Courses and Experiences Spotlight
6 Myths About Being a Guide
Are you dreaming of a career as a guide? However, you might have heard rumours about what makes an excellent guide and are still determining if this is for you.
Are you dreaming of a career as a guide? However, you might have heard rumours about what makes an excellent guide and are still determining if this is for you.
WildEarth TV is the closest you’ll ever get to a full-blown African safari without leaving your lounge. It’s 100 per cent live and riveting. The concept is life-changing and more addictive for nature lovers, who can enjoy real-time safaris twice a day – beamed to them from wild places across South Africa.
Makuleke camp in the Kruger National Park is a special place. Amidst the pristine landscape of the northern Kruger National Park, the EcoTraining camp is tucked away from the crowds and hustle of the southern section and filled with awe-inspiring beauty among the ancient baobab trees, the lala palm trees, and the yellow fever tree forest.
When I think about Africa, I think of a safari. I see people travelling worldwide to view the magnificent wildlife and scenic game reserves only Africa can offer. Some prefer to jump in their vehicles and explore the wilderness independently, while others feel more comfortable with a specialist guide. The upside of taking a guided safari is that you will be entertained and educated for the entire duration of your safari. An interpretive safari creates meaningful and unexpected encounters when you least expect them.
On 13 May 2022, 20 participants from BirdLife KZN Midlands met at 14h00 at the Pafuri Gate north of the Kruger National Park. We loaded our gear into two game vehicles (fortunately, one with a trailer) for the 45-minute drive to the EcoTraining Camp. We were allocated our tents on arrival, as everyone was keen to unpack and get going.
Jean-Louis Devaux’s life story should be a book. Born in France, he grew up in Malaysia, Indonesia and Africa and has lived in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gabon and the Ivory Coast. He’s lived in nine countries, and his English has hints of accents from all over.
In case you need to remember why Kenya became a top-class tourist destination in the first place, we want to remind you of all the positive aspects this country offers. We encourage you to add Kenya and EcoTraining to your travel bucket list.
From Sydney, Australia, Sam Bakel tried to convince himself not to come on an EcoTraining course. But instead, he signed up for the one-year Field Guide course and is so happy he did. He says, “the benefits and memories are just incredible.”
As you immerse yourself in new worlds of breathtaking habitats, learn, discover, and make a difference while embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with our one-of-a-kind wildlife & conservation gap year programs.
The vast, shimmering savanna, dotted with weather-beaten anthills, mountains, thorn trees and doum palms swaying on the banks of seasonal riverbeds, makes for a magnificent landscape. However, a battle for survival occurs in this vast expanse of remote, pristine, yet arid terrain in the north of Kenya and isolated pockets of Ethiopia. The Grevy’s zebra is rare and listed as an endangered species on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species.
It’s a splendid sunshine day in Pridelands, where wildlife wanders freely through and around the camp with no fences between the conservancy and the iconic game reserve. It’s a magical space to learn bush lore and reconnect with the essence of the natural world. It’s also a busy camp, with plenty going on all day.
Back up at Makuleke Camp, Rufus Cottrell is medium build with a prominent personality. From Kent in the UK, he has a wicked sense of humour and an unshakeable spirit of adventure. Rufus recently completed the one-year Professional Field Guide course, but he has plans beyond that. “I want to guide in Kenya, but if not, somewhere wild like Rwanda or Zambia.” And there’s little doubt he will do just that.
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.