Field Guide Level 1 Botswana - Carmen

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Name: Carmen

Age: 31

Course: Field Guide Level 1

Country: Botswana

Imagine waking up—not to an alarm, but to the piercing call of a francolin right outside your tent. The air is still crisp, the sky slowly changing colour. In the distance, a lion roars. You reach for your headlamp, slip into your shoes, step outside, and there you are: in Botswana. In the wild. In your new everyday reality.

Admittedly, more often than not, it was the alarm that jolted us out of deep sleep. But still, this is pretty much how every day begins on the Field Guide Level 1 course in Botswana. Raw nature, challenge, community, and a kind of training that goes far beyond what you might have imagined. I’d love to share a few insights and some do’s and don’ts—so your journey can become an unforgettable one too.

Between lions and learning pressure

The African bush has its own kind of pull—its own magic. At least it did for me. So it was clear: I wanted to return long-term. Gaining an official guiding certificate was also high on my list. Since I only had a limited timeframe, the four-week course in Botswana seemed perfect. I didn’t hesitate for long—booked and done.

If you think a four-week course is easier than the usual eight-week version, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you. There’s a lot of prep work involved, especially academic study at home beforehand.

From the very start, the support from Natucate was excellent: pre-departure briefings, clear deadlines, good communication, and group meetings with all participants. It made me feel well-prepared, especially knowing I was heading into an environment so unlike anything familiar. You could sense the team’s passion and their genuine commitment to both organising and accompanying you through the journey.

Arrival – Somewhere in the middle of nowhere

Okavango Delta, Botswana. A dream for every bush-lover. And the camp? Located in a private concession. Someone pinch me! Remote, wild, raw. Surrounded only by an elephant-proof fence. Showers? Yes—bucket showers, but at least with warm water. Relaxation? Through slowing down. Luxury? Yes—but in the form of untouched wilderness as your neighbour. I knew immediately: I’d arrived. Not at a hotel, but in a place where nature sets the rhythm.

Preparation is half the battle

The course itself? Intense. Really intense. And I say that as someone who’d already worked as a guide, came with prior knowledge, and was used to driving big game vehicles.

I quickly understood why we were advised to work through the workbook beforehand, why it helped to start learning bird calls early, or to revise key theory in advance. Trust me—it saves you so much pressure once you’re there. The days are tightly packed, and the amount of information is vast. And yes—it’s all in English. My English is strong, but try learning technical terms you’ve never even heard in your native language (think: digitigrade or monocotyledons).

Luckily, we had a brilliant group of people who genuinely wanted to learn. That support made all the difference. The group dynamic was incredibly motivating.

Whether it was tracking at sunrise, learning about plant species, or observing animal behaviour, everything happened outside. We learnt with the sun, the wind, and the stories the bush had to tell. And sometimes, nature treated us to something spectacular: elephants silhouetted at sunset, lions moving through tall grass, a curious hyena sniffing the Land Cruiser. The golden rule? Expect nothing. Appreciate everything. That phrase became my mantra. Sightings are gifts—not guarantees. And that’s exactly how it should be.

Between pressure and the stars

I heard enough from friends who’d taken the course to know it wasn’t going to be a holiday. This isn’t a safari—it’s training. Early wake-up calls at 5 am, long game drives followed by theory classes, constant repetition of bird and frog calls, explaining (again) how the Okavango Delta formed… It takes discipline, stamina, and a huge dose of motivation.

Don’t get me wrong. Despite the intensity, it was incredibly enriching. You have so much fun, experience unforgettable moments, become one with the bush, sip coffee while watching giraffes, and cruise alongside lions into the sunset. It’s exhilarating—truly heart-lifting.

It may sound dull, but I was grateful that evenings around the campfire didn’t always go on for hours. There was never pressure to stay up if you wanted an early night. And trust me—you’ll want those early nights, even with the occasional power nap after lunch. Especially at 30, like me. That said, we still had our fair share of gin-fuelled evenings and deep, meaningful conversations under the stars—and wow, those stars! They leave you speechless every single time.

The heart of the course

What makes this course so special isn’t just the wilderness—it’s the people. The trainers were exceptional: demanding and encouraging, but also warm-hearted and endlessly knowledgeable. And the group? I’ve rarely seen strangers become a team so quickly.

The atmosphere was supportive, filled with humour, and underpinned by a genuine willingness to help each other. Especially during the tougher moments—like changing a tyre solo, having a meltdown, or totally misidentifying a tree species. That sense of community carried us through. We learnt together, made mistakes together, and celebrated our wins together.

Letting go of structure

While much of the course was well organised, I did occasionally find the structure lacking, especially when task allocation was unclear, learning materials were patchy, or objectives vague. But then I reminded myself: Africa runs on a different clock. One that breathes, one that exists in the moment. And perhaps that, too, is part of the training—learning to let go and embrace what is.

The food was excellent—there was always enough to go around. Bush breakfasts sometimes lacked a few sachets of instant porridge, but there was always plenty of coffee! Meals ranged from traditional Botswanan dishes like samp to good old spaghetti. And the views? Unbeatable.

Throughout the course, the Natucate team remained actively engaged. Daniel regularly checked in to see how things were going and whether I was feeling okay. That kind of care and accountability is rare. Whenever I had a question, I could count on a swift and helpful response.

So, what are my top tips?

Right, enough reading—here are some honest tips for anyone considering this course:

• Start learning bird calls early: Seriously, do it before you go. Apps like Cards2Brain or Quizlet are great for this.
• Give yourself plenty of time to prepare: The better your prep, the more you can focus on going deeper, rather than catching up.
• Bring an extra mosquito net: The tents have built-in nets, but an extra one helps keep things quiet and bite-free.
• Find time to unwind. Even amidst the study pressure, make space for stillness and gratitude. You’re in the bush—it’s a gift.
• Pack right: Bring electrolytes, antihistamines, and a decent torch.
• Don’t stress: You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to show up, try, and stay open.
• Soak it in: Tune into the bush with all your senses. Close your eyes and listen. Take a deep breath and smell the grass. Feel the textures of the leaves.

Final thoughts about my course

I arrived with experience and expectations. I re-learned how to learn. When was the last time I immersed myself so deeply in content, refined explanations, identified birds, and described plants? I rediscovered my limits—both physical and mental. But I also pushed past them. I gained confidence in my guiding abilities and felt reaffirmed that this is what I’m meant to do—and that I’m good at it.

I was reminded again of how small we humans are—and how great our impact is on this fragile world.

If you love Africa, this course will move you to a whole new level. It’s not just about watching—it’s about truly immersing yourself in rhythms, interconnections, and atmospheres that you’ll never experience on an ordinary safari. It shifts how you see, hear, and feel the bush. It leaves you with deep gratitude and awe—something that stays with you and changes you from the inside out.

So if you’re thinking about taking the course, do it. But don’t come just to see elephants. Come because you want to understand what it means to be part of the ecosystem. Come with an open heart, a willingness to learn, and a pair of binoculars.

I’d do it again, exactly the same way.