Safari School South Africa, 6 Months...

Costs	£5095 / $10190 (US) / €5860
Group Size	16
Countries Visited	South Africa
Dates	10 Jan to 03 Jul 2011 11 Jul 2011 to 01 Jan 2012

Safari School South Africa, 6 Months: Full Itinerary

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, in the heart of big game territory, with the mysterious Drakensburg Mountains as a stunning backdrop. 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!

During our six months of training at the Safari School we will cover practical and theoretical programmes, all complying with the standards of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) giving us amazing hands on experience of the African Bush and the ideal platform for the start of an exiting career in the African Game Lodge industry.

The safari guide training course we will undertake here is structured with a focus on maximizing your knowledge through lectures and practical time spent in the bush actively and practically interpreting the ecology of the area and gaining hands on experience of safari guiding. During the first 3 months you will be bombarded with new and exciting information about the fauna and flora of the African bush, and you 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 fascinating knowledge as well as unique experiences and marvellous wildlife encounters.

The two hours in the hot early afternoon are dedicated to relaxation, siestas and study. 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 Saturday on all the subjects we have covered. Being a reputed and intensive safari guide training course means that a high degree of dedication, commitment, and perseverance is required of all students. The staff will provide assistance and support throughout the course, but a high degree of self motivation to learn is also essential.

As well as providing fantastic teaching, the safari guide training school 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 us to get closer to nature than we could ever imagine. Every experience will be new, exciting, and extremely valuable to aspiring guide and bush enthusiasts, making us at home in the bush, and covering a range of subjects including:

Field Guiding

Bush Skills

Bush Knowledge

A Typical Day -

Please note that this is only a rough guide to give you a better idea of what to expect during your time at the safari guide training school. The course structure is divided into different sections which vary in the amount study time to practical activities. Often the first 3 months has more intense theory components complemented with practical activities. The later part of the safari guide training allows you to put the information and skills you have learnt into practices with a high volume of practical activities.

We have traversing rights to reserves in the area containing big game, which will be visited regularly as part of our practical training and skill development. Our safari guide training will also include specialist guest speakers, exposure to research activities and day-trips into the famous Kruger National Park to further increase our practical experience.

Qualifications Received -

The safari guide training courses run with a maximum of 16 students, with a low student to instructor ratio. This ensures that everyone receives personal attention and a high standard of training. All instructors are experienced field guides, and experts in their field with a genuine passion for the bush. Apart from having the amazing experience of living in the bush, viewing remarkable wildlife and experience this stunning part of Africa, the following qualifications will be gained during your time at the safari guide school:

FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) national certificate – Level 1 – Practical and theory
FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) level 2 or trials guide theory certificate (Practical must be taken at later date)
FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling Certificate
SASSETA (Rifle handling, proficiency, maintaining of fire arms and shooting)
THETA (The Hospitality, Sports, Education and Training Authority) National Qualification (Level 2) in Nature Guiding
Emergency first response Aid Certificate
Dangerous Game Experience
4x4 Competency
Ethical Guiding Principles.

- Application Process

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

Be prepared for hard study and intense learning
Be over 18 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 minimum A level or equivalent
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.

Please note: The Safari Guide Campus is a school, with rules, structure, long hours and a strict studying regime. Students need to be committed to the programme, and be prepared for hard training and study. Please be aware of this and be prepared to abide by these conditions The training may test you beyond limits, but the sights we will see and the memories taken home will make all the hard graft all the more worth it, providing us with stories to recount for years to come, and the skills of a professional safari guide!

Extra Activites Available -

The safari work programme runs for 4 weeks and then we have a week off to relax, either staying on campus or exploring the local area! The campus is ideally located in a beautiful area of breathtaking scenery, boasting activities and attractions that cater to all interests, including:

Kruger National Park
Blyde River Canyon Park
White water rafting (season dependant)
Horseback safaris
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Reptile Park
Cultural tours
Angling
Abseiling
Ballooning
Quad biking
Plus much more!

Please note, that if during our time off from studying at the safari guide training school we choose to stay on campus, food, laundry, transport etc. will not be included during this time as the kitchen and cleaning staff will also be having time off.

Arrival Information -

Students should get a flight into Oliver Tambo International in Johannesburg (JNB). More detailed information will be provided on booking.

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. Also, we have an article written by a travel nurse about how to avoid mosquito bites and other insect bites (opens in a new window).

Our Partners On This Trip -

We work in partnership with established projects, courses and expeditions. The information on our website comes from our local partners and we work with them to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the trips themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can vary.

To contact us phone 0845 006 1435 or email us at info@yomps.co.uk