Regional Hub
Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2026 Hub
Kruger National Park – South Africa
On Saturday 19 September, seven registered ranger teams gathered in the Greater Kruger landscape for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2026 Race Day.
The Southern African Wildlife College once again hosted the Wildlife Ranger Challenge’s South Africa Regional Hub, bringing together teams from SANParks, SAWC and neighbouring conservation areas for the 21km challenge.
Set in the bushveld close to Kruger National Park’s Orpen region, the course provides a demanding test across rugged tracks, sandy sections and uneven terrain. The hub brings ranger teams together in a shared challenge that reflects the physical demands and teamwork at the heart of their work in the field.
EXPLORE THE 2026 REGIONAL HUBS
Race Day 2026
South Africa National Hub Results
Congratulations to all the ranger teams who took part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge at the South Africa National Hub.
Men’s Results
🥇 1st – SANParks – Kruger NP – Marula North
3h 27m
🥈 2nd – SANParks – Kruger NP – Marula South
3h 27m
🥉 3rd – SANParks – Kruger NP – Nxanatseni South
3h 34m
4th – SANParks – Kruger NP – Nxanatseni North
3h 40m
5th – SANParks – Kruger NP – Section Ranger Team
3h 46m
Mixed Results
🥇 1st – Southern African Wildlife College – Greater Kruger Area – Team SAWC
3h 00m
Women’s Results
🥇 1st – Transfrontier Africa – Olifants West & Grietjie NRs – Team A (Black Mambas)
3h 39m
Please note: These are results from the South Africa National Hub. The final overall winning teams can be found here.
South Africa Race Day Gallery 2026
Photographs and highlights from the Wildlife Ranger Challenge South Africa Regional Hub.
The South Africa Course
The 21km route crosses the rugged bushveld surrounding the Southern African Wildlife College, close to the Orpen region of Kruger National Park.
Ranger teams face a mixture of uneven tracks, dirt roads and sandy sections through dense bushveld. Although much of the route is relatively flat, the rough terrain and exposed conditions make it a demanding Race Day course.
Race Route
The 2026 South Africa Regional Hub route.
Registered Ranger Teams
7 ranger teams registered to compete at the South Africa Regional Hub.
SANParks – Kruger National Park
- Marula North (Male)
- Marula South (Male)
- Nxanatseni North (Male)
- Nxanatseni South (Male)
- Section Ranger Team (Male)
Southern African Wildlife College (K9) – Greater Kruger Area
- Team SAWC (Mixed)
Transfrontier Africa – Olifants West Nature Reserve & Grietjie Nature Reserve
- Team A (Female)
