Kurisani Mhlongo, one of our skilled trackers, grew up in the small village on the edge of the Greater Kruger National Park, he was surrounded by the sounds and sights of the African bushveld. The rustling of leaves in the breeze, the distant call of a hyena, and the footprints of animals etched into the dust were all part of his childhood tapestry.
While many children dreamt of cityscapes, skyscrapers, and bustling streets, his dreams were filled with the wilderness and a safari life. He wanted to be like his father—a skilled tracker and field ranger in a neighbouring nature reserve. This is his story….
“From a young age, my father was my hero. He wore his uniform with pride, and his stories about life in the bush captivated me. During school holidays, I would visit him at his workplace. These visits weren’t just simple excursions; they were transformative experiences. My father would kneel down on the ground, point at tracks, and explain the story they told. A smudge in the sand, a bent blade of grass, a snapped twig—each was a clue, a word in the language of the wild. I watched, listened, and absorbed everything. It was during these moments that a beautiful love for nature and tracking was born.
Despite the allure of the modern world, with its technology and fast-paced city life, I found comfort in tradition. Many of my peers aspired to leave our village, to explore the world beyond the bush, but for me and many others in our community, the pull of the wilderness was too strong. Living on the boundary of the Kruger National Park instilled in us a sense of responsibility. We weren’t just living next to a wildlife reserve; we were custodians of it. The art of tracking, passed down from generation to generation, felt like a privilege—one that I wanted to carry into the future.
My formal journey into the world of tracking began when I enrolled at the Tracker Academy, a prestigious institution run by Alex van der Heever and my uncle, Reinas Mlongo. The academy offers a year-long intensive course, with training locations in Graaff-Reinet and the Greater Kruger area. It was a challenging yet deeply fulfilling experience. I learned to decipher the stories written in the sand, to identify animal tracks, and to understand the subtle signs of nature. The training was not just physical but also mental—it sharpened my senses and deepened my connection to the wild.
However, when I completed my course, finding a job as a tracker was not easy. The world was still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism industry had taken a significant hit, and opportunities were scarce. It was a difficult time, but I was fortunate. The Tracker Academy believed in my potential and helped me secure sponsorship to attend the Southern African Wildlife College. This was another stepping stone in my career—I studied to become a field ranger, expanding my skills and knowledge.
An exciting opportunity arose when I was offered a year-long practical placement in the Timbavati Nature Reserve as an anti-poaching field ranger. This new chapter was nothing short of transformative. If tracking animals was about understanding the rhythm of nature, anti-poaching work was about learning to track humans. It was a completely new skill set, one that challenged me in unexpected ways.
Working as an anti-poaching ranger was not without its dangers. We often found ourselves on the trail of armed poachers. The threat was real, and there were moments when fear crept in. However, my training and passion kept me focused. I felt a profound sense of purpose. I was no longer just a tracker; I was a protector of wildlife. The adrenaline of the chase, the quiet moments of observation, and the satisfaction of thwarting poaching activities were experiences I will never forget.
After a year in the anti-poaching unit, I felt a shift within myself. While I was grateful for the experience, I knew it was time to return to my roots—to reconnect with the art of tracking animals and to share this knowledge with others. I wanted to show guests the incredible skill involved in finding animals using traditional tracking methods. To read the bush, to interpret the signs left behind by wildlife, and to educate foreign visitors about this ancient skill felt like the next natural step in my journey.
Nine months ago, I joined Tanda Tula, a place where every day feels like a new adventure. No two days are the same. The bush is ever-changing, and nature always has something new to teach. Tracking is like a game—a constant challenge between losing and winning. Most of the time, we win. We find the animals, and when we don’t, there are countless other wonders to share with our guests. From the delicate patterns on a leaf to the industrious trails of ants, there is always a story to tell.
My family continues to inspire me. I have a younger brother who, like me, seems to have the bush in his blood. I see the same spark in his eyes—the same curiosity and love for tracking. I hope he follows his passion, perhaps even surpassing me one day. There is something incredibly special about knowing that the legacy of conservation and tracking could continue through him.
Looking to the future, I have big dreams. On a personal level, I aspire to become a master tracker. I want to hone my skills, to understand the bush even more deeply, and perhaps, one day, to teach others—just as my uncle Reinas does. Sharing knowledge is a powerful thing. It creates a ripple effect, spreading awareness and appreciation for conservation.
On a broader scale, my hopes extend to the entire planet. I dream of a world where poaching is a thing of the past. Each day that I see a rhino in the wild feels like a blessing. These magnificent creatures, along with countless other species, deserve to thrive without the threat of extinction. My deepest wish is for future generations to wake up to a world where wildlife roams freely and where the importance of conservation is widely understood.
I also hope that younger generations, especially those from our local communities, recognize the value of tourism and conservation. These industries not only offer sustainable career paths but also play a crucial role in protecting our natural heritage. By choosing to work in conservation, they can help ensure that these wild spaces remain intact for many years to come.
Every day in the bush is a reminder of why I chose this path. The wild spaces of the Timbavati are my classroom, my sanctuary, and my inspiration. As long as I can continue to share this passion with others, to track and to teach, I know I am fulfilling my purpose. The journey from my small village to becoming a tracker and field ranger has been filled with lessons, and I look forward to every new chapter yet to be written.”
Professional tracker in Timbavati using traditional skills to locate wildlife in their natural habitat
