Before arriving in remote northern Kruger National Park at Makuleke Camp, first-year student Bella Villaveva had never left the state of Nebraska. “Everything is exciting here,” she says with resounding enthusiasm, “because I had only ever been in the mid-west. I was a little scared as I didn’t know anything about what I was coming to, but it wasn’t for long because the instructors created a base for us, and our common interests united us.
Katie Campbell – study abroad student from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and completed the online Field Guide course via Zoom in August 2021. Now she’s happily on the ground at the remote Makuleke Camp.
“TK is simpler for foreigners to pronounce,” smiles Pridelands’ cook, Tsakani Masango. She’s happily been with EcoTraining since 2012 and is the permanent cook at Selati camp, but she also travels between camps when needed. “I love the bush, I love nature,” says vibrant TK, “and I love meeting people from so many different places in the world. It is very amazing.”
In this third blog in our series, we are following David Ullmann, from Germany, who is embarking on his dream of becoming a field guide. From deciding to become a field guide to touching down in South Africa to start with EcoTraining.
“When I arrived here in 2010, I wasn’t a bush person,” admits Vicky Maluleke, laughing out loud, “but it didn’t take long to become one, and I still love it here.” Camp Co-ordinator at EcoTraining’s Makuleke Camp in northern Kruger, Vicky, is from the local Makuleke village and has an exciting story.
In February, Liam Mueenuddin got the last spot on the 2022 Trails Guiding course. He was packed and on the ground, ready to start within two weeks. “I am loving the course with all my heart,” he says sincerely. “Wildlife has always been a passion of mine. I have wanted to work in the bush since I was ten years old, actually as long as I can remember.”
EcoTraining Senior Instructor, Craig Beaton, has worked in the bush – one way or another – for over 35 years. Starting as a Trails Guide in the Kruger National Park in 1986, he has come full circle to be an instructor on the current Trails Guiding course in progress at Pridelands.
The rhino story of South Africa is like a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are ups and downs, challenges, and triumphs. But at the crux of it, it’s the story of a species’ resilience and humanity’s ability to work together for great good.
Once upon a time, in the small village of Koroga. There lived Chief Paipo. Chief Paipo had a beautiful daughter for whom he was looking for a suitor. He sent word to all the animals in the wilderness to come and contend for his daughter.
If you are thinking, “Why would I want to become a bird nerd?” of all the animals in the African savannah? Don’t leave me just yet. Trust me; you will not be able to fight it. I have turned many sceptics into bird nerds. Just keep reading.
I used to be a city girl through and through, growing up in Munich, Germany. The older I got, the lesser I enjoyed the city life’s merits. I was looking for something else. I did not know what that was until I found it: reconnecting with nature in the African wilderness.
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.
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.
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