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Wim Doms

Living in Belgium and working in PR & Communications, at first glance Wim doesn’t look much of a Field Guide. However, many travels in Southern Africa with his partner Sofie have had quite the impact over the years. The couple fell in love with nature and wildlife so deeply, they finally took the plunge and registered for an EcoTraining course together. In 2023, they obtained FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualifications at EcoTraining Pridelands. Less than a year later, Wim started writing blogs for the EcoTraining website. (And don’t tell anyone, but we suspect he actually wears his khaki shirt and broome hat while he does so…)
Blog

Animal Encounters on an EcoTraining Course

Wildlife encounters. They make the most of all safari conversations. On an EcoTraining practical course, animal encounters are part of everyday life. But once you’ve spent that intensive time in the bush, learning so deeply about it all, you’ll never look at your animal encounters the same way. Moreover, you’ll value the small ones just as much as your spectacular meetings. In this story, Belgian graduate Wim lists four of the most interesting encounters in his course and how all-important situational awareness played a crucial part in them.

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field observation
Blog

It’s Not a Pony Camp

Let’s not beat around the bush: an EcoTraining course is no walk in the park. At EcoTraining, we prefer to portray our courses precisely as they are. Being honest and open always pays; incidentally, it also works best on the course. The workload may be huge, but good team spirit, sincere passion, and a healthy bit of elbow (and brain!) grease led to a wonderful sense of achievement. In this story, Wim points out a few tips & tricks to rise to that challenge.

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Blog

The people you meet on an EcoTraining course

Have you decided to take an EcoTraining course? Then, a wealth of information is available to take in beforehand. The course descriptions, enough pictures on social media to make you daydream for hours, packing lists, and videos on EcoTraining’s YouTube channel. You name it, it’s there! One thing you won’t be able to find out upfront, though – unless you sign up with a bunch of friends – is who will be the people joining you on the course. In this story, Wim reflects on the fantastic group on his 35-day Practical Field Guide course.

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student sitting in the game viewer
Blog

The first 24 hours on an EcoTraining Practical Course

There’s one for aspiring professional Field Guides, taking an entire year. There’s one specifically for birding enthusiasts, taking just seven days. And there’s an extensive range of other ones in between. EcoTraining’s practical courses and experiences can cater to many different needs, but they all guarantee one thing: intense quality time immersed in nature! EcoTraining graduate Wim tells the story of his 35-day Practical Field Guide course, which took him first to Karongwe and then to Pridelands.

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elephant sighting on foot
Blog

Open your workbooks

Some people look for a way to shorten the time needed to take an EcoTraining Practical Course. Some prefer taking their time to study the theory first. For others, it’s just a very appealing idea to learn more about the African bush from home. EcoTraining graduate Wim tells the story of his online course and how it opened up his path towards becoming a qualified Field Guide.

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elephant sighting
Blog

When the Bug Bites

The reasons why people embark on an EcoTraining adventure are different for everyone. For some, it’s a clear-cut path to a professional career in guiding or ecotourism. For others, it’s simply a way to immerse themselves more. But whatever the reason, and whatever the walk of life of the students, EcoTraining offers a course for everyone. EcoTraining graduate Wim looks back on how his EcoTraining adventure came to be.

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Find a camp

Study wildlife conservation and accredited field guide courses at any of our pioneering African training camps, around Africa.

Enter your wildlife career. Explore our camps.

Mara Training Centre

Located on the banks of the Mara river,
the camp is nestled between communities
and wildlife conservancies.

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Makuleke Concession

Explore the untamed wilderness of Kruger
National Park’s Makuleke Concession
with EcoTraining.

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Mashatu Game Reserve

Located at the confluence of the Limpopo
and Shashe Rivers, in the eastern
corner of Botswana.

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Pridelands Conservancy

A natural wonderland with free-roaming
elephants located in the Limpopo
Province of South Africa.

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Selati Game Reserve

A sanctuary for wildlife, providing visitors
an opportunity to witness Africa’s
animals in their natural habitat.

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Karongwe Reserve

A unique safari destination that offers
visitors an immersive and unforgettable
experience.

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Start your wildlife career

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.

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