What do they sound like? How do they hunt and where do they live? Although these beautiful birds have unusual colours, a distinctive call and unique feathers, their camouflage and habits can make them hard to see when visiting Makuleke. Understanding their habits can assist us enjoy their unusual beauty.
There’s one for aspiring professional Field Guides, taking an entire year. There’s one specifically for birding enthusiasts, taking just seven days. And there’s an extensive range of other ones in between. EcoTraining’s practical courses and experiences can cater to many different needs, but they all guarantee one thing: intense quality time immersed in nature! EcoTraining graduate Wim tells the story of his 35-day Practical Field Guide course, which took him first to Karongwe and then to Pridelands.
The newly revised Second Edition of Robert’s Birds of Greater Kruger book was released! It is a fresh and new edition, from the introduction to new chapters, habitat descriptions, checklists, distribution maps, illustrations, and photographs—and it only took three hard years to revise.
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.
Being off the grid, Makuleke Camp runs on solar power and gas, with backup generator power for days like today. It’s heavily overcast and drizzling today, so the generator is buzzing reassuringly in the background. The camp is in a beautifully remote northern Kruger National Park, unfenced and off the cellphone reception grid. It’s a world of its own.
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.
Take our EcoTraining Quiz this week and test your knowledge of dung beetles.
South Africa is a haven for dung beetle species biodiversity. These industrious insects play a crucial role in ecosystem health by efficiently recycling organic matter. With over 700 different species found across the country, South Africa is a global hotspot for dung beetle diversity.
Makuleke is a stunning area of northern Kruger with ample photographic opportunities, and when paired with an Instructor that knows where to look and how to go about taking the photo you get a great photographic course.
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.
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.
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.