Craig has been working with EcoTraining since 2010 and joined as a permanent staff member in 2019.
“I feel at home in the bush,” he says smiling, “and I like teaching. It’s fun, and it keeps me young and learning all the time. It’s all advantageous for me, and I enjoy feeling the enthusiasm from the students too.”
While Craig likes all training, his favourites are the Trails Guiding and the 55-day Field Guide courses. “It’s great to teach students from fresh,” he adds.
Contrary to expectations, Craig says it’s easier to train International students because they work hard and speak English well.
“I take my hat off to the students who arrive here and have never even been to Africa. They have a tough routine and a long day and work together well. They handle it all very well and get on with it. If an issue arises, we address it quickly, and it all works fine.”
Craig admits that the main challenge of the job is away from home for long periods. Instructors work six weeks on and two weeks off. However, working with people he’s never worked with is no issue. “We all get on well and have a common goal. The bush is a great uniter. Besides, our students are the future of the earth and conservation, and that makes what I do so rewarding.”
Instructor Diaries l Meet Craig Beaton
Craig has been permanently part of the EcoTraining team since 2018 and has worked as a freelancer instructor since 2011 at most of EcoTraining’s camps.
Craig feels at home in the bush and is entirely in his element when he gets to train students. Students are very receptive, which makes his job as an Instructor so great.
About the Author:
Keri Harvey is a Travel Writer and Photographer.
For Keri, travel is life, like breathing. She is a modern-day nomad from her home in the Cape to Cairo, Abidjan to Zanzibar, into the Middle East, Europe and Asia. With about 50 countries visited date, her stories are told on blogs and websites and in over 3 000 magazine feature articles spanning over 20 years.
Previously an award-winning editor on various South African lifestyle, travel and wildlife publications, Keri has worked freelance since 2001 and published articles in over 100 magazine titles. Every day, Keri wakes up to write or to travel, and her greatest wish is to inspire people through her stories to pack their bags and allow the travel bug to bite.
