Wildwatch - Biography - Keri-Ann McDonald

Name: Keri-Ann McDonald

Country: South Africa

Profile:

A childhood in Zimbabwe instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for the African Wilds. However, after obtaining an Honours degree in Botany from the University of Cape Town, I spent the next six years based in the UK and explored the world from there. Desperate for the bush, I returned to start my career with in 2004. Since then I have worked at Kwandwe, a spectacular reserve that will always hold a special place in my heart, followed by three months at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania. My husband, Mac, is also a ranger, and we are now based at Exeter in the Sabi Sands. What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to observe all wild animals, from leopards stalking their prey to a colony of dwarf mongooses warming themselves in the sun. I have taken a mini-step into management, as relief manager of Leadwood Lodge, but I still spend most of my time ‘in the field'. Mac and I are fortunate to have visited most of the lodges across the continent, so we have personal insight into the diversity across the group and splendour of each lodge. I have seen that many visitors to our lodges have a truly moving experience that will stay with them forever and it gives me great pleasure and pride to be a part of that.