60 Day Safari Guide Course in Botswana/ South Africa with EcoTraining

23 February 2011
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Travel between wilderness areas in Botswana and South Africa while being trained and truly experience emergence in the bush. This once in a life time experience includes conservation and research modules as well as Field guide training. You would be able to gain your FGASA, EcoTraining as well as BOTA qualification while enjoying an adventure break in the bush. Educational holidays have never been this adventurous. Live and learn in unfenced wilderness camps

We created 16 spaces on this unique adventure – Life and learn in our wilderness camps while our instructors and researches help you cope with the course content.

Interested media or Agents contact Cornè Schalkwyk at [email protected] or +27 (13) 752 5248 and +27 (82) 738 6634, further info on www.ecotraining.co.za.

The course is 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.  Activities alternate between walks and driving.

Lecture time follows after brunch, which involves topical instruction (lectures) and discussion on the subject of the day

Extra activities to expect which hasn’t been offered in other Qualification courses in Africa


  • Research And Conservation Module – presentation preparation time.
  • Mammal Behaviour Extension Module – Black Rhino and Elephant Research and Mammal Behaviour at Pongola Research Station
  • Exposure to different Biomes and excursions (Botswana and Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa)
  • Cultural Module Extension - Historical Human Habitation in Botswana – 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.
  • Geology And Soils Extended Module (Botswana) - landscape of large sandstone formations of all shapes and sizes mixed with various igneous intrusions and extrusions.
  • This course incorporates more study time during the course to ensure less pressure to complete all the modules of the FGASA level 1 syllabus and EcoTraining training additions.
  • The students will also be able to do more night drives during the course to expand their knowledge of nocturnal animals.
  • Botswana - We will incorporate 3 base camp set-ups. Navigation and exploration from base camp to base camp enables students to receive more exposure to the 36 000 hectares of the reserve.
  • Pongola Game reserve is also a very special birding spot exposing participants to water birds found at Lake Jozini. The area has 350 bird species. 30 000 hectares
1. Camp information

EcoTraining’s accommodation facilities and game reserves are authentic, with as little clutter to dilute the relationship between nature and our learners as possible. While learners are at our camps, we want them to co-exist in the environment, when sleeping we want them to hear elephants browsing on leaves and nightjars call right outside the tents at night. EcoTraining stands for an honest comfortable safe experience.  It’s all about the bush.

Mashatu camp

EcoTraining Mashatu camp is located in the Tuli Reserve of Botswana bordering South Africa. Tuli forms a key part of the proposed Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area. In the easternmost corner of Botswana, Tuli is the collective name for several privately-owned game reserves including the Mashatu, Ntani and Tuli Game Reserves, covering all the land north of the Limpopo River.

A wholly preserved and untainted wilderness in Botswana, at the confluence of the Limpopo and the Shashe Rivers. The ample plains range from savannah, to riverine forest, marshland and sandstone outcrops amongst giant baobab trees. Mashatu truly embodies all that defines Africa. This land of giants offers vast open spaces, making it almost impossible to take it all in, with an array of wildlife from the miniscule to the gigantic. With a quietness so loud it thumps at your heart. Expect an unexpected adventure beyond the game drives or the walks that will make you feel alive again. Truly mesmerizing, this Africa is real and tangible and at its best!

Apart from elephants (largest herds of free roaming elephant on private land) students can follow the spoor of lions, leopards, giraffes, spotted hyenas, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, cheetahs, kudu, Burchell's zebras, bushbuck and baboons. Spotlight-assisted night drives may reveal porcupines, aardvarks, spotted genets and civets, in addition to the larger carnivores. Other antelopes are eland, impala and steenbok. One of the area's attractions is the game viewing walks and night drives on offer. Rated as one of the most unique, diverse and exciting walking destinations, this massive tract of land is the ideal terrain to appreciate the wild, and is an unrivalled adventure experience.

Pongola camp – Research Camp

Located at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountains and the shimmering waters of Lake Jozini you will find a special reserve called the Pongola Game Reserve. It’s a place with Magic and soul inspired by a dream and created with passion. The Bush Camps and research camp (owned by the Kohrs family) is located in this reserve in Northern Zululand near the Swaziland border. It’s also a Malaria free reserve.

Pongola Game reserve is also the first proclaimed game reserve in Africa, and hosts four of the big five. Wildlife includes Buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, 12 different antelope species and over 350 bird species. You will also encounter an interesting array of smaller mammals and insects.

The reserve consists of a consolidation of privately owned land which totals 30 000 hectares including Lake Jozini. You will have the opportunity to get insight from old EcoTraining students into elephant and rhino research projects and behind the scenes conservation operations.  Stunning views and glorious sunsets awaits you!

Accommodation

The sleeping arrangements at all our camps consist of 2 people sharing per tent. Single requests are required to pay double-rates. Women and men do not share tents unless booked as a couple.








2011 cost per person: R 37 500.00 (no VAT payable)

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