After eight weeks of online theory and a 35-day practical, it all comes down to the final assessment drive. More than just an exam, it’s a real game drive where you apply everything you’ve learned—just like a true Field Guide. And after three hours, that’s exactly what you’ll be. In this story, Belgian graduate Wim shares what an incredible feeling that is!
A practical course at EcoTraining takes a healthy dose of commitment, thorough studying and quite a bit of elbow grease. But once you’ve invested all that time and effort, that magical moment comes when all the hard work is about to pay off. The final week on a 35-day practical really is something quite special. In this story, Belgian graduate Wim looks back on his ‘final straight’, in a story full of achievement and happy moments that would create ever-lasting friendships. The kind of story, really, that only the bush can tell…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study wildlife conservation and accredited field guide courses at any of our pioneering African training camps.
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 unique safari destination that offers
visitors an immersive and unforgettable
experience.
Offering a diverse and rewarding
learning environment, teeming with life
and rich in ecological variety.
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.
We are excited to announce the launch of EcoTraining’s most exclusive learning experience, located in the Selinda Spillway.
What makes it special?
This is your chance to learn in one of Africa’s most untouched ecosystems without giving up comfort.
