Ein Schwarm von Scharlachspinten sitzt auf einem Ast

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Discover South Africa’s and Botswana’s rich avifauna
  • Live and learn surrounded by Africa’s wild nature
  • Experi­ence the unique flora and fauna on daily excur­sions into the wild
  • Acquire valuable new knowledge, instructed by experi­enced course leaders
  • Meet people from all over the world

Locations

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Camp Makuleke
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Camp Karongwe
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Camp Selati
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Camp Pride­lands
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Camp Pongola

Plan your trip

  • Included in the programme fee
    • Placement in the programme
    • Assistance with travel arrangements
    • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
    • Assistance with booking flights
    • Risk coverage certificate
Terry

Write An Email

Terry, your travel agent for Southern Africa

You would like to learn more about this trip? Don't hesitate to contact me! Our service doesn't end with your departure: I answer all of your questions and support you before, during and after your stay abroad.


Note: The price stated above is an approximate value. Due to sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate of the South African Rand, the final price for this trip will be calculated at the time of enquiry based on the latest exchange rate.

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Nahaufnahme eines Meves-Glanzstars
Untere Ansicht eines Weissrueckengeiers im Flug
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Nahaufnahme Habichtsadler im Flug von unten fotografiert
Nahaufnahme eines fliegenden Gabelracke
Nahaufnahme eines Schreiseeadlers im Gleitflug
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Birding course in Southern Africa

In this course, you will become an ornithologist within South Africa’s or Botswana’s wild nature and acquire essential skills for observing and identifying the exceptional avifauna.

Zwei Zwergspint Voegel sitzen nebeneinander auf einem Zweig

Arrival and orien­ta­tion at the course site

You will arrive in Johannesburg one day before the course begins. You will be picked up for the course on the following day. You will be brought back to Johannesburg at the end of your course before continuing your travels or returning home.

Nahaufnahme eines Vogel, welcher auf einem Ast ausschau haelt

Course topics: The birds of Southern Africa

Instead of focusing on the bush and the big five as you would with a traditional safari, you will focus on the smaller residents of the African wilderness. The birding course gives you an opportunity to find out how to identify different birds based on their appearance and call, or to deepen your existing knowledge. In addition to some theoretical groundwork, most of your activity during the course will be a practical nature.

There is no need to be a fanatical birder to take part. The course is suitable for people with any level of expertise and will be an enriching experience which will make you aware of the details of the African wilderness. The one-week course will take you through the African wilderness on foot and in off-road vehicles to gather interesting new insights into the ecosystem.

Eine kleine Huette des Camps steht zwischen Baeumen und Straeuchern

Accom­mo­da­tion during the birding adventure

Your accommodation for the duration of the birding course in Southern Africa will be in either stilt houses (Makuleke) or two-man tents (other camps). When staying in Makuleke you will have access to your own bathroom attached to the stilt house. Shared bathrooms are available in the other camps.

All camps have a large common room for training, eating together and spending evenings with the group. The camps are not fenced in, and tourists have no access to the site. This gives you a special connection to the natural environment and allows you to enjoy the remoteness of your location.

Ein Schwarm von Voegeln zieht ueber den Himmel

Leisure time as a birding student in Africa

Your day will be filled with different birding activities whereas the evening hours can be used for own activities. Play games, read a book or relax around the campfire under Africa’s magical night sky.

Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

Ranger-Schnupperkurs in Südafrika Schildkröte Tiersichtung
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Review EcoQuest South Africa – Anny 1

“To hide out in the bushes while a dozen curious elephants walked past us was a really special experience.”

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Review Professional Field Guide Africa – Daria

“The camp is really beautiful, situated right by a river. The smell of wild sage is constantly in the air.”

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Review Field Guide Level 1 and Trails Guide Africa – Matthias

“It was amazing. I have made zero, zero (and zero is little) negative experiences.”

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Review EcoQuest South Africa – Wynne

“The entire experience had been spectacular and I would even say life-changing. [...] The fact that I could hear the cries of hyenas and incessant calls of birds when sleeping or waking was also something that felt very real and precious, reminding me how authentic an environment I was in.”

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  • reiseorte-suedafrika-camp-makuleke-entspannen-haengematte-natucate
    1. Camp Makuleke

    Camp Makuleke is located in the Pafuri region in the northern part of South Africa's Kruger National Park. A multitude of fascinating wild animals can be observed in this area and impressive areas can be admired.

    If you opt for nature-oriented further education with a stay in Makuleke, you will gain insights into the breathtaking nature of Kruger National Park and if you are lucky you can maybe spot the "Big Five": African elephant, rhino, African buffalo, lion and leopard. Hikes and game drives in open off-road vehicles enable you to experience a superb diversity of flora and fauna – a true enrichment.

    Learn more

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    2. Camp Karongwe

    The South African camp Karongwe is situated at the mostly dried out riverbed of the Karongwe River, in the middle of an area of about 9000 hectares, which will impress you by its biodiversity as well as its picturesque landscapes.

    Nearby you can find the breathtaking Kruger National Park, well-known as one of the largest protected areas in South Africa. Immerse yourself into the spectacular natural landscapes during daily game drives and bush walks, experience the biodiversity of the Karongwe Game Reserve up close and expand your knowledge of the region’s unique flora and fauna under the guidance of experienced field guides.

    Learn more

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    3. Camp Selati

    Camp Selati is located west of the world-famous Kruger National Park. Situated directly on the banks of the Selati River, it is a wonderful observation point for numerous wild animals that cool off from the South African heat in the water of the river.
    By participating in an advanced training course in the wilderness of the Selati Game Reserve, you are choosing one of the most interesting regions on the African continent. 33,000 hectares offer plenty of space for a species-rich fauna and flora which you can immerse yourself into during daily game drives and bush walks.

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    4. Camp Pridelands

    Camp Pridelands is located in South Africa's Limpopo province and has been part of the world-famous Kruger National Park since September 2017. In Pridelands a wealth of fascinating wildlife observations can be made – from animals like elephants and lions to hyenas and if you are lucky even the African wild dog.

    As part of your educational nature adventure, you and your team will set off into the wilderness every day under the guidance of an experienced guide to acquire valuable knowledge about the flora and fauna of the region and to learn more about nature and species conservation as well as current measures and initiatives to preserve biodiversity.

    Learn more

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    5. Camp Pongola

    Camp Pongola is nestled into the wilderness of Pongola Game Reserve in the north-east of South Africa, near the Swaziland border. Endless green expanses and a diverse animal world are characteristic of the region. Four of the Big Five are at home at Pongola – elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino – as well as hippos, crocodiles, hyaenas, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, twelve antelope species and more than 350 bird species.

    Every day, you and your team will set out into the beautiful Pongola wilderness to learn more about the unique flora and fauna and to acquire more in-depth knowledge about guiding as well as nature and species conservation.

    Learn more

Background of the birding course in Southern Africa

The natural environment of South Africa and Botswana is renowned for its diversity and variety. This unique biodiversity hotspot is home to up to 800 wild species of birds, including a number of migratory birds. The birds are at home on the ground, in the trees and in the sky in the Savannah of the national and nature parks. When joining this course you can discover the unique world of birds in a fascinating natural landscape and broaden your nature knowledge in an incomparable way.

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Conscious Travel with Natucate

Supporting real conservation projects worldwide through individual wilderness adventures – our ambitions, our values, our service.

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