28 DAY SAFARI GUIDE COURSE: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012, KARONGWE

Imagine almost a month of living and learning in nature at one of our wilderness camps and then using this knowledge to give your safari and bush holidays a whole new meaning. Then join EcoTraining on a safari guide course, from 14 August-10 September 2012 at our camp on the banks of the Karongwe River in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, literally a stone’s throw from the Kruger National Park. There are still some places left, so email enquiries@ecotraining.co.za for more information!

The 28 day safari guide course is aimed at those wishing to experience a bush holiday in South Africa, whilst also learning about the environment they are in – it is for those that are passionate about nature, who would like a more in-depth experience and understanding of it.

And what a place Karongwe is for experiencing something like this. You are bound to have sightings of leopard, lion and cheetah as well as elephant and white rhino. As the camp itself is unfenced, we often have four-legged guests sniffling about, hyenas regularly doing their nightly patrols.

It is a learning experience from the minute you arrive with the days starting at first light, in the colder months around 06:00 and in summer as early as 04:30. Then a quick sip of coffee and some rusks before the different groups goes off – either on a vehicle or on own steam through the bush. For the next couple of hours nature is the classroom, with the instructors sharing their knowledge and wisdom. And heads are shook in amazement about how little we know and how much more still lies hidden.

Mid-morning it’s back to camp for a hearty breakfast/brunch. Then it is lecture time, with a range of subjects including geology, ecology, weather and climate, taxonomy, astronomy, mammals, reptiles, birds and animal behaviour.

The grey matter then gets some breathing space to digest all that information. Lunch is served a little later before everybody goes bundu bashing again until sunset. Dinner is a welcome relief for the hungry after a very long but rewarding day. But still it’s not the end, the telescope is directed at the night sky and the stars, planets and constellations come alive.

And this is basically the rhythm for 28 days.

Then it’s that time, to see if the magnitude of fascinating facts stuck somewhere. You will obtain an EcoTraining certificate on the successful completion of some written tests, oral presentations, practical evaluations and a walk and game drive evaluation.

Because, as they say, there’s no conservation without education.  So become a green warrior and join EcoTraining on the adventure of a lifetime! Visit www.ecotraining.co.za or email enquiries@ecotraining.co.za for more information.