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71 Year Old Apprentice Field Guide Shares Her Journey in the Bush with EcoTraining
At the age of 71, Clare Wilson enrolled in an EcoTraining Career Course, packed her bags, and headed north for the bush.
At the age of 71, Clare Wilson enrolled in an EcoTraining Career Course, packed her bags, and headed north for the bush.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. A hot and humid early summer day in November 2020, the day my Field Guide Level 1 course started. Little did I know that from this day on, I would embark on a journey that would teach me so many things and make me leave my comfort zone. A journey that yet continues to last.
Growing up, I would imagine going on safaris as a live-action version of The Lion King, with wild animals interacting and living their lives, paying no attention to me. The two trips I’ve taken in the bush as an adult weren’t actually that far off from that image: I saw a ridiculous number and variety of animals from the safety of a game vehicle. My most recent experience – an EcoTracker course in Mashatu – was somehow entirely different, and even more magical.
People often confuse the terms “game ranger” and “field guide”. There is a difference, and here is why…
It’s a cool morning and I grab my coffee flask, flees jacket and camera. As the sun peaks over the dam wall, we lace up our boots and off we go into the veld in search of fresh signs of what happened the previous night…
With your training complete where will you go next? If you are not going to be working in the bush, is the training even worth it? We think it is, and here is why.
Ask any birder to name the three best bird-watching destinations in South Africa and Pafuri will come up close to, if not at the top spot. The diversities of habitats range from two large rivers (Limpopo and Levuvhu) with the adjacent riparian forests, floodplains, ephemeral pans, mountains and woodland, each with a unique suite of plant life houses incredible numbers and species of birds.
“I made the decision to travel to South Africa. Upon arrival, I knew that I was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! No surprise that is exactly how it is playing out…” Student, Graham Ramon, gives us a glimpse into the first few weeks of his time on the Apprentice Field Guide course.
EcoTraining Professional Field Guide Student Jack Vicary shares his EcoTracker – Tracking & Trailing experience with us.
Based in South Africa, Albie Venter has been involved in professional wildlife guiding, wildlife management and eco-tourism since 1996 and we are very privileged here at EcoTraining that Albie managed to visit our camps on a regular basis. Here is a wonderful trip report of his most recent visit on a Wilderness Photography Course in the magnificent Makuleke.
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.
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