About the Author

Pete Thorpe

Alumni Ranger

Pete was a Field Guide for Londolozi for 4 years, contributing to the blog as a fantastic writer as well as photographer. Right from his very first bush trip at the age of four, Pete was always enthralled by this environment. Having grown ...

View Pete's profile

31 Comments

on Seven Reasons Why I Have A Terrible Job

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Phil Schultz
Senior Digital Ranger

Didn’t take me long to realize the guides and trackers of southern Africa have the best jobs in the world. Maybe guides aboard expedition cruise ships could launch an argument.

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Oh, to be in the bush 24 hours a day, everyday.

Victoria Auchincloss
Master Tracker

Sounds like the good life!! Victoria

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Yes, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it 😘. I laughed over your slow-going morning commute, thinking about how I would love to be in that position, rather than being surrounded by frustrated commute drivers, all trying to get someplace on time! From my first safari in 1986, I’ve always believed that trackers/rangers enjoy the best of a work environment from the sunrises to sunsets and all the adventures in between. Hang in there Pete!! 😊📷📷

Mary Beth Wheeler
Guest contributor

Somehow I’m having a hard time feeling badly for you rangers! Privileged and lucky are just a couple of words that come to mind. I’d gladly trade in all my years in an office for your daily encounters with Mother Nature!

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Pete, wonderful photos, and great story🤗

Johanna Browne
Senior Digital Ranger

OK, you all have wonderful blog posts and I must say this one was brilliant. I have worked with animals of every species all of my life but have never been on a safari. It truly did make me realize how much I want to experience this for myself. Thank you!

Dina Petridis
Senior Digital Ranger

you are quite right , life can be so unfair !!!!
Anjoy every moment of it !

Dina Petridis
Senior Digital Ranger

sorry I had the intention of saying ENJOY!

Kim Heckman
Explorer

Awww…that morning traffic jam looks much more enjoyable than my morning commute!!

Joanne Wadsworth Kelley
Master Tracker

You’ll get no pity from me! You DO have an exceptional job and I’m glad you appreciate these “drawbacks.” A little tongue and cheek….

Terry Fowler
Explorer

Waaawaaawaaaa! I can’t begin to feel your intense pain Pete!!! We’ll be back in September and I’ll offer some counseling. Cheers!!

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

It’s a hard life, but ….

Susan Strauss
Digital Tracker

Love this, Pete; well done. One more…being woken up all night by roaring lions…ugh! 😊

Sam &Amp; Mary-Jane Armacost
Guest contributor

We’re shedding no tears for you, Pete. The tears are for us wishing we could be there! Sam and Mary Jane

Alimpurnomosidi5
Explorer

Oooh… This job could be a dream for those who love to work with nature. You are very fortunate to have chance to interact with people around the world who has saved their earning for months maybe a years to have chance to see the animals in their wild. I wish I could be in your position for a single day ha ha.. Sorry for my bad English( its not my mother tongue). Regard from Indonesia.

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Guest contributor

Poor baby, our hearts reach out to you … but mostly in envy!!!!

Chelsea Allard
Master Tracker

I’d trade my commute with yours any day! 😂

@Chelsea Allard, LOL

@Chelsea Allard, where am I ?

@Chelsea Allard, Me too, me too )))

WEeeeee

nice

Judith Guffey
Digital Tracker

I’ll take your place any day! Counting days.

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Hi Pete. I have tried and tried to squeeze out some sympathy for you – but failed dismally. Wonder why??
Wendy M

Jen Lum
Senior Digital Ranger

Pete,.. I love your sense of humor about how you ponder and rectify the daily life of your career. It might be “evaluating,” but at the same time a pure expression of ecstatic joy in all that you see and do.
More so though, what comes to mind, is, that through out the context of your photo blog, and your descriptive thoughts about being a Ranger in the Bush is, .. that, while everyone in the world is talking about “Global warming and climage change,” You folks at Londolozi create your own “Global Warming,” by warming mine, and many other hearts every week by generously sharing your photos and stories about the animals and the beauty of South Africa.
The Londolozi Blog is a true retreat.

Vin Beni
Guest contributor

Pete,
If I hadn’t met you this week, I might have thought your topic was just for fun!
Now I know it was! Well done!

Pete? Common on Man 🙂 . Pictures are wonderful, oh your work you do is vital and inspiring.

Wendy Hawkins
Senior Digital Ranger

Well if you have guests that demand that you find the impossible, yes it’s a tough life, but sit beside a waterhole or river with a thermos of a fav beverage & wait to see what comes to drink is balm to the sole!! Wild animal roadblocks are the best in the world!!! 😁😁 Thanks Pete that was a good chuckle.

Callum Evans
Guest contributor

Sounds absolutely awful (probably the most sarcastic three words I’ve ever typed)!!!

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Guest contributor

We are fairly certain that the grin never left your face Pete as you penned this blog, just surprised that you didn’t put quote marks around the word WORK. But seriously, someday you should tell us about the training you fellows received to perform your magic! I’ve heard you have to walk every road in the reserve alone before you finish your training!

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile