Specialist Course

Wilderness Trails

"A real bush adventure"

Price $700 USD

Course Type

Specialist Course

Country

South Africa

Duration

6 Nights

Location

Makuleke Concession Pafuri

This unique 6-day Wilderness Trails Skills course provides a perfect platform for aspirant or qualified guides or nature lovers, to discover and reconnect with meaningful wilderness encounters and the wilderness within. We firmly believe that the wilderness experience can be an inspiring cornerstone in the lives and careers of all those with a passion for nature and its inhabitants, developing a lifelong culture of conservation. We take pride in creating such opportunities … encouraging a deeper appreciation of wilderness or simply recharging your batteries!
The course may challenge some personal boundaries as we sleep wild under the stars, share wilderness experiences, and travel light with minimal supplies. It’s certainly more about depth than distance. The backdrop, of course, is traversing some of the finest and most remote wilderness regions of southern Africa on foot.

general information about the school course content start dates camps transfers price

general information

Why do the course?

While there are no formal subjects or lectures, the emphasis of the course lies on meaningful wilderness philosophy, low impact guiding skills and bush lore. The adventures are instructed by some of the most experienced trainer/guides in Africa, with a choice of stunning venues within the Makuleke Concession (KNP).
Lessons taught will not be found in any book, but learning will be “hands on”. Lessons include wilderness appreciation and the MIA (Minimal Impact Approach), situational awareness, setting up an eco-friendly camps and water purification, and ‘leaving no trace’ are but a few of the advanced skills you will learn.

about the school

Operating for 24 years, EcoTraining is the pioneer and leader in safari guide and wildlife training in Africa. EcoTraining is widely recognised by the safari industry for its credibility and standard of excellence in nature guide training. We offer accredited career courses, gap year and sabbatical programmes, nature programmes, high school and university study abroad programmes, custom courses and on-site professional guide training at safari lodges. All courses are run directly from EcoTraining’s unfenced bush camps in prime wilderness areas across South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. To date EcoTraining has trained over 11 000 people from 33 different countries around the world

course content

Some subjects and activities covered on course:

The PLAN for overnight stops

How to make an eco-friendly fire (you’ll have to come on course for that one…)
Minimal footprint – how to guide in the bush leaving little or no evidence of your presence
Minimization is maximizationWilderness Trails Skills
Wilderness – the importance thereof
Night watch
Planning for and collection of water replenishment
Mastering ‘Time’
Sounds of Silence – Facilitating a Wilderness Experience

Course structure
Day 1 Meet at Pafuri Gate (KNP) at 13H00. Vehicles will be left at the student car park. The course commences from car park. Sleep out in the bush.
Day 2 – 5 Sleep out on trail
Day 6 Students depart from the car park (Pafuri Gate).

start dates

2019

16 July 2019 - 21 July 2019

1 August 2019 - 6 August 2019

2020

4 April 2020 - 9 April 2020

27 June 2020 - 2 July 2020

19 September 2020 - 24 September 2020

2 October 2020 - 7 October 2020

camps

The sleeping arrangements at all our camps consist of two people sharing per tent. Single requests are required to pay double-rates. Women and men do not share tents unless booked as a couple.

Meals

Early morning wake-up (tea, coffee, biscuits, fresh fruit and cereal)
Brunch after activity (cooked breakfast and fruit salad)
Afternoon tea (light lunch/ sandwiches)
Dinner (balanced, warm plated meal with meat, vegetables and salad)

The Wilderness Trails Skills course takes place in the Makuleke Concession.

Makuleke

transfers

Departure from Johannesburg (1st day of course)
All EcoTraining scheduled BushBus transfers will depart from the Emerald Guesthouse on the first day of a course. The departure time is strictly 6am from the Emerald Guesthouse
Emerald Backpackers/ Guesthouse: (19 Halifax Rd, Kemptonpark)

Participants flying into Johannesburg (international and domestic) are advised to arrive the day before and overnight at Emerald
Backpackers/Guesthouse to ensure all passengers are on time for departure and the bus leaves as scheduled.
The guesthouse is within close proximity to OR Tambo International Airport and if supplied with your flight details, will collect you at no additional charge. They offer a range of accommodation options, to suit your individual requirements and budget. As the Bush Bus departs early morning from Emerald, overnighting at the guesthouse will help simplify your departure.

Please book directly with Emerald Backpackers/Guesthouse on [email protected]