Wildlife Conservation Course (One Year Field Guide) Highlights

Where will I sleep?

The sleeping arrangements at all our camps consist of 2 people sharing per tent. Most of the tents are large walk-in safari style tents, with the exception of Selati camp which has smaller 2 man dome tents.

And meals?
The day starts off with biscuits, fruit or cereal with tea and coffee at sunrise before the morning activity. A hearty brunch consists of fruit, cereal and a variety of cooked breakfasts. High tea before the afternoon outing consisting of sandwiches and snacks to give you energy for your afternoon activity before returning to camp in the evening for a hot plated dinner of meat, vegetables and salads.

How do I get there and travel around?

There will be transfers from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to the designated camp at Kruger National Park. These transfers will take place on the course start and end date. (Some dates may not be available. If this is the case, your Pathfinders booking agent will confirm transfers for you)

When does it start and how long can I go for?

The course duration is One Year and available start dates for 2012 are 5 February 2012, 6 May 2012, 5 July 2012 and 3 October 2012.

What does the cost include?

• Accommodation, meals and activities
• Entry to Kruger Park (for Makuleke Courses)
• All FGASA registration, examination and moderation fees
• DEAT registration
• SASSETA Competency Certification
• Wilderness Medicine Course
• Transfers between the camps (excluding transfers to and from the camps before and after time-off)
• 3 x sets of uniforms (shirts and shorts)
• EcoTraining T-shirt, cap and beanie

Course fee excludes:

• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing and tips
• Flights, visas, travel and medical insurance (please note that emergency air evacuation is essential)
• Email and telephone calls during your stay (charged out at cost)
• Personal insurance cover for the duration of your placement which is expected to include cover for repatriation

Do I need experience, is there orientation?

A qualified instructor will brief you upon arrival and you don't need any experience, students do however need to be in possession of a valid drivers licence.

And support?
Throughout your course, you will have the full support and guidance of our coordinators and professional guides, who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

Anything extra I need to know?

Please see below an abbreviated course structure and an idea of what you can expect

• FGASA Field Guide 1 theory and Practical Assessment
• Rifle training; driving experience; frogging, lion on telemetry, elephant tracking
• FGASA Field Guide Level 2 Theory
• FGASA Trails Guide, Advanced Rifle Handling, View Potentially Dangerous Animals, Trails Guide Theory
• Tracking course
• Birding basics and Advanced Birding
• Wilderness Medicine: Level 1 and Level
• Encounters on foot
• Navigation and Orientation

In this One Year course, six months of theoretical and practical training with our highly qualified instructors in which you will complete various separate certificate courses should get you well prepared for four months of actual nature guiding at lodges with guests. We will place you at these lodges so that you can work with experienced guides to learn from them to and to learn on the job so that at the end of the years course, you are not only qualified but also experienced. By this time you will be a prime candidate and should be snapped up immediately by a lodge for a guiding job. This on-the-job component will give you the practical experience and opportunity to use all of your theoretical skills acquired in the first phase of training as well as building up your one year of experience required legally to write your next sequence of field guiding exams.