When I think about summer, the text line “Summertime and the Living is Easy” from Ella Fitzgerald immediately pops up in my head. We all know the feeling a beautiful summer can give us: long sunny days, a relaxing vacation, good vibes, food, and music. You might get it already, a summer in the African bush looks a little bit different. Nevertheless, it is extraordinary and challenging in many ways.
The early morning sun peeks over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the African savanna. As I sip my coffee, I feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for the adventure that lies ahead. Today, I will experience the magic of a safari in South Africa—a journey that promises to be unforgettable.
Conservationists have been working for decades to find ways to keep these gigantic landscape architects safe. Elephants communicate with each other using sounds, including sounds with very low frequencies (infrasound). Elephants are so intelligent that scientists are confident they will find ways to communicate effectively with these animals in time. Infrasound is a promising way to do this.
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.
International Cheetah Day aims to raise awareness of the threats the cheetah faces. While they are famous as the fastest land mammals, they are vulnerable to larger predators, habitat loss, and poaching. International collaborations between governments, NGOs, and other organisations have contributed significantly to cheetah conservation in action.
What can you expect from a day in the bush as a field guide student with EcoTraining? You will LOVE your stay at our camps because every day looks the same. Sounds boring? We can promise you that it is not. NEVER. Because the bush is full of surprises every day at every time. Structure is a lovely way to focus on what is really important here.
Becoming a certified field guide is often seen as a dream job—immersed in the wild, leading guests through unforgettable encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife, and spending every day surrounded by nature’s untamed beauty. Yet, many don’t realize that earning a field guide qualification is much more than a passport to life on safari and in the bush; it’s a gateway to many diverse and fulfilling careers. The skills, knowledge, and passion gained through field guiding can lead to impactful roles across conservation, tourism, and beyond.
The southern ground hornbill is a unique bird and a cultural icon. It is a big, black bird with red skin on its face and neck. Habitat loss, human-caused mortalities, and climate change threaten this distinctive bird. Several conservation initiatives are in place to protect these birds.
The yearlong course is designed to produce the highest-calibre guides possible, who can immediately go to work in the field. Students learn why certain insects, mammals, and birds behave in specific ways at certain times by living amongst the wildlife for the duration of the course.
Have you ever wondered how EcoTraining showcases the incredible environments in which their courses take place? The great photos and videos on social media come from dedicated media interns—enthusiastic and creative individuals constantly looking for captivating moments. Whether it’s a breathtaking wildlife sighting, students engaged in field observations, or an impromptu game of volleyball, these interns are there to capture it all!
One of the privileges of spending time in Makuleke is the tremendous diversity of birdlife. Although not everyone who begins their journey to becoming a guide with EcoTraining is a keen birder, there are so many fascinating birds to learn about that one is almost sure to fall in love with at least one of them. Some of the most exciting birds that inhabit the region are the Pel’s Fishing Owl, the flying fisherfolk of the night.
Today, we will unravel some of the top myths about being a guide; you might have heard some of these myths before. Lawrence Steyn delves into some myths about being a guide, what it means, what you can expect, and how to be great at guiding.
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.
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