From the Bush to the Airwaves: Rhulani Ranger Willem Live on 919 FM’s Travel Tuesdays

From unforgettable wildlife encounters to the journey of becoming a professional safari guide, Rhulani’s Willem brought the magic of Madikwe to South African radio listeners. On Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the wilderness of Madikwe Game Reserve found its way onto the airwaves of Johannesburg and beyond. Our very own ranger, Willem, was interviewed live on 919 FM’s popular Travel Tuesdays programme, sharing his passion for wildlife, his personal journey into the safari industry, and some extraordinary encounters from the African bush.

And what an introduction he received! The presenters described Willem as a young ranger who “ticks all the boxes” — an amazing young man who truly impresses.

For those of us at Rhulani Safari Lodge, this came as no surprise. We have the privilege of seeing Willem's dedication, enthusiasm and remarkable connection with nature every day. But hearing his story shared with radio listeners was a particularly proud moment.

Travel Tuesdays: Bringing South Africa's Travel Experiences to Life

Broadcast on 919 FM, a Johannesburg-based radio station serving listeners across the greater Johannesburg area and beyond through online streaming, Travel Tuesdays celebrates the people, places and experiences that make travelling so rewarding.

The programme provides a platform for discovering destinations, hearing authentic travel stories and meeting the personalities who bring South Africa's tourism industry to life.

In a country blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, wildlife and cultural diversity, programmes like Travel Tuesdaysplay a valuable role in encouraging South Africans to explore their own country and discover experiences that may be closer to home than they imagine.

And what better destination to introduce than Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa's exceptional Big Five safari destinations, located just a few hours' drive from Johannesburg?

A Young Ranger with an Extraordinary Passion

During the live interview, Willem spoke about his personal journey towards becoming a professional safari ranger and eventually joining the team at Rhulani Safari Lodge.

Becoming a great safari guide requires much more than knowing how to identify animals. It takes curiosity, dedication, patience, an understanding of nature and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to share that knowledge in a way that inspires others.

At Rhulani, our guides are much more than wildlife experts. They are storytellers, hosts, conservation ambassadors and companions on some of the most memorable journeys our guests will ever experience.

Willem embodies this spirit.

Every day, he ventures into the wilderness with our guests, spending approximately three hours exploring the bush in the morning and another hour on an evening game drive. Each outing brings new opportunities, unexpected encounters and stories waiting to unfold.

And with so many hours spent observing wildlife in its natural habitat, Willem certainly has no shortage of stories to tell.

When a Cheetah Flew Like Superman

One particularly breathtaking experience Willem shared during the interview involved a group of cheetahs.
Imagine sitting quietly in a safari vehicle, watching these magnificent predators in the African wilderness. Everything appears peaceful. The animals are resting, observing their surroundings, seemingly in no hurry.

And then, in a fraction of a second, everything changes.

As Willem described it, one of the cheetahs suddenly launched itself forward, almost “flying like Superman” towards a nearby herd of zebras.

What followed was an extraordinary demonstration of speed, instinct and the raw realities of life in the wild.
From their remarkable vantage point, Willem and his guests witnessed the cheetahs pursue the herd and successfully catch a young zebra.

For a safari guide, witnessing a predator hunt is already an exceptional experience. But seeing the entire sequence unfold so clearly, from the first explosive movement to the successful capture, is something truly special.
Willem recalled that this was only the second time he had experienced such a complete predator encounter: observing the hunt from its very beginning, enjoying an unobstructed view of the action, and ultimately watching the predators feed on their kill.

It was one of those unforgettable moments that remind us that the African bush follows its own rules, where beauty, drama, survival and unpredictability exist side by side.

And it is precisely these authentic encounters that make a safari so profoundly different from any other travel experience.

Rhulani Safari Lodge: Where Every Game Drive Tells a New Story

Nestled within the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Rhulani Safari Lodge is one of South Africa's distinguished five-star luxury safari destinations, internationally recognised for its hospitality, intimate atmosphere and exceptional wildlife experiences.

Having received the World Luxury Hotel Award as Best Luxury Bush Lodge – Global Winner for 13 consecutive years, Rhulani combines the comfort of an exclusive luxury retreat with the untamed beauty of the African wilderness.
But the true essence of Rhulani goes far beyond beautiful accommodation, private plunge pools, fine dining and personalised service.

It is about people.

People like Willem, whose passion transforms a game drive into a story that guests will remember for years.
It is about the excitement of heading into the bush before sunrise, never knowing what nature has prepared for you. It is about the silence when a predator appears, the anticipation of an unexpected encounter and the privilege of witnessing wildlife behaving entirely naturally.

Sometimes the most memorable moment is a dramatic cheetah hunt. At other times, it may be a quiet encounter with an elephant, the distant call of a lion or the simple beauty of the African landscape at sunset.
No two game drives are ever the same.

Listen to Willem's Story

We are delighted that Willem had the opportunity to share his experiences with the listeners of 919 FM's Travel Tuesdays.

His interview is not only an entertaining glimpse into the daily life of a safari ranger. It also offers an authentic insight into the people and passion behind Rhulani Safari Lodge.
We invite you to listen to the recording of Willem's live interview from 3 November 2026. Discover how he became a ranger, what makes guiding at Rhulani so special, and hear him recount some of his most extraordinary wildlife encounters in his own words.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand the magic of the African bush is to hear it from someone who lives it every day.