Guide Course Kenya: Safari Guide

Being interested in nature and to be willing to learn more about Kenya’s flora and fauna is essential in order to join the course. Furthermore, you need to be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver’s license and have solid English skills to be able to communicate with others and to understand the instructions given to you.

As Kenya’s climate can sometimes be extreme and daily activities may be demanding, it is very important to be physically fit. Therefore, you are supposed to hand in a doctor’s certificate proving that you are fit enough to successfully master the daily activities. Obtaining travel health insurance for the duration of the course is also necessary.

Last but not least you may need a visa to enter Kenya. Depending on the duration of your stay the requirements might vary. You should check out your country’s foreign department’s website for the visa standards or reach out to the Natucate team.

Prior to your departure the Natucate team will support you during your preparation.

On site in Kenya, there will be professional instructors supporting you and guiding the team. Transportation within the course (if camp change takes place) as well as the pick-up from the meeting point to camp is also included. Moreover, your accommodation and food will be provided.

Furthermore, you can contact the Natucate team 24/7 during your stay.

If you are travelling from a country where Yellow Fever is present you will need to prove you have had the inoculation. Otherwise, you do not need special vaccination by law to enter Kenya.

In any case, we recommend making sure that you are vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella before departing to Kenya. Moreover, you should pack special medication you need as health care in the country may not be sufficient.

You should also consider vaccination for hepatitis A and if you want to stay longer even hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and Covid-19. Please note that in Kenya infectious diseases like malaria are present. This is why you should consider taking medication as a prophylactic measure.

We strongly advise you to consult your doctor about any dangers, vaccinations, and protection measures for Kenya around three months prior to your departure to Africa. Moreover, you should check out the website of your country’s Federal Foreign Office to get the most recent information about possible travel and safety advice.

Last but not least, travel health insurance coverage is compulsory when participating in any of our courses.

It is important to pack outdoor clothing like hiking boots/appropriate walking shoes, long light pants, and something to cover your head to protect it from the sun. Please make sure to pack clothes in “bush colours” (khaki, brown, grey, green).

It is also advisable to pack some warmer clothes for the nights/for temperature variations. Don’t forget to bring along sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, writing utensils, a daypack, binoculars, and a torch/headlamp.

Don’t bring too many valuables with you: They may get damaged plus there’s the risk of theft at the airport or in large cities.

We will provide you with a detailed packing list before the course starts.

We recommend taking a closer look at the following books (in English) in order to start getting prepared for the course:

• Helfer Herbert, Tana: A Safari Guide To Kenya
• Dharani, Najma: Common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa (3rd Edition)
• Stuart, Chris; Stuart, Mathilde: Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa
• Rozwadowski, Bogdan; Rozwadowski, Stefan: The East African Safari Quiz Book
• Stevenson, Terry; Fanshawe, John: Birds of East Africa (2nd Edition) (Android & iOS smartphone app also available and highly recommended)
• Emmet, Megan; Patrick, Sean: Game Ranger in your Backpack
• Lonely Planet of Kenya

We will provide you with a more detailed book list before the course starts.

In case you can’t attend the course, getting travel cancellation insurance beforehand is advisable. There are also options for insurances if you have to quit your stay earlier.

Your flight should arrive in Nairobi. We will support you in finding a good flight, but you need to take care of the actual booking yourself.

You should arrive in Kenya’s capital one day prior to the official start of the course and spend one night a hostel, preferably Wildebeest EcoCamp. Wildebeest EcoCamp also the official meeting point from which you and the other course participants are picked up and taken to your camp the next morning.

Nature determines the daily routine. You will get up with the sun to go on your first excursion of the day (game drive or game walk). For lunch you return to camp, eat together with your group and join classroom lessons. Afterwards, you will have some time off to discuss learn material and relax. In the afternoon, after some coffee and tea, you will go on your second bush excursion. You will retreat to your camp at sunset. Depending on the course you will deal with all kinds of topics regarding safaris, conservation, animal protection, trailing, and tracking.

Note: The course is always subject to fluctuations and cannot be precisely determined. The time that a camp change takes place is dependent on many different factors like the start date of the course or other spontaneous reasons. Furthermore, activities – especially additional activities like night drives or sleepouts in the wilderness – always depend on the area of operation, the season, weather, and the start point of the course. Participants must also assume that significantly less activities take place during exams.

In the camp there will be up to 18 participants plus staff members. Course activities will be conducted in sub-groups plus staff members.

Please find more information by visiting the following camp information site:

Camp Mara (Kenya)

Yes, in general it is possible to get accommodated with a travel partner. Please make sure to inform us ahead on time.

You will be provided with three to four balanced meals per day. The menu may repeat weekly but will always be freshly prepared. You will enjoy meals together with the other participants in the great dining hall. You will also receive water, coffee, and tea all day long. If you like, you can purchase extra drinks or snacks on site.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-, lactose- and soy-free food is available and well-implemented. Please inform us early enough so the team on site is given time for arrangements.

During the Safari Guide course you will have some spare time on the weekend or in the afternoon. You may also have one or two individual off-days during the course.

You can use your leisure time to get to know the other participants, to relax or to study. Books can be borrowed from the camp library. On longer terms you can also undertake excursions. It is up to how to plan your free time.

There is a team on site which will always support you, answer your questions and help you with any kind of problem. Furthermore, the Natucate team offers a 24/7 emergency service.

Travellers’ cheques can only be cashed in Nairobi. Visa entry fees should be paid in US$. Local purchases must be made in Kenyan Shilling. Shilling is easily obtainable at currency exchange bureaus at the airport or on the way through town but not near camp. There are no ATM or credit card facilities close by.

Cash can be easily exchanged or withdrawn in cities or at the airport (look for ATMs). Don’t forget to check with your bank that you can withdraw money with your bank card in Kenya.

The camp can accept either US$ or Kenyan Shilling. Food, accommodation, and transport is taken care of, but you will need extra money for exam fees, external transfers, optional excursions, tips, additional snacks and beverages, laundry fees, or souvenirs.

To give you an idea of the costs for drinks, optional excursions, and other factors:

• Beer: 300 shillings
• Soda: 100 shillings
• Glass of wine: 200 shillings
• Gin Tonic: 400 shillings
• Excursion to Mara Triangle: 80 USD
• Camping in the Triangle: 20 USD
• Excursion to Rhino Sanctuary: 10 USD
• Village visit: 20 USD
• Market visit: amount depends on individual
• Exam fee: 40 USD
• Expected tip for staff: approx. 120 USD per participant

As an approximate measure, we recommend a total of 300-400 USD pp on site for your stay in the course.
It is also advisable to carry some extra cash for emergencies with you. However, especially in cities you shouldn’t have too much money with you.

Kenya has a well-established cellular network with different suppliers. You can buy a prepaid Safaricom sim card at the airport (top up airtime can be purchased at the airport and or on route to the camp). There’s good coverage in some places of Mara Training Centre and airtime is very affordable. However, you should let your family and friends know that you won’t be within reach for some time. For emergencies, Mara Camp is equipped with a satellite phone.

The Mara area is located just south of the equator, but at an altitude between 1,500 and 1,900 m. The climate here is pleasantly warm all year round. From October to March, temperatures are slightly higher, while being slightly cooler from June to August. At night it can become a little cold, and the temperatures can drop below 10°C. This is the case especially from June to August.

All in all, the days are usually hot and dry and the nights are quite cool. Clothing should be light for the day and warm for the evening game drives and sundowners followed by the night game drive home.

When being out in the African wilderness, attention and awareness is always required. When going on a game drive or bush walk, an experienced guide will always accompany you and your group and will of course communicate when you need to be extra cautious.

In general, there is no reason to be too worried. Dangerous or poisonous animals don’t often come too close to humans and only show aggressive behaviour when being attacked. However, it is always essential to you listen to your guide’s instructions and follow the rules.

Yes, each participant will receive a confirmation of participation for the course.

If you decide to obtain a qualification and successfully complete the exam at the end of the course, you will also receive the KPSGA Bronze Qualification (exam fees not included in the course fee).

Yes, absolutely. Participating in the Kenya Safari Guide course is for personal enrichment and education and does not obligate you to receive the KPSGA qualification.

KPSGA is short for Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. KPSGA is an examining body whose aim is to improve the quality of driver guides for the Kenyan tourist industry. Tourists expect and are entitled to be accompanied by qualified guides during their visits to Kenya. The KPSGA is committed to ensuring that this is the case.

When attending the Safari Guide course, you can attempt the KPSGA Bronze Qualification.

On site you can register for the KPSG exam with the instructor. This exam is open to all and is not nationality dependent. The exam fee is 40 USD. The exam consists of 100 questions which must be answered in 60 minutes. If you reach 60% you pass the exam.