Ivory tree game lodge game rangers

Unfortunately there is no consistency with their game rangers. The unprofessional behaviour from one of the rangers made us uncomfortable and very willing to not want to drive with him again. Our first game ranger although arrogant with a couple side comments made the drive quite unpleasant and had very few rules which only included no standing, calling of any of the animals or sticking your head out of the van. Not once did any ranger, staff member or another visitor state there was no vaping allowed on the game drive. The following morning we were placed with another game driver as the vehicles were quite empty after the week departures. Our second game ranger was wonderful, he advised us to sit closer to the front of the van to avoid the bumps at the back, to which we politely responded that we enjoy the adventure and we also vape. There was no issue at all, he said no problem and went to start the vehicle. That morning when we returned after our game drive with the second ranger, we made a request to drive with him again that afternoon. That afternoon when we arrived to the meeting area for the drive we saw that our request was not fulfilled and we were on our original rangers list. This time the van was full. Please note this is now our third game drive. As per the other two drives we climbed into the back of the van. A few moments later while we are all waiting to leave, our game ranger proceeded to shout at us from across the road. This was infront of our whole van which was now packed and the other 9 or so vans waiting to leave, he shouted that we are not allowed to vape on the van. At first I thought he was joking, as he smirked and laughed at us. Surely he did not just shout at two guests who have paid to be there, infront of all the other guests like we were two children. He shouted at us after he had already taken us out for a drive and had no issue the day before. Did his rules suddenly change out of spite as we had asked to drive with someone else? We truly thought better of him, but to our dismay we were very wrong. No rule was given the first time and not the second time for sure, but now there was an issue made known public. Halfway through the game drive we stop at the hyde, while climbing off of the van our game ranger decided to shout at us again, “I was being serious about the vaping” he shouted. Infront of everyone. Absolutely uncomfortable and outright embarrassed we proceeded to the hyde to get away from the rest of the group and comprehend what had just happened. It is unfortunate that he behaved in such an unprofessional manner, it is absolutely disgusting that Ivory Tree Game Lodge allows their game rangers to treat their guests in this manner as well. The arrogance and immature behaviour of this game ranger is surely unacceptable, I am unsure of why he felt the need to handle this situation so badly, unprofessionally and with such arrogance towards us. If there was an issue from the beginning, it would have been appropriate to call us aside. We are always respectful guests at the destinations we visit. But it did not happen this way, we were not informed of this rule, we were not called aside on the third game drive when the new rule was implemented for the first time and instead were shouted at like children in a school, more than once. The second ranger informed us during another drive that no smoking was allowed as he did not want an issue from the other rangers, he also told us that the first ranger had gossiped about the issue to the other staff members and specifically asked “What happened with him, was it the smoking?” The feeling at this stage was uneasy and it was the most uncomfortable experience we have been in at any of our stays. I would also like to note that the people we drove past on the other vehicles had their vapes as well, we were the only ones who were reprimanded like children. After multiple requests to move we were still not assisted and our request was not fulfilled, we then decided to have a discussion with the head ranger to try enjoy the rest of our stay. As professionals in the marketing field we know how to easily convey a message utilizing different social platforms, one such as this is not something to be swept under the rug. It is unfair for any guest to experience the abuse that we had experienced, if only he had a more diplomatic approach to handling the issue our holiday would not have been spoilt. The lodge is beautiful but being made to feel uncomfortable by a member of staff not even two days into your five day trip can make things feel very unsettled and unsure of what will happen next, we did not know how he would react to us each morning or night. This is definitely not the experience we were hoping to have at The Ivory Tree Game Lodge.