
Educational: Guides teach you how to identify cheetah tracks, dung, and scratch marks, providing insights into their habitat and behaviour.
Conservation Support: Many tracking programs support conservation efforts by monitoring cheetah populations and habitats.
Where to Track Cheetahs in South Africa
Samara Karoo Reserve: Known for its relaxed cheetahs, Samara offers an unparalleled viewing experience. Their famous cheetah, Sibella, has become an ambassador for conservation.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge: Offers both vehicle and foot tracking experiences, allowing you to explore cheetahs in their natural environment.
Great Karoo: Aardvark Safaris provides expert guides to help you spot cheetahs and understand their habitat.
Tips for Tracking Cheetahs on Foot
Choose the Right Time: Cheetahs are most active during early morning and late afternoon. These are the best times for spotting them.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: Ensure you have sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking in rugged terrain.
Stay Quiet and Patient: Cheetahs have excellent hearing and vision. Keep noise levels down and be prepared to wait for sightings.
Respect Distance: Maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the cheetahs. Guides will help you stay safe while ensuring the animals' well-being.
Learn About Cheetah Behaviour: Understanding their habits and habitats enhances your experience and appreciation for these animals.
Support Conservation: Choose programs that contribute to cheetah conservation and research, ensuring your experience supports the long-term survival of these magnificent creatures.
Conservation Efforts
Cheetah Monitoring Programs: Organizations like Working with Wildlife use GPS collars and camera traps to monitor cheetah populations, providing valuable insights into their behaviour and habitat needs.
Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF): Works tirelessly to combat illegal wildlife trade and supports community-based conservation initiatives.
Tracking cheetahs on foot is not just an adventure; it's an ideal chance to contribute to their conservation while experiencing the beauty of South Africa's wildlife. By choosing responsible and conservation-focused programs, you can ensure that your experience benefits both you and these incredible animals.
Questions after the interview:
At the end of an interview there is usually an opportunity where you can ask any questions you might have. This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position as well as the company. It is a good idea to prepare a few questions before the interview – this can be done while you are doing research on the company.
Your questions should show the interviewer that you are a good candidate for the position. Try and avoid questions that are based on your personal needs and preferences, for instance:
- How much leave will I get in a year?
- Will I be considered for promotion in my first year?
- When will I get an increase?
- What time can I leave in the afternoon?
These questions are inappropriate at this stage and will probably raise concerns on the side of the interviewer. Should you be the successful candidate then all these questions will be answered in your letter of appointment so don’t waste this opportunity by asking these basic questions.
If the position is an entry level job or very junior then you are welcome to ask questions in line with the position, for instance:
- Why did the previous person leave the position?
- What would the successful person be tasked to do in a typical day?
- How does this position fit into the department and / or company?
- Could you explain the company structure to me?
- Is there any further education assistance or support?
If the position is more senior then you can prepare question around the following themes:
- current issues that will face the successful candidate;
- inter-personal challenges in the department;
- any process, technology or people challenges that needs to be attended to urgently;
- key result areas that need urgent attention in the first few months;
The above information should get you started. Prepare a few questions so that you can show your worth. Good luck with your interview!
