Celebrating Africa’s Best Marine Ranger Chanel Visser
As South Africa celebrates National Tourism Month, we shine a spotlight on one of its most inspiring figures, Chanel Visser of CapeNature. A proud Plett resident and the recipient of the prestigious Africa’s Best Marine Ranger award, Chanel’s story is an inspiration to those passionate about tourism and conservation: filled with dedication, passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors . Her journey began with an inherent love for nature, forged during her childhood in the wilds of Limpopo and the coastal beauty of Plettenberg Bay.
Chanel knew Plett from childhood holidays spent here and it became her professional home after a practical year placement. It was in the surrounds of Plettenberg Bay that she fell in love with marine conservation and the unique biodiversity of the Garden Route. For Chanel, tourism is not separate from this passion; it’s a vital partner.
“Conservation, or more specifically, my love for nature and animals, was always in my blood,” Chanel explains, recounting her formative years spent exploring and studying nature handbooks. Her path, though not a straight line to her initial dream of being a wildlife vet, led her to a diploma in conservation and, eventually, back to the place that captured her heart.
“Tourism and conservation share a symbiotic relationship,” she explains. “Tourism is a powerful tool for funding and promoting conservation, while healthy ecosystems and abundant wildlife through conservation are essential for attracting tourists.” She emphasizes that this connection is not only mutually beneficial for economic growth and sustaining natural resources but also crucial for promoting environmental education and awareness. “Without awareness and sparking change in people’s actions and perceptions towards nature,” she says, “to me, conservation is then nothing.”
Chanel’s career is marked by extraordinary moments of bravery, from abseiling down a cliff to rescue a penguin to managing high-stakes crisis situations. However, her greatest challenges were not with the wildlife but with the professional doubt she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.
“For eight years I had to fight to prove my worth,” she recounts. Despite her extensive training and experience, she was “constantly side-lined.” It wasn’t until she found a mentor who believed in her that she gained the confidence she needed. Now, as a leader of an all-male field ranger team, she has earned the respect she deserves. She champions the unique strengths women bring to a team—”bravery, nurturing, emotion, and passion”—and considers them an “absolute essential part of a strong, dynamic team.”
Last year’s Africa’s Best Marine Ranger award was a “surreal” moment for Chanel. For her, the recognition was a much-needed affirmation. “Receiving recognition in conservation is rare,” she shares, adding that the award came at a time when she felt “burnt out and demotivated.”
The accolade not only re-fuelled her passion but also empowered her as a female leader. “Winning this title empowered me so much more as a female and instilled me with more confidence within myself and my abilities,” she says.
Dr Ashley Naidoo, CapeNature CEO congratulated her on her achievement in a statement: , “CapeNature is very proud of Chanel and the commendable work she does as a senior Marine Ranger. Awards like these shine a light on the selfless and tireless efforts of our rangers to conserve our wildlife amidst a myriad of challenges. Their dedication and commitment are to be celebrated and highlighted and I want to congratulate the GRAA for acknowledging these (often) unsung heroes on our African continent.”
To the youth of today, Chanel offers a powerful message of resilience and self-belief. “Be brave. Have full belief in yourself! Throw yourself in the deep end and teach yourself to swim and float—nobody else is going to do it for you.” She urges young people to be curious, seize every opportunity, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
She concludes with a powerful reminder: “Don’t ever believe that attempting to instill change in a single person is a waste of time, every single drop in the ocean counts!”
As Plett Tourism celebrates National Marine Month, we honor Chanel Visser—a true force of nature whose unwavering dedication to our marine environment and her community is an inspiration to us all.
Learn more about CapeNature’s Plett reserves, Keurbooms River and Robberg.
