Live the Mashatu Magic - March Newsletter

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” (Gary Snyder)

2014 certainly started off with a bang at EcoTraining's wilderness camps across Southern Africa. The participants on various courses have already experienced a great deal and more is sure to follow! Come quench your thirst for knowledge and take your pick out of an array of courses. Let’s make this year one to remember!

Upcoming Courses

There are still some spaces left on the courses below in the next couple of months. Experience things and gather knowledge that will blow you away:

Professional Field Guide
31 May 2014 – 15 April 2015 (All camps)

FGASA Field Guide Level 1
09 April - 02 June 2014 (Selati, Karongwe)

Wilderness Trails Skills
31 May - 05 June (Makuleke) 

Mashatu (Botswana): Why would you choose our Mashatu wilderness camp for your EcoTraining experience?

Perhaps for the unique beauty and unrivalled animal sightings.

EcoTraining’s wilderness camp in Mashatu, Botswana truly embodies all that defines Africa. Located in the Northern Tuli Reserve, this Land of Giants offers vast open spaces, with an array of wildlife from the miniscule to those big grey gentle giants. These wander through the dynamic landscape of sand stone ridges and fossilised sand dunes, secret valleys, preserved springs...

Following in the footsteps of the largest herd of free roaming elephant on private land, picking up the spoor of lions, leopards, brown hyenas, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, cheetahs, and at night with the help of a spotlight scouring the plains for a glimpse of dwellers like porcupines, aardvarks, genets and civets.

EcoTraining’s wilderness camp in Mashatu, Botswana truly embodies all that defines Africa. Located in the Northern Tuli Reserve, where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers meet, this Land of Giants offers vast open spaces, with an array of wildlife from the miniscule to those big grey gentle giants. These wander through the dynamic landscape of sand stone ridges and fossilised sand dunes, secret valleys, preserved springs and rolling basal plaints.

The unfenced camp is situated under shady apple leaf trees on the banks of the Motloutse River. Outside the camp there are big rocky outcrops that can be climbed to provide spectacular views of wide open plains, dotted by thorn bushes, dense thickets of fever berry crotons and huge Mashatu trees lining the river bed. All of these areas are saturated with wildlife.

The vastness of the landscape and the abundance of wildlife combine for an unforgettable experience. Like this one…

“Creeping forward a few paces at a time, stalking from one fresh paw print to the next, straining to hear the alarm calls, rustling bushes, low growls, anything to alert us that we were getting closer to our quarry.

As it was, even though the vegetation opened up slightly to allow us to see more than a few metres in front of us, we didn’t actually see the male lion we were following until we were only 15 metres away – at about the same time that he saw us. As we hurriedly tried to focus on our training at this moment – don’t run, stand still, stay behind the leader – the massive lion stood up, growled low and charged us, twice.

I may forget many things over the course of my life, but these images will forever remain etched upon my memory – the sight of the lion rushing towards us, our instructor Chantelle leaping forward and screaming to scare him off, crashing through the branches to get out of the lion’s sight, the retreat we made through the fever berries (cautious at first, then rapidly picking up pace), back to the river bank, laughing and shaking in equal measures as we emerge from the lingering effect of a massive adrenaline rush in the shade of the only tree we could see.” Dare to cross the Limpopo River, the view from the other side is spectacular and let the Mashatu Magic take you on a wild ride!

EcoTraining offer the following courses in Mashatu:

FGASA Trails Guide

BQA Level 2 Walking Nature Guide

BQA Level 2 Vehicle Nature Guide

Animal Tracks and Tracking

EcoTraining Botswana is accredited with the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) to train and assess learners in Botswana against various FGASA qualifications as well as programmes aligned to the recently launched National Guiding Qualification system under BQA in Botswana.

These courses are structured to maximize the practical experience of our learners in the bush. Each day allows for hours of time spent in the field interpreting the ecology and enjoying a wildlife experience.

A valid passport is obligatory if travelling from outside Botswana. Visas may be necessary so please enquire about the necessary visa requirements before departure from your home country, from either the relevant embassy or your local travel agent.

Makuleke (Kruger National Park): Congratulations to EcoTraining's Bruce Lawson!

Senior instructor at our wilderness camp in the Makuleke concession in the Kruger National Park, he recently reached a landmark in contributions to the SABAP2 project (Bird Atlas program with the University of Cape Town).

"Your latest submission represents your 150 card to the project. This is an important milestone and we are grateful for your dedicated and continued support and participation." (SABAP2 Project Team)

 Bruce has been very fortunate to call Makuleke ‘home’ for the last seven years. Our wilderness camp in the world-famed KNP lies within the Pafuri region that stretches over 24 000 hectares between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu rivers. 

Bruce is a passionate naturalist who has spent over 15 years guiding in remote wilderness areas in many of Africa’s big game reserves and in the process has accumulated over 10 000 hours on foot. Bruce is equally at home leading walking safaris as he is leading specialist birding tours.

Bruce, a director of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), is one of only a handful of qualified SKS (Special Knowledge and Skills) dangerous game guides and a national SKS birding guide. He is also an advanced rifle handling trainer for FGASA and is also a THETA accredited national assessor. 

Bruce is just pure passion in the bush! With a dry sense of humour and a stickler for getting it right, he passes on his enthusiasm, knowledge and years of experience wholeheartedly to participants and guests on EcoTraining courses. 

Dee, Bruce’s other half, manages all the EcoTraining camps operations and administration. Hailing from Australia, Dee has grown to love the African bush. How could she not, being married to Bruce and living in the bush day in and day out! 

Selati (South Africa): If there’s one guarantee in nature, it is that the unexpected is sure to happen, as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. As this update from Christine Jutz from our wilderness camp in the Selati Game Reserve clearly indicated:

“Instructor Mark Gunn would always tell us that part of guiding and conservation is to clear the road of any overhanging branches, as this would prevent the creation of new roads and so disturbing the natural environment. So every once in a while, he would stop the vehicle and say “Tracker, take the panga and help me to get this branch.”

Then of course the following happened on one of the drives… Our ‘tracker’, fellow student JJ, jumped off his seat, grabbed the panga, and as he was walking to the sickle bush, everybody on the vehicle started yelling “Lion, lion!”

Less than five meters from JJ, two lionesses and a young male rose from the vegetation where they were sleeping before we attempted to clear the sickle bush.

JJ levitated back to the vehicle in a single bound, and the lesson was learnt: Look before you leap!”

Environmental Calendar - March 2014

World Wildlife Day, 3 March 2014

The first ever World Wildlife Day is celebrated on Monday 3 March. 

This day was specifically singled out by the United Nations General Assembly as it was the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This international treaty aims to ensure global trade does not threaten the survival of listed species.

John E. Scanlon, the secretary-general of CITES, had this message about the importance of this day: “The 3rd of March is the opportunity for all of us - no matter who we are or where we are - to celebrate the beauty and variety of the millions of plants and animals that we share our planet with.

While we cherish wildlife in its own right we should not forget that it also contributes to our personal well-being - from food to medicine – from culture to recreation.

But today our wildlife is suffering from habitat loss as well as a grave threat from illegal trade, which is worth many billions of dollars every year. This illegal trade is now threatening the survival of some of our most charismatic species, as well as some plants and animals you may never have heard of. 

So as we are celebrating wildlife let’s do whatever we can - as citizens and as consumers - to bring this illegal trade to an end. Let’s work for a future where people and wildlife coexist in harmony.

By working together we can do this - and in doing so secure the future for wild plants and animals as well as for ourselves.

On this special day let's reconnect with our planet's wild side - let's go wild for wildlife!” 

www.wildlifeday.org

Green Spotlight:  Endangered Wildlife Trust

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), Wilderness Foundation and KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo have joined forces to embrace communities living on the outskirts and within the grounds of national parks and game reserves, as partners in the fight to save rhino.

The organisations have developed an educational DVD aimed at communities living and working in and around reserves which contain rhino entitled ‘Uma uhambo lwabo luphela nolwethu lophela’ (Should their journey end so will ours), which focuses on highlighting the direct link between community livelihoods and saving rhinos.

“There is no single solution to addressing illegal wildlife trade, which is an increasing global phenomenon, estimated to now be the third largest illegal industry worldwide after drugs and human trafficking. Wildlife trade often has its roots firmly established in organised and trans-boundary crimes. For this reason the EWT’s Rhino Project is implementing interventions at several stages in the poaching and wildlife trade chain and this DVD addresses one of the first links in that chain as it focusses directly on the role of communities who are often exploited by wildlife crime syndicates,” said Kirsty Brebner, the EWT’s Rhino Project Manager.

The DVD was researched, directed and edited by Samson Phakathi, Senior Field Officer for the EWT and Mandla Buthelezi of the Wilderness Leadership School and was filmed in and around Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife parks and reserves.

The DVD, partly sponsored by the Rhinose Foundation, was produced by African Renaissance Productions and is available in Zulu with or without English subtitles. The DVD highlights the links between wildlife and community livelihoods as well as the cultural and environmental importance of rhino. It has been designed as a tool to be used in community engagements and outreach projects. The battle against rhino poaching and wildlife crime is far from over and we urge you to keep demonstrating your support for the work of the EWT and other reputable NGOs and organisations.

For further information about the DVD and to secure a copy please contact Kirsty Brebner at kirstyb@ewt.org.za.

www.ewt.org.za

BUSH TELEGRAPH: ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL DAY IN MASHATU, WOW!

There’s no such thing as luck, some would say. It’s rather a case of time and opportunity meeting at the right place.

Well, then this group of EcoTraining students currently on the trails guide part of their course was at just the right place, and at just the right time!

The time – Barely a week or so ago. The opportunity – Professional Field Guide course. The  place – Mashatu in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana.

And yes, this bunch of guys and girls have been extremely lucky.

Jomi Krobb tells the exciting tale, so sit back and enjoy!

“Brian Rhode and Chantelle Venter (EcoTraining freelance instructors) arrived in camp and immediately it was clear to us that these guys know the area exceptionally well. We have had some awesome sightings on foot and on night drives since they’ve been here.

Days like this - On the morning walk one group went into the thornveld area and had four elephant encounters, while the other group had two elephant encounters and identified a wild dog track. This was something very promising, as they have not been seen in this area of Tuli for quite some time.

On the afternoon walk we had an extremely close encounter with a breeding herd of elephant numbering about 20, with some very young individuals. They had us scrambling down the river bank as an escape route while Brian and Henry had to stand tight as the older females in the herd decided what to do. Luckily they left our group alone. We then had an encounter with another bull.

We also spotted a large lioness from a ridge and managed to approach her within 70 metres without her noticing us. It was very satisfying to sneak up on the 'king of the jungle' or 'queen of the jungle' rather. 

As it was Brian and Chantelle's last night they took the students on a night drive and given the fact we had seen an aardvark a few nights previously on a drive, most people eagerly came along.

And what a drive it was!

We saw two brown hyenas together, which is extremely seldom to see. We also saw the small bat-eared fox. And then a big surprise – two hippos, which in recent days have been spotted in the pool by Solomon's Wall ran out into the open in front of the car. In their long stretch as head instructors here, Brian and Chantelle had never seen any in Mashatu.

We also managed to see the very rare Selous’ mongoose.

And the absolute highlight and first for all the students – a striped polecat! To put into perspective how rare this animal is to see – in their 25-odd year long careers as guides, Brian and Chantelle have seen around three striped polecats each. And that is considered a lot.

It was another fantastic day in Mashatu, wow!

PS: Brown hyenas and striped polecats don’t stick around to be photographed, sadly…”

(Thanks for sharing, Jomi!)

ECOTRAINING: PASSIONATE ABOUT CONSERVATION

From humble beginnings way back in 1993, when a handful of passionate individuals saw the opportunity to provide the tourism industry with qualified nature-guides, to the leader in this field today.

This is the story of EcoTraining.

For the past 20 years, thousands of people with a deep love for nature, an appreciation of all things wild and wonderful and a passion for conservation, have attended our courses in wilderness camps across Africa.  And armed with this knowledge, they have gone on to make a difference and spread the message of reconnecting with nature in a meaningful way.

Michael Clark, who trained with EcoTraining more than 10 years ago, is currently in Nepal, training up young Nepali naturalists. 

Says Michael:

“The variety of subjects is incredibly diverse and comprehensive, and the practical element provides you with experiences that are hard to put into words. Anyone who is serious about a career in eco-tourism or simply wants a sabbatical from work, the experiences you can have on a course can lead to a whole new way of life, and provide you with memories to truly cherish.”

Like Marc Lindsay Rea, who says he’s now living the dream, thanks in part to EcoTraining who has put him in a very privilege position indeed, as a fully qualified field guide leading people into the wilderness and onto memory-making adventures.

“I have such a thirst for acquiring knowledge about wildlife and nature from around the world and I am lucky to have the privilege to guide guests through these exciting places. I thank and appreciate everybody and every company that has put in many long hours to help get me to the position I am at now. Thank you!”

Yes, we are essentially a field guide training company, training guides for the industry. But with shorter courses and excursions on birding, tracking, photography and bush survival, and from anything between four and 28 days, we are also catering to the tourist with a conscience.

Today’s tourist is a thinking traveler who wants to have fun while gaining a better understanding of the natural world. And this is where a company like EcoTraining is stepping in and creating an experience with a difference.

Like Richard Schmid from Switzerland who was born in Mombasa and spent the first seven years of his life in Kenya. He went back to the country of his birth to take part in a 28 Day Field Guide course in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

For Richard there’s no other way to travel.

“I travel like this all the time, to go out and actually do something, on a course like this to be directly and actively involved in something. I now know so much more, my base of knowledge has broadened considerably and I’m not regretting it for one moment. We have an ecological responsibility and I think people are becoming more and more aware of it all the time.”

Through the years the EcoTraining qualification have become the trusted nature-guide training standard in the industry, giving people from all walks of life and from all over the globe the opportunity to become one with nature. We have trained all across the African continent and also in many other parts of the world.

And our wilderness camps in South Africa (Makuleke, Selati, Karongwe), Botswana (Mashatu) and Kenya (Lewa), is where it is all happening. It’s in these simple unfenced bush camps in the middle of these great wilderness areas participants truly get to experience what it is like to live in wild places. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, countless hours are spend walking or driving in the bush, and an understanding of our place in the natural world is cultivated.

Africa indeed just has its way with people. The continent’s wild and wonderful places lure people from all over the globe, to come and explore and then to return wherever they are from with vivid memories to last a life time.

You will get all this, and so much more, on an EcoTraining course.

But don’t just take our word for it. From the horse’s mouth, or in this case, Nick Baker, a former professional field guide course participant:

“The beauty of this course is the extended time one spends out there, nothing is rushed and every day one learns something new, building a quite awesome knowledge base… I miss it today and will miss it every day that I am not there. The experience is total and is built of a complicated set of components, animals, birds, trees, plants, insects, soil, water, weather, stars, sights, sounds, smells, magic…  The bush does funny things to your head. It has got inside mine…”

Candice Wagener McGuire echoes these sentiments:

“I guide because I like sharing my passion with those around me, I love seeing how the bush inspires every single being. My day is made when I see how people brighten up when they spend their holiday in the bush, how the smallest things put a smile on their faces. When I guide, I feel like I’m making a small difference to keep Africa alive in everyone’s hearts.”

LOOK AT NATURE WITH ‘NEW’ EYES: 14 DAY ECOQUEST COURSE – MASHATU, BOTSWANA

BE ONE WITH NATURE: MASHATU CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH COURSE, 13-25 NOVEMBER 2012 (BOTSWANA)

Take a moment, and picture this…

Following in the footsteps of the largest herd of free roaming elephant on private land, picking up the spoor of lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, bat eared foxes, aardwolves, cheetahs, and at night with the help of a spotlight scouring the plains for a glimpse of night dwellers like porcupines, aardvarks, genets and civets.

If you want to join in an unrivalled adventure experience of this nature, then book a place on the EcoTraining conservation and research course at our Mashatu wilderness camp in Botswana. For 14 days you will roam this massive tract of land in the easternmost corner of Botswana, the ideal terrain to appreciate the wild.

And this is what you will get to experience, among other things. Feast your eyes...

This course offers you the opportunity to join a dedicated research project in a new approach to game management. This exciting new concept in wildlife management creates a need for volunteers to assist in research of populations moving through this vast wilderness. Educational modules will be included in the form of lectures and daily drives and walks, projects and reserve work. Link in with researchers in the area and help collect data and share knowledge of the area.

More scenes from life at Mashatu...

It’s all about the bush. So as is the case with our other camps, the Mashatu camp is unfenced, and animals do on occasion wander through. Therefore don’t be surprised to wake up and find elephant, leopard or lion tracks around the camp.

Make 2012 a memorable year, give yourself an early Christmas present and book your place on the course running from 13-25 November! For more information and bookings, email enquiries@ecotraining.co.za or visit www.ecotraining. 

The birth of a giant

First 28 day Field Guide course: December 2010

The sheer diversity of wildlife species is high indeed which ranges from large to small mammals, bird life, reptiles and insects. This is not to forget the gasping landscape of large sandstone formations of all shapes and sizes mixed with various igneous intrusions and extrusions such as dolerite dykes, basalt overflows adjacent to which we are finding various kinds of metamorphic rock formations.

To top all of this, the frequency of previous human habitation is astonishing, boasting grinding stones, arrow sharpening stones, beads which are thought to be linked to the Arab trade routes, stone walls indicating old settlements and new ones built by British and local tribes during the late 18 hundred colonial times.

There has been a continuous amount of general game sightings such as countless impala, kudu, high numbers of warthog, klipspringer, common duiker, wildebeest, zebra, large groups of eland (which are now splintering due to rain fall and available water), waterbuck, steenbok and giraffe. On a larger scale, fantastic herds of elephants throughout the reserve as well as in front of camp both during the day and at night.

We were blessed by the birth of an elephant calf less than 300 meters up-river from camp which we stumbled upon during a walk. We headed for a safe viewing position to then watch the young calf standing, shakily and walk around her lying down and resting mother. We left before disturbing the delicate scene.

We have also come across an aggressive cow that happens to be tuskless – while watching her herd for over 20 minutes, she suddenly decided to turn and gave us a pretty serious warning charge. I managed to stop her charge by shouting, but this was only after she had sprinted over 40 m towards the vehicle. A good lesson was learnt by the learners on how quickly things can go wrong in the wilderness and how to handle such emergency situations.

Predators of all sizes have been spotted ranging from a lioness with three, two month old cubs, to a nomadic lioness walking along the marsh edge, a pair of honeybadgers, numerous African wildcat sightings including one mother with her young kitten, black backed jackals, a family group of bat eared foxes with 4 young pups skulking around at night and to top it all, we have found two hyena dens, one close to the camp and another on the eastern side of Mashatu.

Birdlife is wonderful especially with the migrant birds returning. The highlights so far are lanner falcon, gymnogene, brown snake eagle, a female pallid harrier, numerous sightings of a pair of black eagles and fish eagles in and around the camp.

We have come across leopard and cheetah tracks close to the camp, but no sightings yet.

Getting water in the land of Giants

Sometimes building a camp can be fun and draining on the people involved. Although water is always appreciated in arid landscapes, putting in a filter tank into the dry river bed can be hard work.


The Mashatu camp is now up and running, hosting its first 28 day students. These photos gives you a glimpse of what it took to insure running water at the camp.