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Wildlife and Nature Training Courses

We offer wildlife and nature courses that give students an understanding of wildlife ecosystems and their inhabitants. We provide students with practical exposure to the diverse aspects of the natural environment in a big game area under the guidance of an experienced instructor and tracker. In addition our courses focus on guest relationship skills and the safe conducting of game drives and walks in a big game environment. A Dynamic and dedicated team of professional trainers, all experienced in their fields carry out this exciting course. The company is owned by two highly experienced guides: Lex Hes and Anton Lategan. Lex brings more than 20 years of guiding experience into the business and is also a successful wildlife photographer and author. Anton has worked as a guide in some of southern Africa’s top game lodges and has traveled widely through southern Africa, visiting most of the remote wilderness areas in the region.

All courses are based on our successful 28-day “Certificate in Game Ranging” course which includes the following aspects: plant identification and medicinal uses of vegetation; identification, ecology and behaviour of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals; animal tracks and tracking; communication skills; rifle handling; approaching dangerous game on foot; and guide-client etiquette. The emphasis is on getting practical, in-the-field experience.

Whilst our courses are aimed at people who wish to learn about guiding with a view to entering the tourism industry, they are also suitable for young people who are looking for a learning holiday with a difference, with the opportunity to experience the African bush first-hand, on foot or in open 4x4 game-viewing vehicles. To partake in a course of this nature is an adventure on its own.

For those simply looking for a vacation with a difference, with the opportunity to experience the African bush first-hand, on foot or in open 4x4 game-viewing vehicles, we offer shorter courses that can be tailored to the needs of the guest. These courses can vary in length from 4 days to the full 28 days and are suitable for business people, holiday-makers

To add to our two flagship courses, the 28 day Field Guide Courses, we have developed a series of shorter specialist courses for those students, travellers and workers, who have limited time yet do not want to miss out on this unique experience.

All our courses consist of one or two lectures per day in our bush classrooms and morning and evening excursions into the remote wilderness areas from our bush camps. Sleeping out around a flickering fire under a canopy of stars in the bush, dining in dry river beds and sipping on coffee at dawn serenaded by the morning chorus of Africa's bushveld birds…its an awakening for the soul.

We operate in 3 exciting wildlife areas.

1. Kruger National Park camp - Makuleke (Level 2 course): This 25 000ha Makuleke concession is situated between the Limpopo and Levuvhu Rivers. This area forms the epi-center of the Transfrontier park between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The incomparable diversity of this area ranges from rivers inhabited by hippos and crocodiles, palm fringed pans, sheer gorges, fever tree forests and gigantic Baobab trees. Most of the mammal and bird species found in the Kruger National Park occur in this area. The camp will accommodate 20 people in canvas units on wooden decks, under massive Mashatu trees.

2.Formerly known as Karongwe, the Edeni Game Reserve is a 9 000 ha privately-owned game reserve situated in the Limpopo Province of South Africa just north of the Olifants River at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains. There are magnificent views of the Drakensberg mountains from various parts of the reserve. We have access to the full 9 000 ha of the reserve. The camp consists of walk-in Meru-style safari tents and shared bathroom facilities with accommodation for 10 students at a time. Through Edeni flow three rivers, which are tributaries of the Olifants River, carving their way through the bedrock and dividing the reserve. The vegetation of the reserve falls within the Savanna Biome of Southern Africa with distinct vegetation zones – Mixed Lowveld and Mopane Bushveld along with grass savanna, riverine vegetation and rocky outcrops – being represented. The Edeni Game Reserve has abundant wildlife with over 60 different mammal species including lion, leopard, elephant, white rhino and cheetah.

3. Selati Camp - Selati Camp is a simple camp situated on the bank of the Selati River in the 33 000ha privately-owned Selati Game Reserve to the west of Phalaborwa in Limpopo Province. The reserve has a variety of habitats including thornveld, open plains, riverine woodland and magnificent granite hills. A wide range of animals lives here, including lions, elephants, rhinoceros and leopard as well as plains game such as eland, sable antelope, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, kudu, impala and baboons and monkeys.The camp consists of simple dome tents, shared bathroom facilities and a communal area overlooking the Selati River. Students bring their own bedding and sleep on mattresses on the floor of the tents.

EcoQuest Course

This course is designed to provide a learning experience and incorporates certain aspects of the 28 day Field Guide course. It is primarily aimed at those who are looking for a more in-depth bush experience, without necessarily wanting formal qualifications. Attend EcoQuest if you are a student testing the waters for a career in this field or if you are an adventurous spirit wanting to gain a greater understanding of nature and the environment whilst experiencing the excitement of the bush.

This course consists of two components:
a) Learning about the fascinating large and small elements of nature, about the amazing variety of living organisms that exist in nature around us.
b) Experiencing some of the activities and daily experiences of a Field Guide.

You will learn about the behaviour and identification of many of the insects, spiders, scorpions, other small creatures and birds in our ecosystems. Then you learn about the underlying elements that support this amazing variety of life such as the geology, soils, plants and climate. While you study how the smaller organisms interact with one another and their environment, we have the opportunity to show you identification and behaviour of the larger wild animals that roam our wilderness areas. Depending on which camp the course is held at, all the big predators ranging from lion, leopard, and cheetah to spotted hyena may be seen and they prey on the variety of plains game species such as kudu, impala, duiker, nyala, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and warthog. Spending eight hours out in the bushveld every day provides countless opportunities to study the various animal tracks so that we can track and find the game on foot or by vehicle!

We show you how to drive a 4x4 vehicle, to identify birds, plants, trees, tracks and how to track animals. We teach you basic bush survival skills and how to navigate and orientate yourself in the bush. We show you what it is like to approach dangerous game on foot and how you should handle these situations. We teach you how to use binoculars properly and how to position a vehicle for photography. Many previous participants on this course have loved it so much that they have gone on to do our professional Field Guide qualification.

General subjects:
• Ecology
• Geology and soils
• Common trees and shrubs
• Animal tracks and tracking
• Bird identification and behaviour
• Animal behaviour
• Astronomy
• Amphibians and reptiles
• Orientation and navigation
• Bush skills
• Using binoculars correctly and positioning the vehicle for photography

Our EcoQuest course takes place at our bush camps which collectively open the door to 66 000 hectares of stunning wilderness landscapes teeming with game, including (depending on which camp you are at) buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard as well as antelope and a huge diversity of birds. The accommodation facilities and game reserves are authentic, with as little clutter to dilute the relationship between nature and our learners as possible. While learners are at our camps, we want them to co-exist in the environment, when sleeping we want them to hear elephants browsing on leaves and nightjars call right outside the tents at night. It’s all
about the bush.

Karongwe camp
Our Karongwe Camp is situated on the banks of the Karongwe River in the 9 000 hectare (22 239 acre) Karongwe Game Reserve, to the south-west of the Kruger National Park. Accommodation is in walk-in safari style tents with shared bathroom facilities. Karongwe is a good place for viewing leopard, lion and cheetah as well as elephant and white rhino. As the camp itself is unfenced, we often have fourlegged guests in the camp. Hyena make nightly patrols of the camp and are often seen by learners who choose to make one of the viewing decks their home for the duration of the course. Elephant, cheetah and lion have also made appearances on occasion.

Kruger Park Makuleke Camp
Our Kruger Park Camp is situated in the 24 000 hectare (59 305 acres) Makuleke concession in the far northern and most remote part of the Kruger National Park. The area is characterized by great biodiversity and a human history reaching to the remote past. Accommodation is in safari tents on wooden decks covered with thatch in the shade of nyala trees. Each unit has a verandah overlooking the bush and an ensuite bathroom with a flush toilet, shower and basin. Most of the animals that are found in the Kruger Park can be viewed in the concession. Large herds of buffalo and elephant are not uncommon and the birding in this incredible part of the Kruger
Park is unsurpassed. This camp is also unfenced in order to allow the animals free movement in their natural environment.

Accommodation - 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.

Meals -
Early morning wake-up - Tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit
Brunch after activity - Cooked breakfast, cereals and fruit
Afternoon tea - Light snacks
Dinner - A balanced, warm plated meal (Meat, vegetables and salad)

Typical Daily Itinerary
A typical daily programme at the camp follows a routine of rising early, usually before sunrise, enjoying hot coffee while you listen to the bush waking up and then leaving the camp for an outing into the wilderness. The outings are extremely flexible and determined by the unpredictability of what is found during the outing in combination with the subjects that have to be covered. The outing could be a game drive following up on the roar of a lion heard during the night or a walk, learning about the plant species occurring in the area. It could be a walk following fresh elephant tracks, learning how to track the animal and finding it or it could be a game drive to a waterhole where animals come to drink.
Learners return to camp in the late morning for a hearty brunch which is followed by a lecture on the subject of the day. Study and rest time is then followed by afternoon tea and another outing into the wilderness until sunset, if walking, or until well after dark if doing a game drive.
Afternoon outings could include night drives looking for nocturnal animals such as owls, bushbabies and leopards or it could be a walk looking for and learning how to identify interesting birds. It could be time spent studying the night skies or it could be a time for learners to test their 4x4 driving skills.
It is then back to the camp for dinner, stories around the campfire, discussing the day’s
experiences and wondering about tomorrow’s adventures.
The emphasis is on practical day-to-day experiences in the bush. The daily outings are flexible and may focus on specific subjects such as animal tracks and tracking, birds, plant identification or animal behaviour, or may involve game viewing and learning about the ecosystem in general.

Course Rates - 2009: R11 935.00 , 2010: R13 800.00
Rate includes:
• Lectures
• Game drives
• Walks
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Tea, coffee and cordials

Rate excludes:
• Transfer fee between camps
• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages
• Laundry - R45 per week in 2009. (R 50 in 2010)
• Kruger National Park entrance fee (only applicable if the course is at the Kruger Makuleke camp) R35.00 in 2009. (R 50 in 2010)

Please note: Due to continual increasing fuel costs and other, rates are subject to change without prior notice for un-paid bookings.

Deposit In order to confirm your booking, we require that a 40% deposit. The deposit amount is: 2009: R4 774.00, 2010: R5 520.00

PLEASE NOTE:
• The balance of the fees is due 3 weeks before the course starts.

Course Dates
2009- 24 June – 7 July (Makuleke and Karongwe), 2 September – 15 September (Makuleke and Karongwe)
2010 - 17 February – 2 March (Makuleke), 23 June – 6 July (Makuleke and Karongwe), 6 – 19 October (Makuleke and Karongwe), 17 – 30 November (Makuleke)
A minimum of 4 persons are needed for this course to run. In the event that bookings do not reach this minimum number, participants will be advised and their deposits returned. Alternatively there will be the option to attend a future course. We will advise you of these 3 weeks prior to the course start date.

Recommended Reference Books / Field Guides
Purchasing all the books listed below is not expected. The camp has a library with a copy of each book but if shared amongst learners, they may often be inaccessible. Should you want to purchase your own books, we recommend you purchase at least your own bird book, tree book and mammal book. That way you can refer to them on drives or in camp without having to wait to use the library copy.

• Sasol Birds of Southern Africa – Ian Sinclair; Phil Hockey; Warwick Tarboton
• The Wildlife of Southern Africa: A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region - Vincent Carruthers
• The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard Estes
• Trees of Southern Africa - Keith Coates – Palgrave
• Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - Piet van Wyk
• Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Braam van Wyk & Piet van Wyk
• Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Picker, Griffiths, Weaving
• Starwatching: a Southern Hemisphere Guide to the Galaxy - Anthony Fairall
• A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa - Johan Marais
• Guide to Grasses of Southern Africa - Frits Van Oudtshoorn
• Tracks & Signs - Chris & Tilde Stuart
• Birds The Inside Story - Rael and Helene Loon
• Beat About the Bush - Trevor Carnaby
• Beat About the Bush Mammals - Trevor Carnaby
• Mammal Guide - Burger Cillie
• FGASA Trails Guide Manual (if you are doing the Trails Guide Course) – Grant
Hine
Note: Books are available at:
www.fgasa.org.za (FGASA members only)
www.amazon.com
www.kalahari.net

Game Ranger Course

The Game Ranger Experience is for those people who want to learn some of the principles of managing wildlife areas for conservation and preservation of the ecosystems. Game Rangers are the custodians of our wildlife areas and are responsible for ensuring that our game and nature reserves are managed in a sustainable manner.
For people to understand what a game ranger does, it is very important to understand ecology which is that which we teach in our Field Guide Training.
Tasks include:
• Learners fill in observation forms which contribute to the collection of data which can be passed on to the game reserve’s management for their own use and the learners get to contribute to the authentic operations.
• Evaluating and monitoring all aspects of the ecosystem then applying management principles to ensure that the ecosystem is kept in balance.
• Active counting of animals by means of road strip counts and learning about other types of counting such as aerial counts.
• Learners are split into two teams to do 24 hour waterhole counts at two different waterholes. This will be exciting as it will combine a sleep-out with 24 hour observations.
• Learners are taught basic veld (field) condition analysis, which involves the identification of plants.
• There is a game capture activity involving the darting of large game.
• An anti-poaching subject involves local Shangaan trackers who set up snare lines which the learners have to find in a competitive game between the two groups.

Our Game Ranger Experience will give participants a taste of what it is like to be a game ranger and will focus on some of the more interesting aspects of the job including the counting and monitoring of animals, the maintenance of fences, the supply of water, and how to measure the physical condition of animals.

The difference between a true Game Ranger and a Field Guide.
Please note this to make sure you are attending the right course for the right reasons. A field guide is a person who leads tourists on trips into natural environments. Their job usually relates to ecology and nature. Field guides are open game-viewer vehicle guides in that they spend most or all of their time in wildlife areas and they often combine their driving activities with walking activities. The main role is to accompany tourists in the bush and to interpret nature in a meaningful and interesting manner. During a field trip you are a guide, teacher, friend, game warden, doctor, and storyteller and sometimes cook for your guests! The guide should provide interesting information about the environment in such a way that the beauty, joy and wonder of these natural areas are revealed to the guests. Guests should leave with a new awareness of nature and the importance of conservation having had fun developing this awareness. The term game ranger has, up until recently been used in the safari industry to refer to field guides. Strictly speaking, a game ranger is a person who manages wildlife areas such as national parks and game reserves. His duties usually do not include guiding, but will involve such activities as game counting, fence repairs, anti-poaching work and all that outlined above in this course description. You will still be exposed to and interact with the big and small game in our game reserves and learn some basic information about game and wildlife.

Course Rates - 2009: R17 135.00 per person (minimum 6learners, maximum 18)
Should there be fewer than six interested, either the course can not be held or we may contact you to find out if you are willing to pay a higher amount for a smaller class on course.

Rate includes:
• 2 x Experts in game capture and poaching
• Lectures
• Game drives
• Walks
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Tea, coffee and cordials

Rate excludes:
• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages
• Laundry R45 per week in 2009
• Kruger National Park entrance fee (only applicable if the course is at the Kruger Makuleke camp) R35.00 in 2009
Please note: Due to continual increasing fuel costs and other, rates are subject to change without prior notice for un-paid bookings.

Deposit - In order to confirm your booking, we require that a 40% deposit be paid The deposit amount is 2009 : R6 854.00
PLEASE NOTE: The balance of the fees is due 3 weeks before the course starts.

Course Dates 7 – 20 October 2009

Bird Training - Lawson’s Birding Academy

We are pleased to announce that we are again conducting these Bird Training Courses in the Makuleke concession in the Pafuri area of far north Kruger National Park. Bruce and Dee Lawson are now continuing
these courses. .

Dates: 2009 - 4 – 11 March, 18 - 24 November, 9 - 15 December - 2010 - 10 – 16 February, 3 – 9 March, 19 – 25 May (Advanced), 1 – 7 September (Advanced), 10 – 16 November (Advanced), 1 – 7 December, 8 – 14 December (Advanced)

Course Duration: 6 nights (arrival 2pm on day 1 and early departure on final day)

Venue - Makuleke Camp in the far northern Kruger Park
This area is one of the last true wilderness areas in South Africa and a very special place. Whilst the summer months are always great for the migrants, birding in any month in this area is excellent. There is a wonderful diversity of habitats which attract a huge variety of birds. The camp itself is set in a lovely area shaded by huge Nyala trees, with each spacious tent having its own private ensuite facilities. The tents are raised on timber platforms, each with their own deck overlooking the surrounding bush. The accommodation is 2 people sharing per tent. It is an excellent area and the birding is just awesome!

Course Overview and Content
The Training Course (FGASA Accredited) has been designed to provide sufficient information and training for an individual to write the SKS Birding qualification with confidence, however it is suitably appropriate for any
person who wants to improve their bird knowledge and skills to enhance their guiding career or simply for their only personal benefit and enjoyment. It is also an excellent training opportunity for those interested in gaining the new FGASA Birding Specialist Qualifications.

Previous clients who have joined the course to prepare for their SKS Birding Exam, have all indicated to us that their success in their exam, was due purely to attending the course and the information and knowledge they gained. That is excellent news for anyone considering the Birding Course and the SKS Birding qualification.

Courses incorporate theory sessions during the day and practical bird identification sessions of early morning and late afternoon drive/walks. Theory sessions are held in the camp incorporating use of electronic media to add value and interest. Usually, there is a theory session after breakfast (after returning from morning practical walk or drive) and then again after a midday break and prior to the afternoon practical walk or drive. An extensive Training Manual is provided, however we recommend participants bring notepad/book/pens to
take further notes, your own bird field guide (various bird books are provided for use during the course) and most importantly good binoculars

Major Theory Subjects Include: Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, Zoogeography, Habitats & Environments, Bird Behaviours (Breeding, Chick Development, Feeding, Mating etc), Migration, Ethics/Conservation and Bird Identification.

Practical Field Sessions: The practical sessions in the field will assist you in knowing what to look for to successfully identify birds, also to point out the differences between certain 'difficult' species. Both sight id and call id is discussed during the practical sessions. The practical sessions, will be either walking or in an open game drive vehicle or a combination of both.

Course Assessments: The course includes both a Bird Slide Identification and a Bird Call Identification assessments on final full day. A written assignment handed out during the course is required to be completed, however, this is an 'open book' style and is to be returned to Lawson's Birding Academy upon completion, for marking. All course participants receive a Lawson’s ‘Certificate of Participation’ and those successfully passing all three assignments (slide/calls and written) will receive a Lawson’s ‘Certificate of Competency’. We are confident that any person attending our course will leave us more enriched and with greater confidence in being able to pass on the wonders and beauty of the South African birdlife to your clients or friends and family.

Your Trainer
Bruce Lawson is one of only a few, fully qualified professional guides with both FGASA Level 3, SKS Dangerous Game and SKS National Birding (THETA NQF6) and is also a FGASA Accredited Trainer and Assessor. Bruce, apart from his formal qualifications, is considered as one of the country's top birding guides. Where we utilize a second trainer, that person will also be a qualified SKS Birding Guide.

Course Costs - 2009: R5 925.00 per person (incl. VAT), 2010: To be advised
Course Costs include: accommodation (sharing), full meals, tea/coffee, extensive training manual, lectures,
bush walks, open vehicle drives and specialist trainer/s.

Excluded from that price is your drinks, laundry and entrance fee into Kruger National Park
o We will provide a variety of drinks, which can be purchased via an honesty system during the course and
are to be paid in cash at the conclusion of the course.
o Entrance Fee to the Kruger, is R33 (in 2008 and R35.00 in 2009) for the duration of the course, but you
must indicate you are attending a Training Course in the Makuleke concession, when entering Kruger
National Park. However, if you have a wild card, then no entrance fee applies.

Payment Terms: Bookings require a 10% Deposit to be paid, with the Application Form and full payment is required 4 weeks prior to the Course Commencement Date.
Please note: Due to continual increasing fuel costs and other, rates are subject to change without prior notice for un-paid bookings.

Mammal Course - Dr. Richard Estes

It is primarily aimed at those who are looking for a more in-depth look at mammals and their behaviour in relation to each other and their environment. Attend this Mammal course if you are a graduate testing the waters for a career or specialist in this field or if you are an experienced wildlife enthusiast. If you are University student or a professional in the fields of Ethology; Zoology or are a Wildlife Vet.

Course content
Day 1: Behavioural concepts
What mammals have in common as a class? Including the largely unconsidered role of the vomeronasal organ and its linkage with colour vision. How Africa came to have such an abundance and diversity of large mammals, especially bovids. Different kinds of social organisation and mating systems: divisible into four categories. Module 1, Introduction to ungulates

Day 2: Module 1 (cont’d) Ruminant ungulates

Day 3: Module 2: Non-ruminant ungulates

Day 4: Module 3: Carnivores

Day 5: Module 4: Primates

Day 6: Open discussions. Review of course material
Exam: true/false and multiple-choice questions picked from my Wildlife Campus course.

Day 7: All-day field trip and braai in the bush.

Text Reference Book - The Safari Companion. Revised and expanded edition, 1999. Chelsea Green, Post Mills, VT.

PLEASE TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST MALARIA
We are not permitted by law to give advice regarding medical information. However, learners should be aware that malaria occurs in the regions where our camps are situated. A visit to your local doctor/GP will provide you with the best options in terms of medical precautions. It is important that you use a good insect repellent

Where the course will be held
This workshop will be held at JayDee Bush Camp in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. JayDee is a private camp with five en-suite thatched bungalows, a fully equipped kitchen and a cook to cater all meals, a dining room, lounge, open braai area, a look-out and a swimming pool. The living area overlooks a waterhole and provides you with the ideal bush classroom to learn in.
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (beers, ciders, and soft drinks) are sold from the camp and can only be
paid for with cash. There are no credit card/debit card/cheque facilities. Please notify us when booking of what you would like to drink so that we can stock that for you at the camp.

There is fresh drinkable water from the taps and cordial fruit juices, tea and coffee is provided. There is
patchy cell phone reception at the camp. We are able to traverse across 12000 hectares of prime game area with regular sightings of lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino and general game. The birdlife is also excellent.

Temperatures at the camp
Our summers are warm to hot, with temperatures ranging from mid 20°C on the cooler cloud-covered rainy days, to the high thirties on average days. Occasional hot day’s temperatures exceed 40 °C. Winters are usually dry, with the average morning temperature of 6 °C, with occasional cooler morning temperatures, and warmer mornings when there is cloud cover. Afternoon temperatures average in the mid 20s, with ranges of 18 to 32 expected. Occasional winter showers prevail, but are unusual. Rain in the summer takes the form of heavy thunder-showers, or frontal rainfall over a longer period of time.

Daily programme
A typical daily programme at the camp follows a routine of rising early, usually before sunrise, enjoying hot cup of coffee while you listen to the bush waking up and then leaving the camp for an outing into the wilderness. The outings are extremely flexible and determined by the unpredictability of what is found during the outing in combination with the subjects that have to be covered. The outing could be a game drive following up on the spoor of a lion seen during the night or a walk, learning about specific mammal behaviour in relation to the area. It could be a walk following fresh elephant tracks, learning how to track the animal and finding it or it could be a game drive to a waterhole where animals come to drink and much interaction occurs. Returning to camp in the late morning for a hearty brunch which is followed by a lecture on the subject of the day. Study and rest time is then followed by afternoon tea and another outing into the wilderness until sunset, if walking, or until well after dark if doing a game drive. It is then back to the camp for dinner, stories around the campfire, discussing the day’s experiences and wondering about tomorrow’s adventures. The emphasis is on practical day-to-day experiences in the bush, focusing on mammal behaviour.

Meals
Wake-up to tea/coffee with biscuits and fresh fruit
¡ Enjoy a cooked breakfast, with cereals and fruit for brunch
¡ In the afternoon indulge with a few light snacks
¡ A balanced, warm plated meal finishes off the day for dinner

Course Date: 1to 7th November 2009, 8th to 14th November 2009

Course Rate: R 17 500.00 per person for 7 days. A minimum of 6 persons is needed for this course to run.

Rate includes:
• Specialist: Dr. Richard Estes
• Lectures and Course Material
• Game drives and Walks
• Accommodation and Meals
• Tea, coffee and cordials

Rate excludes:
• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages

Please note: Due to continual increasing costs, rates are subject to change without prior notice for un-paid bookings.

Deposit In order to confirm your booking, we require that a 50% deposit be paid.
PLEASE NOTE: The balance of the fees is due 10 weeks before the course starts.

Please note that all transportation before and after the course is extra.

Tracking Course

We partner with renowned tracking specialist and expert, Adriaan Louw, to provide an in-depth animal tracks and tracking course at our Wilderness camps. It is all about understanding and learning to interpret so much more about the bush and wildlife as learners search for, track and find game. The course outline is simple: the bush is the lecture room; the available tracks and sign, trails, and animals are what we work with. We alter between track and sign interpretation and trailing sessions. We start with the basics of trailing by trailing each other and as skills improve we start working animal trails. It is fun. It is hands on. It is life changing. The standard of this course can only be one of excellence as Adriaan is one of the most highly qualified trackers in South Africa. This sets this course apart from most courses of this nature.

Where are the courses conducted?
Our Tracking course takes place at our bush camps which collectively open the door to 66 000 hectares of stunning wilderness landscapes teeming with game, including (depending on which camp you are at) buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard as well as antelope and a huge diversity of birds. The accommodation facilities and game reserves are authentic, with as little clutter to dilute the relationship between nature and our learners as possible. While learners are at our camps, we want them to co-exist in the environment, when sleeping we want them to hear elephants browsing on leaves and nightjars call right outside the tents at night. It’s all
about the bush.

Kruger Park Makuleke Camp
Our Kruger Park Camp is situated in the 24 000 hectare (59 305 acres) Makuleke concession in the far northern and most remote part of the Kruger National Park. The area is characterized by great biodiversity and a human history reaching to the remote past. Accommodation is in safari tents on wooden decks covered with thatch in the shade of nyala trees. Each unit has a verandah overlooking the bush and an en- suite bathroom with a flush toilet, shower and basin. Most of the animals that are found in the Kruger Park can be viewed in the concession.
Large herds of buffalo and elephant are not uncommon and the birding in this incredible part of the Kruger Park is unsurpassed. This camp is also unfenced in order to allow the animals free movement in their natural environment.

Accommodation
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.

Meals
Early morning wake-up - Tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit
Brunch after activity- Cooked breakfast, cereals and fruit
Afternoon tea - Light snacks
Dinner - A balanced, warm plated meal (Meat, vegetables and salad)

Course Rate: 2009 - 15 – 21 April at Makuleke = R8 450.00, 24 – 30 June at Selati = R7 450.00, 5 – 11 August at Makuleke= R8 450.00
2010 - Rates to be confirmed

Rate includes:
• Lectures
• Game drives
• Walks
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Tea, coffee and cordials

Rate excludes:
• Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course
• Any accommodation before and after the course
• Beverages
• Laundry R45 per week in 2009. (R 50 for 2010)
• Kruger National Park entrance fee (only applicable if the course is at the Kruger Makuleke camp) R35.00 in 2009. (R 50 for 2010)
Please note: Due to continual increasing fuel costs and other, rates are subject to change without prior notice for un-paid bookings.

Deposit: In order to confirm your booking, we require that a 40% deposit be paid
2009 deposit - 15 – 21 April at Makuleke = R3 380.00, 24 – 30 June at Selati = R2 980.00, 5 – 11 August at Makuleke = R3 380.00

PLEASE NOTE:
• The balance of the fees is due 3 weeks before the course starts.

Course Dates: Course dates - 2009- 15 – 21 April, 24 – 30 June, 5 – 11 August
Course dates – 2010 - 3 – 9 February @ Makuleke, 14 – 20 April @ Makuleke, 4 – 10 August @ Karongwe,
8 – 14 December @ Karongwe, 15 – 21 December @ Selati
A minimum of 4 persons are needed for this course to run. In the event that bookings do not reach this minimum number, participants will be advised and their deposits returned. Alternatively there will be the option to attend a future course. We will advise you of these 3 weeks prior to the course start date.

Recommended Reference Books / Field Guides
It is compulsory to purchase Liebenberg's "A Field Guide to the Animal Tracks of
Southern Africa".
Purchasing all the books listed below is not expected. The camp has a library with a copy of each book but if shared amongst learners, they may often be inaccessible.
• The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard Estes
• A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa - Johan Marais
• Tracks & Signs - Chris & Tilde Stuart
• Mammal Guide - Burger Cillie
Note: Books are available at:
www.fgasa.org.za (FGASA members only)
www.amazon.com
www.kalahari.net

Cancellation Policy
Should you cancel your booking:
5 weeks or more before the start of the course, then 25% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
34 - 28 days before the start of the course, then 40% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
27 - 21 days before the start of the course, then 60% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
20 – 14 days before the start of the course, then 70% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
Less than 14 days before the start of the course, then 100% of the full course fee will be forfeited.