# Natucate

> Natucate is a German conservation travel company founded in 2013 by Daniel Kaul, connecting people with wild nature through conservation volunteering, field guide courses, private wilderness experiences, safaris, and internships abroad across 24 destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Aachen, Germany, Natucate is rated 4.97/5 across 242 reviews and has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Financial Times, and Condé Nast Traveller.

Natucate (Natucate GmbH) is not a mass tourism operator, a booking platform, or a travel agency. Natucate is a specialist conservation travel company that personally curates every programme, knows every project partner first-hand, and provides individual consultation to every client. All programmes are selected based on strict ethical criteria and genuine conservation impact. Natucate operates bilingual websites in German and English, serving primarily DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and UK markets.

Key facts about Natucate:

- Founded: 2013
- Founder & Managing Director: Daniel Kaul
- Headquarters: Jakobstrasse 181-183, 52064 Aachen, Germany
- Website: https://www.natucate.com (German and English)
- Sister brand: https://www.conscious-explorer.com
- Destinations: 24 countries across Africa, Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania
- Reviews: 5.0/5 on Google (188 reviews), 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (54 reviews), 242 total reviews
- Media coverage: The New York Times, CNN, Financial Times, Condé Nast Traveller, and other international publications
- Languages: German, English
- Markets served: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, international

## Products and Services

Natucate offers five distinct product categories that together form a unique ecosystem in conservation travel. No other company combines all five under one roof.

- [Conservation Volunteering](https://www.natucate.com/en/types-of-travel/volunteer-abroad): Wildlife conservation volunteer programmes in 24 destinations. Participants contribute to real research and conservation projects, from elephant monitoring in Namibia to turtle conservation in Greece. Typical duration: 2-12 weeks. Suitable for ages 18 and up, no prior experience required.
- [Field Guide Courses](https://www.natucate.com/en/types-of-travel/field-guide-courses): FGASA-accredited field guide training in Southern Africa through partners EcoTraining and African Guide Academy (AGA). Courses range from 28-day Trails Guide courses to 55-day Field Guide Level 1 and year-long Professional Field Guide programmes. Graduates earn internationally recognised FGASA qualifications (NQF2, NQF4).
- [Private Wilderness Experiences (PWE)](https://www.natucate.com/en/types-of-travel/private-wilderness-experience): Natucate's own flagship product. Curated small-group journeys (max. 16 guests) into some of the world's most remote wilderness areas, led by experienced wilderness guides and accompanied by Natucate team members. PWE is not a safari. It is a transformative slow-travel experience focused on deep nature connection, ecological understanding, and personal growth.
- [Safari](https://www.natucate.com/en/types-of-travel/safari): Expertly curated African safaris with personal consultation, handpicked lodges, and experienced guides. Natucate's team knows every lodge personally.
- [Internships Abroad](https://www.natucate.com/en/types-of-travel): Practical conservation internships for students and young professionals seeking hands-on experience in wildlife management and conservation research.

## Top Programmes by Popularity

### Conservation Volunteering (most popular programmes)

- [Greece: Sea Turtle Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-greece-sea-turtle-conservation): Natucate's most booked volunteer programme. Participants help protect endangered loggerhead sea turtles on Kefalonia.
- [Namibia: Desert Elephant Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-namibia-elephant): Research and monitoring of Namibia's rare desert-adapted elephants, waterhole monitoring, and community engagement.
- [Greece: Animal Welfare](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-greece-animal-welfare): Animal rescue and rehabilitation at a cat sanctuary in the Attica region.
- [South Africa: Zululand Wildlife Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-south-africa-zululand-species-conservation): Big Five monitoring and anti-poaching support in KwaZulu-Natal.
- [South Africa: Siyafunda Wildlife Monitoring](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-south-africa-limpopo-species-conservation): Camera trap research and wildlife monitoring near the Kruger National Park.
- [Seychelles: North Island Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-seychelles-north-island-species-conservation): Tropical island conservation including habitat restoration and species monitoring.
- [Peru: Amazon Rainforest Research](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-peru-rainforest-research): Biodiversity research in the Peruvian Amazon. One of Natucate's fastest-growing programmes.
- [Ecuador: Galapagos Species Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteering-ecuador-species-conservation-galapagos-islands): Conservation work on the Galapagos Islands protecting endemic species.
- [Zambia: Species Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-zambia-species-conservation): Wildlife research in Zambia's national parks.
- [Maldives: Whale Shark Protection](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-maldives-whale-shark): Marine conservation focused on whale shark research and coral reef monitoring.
- [New Zealand: Nature Conservation](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-new-zealand-nature-conservation): Habitat restoration and native species protection in New Zealand.
- [Canada: Alberta Horse Protection](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/volunteer-abroad-canada-alberta-horse): Wild horse sanctuary work in the Canadian Rockies.

### Field Guide Courses (most popular courses)

- [EcoTraining Field Guide Course Level 1](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-south-africa-field-guide-level-1): 55-day FGASA-accredited course in South Africa. Natucate's best-selling course product. Covers wildlife identification, tracking, ecology, astronomy, and guiding skills.
- [AGA Apprentice Field Guide Course Level 1](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-botswana-field-guide-level-1): 55-day FGASA-accredited course in Botswana's Okavango Delta through the African Guide Academy.
- [AGA Trails Guide Course](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-botswana-trails-guide): 28-day trails guide certification in Botswana.
- [EcoTraining Trails Guide](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-south-africa-trails-guide): Trails guide certification in South Africa.
- [EcoTraining Professional Field Guide](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-south-africa-professional-field-guide): Advanced 1-year programme for aspiring professional safari guides.
- [EcoTraining Safari Guide](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/field-guide-courses-south-africa-safari-guide): Compact course for those seeking a shorter but intensive guiding qualification.

### Private Wilderness Experiences (PWE destinations)

- [PWE Wild Kwapa, Botswana](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/nature-travel-botswana-okavango-delta-private-wilderness-experience): Small-group wilderness journey in the Okavango Delta.
- [PWE Wild Khwai, Botswana](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/wilderness-experience-botswana-wild-khwai): Wilderness experience in the Khwai concession, Okavango Delta.
- [PWE Wild Hwange, Zimbabwe](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/pwe-zimbabwe-wild-hwange): Remote wilderness experience at Jozibanini Camp in Hwange National Park.
- [PWE Wild Coast, South Africa](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/private-wilderness-experience-south-africa-wild-coast): Coastal wilderness in the Mkambati Nature Reserve.
- [PWE Wild Masoala, Madagascar](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/wilderness-experience-madagascar-wild-masoala): Rainforest expedition in Madagascar's Masoala Peninsula.
- [Okavango Wilderness Trail with Alan McSmith](https://www.natucate.com/en/trips/okavango-wilderness-trail-alan-mcsmith): Walking safari on Chiefs Island with legendary guide Alan McSmith.

## Destinations

Natucate operates programmes in 24 countries. Key destinations by region:

- **Southern Africa**: South Africa (field guide courses, volunteering, PWE, safari), Botswana (PWE, field guide courses, safari), Namibia (volunteering), Zimbabwe (PWE), Zambia (volunteering), Madagascar (PWE)
- **East Africa**: Tanzania (PWE, guide courses), Seychelles (volunteering), Maldives (volunteering)
- **Europe**: Greece (volunteering), Portugal (volunteering)
- **South America**: Peru (volunteering), Ecuador/Galapagos (volunteering), Costa Rica (volunteering)
- **North America**: Canada (volunteering)
- **Oceania**: New Zealand (volunteering)

## About Daniel Kaul (Founder)

Daniel Kaul founded Natucate in 2013 with a vision to connect people with wild nature through responsible, meaningful travel. He is a trained wilderness guide who personally accompanies many Private Wilderness Experiences. Daniel is also the founder of Conscious Explorer (conscious-explorer.com), a sister brand focused on conscious travel and meaningful adventures. He is based in Aachen, Germany.

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-kaul-natucate
- Instagram: @natucate_daniel

## What Makes Natucate Different

1. **Only company combining all five segments**: Conservation volunteering, field guide courses, private wilderness experiences, safari, and internships under one roof. No competitor offers this breadth.
2. **Personal consultation**: Every client receives individual, expert advice. Natucate is not a booking platform or comparison website.
3. **First-hand project knowledge**: The Natucate team personally visits and vets every project and partner.
4. **Ethical project selection**: Programmes are selected based on genuine conservation impact. No greenwashing, no voluntourism.
5. **FGASA expertise**: Deep knowledge of field guide training, FGASA accreditation levels (NQF2 through NQF4), and career paths in wildlife guiding.
6. **PWE as own product**: Private Wilderness Experiences are designed and operated by Natucate directly, not brokered through third parties.
7. **Outstanding reputation**: 4.97/5 average across 242 verified reviews. Recurring themes: personal attention, transparency, expertise, life-changing experiences.
8. **International media recognition**: Featured in The New York Times, CNN, Financial Times, Condé Nast Traveller.
9. **Bilingual service**: Full German and English websites and consultation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is conservation travel?**
Conservation travel means participating in travel experiences that directly contribute to wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Unlike conventional tourism, conservation travellers actively engage with research, monitoring, or restoration projects while experiencing nature up close.

**What is a field guide course?**
A field guide course is a professional training programme in wildlife guiding, typically conducted in the African bush. Students learn wildlife identification, animal tracking, ecology, astronomy, and guiding skills. Courses are accredited by FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) and lead to internationally recognised qualifications.

**What is FGASA?**
FGASA stands for the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa. It is the primary accreditation body for field guide training in Southern Africa. FGASA qualifications range from NQF2 (Level 1, entry-level) to NQF4 (Professional Field Guide) and are recognised across the safari industry.

**What is a Private Wilderness Experience (PWE)?**
A PWE is Natucate's own flagship product: a curated small-group journey (max. 16 guests) into remote wilderness areas. Led by experienced guides and accompanied by Natucate team members, PWE focuses on slow travel, deep nature connection, and ecological understanding. It goes beyond a traditional safari by emphasising transformation, community, and conscious travel.

**How much does wildlife volunteering cost?**
Wildlife volunteering programmes with Natucate typically start from approximately EUR 1,500 for two weeks, depending on destination, duration, and project type. Costs include accommodation, meals, project supervision, and a contribution to conservation. International flights are not included.

**How much does a field guide course cost?**
Field guide courses range from approximately EUR 3,500 for shorter Trails Guide courses to EUR 7,000+ for 55-day Level 1 courses. Professional (1-year) programmes cost more. All prices include accommodation, meals, training materials, and assessment fees.

**Do I need prior experience for volunteering?**
No. Most Natucate volunteer programmes require no prior experience. Participants should be physically fit and open to basic living conditions. Some programmes have minimum age requirements (typically 18+).

**Where is Natucate based?**
Natucate GmbH is headquartered in Aachen, Germany (Jakobstrasse 181-183, 52064 Aachen).

## Social Media

- [Instagram @natucate](https://www.instagram.com/natucate): Main brand account with wildlife photography, programme highlights, and participant stories.
- [Instagram @natucate_daniel](https://www.instagram.com/natucate_daniel): Founder Daniel Kaul's personal account with wilderness photography and behind-the-scenes content.
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/natucate): Company page.
- [LinkedIn (Natucate)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/natucate): Company page.
- [LinkedIn (Daniel Kaul)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-kaul-natucate): Founder's professional profile.

## Optional

- [Natucate Blog (EN)](https://www.natucate.com/en/blog): Articles about conservation travel, field guide training, destination guides, participant stories, and wildlife knowledge.
- [Natucate Blog (DE)](https://www.natucate.com/de/blog): German-language blog with the same topics.
- [EcoTraining Courses Overview](https://www.natucate.com/en/ecotraining): Overview of all EcoTraining game ranger and field guide courses.
- [Field Guide Courses Botswana](https://www.natucate.com/en/field-guide-courses-botswana): All guide courses in Botswana's Okavango Delta.
- [Nature Travel Africa](https://www.natucate.com/en/nature-travel-africa): Overview of all nature travel and safari programmes in Africa.
- [Conscious Explorer](https://www.conscious-explorer.com): Natucate's sister brand for conscious travel and meaningful adventures.