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Field Guide

Read the latest posts from EcoTraining and immerse yourself in our natural world. Explore the wild, learn about conservation, discover our camps, join us in spotting wildlife and so much more.
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Giant Landscape Architects

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.

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Animal Encounters on an EcoTraining Course

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.

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Cheetah Conservation in Action

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.

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Career Pathways Beyond Field Guiding

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.

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The Unique Southern Ground Hornbill

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.

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About the Professional Field Guide Course

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.

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Through the Eyes of a Media Intern

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!

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Top Myths About Being a Guide

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.

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Blog

Selati Game Reserve On Foot

Have you ever been on a bush walk in Selati? What’s so great about going out on foot? Everything! You can focus on the little things. Walk on animal paths, see what they see, smell what they smell.

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wild dogs
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Empowering Future Conservationists

As the world unites to celebrate World Animal Day, EcoTraining, Africa’s leading field guide training institution, underscores the urgent need for global action to protect wildlife. With increasing threats to biodiversity, EcoTraining’s mission to empower future conservationists has never been more critical.

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Find a camp

Study wildlife conservation and accredited field guide courses at any of our pioneering African training camps, around Africa.

Enter your wildlife career. Explore our camps.

Mara Training Centre

Located on the banks of the Mara river,
the camp is nestled between communities
and wildlife conservancies.

Makuleke Concession

Explore the untamed wilderness of Kruger
National Park’s Makuleke Concession
with EcoTraining.

Mashatu Game Reserve

Located at the confluence of the Limpopo
and Shashe Rivers, in the eastern
corner of Botswana.

Pridelands Conservancy

A natural wonderland with free-roaming
elephants located in the Limpopo
Province of South Africa.

Selati Game Reserve

A sanctuary for wildlife, providing visitors
an opportunity to witness Africa’s
animals in their natural habitat.

Karongwe Reserve

A unique safari destination that offers
visitors an immersive and unforgettable
experience.

Start your wildlife career

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.