Eine Gruppe von Field Guide-Studenten in Suedafrika beobachtet auf einem Bush Walk eine Elefantenherde

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Live and learn amidst the spectac­ular wilder­ness of South Africa’s Eastern Cape
  • Experi­ence nature and wildlife on daily game drives and walks
  • Observe an abundance of wild animals in their natural habitat
  • Acquire valuable field guide knowledge
  • Learn from long-term experi­enced guides
  • Receive an official FGASA certifi­cate at the end of the course

Locations

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Camp Ulovane
Sonnenuntergang im suedafrikanischen Ostkap; im Vordergrund Grashalme, im Hintergrund ein Gelaendewagen und die afrikanische Savanne
Ein grosser Elefant laeuft vor einem vollbesetzten Gelaendewagen her, in dem Field Guide-Studenten gerade einen Game Drive unternehmen
Nahaufnahme eines Kaefers, der bei einem Kursleiter des Field Guide-Trainings in Suedafrikas Ostkap auf dem Finger sitzt
Eine Gruppe von Field Guide-Studenten in Suedafrika auf einem kleinen Fussmarsch durch die Landschaft
Zwei Field Guide-Studenten in Suedafrikas Amakhala Game Reserve hocken auf der Erde und fotografieren eine vorbeikriechende Schnecke
Zwei ausgewachsene Zebras grasen in einem suedafrikanischen Game Reserve, waehrend ein Jungtier neben ihnen herumtollt
Eine Gruppe von Field Guide-Studenten in Suedafrika beobachtet auf einem Bush Walk eine Elefantenherde
Eine ausgewachsene Giraffe steht mit ihrem Jungtier im suedafrikanischen Amakhala Game Reserve und saeugt es
Eine Gruppe von Field Guide-Studenten in Suedafrika beobachtet auf einem Bush Walk eine Herde Giraffen
Zwei Field Guide-Studentinnen versuchen in Suedafrikas Amakhala Game Reserve Tierspuren zu identifizieren
Weiter Blick vom Camp Ulovane auf die Landschaft des Amakhala Game Reserves im suedafrikanischen Ostkap
Eine kleine Herde ueberwiegend maennlicher Wasserboecke steht im Sonnenuntergang im suedafrikanischen Amakhala Game Reserve
Blick auf eine stilvoll gedeckte Abendtafel im Essensraum des im suedafrikanischen Ostkap gelegenen Camp Ulovane
Aufnahme einer Field Guide-Studentin im suedafrikanischen Ostkap, die mit ihren Haenden ein Herz vor der untergehenden Sonne formt
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Apprentice Field Guide in South Africa

As a student our 10-week Apprentice Field Guide course you get to know South Africa’s incomparable flora and fauna, acquire essential guiding skills and receive an official FGASA certificate after successful course completion.

Silhouette eines offenen Gelaendewagens, der mit Field Guide-Studenten im suedafrikanischen Ostkap durch die Savanne faehrt

Arrival and orien­ta­tion in South Africa

You will arrive and depart via Port Elizabeth. You will need one day before the course begins. After your arrival at the airport, our partner’s transfer service will pick you up at 01:00 PM to take you to the camp in the Eastern Cape wilderness.

Field Guide-Studenten bei einer Unterrichtseinheit zu Wilderness First Aid in Suedafrikas Ostkap

Activ­i­ties during the guide adventure

During unforgettable 10 weeks you and your international team will learn all about the plants and animals and their relationship with each other within the South African ecosystem. Long-term experienced trainers will always instruct you and teach you crucial guide knowledge – from biology to history and conservation to hospitality. First of all, you will get to know various methods for orientation and navigation in the wild and will learn how to handle an open cross-country vehicle.

Eine Loewin in Suedafrikas Ostkap liegt im Gras und geniesst ihre Siesta

Your training as a field guide also includes basic instruction on the geological and climatological conditions in South Africa, on tracking, animal behaviour, ecology, astronomy, taxonomy, how to identify native animal, plant and tree species and many more subjects. In order to become a confident safari guide, another important focus is on the tourism industry and guest handling. You will learn how to welcome and interact with guests, how to plan and prepare safari excursions and how to safely conduct game walks and drives in the wild.

Ein Field Guide-Student nimmt einen Reifenwechsel an einem offenen Gelaendewagen in Suedafrika vor

Last but not least, you will deal with current conservation issues in the country, discover how nature and wildlife conservation really works and what factors can have a positive or negative influence on the development of an ecosystem.

At the end of the course you will need to pass several theoretical and practical assessments in order to receive an official FGASA certificate.

Aufnahme des suedafrikanischen Trainingscamps Ulovane von aussen

Accom­mo­da­tion as a field guide student

During your 10-week training course you and the other students will live in Camp Ulovane, an ecofriendly and sustainable training camp which is situated on its own reserve sharing borders with Amakhala and Kwantu Game Reserves. Here you will be accommodated in a shared room together with one or two other students. Each room has its own bathroom with a shower (and hot and cold water), a toilet and a basin. All rooms have gas geysers, a cupboard, a desk and a chair. Furthermore, you will be provided with bed linen and a towel.

Blick in den Unterrichtsraum im suedafrikanischen Trainingscamp Ulovane

To charge you electronical devices you can use the charging station in the main lodge. Free WiFi can be used in a designated WiFi zone at the campus offices. As you are located in the bush: signal may sometimes be weak and WiFi, therefore, limited. Cell phone reception, though, is quite excellent most of the time. A laundry service for your training uniform is offered whereas your personal clothes need to be done by yourself.
You’ll be provided with three daily meals. To support the fantastic kitchen lady, teamwork in the kitchen is encouraged and any suggestions are always welcome. Furthermore, the camp is equipped with a dining room, a little lounge and a lecture room.

Aufnahme einer Gruppe von Field Guide-Studentinnen in suedafrikanischen Ostkap

Leisure time during your field guide training

During the course you will have some free time which you can spend as you wish. However, as the course only lasts 2 ½ months and primarily focuses on knowledge acquisition, these periods will be limited to lunch or evening hours which you can use to relax or revise. Most of the time, Sunday afternoons will be free as well. You can relax in camp, read a book, go for a run, play volleyball or go to town. Furthermore, there is a mid-weekend break during week 5 of the course. You can use this weekend for getting out of campus and exploring the area further.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip



Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

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erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-tobias-loewen-natucate
Review Field Guide Level 1 Africa – Tobias

“After a small meal we went on our first game drive. For me it was the very first time out in the African bush and I immediately fell in love with it.”

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erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-juliana-teilnehmerin-sonnenuntergang-natucate
erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-juliana-game-walk-sonnenuntergang-natucate
Review Field Guide Level 1 Africa – Juliana

“It's unbelievable how much you grow together in such a short time and what great friendships you make! [...] I will never forget the time in the bush and can only recommend it to anyone who has the chance: Do it!!”

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erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-elisabeth-nashoerner-natucate
erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-elisabeth-geparden-natucate
Review Field Guide Level 1 South Africa – Elisabeth

“You never know what's around the next corner. And yet I felt completely comfortable and more than at home. In the bush I feel connected to myself.”

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erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-niklas-weiter-ausblick-natucate
erfahrungsberichte-rangerkurse-suedafrika-field-guide-level-1-niklas-impala-natucate
Review Field Guide Level 1 South Africa – Niklas

“I had the expectation of having an extraordinary experience. This expectation was fulfilled, if not exceeded.”

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  • suedafrika-eastern-cape-camp-ulovane-natucate
    1. Camp Ulovane

    Camp Ulovane is a sustainable and ecofriendly training facility in Ulovane Reserve, sharing borders with beautiful Amakhala and Kwantu Game Reserves in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The camp was completed in 2009 and offers modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities for its students – including several dorm rooms plus attached bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area, a lounge and a lecture room.

    The Ulovane Reserve is a conservation area which mainly focuses on vegetation management and on re-establishing populations of Cape Mountain Zebra and smaller mammals. There are no large potentially dangerous animals in the reserve. Guests of Camp Ulovane can enjoy a magnificent view of neighbouring Big 5 Amakhala Game Reserve and sometimes even spot herds of antelope roaming the plains below – a stunning place for an educational wilderness adventure.

Background of the Appren­tice Field Guide

The 10-week Apprentice Field Guide course is the foundation of further career focus courses and coaches you with the necessary skills to be competent to enter the guiding industry at an introductory level – no matter whether you are looking for a sabbatical, some personal nature training, or taking the first steps towards working in the safari business.
Practical and theoretical learning units, including numerous game walks and drives, will teach you the knowledge and know-how a safari guide must have. You will become familiar with the secrets of the South African flora and fauna, will be able to observe wild animals in their natural habitat and bring you closer to conservation issues and an ecofriendly lifestyle. Last but not least, your time in the course will teach you teamwork abilities, a flexible outlook on life and living in the rhythm of nature.

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