Yomps, Adventure Travel Experiences

Safari School South Africa, 1 Year
Full Itinerary

Learn how to be a safari guide for 1 year, learn 4x4 skills, discover how to survive in the South African bush, learn the art of tracking wildlife, sleep out in the African bush, learn to shoot, see amazing wildlife, successfully qualify as a professional safari guide, work in a safari lodge and immerse yourself in the ways and wilds of the South African wilderness!

South Africa

Month 1 to 6 - Train to be a safari guide and learn a range of skills that include tracking animals, identifying different species, shooting a rifle, and driving a 4x4.

Our plane touches down in Johannesburg where we will make our way north west through spectacular scenery and stunning landscapes to South Africa’s most Northern Province, Limpopo. Our destination is the Safari Guide Training School that is to become our home for the next six months, which sits at the foot of the Ysterberg near to Thabazimbi (literally ‘mountain of iron’), an iron mining town steeped in myth and archaeological significance. The Limpopo Province is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets, offering a veritable feast of fascinating cultural heritage, rolling grasslands, lush forests, unique rock formations, and a diverse spectrum of flora and fauna. Upon arrival in this unique wonderland we will be welcomed to settle into camp, acquainting ourselves to our fellow students, our new home, and the idea that nights will henceforth be spent falling to sleep to the sound of calling jackals and laughing hyenas!

The course we will undertake here is structured with a focus on maximizing the time spent in the bush actively and practically interpreting the ecology of the area and gaining a hands on experience of safari guiding. To make the most of our time we will rise most mornings with the sun and embark on a two and a half hour walk or game drive into the reserve. The mornings may be spent game viewing and grasping a broad knowledge of the ecology of the area, or may focus on specific topics such as identifying the traits of bird and animal behaviour. After a tasty breakfast we will then have a three hour classroom session that will draw on the knowledge we have gained actively exploring the area, as well as providing vital lessons that range from first aid, to meteorology, to what to do when encountering dangerous game (such as lions or elephants). Both the theoretical and the practical compliment each other on the course to provide you with a fascinating knowledge as well as unique experiences and marvellous wildlife encounters.

The two hours in the hot early afternoon are dedicated to relaxation, siestas, study, and free time to explore the surrounding area and town. Students then regroup for practical afternoon sessions, dinner, and evening activities that include night drives, frogging, and sleep outs under the stars to hone our knowledge of astronomy. Though the daily programme is structured our days are always flexible to allow for the unexpected wonders that crop up in the unpredictable Southern African wilds, which may range from encountering unimaginably amazing scenery to spotting a rare serval feeding. To keep our minds alert we will perform written tests every Sunday on all the subjects we have covered. Being a reputed and intensive course means that a high degree of dedication, commitment, and perseverance is required of all students.

As well as providing fantastic teaching, the training institution also encourages students to study and focus throughout the week to meet the standards required to be a safari guide. Those who persevere will be granted the unique reward of having knowledge that understands and fully appreciates South Africa’s amazing wildlife, gorgeous settings, and allows you to get closer to nature than you could ever imagine. Every experience will be new, exciting, and extremely valuable to aspiring guide and bush enthusiasts, making you at home in the bush, and covering a range of subjects including:-

Field Guiding

• Conservation
• General knowledge
• First aid certificate
• Reserve management
• Ecotourism

Bush Skills

• Field craft
• Shooting
• Weather and climate
• Astronomy
• Motor vehicles (4 x 4 driving)

Bush Knowledge

• Geology and soils
• Taxonomy
• Ecology
• Animal behaviour
• Botany
• Grasses
• Molluscs
• Fish
• Arthropoda
• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Birds
• Mammals

Lodge Management

• Hospitality orientation
• Rooms division
• Food and beverage
• Guest service

At the end of the six months we will be allocated to our safari lodge (as long as we pass our course with 75%), where we transform from trainees into fully fledged safari guides.

South Africa

Month 7 to 12 - Work in a safari lodge in South Africa, show clients African animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and rhinos, take guests on bush walks in the spectacular landscapes, and help maintain the lodge and vehicles.

Graduating through the six month training period will then give us the opportunity to test and hone our skills as safari guides, but still as ever with the support, guidance, and teachings of our trainers’ at the lodge. It is difficult to define what a typical day in the life of a safari guide will entail as each day varies according to the work that is required to be done around the lodge and the preferences of the guests’ staying. Activities will vary from lodge to lodge, but an outline of an average day for a guide at the lodge may include:

4.30am: Wake up, wash vehicle, wake guests, and get ready for your drive.
5.15am: Set out a tea and coffee station for the guests’ pre-drive beverage.
5.30am – 8.30/9.00am: Go on a game drive.
9.00am: Have breakfast with your guests.

Checking to see how the guests would like to spend the day will ascertain whether our services will be required (such as for a walk or excursion to a nearby attraction), in which case we will join them for the activity. If the guests’ do not require our services we will report to the Head Ranger/General Manager to see what other tasks need to be done, which might include assisting with the lodge, vehicle, and road maintenance, getting supplies from town, cleaning the swimming pool, meeting guests, assisting guests with their luggage, and transferring guests.

3.00pm: Clean your vehicle and prepare for the afternoon game drive.
4.00pm: Meet with the guests for a pre-drive tea.
4.30pm: Go on a game drive.
8.00pm: Have dinner with your guests.

Some lodges allow the guide to leave after dinner, and some require the guide to join the guests for the evening before tidying for the next morning and seeing all lights are switched off. During the six months this will all grow to be a second nature as we learn and perfect the art of safari guiding, and what is required of a good and attentive safari guide.

These exciting six months not only practice our skills as a safari guide, but also provide memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. At the end of the year we will bid farewell to our new found friends as the sun sets on our Southern African adventure. Yet now armed with the broad knowledge and ability of a safari guide will grant a unique and lifelong access into the world of the wilderness, meaning that the sun is certain to rise again on many more nature adventures.

- See below for information on the application process

There are a few basic criteria that applicants must fit to apply for the one year course:

• Be between 21 and 39 years of age.
• Have a valid driver's license for at least a year and the ability to handle a manual (stick-shift) vehicle.
• Be educated to GCSE level or above.
• Be physically fit enough to cope with all the walking and physical activity that the course demands.
• Have a passionate interest in wildlife and the natural world.
• Have an interest in working with people from all walks of life.
• Be flexible, open minded, and willing to try new experiences.
• Pass the Safari Guide training company interview process via an application form and telephone interview (telephone interview at applicant’s expense).

Speak to a Yomps advisor for more information.

- 2009 Price

Please note the price for 2009 is:-
Sterling £5,900
US $11,900
Euro €9,793

- Malaria Awareness

Travelling to long-haul destinations can be a wonderful and exciting experience. Before you go, make sure you take the right travel advice about visiting Malaria risk countries. At Yomps we are committed to stopping traveller deaths from malaria which is why we support the campaign being run by Malariahotspots.com. Click here to download our free guide about Malaria Awareness (opens in a new window).