Conservation Careers

If you’re a nature enthusiast and adventurer seeking a transformative experience with long-term benefits, our Apprentice Field Guide training course – formerly Field Guide Level 1 – is perfect for you. This 55-day program offers immersive training and education directly in the wild. Under the guidance of experienced and highly qualified instructors, you’ll learn the fundamentals of African flora and fauna, gaining the essential knowledge and skills needed to become a skilled field guide.

Details

The Apprentice Field Guide course in South Africa and Botswana offers invaluable nature knowledge through immersive experiences. Over 55 days, you’ll gain deep insights into the Southern African ecosystem, learning about plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and their interrelationships from expert instructors.

This course covers various aspects of field guiding: you’ll master orientation and navigation techniques, including using constellations for positioning. Hands-on lessons will teach you to handle a cross-country vehicle and navigate rough terrain safely. Additionally, you’ll receive training in South Africa’s geological and climatic conditions, tracking, animal behavior analysis, and the identification of native animals, plants, and trees.

In the heart of this wild and captivating landscape, you will gradually learn to identify numerous birds and animals by their calls. You’ll also gain valuable insights into the tourism industry and Africa’s history, enhancing your understanding of their relevance to the continent’s challenges and opportunities. Major conservation challenges today involve protecting species, maintaining natural habitat dynamics, and mitigating global environmental change. During your time in Southern Africa, you’ll learn how effective conservation is implemented, the measures used, and the factors influencing ecosystem development.

At the end of the course, you will take both a theory and practical test. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive the FGASA Apprentice Field Guide NQF2 certificate, previously known as the FGASA Field Guide Level 1 certificate.

Accommodation

During your course, you’ll stay at one to three out of six locations in Botswana and South Africa. At Makuleke, in South Africa, you’ll enjoy accommodation in stilt houses with a private bathroom. At the other camps, you’ll stay in two-man tents with access to shared bathrooms.

Each day includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The camps are powered by generators, allowing limited charging of electronic devices when the generators are operating. A laundry service is available for a small fee. Solar lamps and satellite phones are used for emergencies, as mobile reception is generally limited or non-existent. All camps feature a large common room for classroom sessions, meals, and group relaxation. None of the camps is fenced or accessible to tourists.

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

Click the link below to learn about upcoming start dates.

Services

• Placement in the course
• Assistance with travel arrangements
• Assistance with selecting travel insurance
• Assistance with booking flights
• Pre-departure information pack
• Risk coverage certificate
• 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

For 55 days:

• Kenya: 9.000 €
• Botswana/South Africa: 7.000 €

Note: The price stated above is an approximate value. Due to sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate of the South African Rand, the final price for this trip will be calculated at the time of enquiry based on the latest exchange rate.

Please apply here