When people ask me why I became a ranger and moved to Londolozi, I wish I could provide a neat, picturesque answer—a childhood spent holidaying in the bush, and dreams of tracking lions since I could walk. But my story is far from that.
Growing up in Cape Town, I was surrounded by adventure. My family and I were always exploring new camping spots or conquering hiking trails around Table Mountain. From a young age, I developed a deep love for the outdoors. Nature has always been my playground and my sanctuary, long before I even knew what being a ranger truly was.
As I reached the end of my schooling years, I was faced with the pressures to choose a future career path. I knew I wasn’t cut out for a typical 9-to-5 desk job. My passion lies in connecting with others, in making a difference in their lives. So, I pursued a degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town.
My journey in working in healthcare took me from rural hospitals in Kwazulu Natal to busy hospitals in the city of Johannesburg. But it was during my time in Johannesburg, amidst the chaos of the Global Pandemic, that I truly understood the healing power of nature. Surrounded by patients grappling with physical disability and emotional trauma, I found comfort in weekend escapes to the Drakensberg mountains or the Kruger National Park.
It was during these moments of refuge, that I relied on nature to ground myself, where a spark was ignited in me. Firstly, it was the first time that I really understood what a ranger was and I got a glimmer of what life in the bush could entail—the dream of working with people while connecting them to nature. Yet, it felt like a distant reality, reserved only for those who had pursued careers in nature conservation, or the like, from the outset.
A move to London for international experience seemed like the logical next step in my career, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t where I belonged. It was during drinks on a Friday evening, that I had a chance encounter with a new neighbour, whose niece (Kirst Jocscelyne) had traded her “conventional” job after a few years of working in the city for a life as a ranger at Londolozi, that everything changed. The next day, I reached out to James Souchon, the Londolozi Head Ranger for those that didn’t know, and within a week, found myself on the selection course.
From scrambling to gather khaki clothes and embarking on the two-and-a-half-day journey from Cape Town to Londolozi, my whole life was propelled into a life-altering change. And now, as a member of the guiding team at Londolozi, I find myself in awe of the twists of fate that brought me here.
Working at Londolozi is more than just a job—it’s a space of healing, of self-discovery, of connection to the wild. Here, amidst the intricacies of nature, I’ve learned as much about myself as I have about the world around me. As I guide guests through this wilderness, I hope to impart just a small part of the wonder and reverence that I feel every day.
So, to those of you who wonder why I chose this path, my response is this: sometimes, life has a wonderful way of sending you on a journey to exactly where you are meant to be. And while I continue to explore all of Londolozi’s wilderness with like-minded people, I am grateful for all the lessons I have and will continue to learn here, to be present in nature every day and for all the people I have and will continue to share this paradise with.
Megan, may you experience & grow right where you are at Londolozi. 🙂
Hi Megan, i always wanted to be in the nature, since I was a small child and have my first encounters with insects and birds, plants trees, flowers… my grandmother and my dog walked through woods and lands. My favourite element is water, and as soon as I can I dive and isolate myself from the outher world in company of marine creatures. Your world looks so different and so alike at the same time. Leopards are the reason I was attracted by Londolozi, as they are traced and protected like nowhere else. I hope to see them personally one day…
I love this story, Megan. You are so fortunate to have figured out this calling early. One of my favorite quotes is from Douglas Adams. He said, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I intended to be.” It’s the perfect sentiment for those unexpected twists in the path that lead us to our soul desires. Congratulations at making it to the Londolozi ranger team!
Megan, you were certainly meant to be at Londolozi – what on earth werre the chances of you meeting Kirst’s aunt like that! I’m very happy for you that it’s worked out so well. Maybe I’ll meet you when I’m back at Founders in November.
Megan, thank you for sharing your story. You have chosen a wonderful path and I hope you have a rewarding life.
How exciting! Good luck – very envious
Congratulations on becoming a ranger Megan. Londolozi is the perfect place to nurture your “wild self” among the most friendly and supportive staff family as well a reserve that offers such a diversity of flora and fauna.
Well Megan it looks as if you have chosen the right choice of career now, guiding at the paradise of Londolozi. Kirst also had her career in teaching before and then decided to be a guide as well. Well done to both of jou for having the opportunity to change careers, and know you both are doing exactly what you should be doing. Enjoy your careers and appreciate every minute in the bush.
Inspiring story. Best to you and your future path
Megan, What a beautiful story and welcome to the Londolozi family! We look forward to meeting you on our next visit!
Megan, when we ask, the universe speaks to us, if we are paying attention – and you certainly were! This is so wonderful that you found your path. I have been very blessed to come as a guest to Londolozi with my family, and we all experienced the transformative healing that you speak of. I must say, that large part of that healing is due to all the staff that work at Londolozi in all their roles. The people there create a space of warmth, kindness, and deep reverence for the land and animals and our role as humans to connect, conserve and respect all of it.
So although I didn’t meet you personally, your story embodies exactly what makes Londolozi so special – the people that work there. I look forward to being back in early June, and bring my family back again, and again. Thank you to you, and everyone at Londolozi for creating a space of healing and connection back to nature. We have never needed it more in this world.