Kruger Field Guide - 1 Year£12,195 (1 year)

Duration & Fees

• £12,195 - 1 year

Start Dates

2012 Start Date: 6 Jan 2012 - 9 Nov 2012 | 5 Feb 2012 - 22 Nov 2012 | 6 May 2012 - 20 Feb 2013 | 5 Jul 2012 - 30 Apr 2013 | 3 Oct 2012 - 31 Aug 2013

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

• 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's not included

• 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.

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 a practical assessment)
• SASSETA Competency Certificate – Rifle
• Rifle Handling and Safety
• FGASA Trails Guide Back-up with Advanced Rifle Handling (Basic, Intermediate/back-up, Advanced/Lead)
• Basic Birding
• Advanced Birding with Lawson's Birding Academy
• Tracking Qualification - Level 1, 2 or 3 (optional)
• Wilderness Medicine - Level 1 and 2- First Aid
• Navigation and Orientation
• Telemetry and 4-Wheel Drive for Game Viewing

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.

Example Course Structure

Dates	Camp	Description
10 - 12 Aug	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 - 8 Sept	Riverside Camp	Field Guide Level 1 - No FGASA Exam
8 -16 Sept	Selati Camp	Rifle Training, driving experience/frogging (practical srudy of frog species found on excursions); telemetry; lion and elephant tracking
16 Sep - 6 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	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 - 24 Nov	Time Off
25 Nov - 1 Dec	Selati Camp	Navigation and Orientation
2 - 7 Dec	Selati Camp	Wilderness Medicine; Level 1 and Level 2
8 - 14 Dec	Selati Camp	Tracking Course
15 - 22 Dec	Kruger Park Camp	VPDA - Encounters on foot
22 - 24 Dec	Time Off
6 Jan - 18 May	Lodge Attachement
		Kruger Park Entry Fee
19 - 25 May	Kruger Park Camp	Advanced birding & FGASA Level 2 Theory Exam (75% pass mark required)
25 May - 1 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 Type/ 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 also 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 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 and Orientation

Support and advice is available from Amanzi Travel office staff and project/trip leaders. Upon booking, you will receive a comprehensive pre-departure pack that provides all the details you will need to prepare for your trip to Africa.  This document includes information on accommodation, staff, visas, optional activities, packing checklist and medical advice and if you have any questions that are not answered in the pack we are always on hand to help and advise. We will do all we can to ensure that you are well prepared and looking forward to your trip to Africa. You will also receive an in country orientation on arrival.

A 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency contact number is provided for everyone who travels with us.

Amanzi Travel holds an ATOL licence (9401) and is able to arrange your flights on request giving you financial protection for your flight and trip costs. We also offer advice on personal travel insurance for your trip.

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 four 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.

Karongwe Camp

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 Makuleke

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

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 three 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.

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. 

Please note that all four 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 four camps there is no electricity, pearaffin lamps are 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)

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