Info

Learn all about the bush from stunning wilderness camps on a course that is based on the actual training that safari guides complete!

This course is designed to provide a learning experience and incorporates certain aspects of the 28 day Field Guide training course. It is primarily aimed at those who are looking for a more in-depth bush experience, without necessarily wanting formal qualifications. Attend EcoQuest if you are a student testing the waters for a career in this field or if you are an adventurous spirit wanting to gain a greater understanding of nature and the environment whilst experiencing the excitement of the bush.

This course consists of two components:

1. Learning about the fascinating large and small elements of nature, about the amazing variety of living organisms that exist in nature around us.
2. Experiencing some of the activities and daily experiences of a Safari Guide.

You will learn about the behaviour and identification of many of the insects, spiders, scorpions, other small creatures and birds in our ecosystems. Then you learn about the underlying elements that support this amazing variety of life such as the geology, soils, plants and climate. While you study how the smaller organisms interact with one another and their environment, we have the opportunity to show you identification and behaviour of the larger wild animals that roam our wilderness areas.

Depending on which camp the course is held at, all the big predators ranging from lion, leopard, and cheetah to spotted hyena may be seen and they prey on the variety of plains game species such as kudu, impala, duiker, nyala, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and warthog. Spending eight hours out in the bushveld every day provides countless opportunities to study the various animal tracks so that we can track and find the game on foot or by vehicle!

We show you how to drive a 4x4 vehicle, to identify birds, plants, trees, tracks and how to track animals. We teach you basic bush survival skills and how to navigate and orientate yourself in the bush. We show you what it is like to approach dangerous game on foot and how you should handle these situations. We teach you how to use binoculars properly and how to position a vehicle for photography.

Many previous participants on this course have loved it so much that they have gone on to do our professional Field Guide qualification.
General subjects:

* Ecology
* Geology and soils
* Common trees and shrubs
* Animal tracks and tracking
* Bird identification and behaviour
* Animal behaviour
* Astronomy
* Amphibians and reptiles
* Orientation and navigation
* Bush skills
* Using binoculars correctly and positioning for photography

Start Dates

Makuleke, N Kruger South Africa 2012 7 days
25 - 31 May 2012

Makuleke, N. Kruger South Africa 2012 14 days
7 October - 20 October 2012

Mashatu, Botswana 2012 14 days
6 September - 19 September 2012
3 December - 16 December 2012

Makuleke, N Kruger, South Africa 2013 (7 Days):
16 – 22 March 2013
22 – 28 December 2013 (Family EcoQuest)

Lewa Conservancy, Kenya 2013 (7 days)
24 – 30 May 2013

Karongwe, South Africa 2013 (7 days)
2 – 8 September 2013

Mashatu, Botswana 2013 (14 days)
28 March – 10 April 2013
26 August – 8 September 2013

Lewa Conservancy, Kenya 2013 (14 days)
28 July – 10 August 2013

Makuleke, N Kruger South Africa 2013 (14 days)
26 November - 9 December 2013

Costs / Benefits

This is an African bush experience where you get to live, breathe and get in tune with the African bush - you will not experience another safari like this!

Requirements

18 years or older (must have full driving licence if you want to drive the Land Rover)