Nature Travel Southern Africa: EcoQuest
So far you have had little to do with nature, but would now like to embark on that journey? Then our EcoQuest course is just right for you. This introductory course is especially designed for newcomers, who can gather valuable insights which they will never forget, during a 7 or 14-day stay in awesome surroundings.
In world-famous Kruger National Park, the Greater Kruger area in South Africa, or in Botswana, you will encounter flora and fauna in their original form. It’s the perfect region for an adventure which will make your daily routine fade into the background. Discover the exciting world of animals and plants and embark on your first steps in the wild with the EcoQuest course.
Your EcoTraining Adventure – Why book with Natucate
As long-term partners of EcoTraining, we have a trusting relationship with the team on site and visit the camps ourselves each year. When booking your EcoTraining adventure with Natucate, you will benefit from expert advice, comprehensive travel preparation, 24/7 support, and German travel law advantages. When booking with Natucate, you won’t have any extra costs.
On our EcoTraining info page you can learn more about why to book your nature travel programme with Natucate.
Highlights
- Enjoy the ideal wilderness course in Africa’s wild nature
- Get to know essential aspects of a field guide training
- Acquire valuable nature knowledge, instructed by experienced course leaders
- Discover the unique flora and fauna on daily excursions into the wild
- Live and learn as part of an international team
Locations
Camp Makuleke
Camp Selati
Camp Karongwe
Camp Pridelands
Camp Pongola
Camp Mashatu
Plan your trip
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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, 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.
EcoQuest: Africa for beginners
Joining our EcoQuest course offers you the chance to experience the breathtaking nature of Southern Africa within a short amount of time and get to know essential aspects of a typical field guide training.
Arrival and orientation in Southern Africa
Your journey begins by arriving in Johannesburg one day prior to course start. After one night in a hostel near the airport, you will be picked up. The hostel is also the meeting point for the other course participants. Together with them you will be transferred to the course. After the course you will return to Johannesburg and continue traveling or fly back home.
Activities during your safari adventure
An EcoQuest is a perfect opportunity to experience the unique natural landscape of Southern Africa first hand in a short space of time. You will learn the fundamental aspects of a ranger’s typical training. This course is particularly suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about nature as a habitat. This provides an introduction to the ranger course for anybody interested in working in the field.
Professionally trained course leaders will guide and support you throughout your time in Africa. They will draw on their wealth of experience to provide you with fascinating insights into life in the wild. You and your group will go on trips through the fascinating landscape twice a day to spot wild animals. The excursions will teach you how to orientate yourself in a natural environment in addition to providing valuable information about native animals and their behaviour. Delve into the breathtaking landscape of South Africa and Botswana and unleash your passion for adventure.
At the end of the course, all students receive a certificate of participation.
Accommodation in South Africa
Your accommodation for the duration of the EcoQuest 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 wilderness camps. All camps have a large common room for training lecture areas, meals, and spending evenings with the group.
You will be provided with three to four meals per day. The camp is not connected to the electricity grid but gets the power that it needs from generators. The camps use solar lamps and satellite telephones for emergencies, as mobile reception is generally quite poor.
Leisure time during your EcoQuest course in Africa
During the course you will have several free afternoons and evenings which you can use for own activities. Depending on the camp you have the chance to play table tennis or volleyball, to play cards and other games or to borrow a book.
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Arrival
Arrival in Southern Africa
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Course
EcoQuest course in South Africa and Botswana: A typical day
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Departure
Last day in the course and departure
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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.
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2. 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. -
3. 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.
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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.
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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.
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6. Camp Mashatu
The breathtaking Camp Mashatu is located in the Mashatu Game Reserve, part of the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana – one of the most beautiful areas in the country. The unique flora and fauna of the region promises countless unforgettable nature experiences. Here you can experience the wilderness by staying in Meru-style tents.
As part of your advanced training adventure with Natucate, you will complete an intensive and enriching nature training course that will bring you closer to the magnificent flora and fauna of this special area every day. In particular, the Limpopo, one of Botswana's largest rivers near the Mashatu Game Reserve, has a major influence on the vegetation and occurrence of native wildlife.
Background of the EcoQuest course in Africa
The world-renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa as well as Botswana's wilderness are home to a diverse flora and fauna. You will spend your days in the savannah and get the chance to get to know the incredible animal and plant life – a unique experience which will relieve the stress of your everyday life. Wander through the savannah and learn how to understand nature – the perfect break away from civilisation.
Conscious Travel with Natucate
Supporting real conservation projects worldwide through individual wilderness adventures – our ambitions, our values, our service.
