MEET YOU IN THE BUSH: RAYMOND KHOSA

For almost two decades EcoTraining has been training field guides, starting way back in 1993 with the first batch of eager students attending the inaugural course in the Sabi Sands Reserve in Mpumalanga. Since then a great number has gone on to make their mark in the industry and are continuing to do great work all over the world.

Raymond Khosa, from the Justicia community adjacent to the Sabie Sands, is one such student who is excelling in the industry here in South Africa. He is currently the head guide (FGASA Level 2 and Trails Guide) at Berg-en-Dal rest camp in the Kruger National Park.

Raymond’s journey started 12 years ago, when in 2000 he was one of ten students sponsored by Africa Foundation to study tracking with EcoTraining. Under the guidance from instructors Johan Lombard, Anton Lategan, Khimbile Mnisi and the late Lucky Mavanga he started honing his skills and learning more about nature and its inhabitants.

And Raymond has certainly put this knowledge and skills he obtained to good use ever since. His resume is testament to this – conservation lessons and environmental awareness with Africa Foundation at Londolozi Private Game Reserve, a stint at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, safari drives and bush walks for Execu Bush Safaris, and freelance work at Mbombela Safaris, Echo Africa Safaris, Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris and Akeru Private Camp.

Today Raymond credits EcoTraining with his sound base of knowledge.

“Having done tracking at EcoTraining has provided me with a valuable experience of knowing the behaviour of the dangerous animals. I am able to identify the signs of the wild and interpret its meaning. I can also identify the tracks and know the meaning of some bird calls like oxpeckers, honey guides and fork-tailed drongos. All of this of course very important skills for a field guide. My time at EcoTraining was a once in a life time experience, and sometimes I wish I can go back and do it all again.”

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