The aim of EoTraining's 28 day Trails Guide course, is to develop and practice skills pertaining to backing-up and leading walks in dangerous game country. It is conducted in a different, wilder area and therefore provides a more authentic Field Guide experience. The majority of the time on this Trails Guide Back-up course is spent exploring the wilderness on foot. This course gives grounding to conduct bush walks in big game country and has an emphasis on safety.

This course is not only available to Field Guides. It is open to anyone who wants experience or opportunities of walking in a wilderness area and improving personal skills.  Skills gained on this course can be used anywhere by anyone.  The course content is the same for everyone, regardless of existing qualifications. However if a FGASA Back-up qualification is what your after you will have to attain a full FGASA Level 1 before coming on the course.

EcoTraining pride themselves on their conservation ethics, personal responsibility and safety at all times. We are confident that you will leave the EcoTraining Makuleke Trails Guide Back-up Course with a lot of new skills.  Your environmental knowledge, situational awareness and environmental appreciation will increase exponentially while on course, whether you are a career guide working towards a qualification or attending for self satisfaction and learning. The 24 000 ha Makuleke Concession hosts 75% of the biodiversity of the Greater Kruger National Park, which makes walking in this area very special and rewarding. 

Subjects covered in this course include:

• Introduction to Trails Guide course
• Navigation & Orientation
• Tracks and Tracking
• Walking in Dangerous Game Country
• Situational awareness
• Approaching Dangerous Game on Foot
• Dangerous Game Knowledge & Behaviour
• Animal Behaviour
• What a Trails Guide Carries in a Backpack
• The Role of the Back-Up
• Post Incident Management
• Birding & Bird Identification
• Historical Human Habitation
• Shot Placement
• Rifle Handling for Dangerous Game
• Guiding Ethics
• Weapon Handling, Safety & Ballistics
• Wilderness Concepts
• Radio Procedures
• FGASA Rifle Handling and Back-up Trails Guide (qualification opportunities)
• Tests and Evaluations
• Possible 2 day navigational hike and sleep-out

Tests, presentations and assessments:

• 1 x Theory Test (end course)
• 1 x Field Observation Test
• 1 x VPDA Scenario
• 1 x Navigation & Orientation test
• Course Activity Preparation (throughout course)
• Hospitality – Boma dinner assessment
• Rifle Handling Safety Assessment
• FGASA Trails Guide Exam (where applicable)
• FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling Assessment (where applicable)
• FGASA and EcoTraining Back-up assessment
• FGASA and EcoTraining Lead assessment

The course includes daily lectures; however the emphasis is on practical learning with morning and afternoon walks incorporating all the subjects mentioned above. Students are encouraged to lead the walks, with Instructors mentoring and coaching which provides students with the experience and confidence to walk in any bush environment. Some activities will start with a drive to a location, which gives students a chance to show their driving/guiding skills. Students, who pass the EcoTraining Rifle Handling safety assessment, will then carry a rifle (dummy rounds) as lead or back-up role with Instructors mentoring and coaching. The course is designed to allow students the freedom to make their own decisions whilst leading walks and ensuring that the course objective are attained.

Certification and Accreditation

EcoTraining Back-up Trails Guide Certificate and FGASA Back-up Trails Guide Qualification

Please Note:

• We offer limited rifle handling training as part of the course, therefore any rifle training you can do beforehand, will help you in attaining the ARH qualification.

Have you considered attending our Advanced Rifle Handling course prior to your Trails Guide course. Why not make use of the additional practise time, sharpen your rifle handling skills and complete the assessments, all before the start of your Trails Guide course? Click here to find out more.
 

FGASA Trails Guide back-up - If you want to attain the Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) qualification as well as the FGASA Trails Guide Back-up qualification presented on this course, you must have the following:

Cost:  Venue:  Kruger Park Makuleke Camp or Mashatu Camp Botswana

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If this is your dream or passion, allow us to help you fulfil that dream. After all, there is no time like the present. Contact us.