This 55 day course is structured to maximise your practical experience in the bush. A great opportunity for the adventurous type wanting to experience the excitement of the bush whilst gaining a greater understanding of how to interpret the ecology. Students should expect the unexpected while taking part in game drives and bush walks where they will see Africa at its very best.
Duration & Fees
Start Dates
2012 Start Date: 6 Jan - 28 Feb (Makuleke/Pongola) | 7 Feb - 1 Apr (Selati/Karongwe) | 8 Mar - 30 Apr (Selati/Mashatu) | 8 Apr - 31 May (Karongwe/Pongola | 16 Oct - 8 Dec (Karongwe/Selati)
Payment
30% of course fee is required as a deposit at time of booking – the balance is due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Instructors and Training
- Game Drives
- Walks
- Tea, coffee and cordials
- Transfer between the camps
- FGASA Annual Subs for the 1st year, Registration fees, Exam fee and Moderation fee
What's not included
- Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
- Lunch on transfer days to and from camp
- Laundry R25 per week
- Any accommodation before and after the course
- Beverages (beer, ciders, bottled water)
The structure of the Field Guide Course aims to maximise the practical experience of students in the bush. Each day there will be hours spent in the field, looking at and interpreting the ecology whilst enjoying the wildlife experience. Activities alternate between bush walks and game drives. Lecture time follows after brunch, which involves topical instruction (lectures) and discussions on the subject of the day. This is followed by self study time for the learners who will also be expected to take their part in caring for the camp, equipment and vehicles. Students will be involved in team working during parts of the course.
What is covered during the course:
- Welcome and introduction
- Introduction to guiding in nature
- Creating a guided nature experience
- Geology and soils
- Astronomy
- Weather and climate
- Ecology
- Taxonomy
- Introduction to the biomes of southern Africa
- Botany and grasses
- Vegetation identification
- Arthropods (Insects and relatives)
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Fish
- Birds
- Mammals
- Animal behaviour
- Tracks and tracking
- Radio procedures
- Conservation management and historical human habitation
- Habitat management
- Bush camps
Additional Activities
- Basic 4x4 driving skills [not driving lessons, but an opportunity to drive the game viewing vehicle]
- Sleep out in the bush
- Fire Arm theory and practical shooting
Tests, Presentations and Evaluations
- 3 x Written tests
- 2 x Oral presentations
- 2 x Practical evaluations: Walk evaluation, Game drive evaluation
Please note: A 28-day FGASA Trails Guide Course is also offered for those who have already completed a Level 1 qualification.
Please click on the link below for further information: Trail Guide FGASA - 28 days
Those joining this course will gain in-depth knowledge about nature, ecology and wildlife but that is only one aspect of the course. It is about absorbing nature, learning how to interact with the environment, and tuning yourself into the ecosystems. It’s about becoming intertwined with the natural environment that sustains us. Along with learning about wildlife and nature… it is also a cultural interchange for our learners. The inter-human benefit of living and learning together in the outdoors for 55 days, tests one’s social and emotional intelligence skills and provides you with a holistic life experience. It is a bonding experience - in 55 days learners learn about the natural environment, themselves and each other.
Learners who have attended this courses have returned to the “real world” with a different outlook on life. Some have taken this new outlook into their day-to-day lives and others, inspired by their time, have completely changed their lives and careers.
Typical Daily Itinerary
A typical daily programme at the camp follows a routine of rising early, usually before sunrise, enjoying hot coffee while you listen to the bush waking up and then leaving the camp for an outing into the wilderness.
The outings are extremely flexible and determined by the unpredictability of what is found during the outing in combination with the subjects that have to be covered. The outing could be a game drive following up on the roar of a lion heard during the night or a walk learning about the plant species occurring in the area. It could be a walk following fresh elephant tracks, learning how to track the animal and finding it or it could be a game drive to a waterhole where animals come to drink.
Learners return to camp in the late morning for a hearty brunch which is followed by a lecture on the subject of the day. Study and rest time is then followed by afternoon tea and another outing into the wilderness until sunset, if walking, or until well after dark if doing a game drive.
Afternoon outings could include night drives looking for nocturnal animals such as owls, bushbabies and leopards or it could be a walk looking for and learning how to identify interesting birds. It could be time spent studying the night skies or it could be a time for learners to test their 4x4 driving skills.
It is then back to the camp for dinner, stories around the campfire, discussing the day’s experiences and wondering about tomorrow’s adventures.
The emphasis is on practical day-to-day experiences in the bush. The daily outings are flexible and may focus on specific subjects such as animal tracks and tracking, birds, plant identification or animal behaviour, or may involve game viewing and learning about the ecosystem in general.
Certification and Accreditation
The following accreditation is optional and is more relevant to those who wish to pursue a career in guiding and become a Safari Guide in Southern Africa.
For course attendees who do not plan to take up field guiding as a career (which is the case for most international learners), then writing and passing the course tests and practical evaluations listed above is sufficient in order to complete the course and recieve a certificate from the course provider.
For those attendees who do wish to take the officially recognised FGASA certification aspect of the course, they will need to become a paid up annual member of a Southern African association and register for the exam. If attendees choose this option they must be willing to work hard during their free time and will then, in addition to the tests and evaluations above write the FGASA Level 1 theory exam and do the practical evaluation while on course. The pass mark for the FGASA theory exam is 75%.
With the Field Guide Courses being accredited by FGASA who have THETA accreditation, this means that the courses meet THETA standards. THETA is the Tourism and Hospitality and Sport Education Training Authority of the South African Government. These are the two bodies responsible for regulating standards within the guide training industry in southern Africa.
For more information regarding further FGASA membership, registration and certification, please contact us for a separate detailed document that you will need.
Location and Environment
The accommodation camps are designed to allow students to get up close and personal with their environment. The camps are of uncluttered and authentic game reserve style, and as it is completely unfenced there are occasional nocturnal visitors, especially hyena - hence the sounds of the bush are literally right outside the accommodation! It also provides a perfect opportunity to practice tracking skills through and around the camp each morning, as students have woken up in the morning to find the tracks of elephant, leopard or lion.
The climate over most of Southern Africa is temperate. Hot, dry conditions are usually encountered in the Tuli region. Heavy summer thunderstorms of short duration in the late afternoon and evening may be experienced. Rainfall occurs mostly during the summer months (October - March).
Mashatu Camp
The 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!
Makuleke Kruger Park Concessions Camp
The concession is situated within the Pafuri region spanning 24,000 hectares. It is found in the northern part of the National Park and sits between the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers. The concession itself takes its name from the people that inhabit the area. The community was removed from the area in 1968 but after lengthy efforts made a return in 1998. Members of the local community are employed in the camp and the area (steeped in folklore) is true wilderness and located in one of the remotest areas of the park not accessible to normal tourists. It is a very diverse area ranging from the quietly flowing Nyala tree shaded river banks, populated by plentiful hippos and crocodiles, to the breathtaking Lanner Gorge and palm fringed wetlands bordered by ancient Baobab trees. Game is varied as one would expect of the Kruger Park. Animals such as zebra, impala and kudu are resident along with lions, leopards, elephant and the rhinoceros. The area is renowned for its abundant bird life featuring rare species such as Pel’s Fishing Owl, the Wattle-eyed Flycatcher and the Grey-headed Parrot.
The camp is unfenced allowing the occasional nocturnal visitor to wander through the camp. Accommodation is in comfortable thatched, tented rooms mounted on decks with en-suite bathroom facilities. The focal point of the camp is the large open sided deck that serves as the dining and study area.
Karongwe Camp
The Karongwe Camp is situated on the banks of the Karongwe River in the 9 000 hectare Karongwe Game Reserve, to the south-west of the Kruger National Park. Accommodation is in walk-in safari style tents with shared bathroom facilities. This camp is a good place for viewing leopard, lion and cheetah as well as elephant and white rhino.
Selati Camp
The Selati Camp is situated on the banks of the Selati River in the 33 000 hectare Selati Game Reserve, to the west of the Kruger National Park. Camp accommodation is simple and rustic in dome and tents with shared bathroom facilties and there is a communal area where learners gather for meals and lectures everyday.
Selati is a great place for viewing lion, white rhino and elephant. General game is plentiful and you might even get to see the large herd of eland, as well as the rare sable antelope.
Pongola Camp
Located at the foot of the majestic Lembombo Mountains and the shimmering waters of Lake Jozini you ill 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. Stunning views and glorious sunsets awaits you!
_1.jpg)
This course could be held at any two of the five camps (please ask one of the Amanzi Travel team to confirm dates and locations).
Makuleke Kruger Park Consession Camp
Accommodation at the Makuleke Kruger Park Concession Camp is in ten comfortable thatched, tented rooms situated on large wooden decks shaded by the Nyala trees. All rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities with a shower, wash basin and hot running water. Each unit also has a verandah overlooking the bush.
The camp consists of 2 people sharing per tent. Single requests are required to pay double rates. Women and men do not share unless booked as a couple.
There is no electricity at the camp with paraffin lamps and battery operated energy saving lights being used for lighting. The camp has a generator to supply power for charging cameras, phones and batteries. The camp is unfenced to allow for free movement of the animals in their natural environment.
Fresh drinking water is available from the taps and cordial fruit juices, tea and coffee are provided. The camp has a shop where soft drinks and beers can be purchased. A laundry service is available at a small additional weekly charge.
Mashatu Camp
The camp consists of 10 simple dome tents and is unfenced. Situated in the Tuli Reserve of Botswana bordering South Africa, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty with majestic rocks, diverse vegetation, abundant wildlife, a profusion of birds and a rich archaeological hertitage. The ample plains range from savannah, to riverine forest, marshland and sandstone outcrops amongst giant baobab trees, a wholly preserved and untainted wilderness. Mashatu truly embodies all that defines Africa.
There are shared bathroom facilities and a central communal area overlooking the dry river bed. Students bring their own bedding. There are no mosquito nets at Mashatu. There is no electricity at the camp with paraffin lamps and battery operated energy saving lights being used for lighting. The camp has a generator to supply power for charging cameras, phones and batteries.
Fresh drinking water is available from the taps and cordial fruit juices, tea and coffee are provided. The camp has a shop where soft drinks and beers can be purchased. A laundry service is available at a small additional weekly charge.
Karongwe Camp
Accommodation at the Karongwe Camp is in ten shared walk-in safari style tents with shared washing facilities and a central communal area surrounded by the four open decks. Students have the option to sleep out on the open decks if they are feeling adventurous.
There is no electricity at the camp with paraffin lamps being used for lighting. The camp has a generator to supply power for charging cameras, phones and batteries.
Fresh drinking water is available from the taps and cordial fruit juices, tea and coffee are provided. The camp has a shop where soft drinks and beers can be purchased. A laundry service is available at a small additional weekly charge.
Selati Camp
The Selati Camp is situated on the banks of the Selati River in the Selati Game Reserve to the west of the Kruger National Park. Camp accommodation is simple and rustic in dome and tents with shared bathroom facilties and there is a communal area where learners gather for meals and lectures everyday.
Selati is a great place for viewing lion, white rhino and elephant. General game is plentiful and you might even get to see the large herd of eland, as well as the rare sable antelope.
Pongola Camp
Located at the foot of the majestic Lembombo Mountains and the shimmering waters of Lake Jozini you ill 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.
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.
Breakfast: tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit
Brunch: fruit, cereal and a variety of cooked breakfast items
Afternoon tea: light snacks
Dinner: A balanced, warm plated meal of meat, vegetables and salad
South Africa
Why visit South Africa?
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
Highlights of South Africa
- Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, wine routes and exclusive bush lodges.
- Exciting Big Five safaris in unspoilt wilderness areas.
- Malaria-free game viewing and sunshine all year round.
- See Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 27 years.
- Go up Table Mountain by cable car for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful Cape Town.
- Whale watching and great white shark cage diving.
- Beautiful, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- The Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.
Climate
For Johannesburg:
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
25 °C |
10 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
19 °C |
4 °C |
| Rainfall: October to March, with November to January heaviest |
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors.
Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Key Facts
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00
A month I shall always remember - it enhanced my love of the bush and stoked an interest in it.
Ben, UK, aged 27 (Safari Guide Course - 28 Day, FGASA Level 1 Field Guide Course - 55 Days)
A profound experience that taught me to see nature instead of only looking at it. I now have a better understanding of all interacting parts that form an ecosystem and how they are connected. An exciting new world has opened up!
Jaap 2008 (Safari Guide Course - 28 Day, FGASA Level 1 Field Guide Course - 55 Days)
I wanted to write and let you know just how wonderful the course is. Jason and I had a really amazing month and believe that the course is extremely valuable for our future in the industry. We had no idea when applying for the course just how intensive it is, but the knowledge that we gained was not only interesting but will be applicable in our everyday life... The instructors were fantastic and amazed me everyday with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the bush. It takes special people to do the same thing over and over but with such passion. We really cannot thank them enough. I now look at the bush with a new perspective!!! We made some wonderful friends, who I know we will keep in touch with, and we had an amazing month
Michaela and Jason, aged 20 and 21 (Safari Guide Course - 28 Day, FGASA Level 1 Field Guide Course - 55 Days)