Information

South Africa
Posted: 4 years ago

£5,320 per course

Find Out More

If you are a nature lover and adventurer looking for a time out which will benefit you in the long-term, our Field Guide Level 1 training course is the right choice for you – as it focuses on delivering training and further education directly in the wild.  Within 55 days experienced and highly qualified instructors teach you the essentials about the Southern African flora and fauna, providing you with the necessary know-how and knowledge a field guide needs to have.

Details

The Field Guide Level 1 course, taking place in South Africa and Botswana, will equip you with valuable nature knowledge. Long walks and expeditions will provide you with long-lasting impressions – whilst acquiring in-depth knowledge from your professionally qualified instructor. During fascinating 55 days you will learn all about plants and animals such as mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles and mammals and their relationship with each other within the Southern African ecosystem.

There are many facets to the Field Guide Level 1 course. You will learn various methods for orientation and navigation in open country, including aspects of astronomy, so that you can determine your geographical position using the constellations. During hands-on lessons you will learn how to handle an open cross-country vehicle and how to reach your destination safely even in rough terrain. Your training as a field guide also includes basic instruction on the geological and climatological conditions in South Africa, tracking, animal behaviour analysis and how to identify native animal, plant and tree species.

Slowly but surely you will be able to identify many birds and animals just from their calls in the heart of this wild and fascinating countryside. You will also gain insights into the tourism industry and the history of Africa, which will give you a better understanding of their significance with respect to the continent’s problems and options. The major challenges for nature conservation today include conserving species and preserving the natural dynamics of their habitats while at the same time keeping global environmental change at bay. During your time in Southern Africa you will discover how nature conservation really works, what measures are used and what factors can have a positive or negative influence on the development of an ecosystem.

There will be a theory test and a practical test at the end of the course. After successful course completion you will be given a FGASA recognized Field Guide Level 1 certificate.

Gallery

 

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Accommodation

You will either live in a shared stilt house plus own bathroom (Makuleke) or in a two-man tent with access to shared bathrooms (Selati, Karongwe, Mashatu). All camps have a large common room for classroom hours, meals and relaxing together with the group. None of the camps is fenced or allows tourists to access the site.

You will be provided with four daily meals. Tap water, coffee and tea are available throughout the day; fruit juice is provided at mealtimes. The camps get their power from generators. A laundry service is also available for a small fee. Mobile reception is generally quite poor. 

Testimonial

“The two months I spent on the course were two of the best months I have ever had. I got know many people, made new friends and had life-changing experiences.”  (Kelsey, 19 years)

About us

NATUCATE is a German agency, specialized in voluntary work, field guide training, nature-oriented educational courses and internships with a focus on nature and species conservation as well as animal protection. Moreover, we create and organize individual sabbaticals; commitment for nature conservation and personal development being in the centre. Sustainable and responsible traveling, so-called ecotourism, as well as nature and adventure travel are further areas of expertise.

Our projects, courses and tours, fulfilling high sustainability standards, enable people – from graduates to best agers – to make an active contribution to protecting and conserving endangered species and ecosystems and, at the same time, to broaden their personal horizon. 

Dates, Service and Cost

Dates

2019: 04.01., 09.01., 06.02., 24.02., 07.04., 10.06., 10.07., 08.08., 02.09., 06.09., 06.10., 07.10., 11.10.

2020: 04.01., 09.01., 06.02., 24.02., 13.03., 09.04., 06.05., 10.07., 06.08., 06.09., 06.10., 10.10.

Services

  • Placement in the course
  • Assistance with travel arrangements
  • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
  • Assistance with booking flights
  • Pre-departure information pack
  • Accommodation during the course
  • All meals during the course
  • Drinking water
  • Training manual
  • Game walks
  • Game drives
  • Classroom hours
  • Transport between campsites
  • FGASA registration, exam fees and workbooks
  • SASSETA Competency Certification
  • DEAT registration
  • English speaking support by long-term experienced staff
  • Certificate
  • 24/7 support throughout the course

Fees

  • 55 days: starting from 6000 EUR
  • The price listed above is calculated on the basis of a 17 Rand exchange rate (1 EUR = 17 ZAR).
  • The price stated in euros are approximate values. Due to sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate of the rand, all prices will be calculated at the time of enquiry.

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