KRUGER FIELD GUIDE TRAINING COURSE - ONE YEAR
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AND CAMPS IN SOUTH AFRICA

A one year course designed to produce high caliber professional Field Guides. This course would also suit those looking to gain the ultimate bush learning experience with the time to dedicate to their passion. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of South Africa’s most experienced guides across a variety of sites that will give you experience of everything Africa has to offer.

	Location:	KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AND CAMPS IN SOUTH AFRICA	Dates:	16 Aug 2010 - 13 June 2011, 20 Sept 2010 - 6 Aug 2011, 6 Jan 2011 – 13 Dec 2011, 22 March 2011 – 24 Feb 2012, 2 July 2011 - 16 May 2012, 15 September 2011 - 20 July 2012
	Fees:	£11,195 - 52 weeks 2010 rates £12,395 - 52 weeks 2011 rates	Payment:	30% of course fee is required as a deposit at time of booking – the balance is due 12 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AA011

General Information

This one year course offers the ultimate training experience in Field Guiding available. Course attendees will live and work in the African bush and gain all the experience needed to be a professional guide. Your training will be divided into two distinct parts. For the first half you will rotate around the three camps offering you constant stimulation to your learning. Between the three camps there is a huge variety of ecology, geology, wildlife and climate giving you all the experience you need to equip you for a successful guiding career. For the second half of the course you will work at a Safari Lodge as a trainee guide, allowing you to gain all the experience necessary for your FGASA certifications.

The course aims to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills that will form the bedrock of a successful and inspiring career. This however is only a small part of what the course has to offer, it is only by becoming truly immersed in the bush that a person can develop that feeling of being at home in the wild bush that is the trademark of all great guides.

Please note: we also offer a 28 day FGASA Courses for those looking for an experience of a professional guides training. Please click on the links below for further information:
Field Guide FGASA – 28 days

Qualifications that can be achieved during this course (first 6 months)

• Eco Training Level 1 exam
• Field Guide FGASA Level 1 Theory (subject to 75% pass mark)
• Field Guide FGASA Level 1 Practical assessment (subject to passing the theory and being deemed competent on an assessment drive)
• SASSETA Competency Certificate – Rifle (qualification – rifle handling only)
• Advanced Rifle Handling (Basic, Intermediate/back-up, Advanced/Lead)
• FGASA Trails Guide Back-up
• FGASA Level 2 Theory
• Birding with Bruce Lawson's Academy
• Tracking Qualification - Level 1, 2 or 3 (optional)
• Wilderness Medicine - Level 1 and 2

In this course, the first six months of theoretical and practical training with our highly qualified instructors completing various separate certificate courses should prepare you well for 4 -5 months of actual nature guiding at lodges with guests.  Providing that you have passed your FGASA Level 1 Theory and Practical, (without this placements may take longer to arrange) we will place you at a lodges so that you can work with experienced guides to learn from them and to learn on the job so that at the end of the year course, you are potentially not only qualified but also experienced. By this time you will be a prime candidate and should be snapped up immediately by a lodge for a guiding job.

The on-the-job component will not only give you the practical experience and opportunity to use all of your theoretical skills acquired in the first phase of training but also build up toward the necessary logged time to undertake the Level 2 Practical Assessment.

Course Structure - Example 

Dates	Camp	Description
10 - 12 Aug 0000000000000000	Nelspruit	FGASA Registration Level 1  FGASA Registration Level 2 FGASA Registration Trails Guide SASSETA Registration & Training DEAT Registration Accomodation in Nelspruit 2 Nights
12 Aug - 08 Sept	Riverside Camp	Field Guide Level 1 - No FGASA Exam
08 - 16 Sept	Selati Camp	Rifle Training, driving experience/frogging (practical srudy of frog species found on excursions); telemetry; lion and elephant tracking
16 Sept - 06 Oct	Selati Camp	FGASA Level 1 Theory Exam (75% pass mark required) & FGASA Level 1 Practical Assessments
6 - 13 oct	Time Off
		Kruger Park Entry Fee
14 Oct - 10 Nov	Kruger Park Camp	Trails Guide, ARH, FGASA Trails Guide Theory Exam, VPDA Practical Assessment
Ongoing until 19 May 2010	Kruger Park Camp	FGASA Level 2 Assignments to be issued to students to work on using Level 2 Training manuals and  other reference books.  assignments to be returned to course provider for review/marking and follow up sessions will be held with students during the forthcoming courses
11 - 17 Nov	Kruger Park Camp	Basic Birding
17 Nov - 24 Nov	Time Off
25 Nov - 01 Dec	Selati Camp	Navigation and Orientation
02 - 07 Dec	Selati Camp	Wilderness Medicine; Level 1 and Level 2
08 - 14 Dec	Selati Camp	Tracking Course
15 Dec - 22 Dec	Kruger Park Camp	VPDA - Encounters on foot
22 - 24 Dec	Time Off
06 Jan  - 18 May	Lodge Attachment
		Kruger Park Entry fee
19 - 25 May	Kruger Park Camp	Advanced birding & FGASA Level 2 Theory Exam (75% pass mark required)
25 May - 01 June	Riverside Camp	Consolidation/Assessment/Graduation

Subjects covered

The Introduction to Guiding in the Natural Environment

Creating a Guided Nature Experience

• Briefing for guided experiences 
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Orientation Skills
• Finding Food and Water in the Bush and Basic Bush and Survival Skills

Astronomy

• Introduction to the Southern Skies and Astronomical Phenomena
• Planets, Common Constellations and Prominent Stars
• The Moon, The Sun, Eclipses and Their Effects on the Tides

Geology

• Why the Study of Geology is Important for the Nature Guide

Basic Ecology

• The Definition of Ecology
• The Major Components of an Ecosystem
• Levels of Organisation in Ecology
• Food Chains
• Trophic Pyramid
• Symbiotic Relationships
• Predation and Competition

Weather and Climate

• The Main Causes of Weather
• Wind and Clouds
• Southern African Weather Patterns
• General Climate of Southern Africa

Botany and Grasses

• Nature and Classification of Plants
• Anatomy of a Tree
• Tree and Shrub Identification
• The Uses of Trees and Shrubs
• Grasses
• Ecology, Anatomy and Pollination of Grasses
• Veld Types
• Grazing and Ecological Status
• Plant Succession

Basic Taxonomy

Fish

• Definition
• Ecological Role
• Reproduction and Growth
• Feeding Behaviour
• Locomotion
• Senses
• Pigment and Colour
• Neutral Buoyancy
• Lateral Line System

Birds

• Identification
• Characteristics, Passerines and Non-Passerines
• Feeding and Nesting

Animal Behaviour

• Group Hierarchies
• Group Behaviour
• Animal Behaviour
• Communication
• Protective Behaviour
• Territories and Home Ranges

Biomes of Southern Africa

Arthropods

• Class Insecta  
• Class Arachnida
• Centipedes and Millipedes
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Characteristics and Orders
• Order Chelonia
• Order Squamata (lizards)
• Order Squamata (snakes)
• Order Crocodylia

Mammals

• Characteristics
• Foot Structure
• Digestive Systems
• Orders
• Statistics and Flagship Species

Conservation Management

• Fire
• Bush Encroachment and Alien Plant Control
• Erosion Control
• Road Maintenance
• Animal Population Control
• Water Provision

Transfrontier Parks and Biosphere Reserves

Historical Human Habitation

In addition to these subjects, attendees will aslo do:

• Introduction to Eco Tourism
• Planning of Game Drives and Walks
• Dealing with Guests
• Tracks and Tracking
• Approaching Dangerous Game Animals
• The Game Drive Vehicle
• Off-Road and 4x4 Driving
• Night Drives

Lodge Experience (Approx 5 months)

The course provider will assist in placing participants in lodges in South Africa for the five month period.  During this duties will vary but may include the following:

• General Guiding Duties (logged toward FGASA level 2 practical assessment)
• Assisting in the bar, stock taking and serving drinks
• Assist with meeting guests at meeting point/airport, carrying luggage
• Housekeeping
• Maintanance
• Reception duties
• Food and beverage duties

Please be aware that:

• Chances of achieving a lodge placement are greatly improved be passing FGASA 1 as a minimum
• The course provider reserves the right to refrain from placing a learner at a lodge for the work experience should the learner not meet the minimum qualifying standards, or the code of conduct based on reasonable and professional behaviour at the camps and lodges during the attachment
• It is very important that participants have a valid driver's license when you attend the course as this makes up a large component of the course.   Should a participant not be in possesion of a Professional Drivers Permit, the course provider will endeavour to place the learner at a lodge where driving is not required.
• During the lodge experience the participants are the responsibility of the lodge and are expected to adhere to the lodge's management and policies.

Philosophy

The aim of the course is to give the students that attend it everything they need to further their own interests and development, be that en route to a professional guiding career or purely to learn more about the bush that inspires them. The courses aim to foster not only the knowledge and skills essential to allowing the students to become excellent guides but also to show them something of the philosophy and approach that is an integral part of our interaction with the magnificent bush environment. The course aims to give the student a new outlook on the environment and perhaps even life. It is recognised that by inspiring the students that attend the course, they can go on to pass on their enthusiasm and attitudes to those they meet after returning home or to careers in the guiding industry.

Certification and Accreditation

This Field Guide Course is accredited by FGASA who have THETA accreditation so this means our courses adhere to 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 this course, we will assist you by registering you for FGASA, THETA and eventually DEAT.

Support

Support and advice is available from your Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support.

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent upon booking and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival by the course coordinator.

Accommodation and Meals

The training programmes take place in South African bush camps that collectively have access to 66000 hectares of untamed and stunning African bush. Depending on which of the three camps you are at at the time you will have the opportunity to view and interact with buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard as well as a huge variety of antelope and bird life.

Each camp accommodation is designed to allow you to get up close and personal with your environment. They are uncluttered and authentic game reserve camps, unfenced, thus allowing the occasional nocturnal visitor. This means the sounds of the bush will literally be right outside your accommodation, it also provides a perfect opportunity to practice your tracking skills through and around the camp each morning.

Riverside Camp

The Riverside Camp is situated on the banks of the Karongwe River in the 9 000 hectare (22 239 acre) Karongwe Game Reserve, to the south-west of the Kruger National Park.   The habitat is mostly undulating hills and valleys and broadleaved lowland.  Accommodation is in walk-in safari style tents with twin beds and shared bathroom facilities.  There is a communal area and viewing decks which many students actually choose to make their bedrooms for the duration of their stay on the course.  The communal are consists of an open air dining room, lecture room and study area.  This camp is a good place for viewing leopard, lion and cheetah as well as elephant and white rhino. 

As the camp itself is unfenced, we often have four-legged guests in the camp.  Hyena make nightly patrols of the camp and are often seen by learners who choose to make one of the viewing decks their home for the duration of the course.  Elephant, cheetah and lion have also made appearances on occasion.

Kruger Park Concession Camp

The Kruger Park Camp is situated in the most remote part of the Kruger National Park between two rivers in a true wilderness area filled with folklore.  Inaccessible to ordinary tourists, the area belongs to the community and the wildlife variety is such that you will observe anything from crocodiles and hippos to lions, buffalos and zebra. 

Accommodation is in safari tents on wooden decks covered with thatch in the shade of nyala trees.  Each unit has a verandah overlooking the bush and an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet, shower and basin.  The communal area is a thatch roofed open sided deck where meals, lectures and studying take place.  There is an idyllic setting for evening camp fires for social and leisure time.

Selati Camp

The Selati Camp is situated on the banks of the Selati River in the 33 000 hectare (81 545 acre) Selati Game Reserve to the west of the Kruger National Park.  Camp accommodation is simple and rustic in dome tents with shared bathroom facilities and there is a communal area where participants gather for meals and lectures every day.

Selati is a good 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.  The dominant vegetation type is woodland and to the east are large granite koppies (hills) where Black eagles and Klipspringer can be found.

As is the case with our other two camps, the Selati camp is unfenced, and animals do on occasion wander through the camp.  Learners have woken up in the morning to find the tracks of elephant, leopard or lion around the camp.

Please note that all three of the camps have sleeping arrangements for 2 people sharing.  Single occupancy requires double payment.  Sharing is on a sigle sex basis unless booked as a couple.  At all three camp there is no elecrticity, pearaffin lamps being used for all lighting and a generator. 

Meals

Early morning wake-up     Tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit
Brunch after activity       Cooked breakfast, cereals and fruit
Afternoon tea                 Light snacks
Dinner                           A balanced, warm plated meal (Meat, vegetables and salad)

Getting There

Flights should be arranged into and out of Johannesburg (OR Tambo) Airport. From here we will arrange your transfers to the camp for registration and orientation days before embarking on the rest of your course. 

Fees

What is included

• Instructors and training
• Game drives, walks and activities as above
• Entry to Kruger Park (for Makuleke Courses)
• All FGASA registration, examination and moderation fees
• DEAT registration
• SASSETA Competency Certification
• Wilderness Medicine Course
• 3 x sets of uniforms (shirts and shorts)
• Course T-shirt, cap and beanie
• Pick up at OR Tambo International Airport on the first day the course starts
• Drop off at OR Tambo International Airport on the last day the course ends
• Transfers between the camps
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Tea, coffee &cordials

What is excluded

• International and domestic flights including arrival and departure fees if applicable
• Travel insurance to cover your project (to include cover for repatriation)
• Tourist Visas
• Laundry
• Beverages beers, ciders, bottled water
• Transfers to and from the camps for weeks off – these will depend on where you wish to spend your time off. We can help arrange any necessary transfers for you.