Makuleke camp in the Kruger National Park is a special place. Amidst the pristine landscape of the northern Kruger National Park, the EcoTraining camp is tucked away from the crowds and hustle of the southern section and filled with awe-inspiring beauty among the ancient baobab trees, the lala palm trees, and the yellow fever tree forest.
As a kid, I remember camping out in the garden with my brother, no parents allowed, and I have happy memories of a father, daughter camping trip, and ever since, I’ve loved camping. I have been lucky to go camping in many pristine natural places, from the remote Alaskan wilderness to the African bush.
There are four Terrestrial Planets in our Solar System. These Planets happen to be our closest neighbors and the closest to our Sun. They are also known as the Inner Planets. They are Mercury, Venus, Mars, and of course our home Earth. Scientists think that during the formation of our Solar System there were more than likely more Terrestrial Planetoids but that they either merged with each other or were destroyed.
Beyond our Solar Systems’ first asteroid belt, four massive Planets are located. These are known as the Outer or Jovian Planets. Jovian Planets are any Jupiter-like Planets which means that in our Solar System, these four Planets are known as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These Planets are known as the Gas (Jupiter/Saturn) or Ice (Uranus/Neptune) Giants of our Solar System.
In our Solar System, there are currently five recognized Dwarf Planets with many more waiting to be discovered or confirmed. These are in order from Earth – Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. Like the other Planets these are all named after Gods and Goddess, although interestingly not just after Roman or Greek Gods.
The Painted Wolves are also known as the African Wild Dog or Cape Hunting Dog are beautiful, elegant, slim line, cross-county athletes. Built for hunting, speed, distance, and endurance.
Of all the antelope that hang around EcoTraining Selati Camp, the Nyala are the friendliest. Whilst the Kudu and the Impala will stare at you for a split second, alarm call and run away, the Nyala will just stand there, staring at you with those expressive, big black eyes and massive eyelashes. Sometimes; if you’re lucky they will calmly walk close to you.
The sun has just started to rise, peeping its head above the horizon, and with it, the dawn chorus starts to sing. This sound gently stirs me from my sleep.
The short bushveld winter has now officially ended in the South African bush. Days are getting warmer and the nights aren’t as cold as they once were. This is the time of year when we eagerly await the first storm. Will it come on time or will it be late? Only Mother Nature has the answer.
Unicorns, mythical beasts that are confined to fairy tales and children’s storybooks, right? Wrong. If you come to South Africa and look deep into the African bush you might just see one. No, I’m not talking about the fabled horses/goat type animal with flowing manes and a single horn, but rather something that is more prehistoric, a critically endangered herbivore, a mammal with stunning grey skin, and two beautiful but deadly horns.
Study wildlife conservation and accredited field guide courses at any of our pioneering African training camps, around Africa.
Located on the banks of the Mara river,
the camp is nestled between communities
and wildlife conservancies.
Explore the untamed wilderness of Kruger
National Park’s Makuleke Concession
with EcoTraining.
Located at the confluence of the Limpopo
and Shashe Rivers, in the eastern
corner of Botswana.
A natural wonderland with free-roaming
elephants located in the Limpopo
Province of South Africa.
A sanctuary for wildlife, providing visitors
an opportunity to witness Africa’s
animals in their natural habitat.
A unique safari destination that offers
visitors an immersive and unforgettable
experience.
Want to become a field or nature guide? Explore our immersive courses and training programmes for professional safari guides and guardians of nature, taught and led by experts in the industry.
EcoTraining offers career and accredited courses, wildlife enthusiast courses, gap year programmes and customised group travel courses.
Join our nature-loving community.