Trails Guide Course (28 Days)

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 theoretical and practical subjects covered on the course:

• Introduction to Trails Guiding
• Navigation and Orientation
• Situational Awareness
• Animal Behavior
• Animal Tracks and Tracking
• Bird Identification and Behavior
• Dangerous Game Knowledge & Behavior
• Walking in Dangerous Game Country
• Approaching Dangerous Game on Foot
• Rifle Handling for Dangerous Game
• Weapons Handling, Safety and Ballistics
• Possible 2 day navigational hike and sleep-out

start dates

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 Trails Guide course takes place in one of the following camps (depends on start date): Makuleke, Mashatu or Selati.

transfers

Scheduled Bush Bus Transfers

There will always be a scheduled transfer for the start and the end of all EcoTraining courses. These transfers come at an additional rate.

Departure from Johannesburg (1st day of course)

All EcoTraining scheduled Bush Bus transfers will depart from the Emerald Guesthouse on the first day of a course. The departure time is strictly 7am from the Emerald Guesthouse. Please arrive at departure point no later than 15 minutes prior to departure.

Participants flying into Johannesburg (international and domestic) are advised to arrive the day before and overnight at Emerald Guesthouse to ensure all passengers are on time for departure and the bus leaves as scheduled. Please book directly with Emerald Guesthouse on info@emeraldguesthouse.net.

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.

Drive time (from the relevant EcoTraining Camp):

• From Selati or Karongwe Reserve: approx. 5 hours
• From Botswana: approx. 7 hours
• From the Makuleke Concession (Kruger National Park): approx. 7 hours

Departure from Camp (Last day of course)

All EcoTraining scheduled BushBus transfers will depart from the relevant EcoTraining camp on the last day of a course. The departure transfer time is strictly 8am from all camps.

Please expect a late afternoon arrival back in Johannesburg. Drop off can be arranged at OR Tambo International Airport or Emerald Guesthouse only. Please book late evening flights (preferably 20h00 and onwards). Alternatively, please arrange post course accommodation at Emerald Guesthouse.

qualifications

EcoTraining Back-up Trails Guide/ ARH Certificate and FGASA Back-up Trails Guide/ ARH Qualification

If you want to attain the FGASA Trails Guide back-up qualification as well as the Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) qualification presented on this course, you must:

• Have a full FGASA Field Guide Level 1 qualification (inclusive of a First Aid qualification)
• Have an accredited PFTC (Professional Firearm Trainers Council) (was SASSETA) accredited Rifle Proficiency certificate before you arrive on course (www.pftc.co.za ). If you need further information on PFTC, please ask for our full PFTC information document.
• Have paid all your FGASA fees (current membership fees and exam fee)
• Be prepared to undergo the FGASA ARH qualification. Please note we offer limited training as part of the course, hence any rifle training you can do beforehand, will go a long way in giving you confidence with a rifle

price

Price 2024/25

ZAR 73,740 per person

*Please note that the official price for this course is in ZAR as above. Any other currency price for this tour is merely indicative. The ZAR price will be converted to your preferred currency using the exchange rate on the date of invoice.

Price includes:

• Accommodation (sharing)
• Full meals
• Tea/coffee
• Instructors and Training
• FGASA registration, exam fees and workbooks
• Bush walks
• Open vehicle drives and specialist trainer/s.

Price excludes:

• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages (beer, ciders, bottled water)
• Kruger National Park entrance fee (only applicable if the course is at the Kruger Makuleke camp)
• First Aid course
• FGASA certificate (postage)