A 1-week theory and practical course in the African Bush.

This course will provide you an opportunity to learn about African bush living, and help you gain survival skills.

The course covers areas such as camping skills, fauna and flora, forest conservation, medicinal plants, astronomy and orientation.

Untouched, pristine, untamed... The course will include a Wilderness Hike and sleep out, plus a game drive on a Private Game Reserve and a visit to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary.

The course is conducted by a fully qualified field specialist and expert and is run from Esingeni Bush Camp, where the volunteers on our African Wildlife Course are based. Esengeni is a tented camp where one can appreciate the African Bush from the very inside. It is nestled beside a small stream and tucked beneath a krantz, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the bush.

Subjects covered
- Introduction and Orientation
- Nature Walks
- Wildlife Tracks and Signs
- Bush Survivals discussions and skills
- Alien Plant control and management
- Plant I.D. and Ecology
- Medical Plant Walk
- Wilderness Trail and Camping
- Game Census
- Data entry - wildlife stocking density for Private Game Reserves
- Visit to a Private Game Reserve and Game Drive
- Visit to Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary 
 
Course outline
A brief outline of the course content is given below, but as the course supervisors take advantage of any activity happening in the region that they think might interest you, they will change the course content and the schedule will often go out the window!

Day 1: Monday
12h00 - Arrival
12h30 - Lunch
13h30-14h30 - Introduction/Orientation of Camp; Talk on Conservation History of South Africa
15h00-16h00 - Nature Walk

Day 2: Tuesday08h00-11h00 - Drive on a Game Reserve (Shamwari)
11h00-12h30 - Born Free Foundation
Travel to Esingeni Camp
15h00-16h00 - Xhosa Culture/History on the Eastern Cape

Day 3: Wednesday
08h30-10h30 - Wildlife Tracks and Signs (Field Work)
11h00-12h00 - Bush Survival Discussion
12h00-13h00 - Bush Survival Skills (Field Exercise)
13h30-14h30 - Alien Plant control and management lecture
14h30-16h30 - Alien Plant control and management field exercise

Day 4: Thursday
08h30-10h30 - Plant I.D. and Ecology
11h00-12h00 - Medical Plant Walk
11h30 - Lunch
12h00-13h00 - Trail Briefing
13h00-13h30 - Packing trail equipment - setup tents
13h30 - Depart for drop off point - beginning of Wilderness Trail

Day 5: Friday
Overnight (Schedule to follow - include: camping skills, fauna and flora, forest conservation, astronomy and orientation)
Afternoon (12h00) return to Esingeni
Rest and Recreation

Day 6: SaturdayAM - Game Census (field exercise)
PM - Data Entry - wildlife stocking density for private game reserves (lab exercise)
Evening - Braai/BBQ

Day 7: Sunday
09h00-10h00 - Firearm training lecture (Wildlife management - tools of the trade)
10h00-12h00 - Firearm handling and care lecture
12h00 - Departure 

Accommodation

For the week that you're on the course, you'll either live in a house in the small town of Alicedale or you may be accommodated in Esingeni Bush Camp. It will depend on what is available at the time you're there, and also on the season.

Esingeni Bush Camp is where our volunteers on the African Wildlife Conservation and Management Course stay. The area is rich in naturally occurring fauna and flora, from centuries old cycads and beautiful wild flowers and bulbs, to an abundance of bird and animal life which inhabit the vicinity of the camp. The tents are hidden under the canopy of wild olives, offering privacy and seclusion.  Tents are situated a short distance from two fully equipped bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers. 

Esingeni’s most enchanting feature is the lodge area, which consists of stunning stone and thatch buildings.  It is fully furnished with a comfortable sitting area and large fire place and attractive wooden dining facilities.  Two shaded verandah areas with classic outdoor furniture offer the opportunity to kick back and relax in style.  There is also a fully equipped kitchen facility.

Travellers' placements are very flexible & can be combined with any other Travellers placement & tailor made to your own requirements!

0845 344 7585

Travellers Worldwide: Live and work abroad helping children, adults, animals and entire communities in less advantaged countries. Learn about their culture from the inside! Stay from as little as two weeks to as long as one year - you choose your dates and duration!