Jarryd grew up in the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s Garden Route; however, despite his obvious love of the ocean, it was the bushveld that became his biggest passion. Jarryd recalls the holidays he and his family spent on safari at Pilanesberg National Park as the undeniable highlight of his childhood.
Jarryd went on to study at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, earning qualifications in both Electrical Engineering and Education (majoring in High School Mathematics). Despite these technical credentials, Jarryd decided to pursue his lifelong dream of living and working in Africa’s wilderness.
In 2013, Jarryd joined &Beyond’s Inkwazi Ranger Training School at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and has since been based at Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Mountain Lodge, Kirkman’s Kamp and Tengile River Lodge. After five years as the Assistant Head Ranger for our lodges in the Sabi Sand, Jarryd’s passion for hands-on conservation work encouraged him to return to Phinda, where he assumed his current role of Head Ranger for the south of the reserve.
Jarryd is also a specialist guide for the Phinda Impact Small Group Journey, a 7-day adventure that highlights Phinda’s conservation and community development initiatives. Not only does Jarryd have a keen eye for wildlife photography and tracking animals on foot, but he is also extremely passionate about training and regularly mentors his fellow guides.
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