Ranger training - unforgettable experiences in the Okavango Delta

Course duration:

14 or 28 nights

Starting point:

The meeting point is opposite Maun Airport at 2:00 PM on the first day of the course. This time is scheduled to accommodate international arrivals.

Accommodation:

This course takes place at the Kwapa Trails Camp. The Meru-style tents feature an en-suite bathroom with a bucket shower and a bush toilet. Each tent is equipped with two camp beds, bed linen, pillows, a duvet, and towels. There is a battery-operated LED lamp in the tents. A washbasin and camping chairs are provided on the covered veranda.

Activities:

• Walking safaris - including approaching big game on foot
• Game drives
• Navigation and tracking
• Overnight wilderness camping
• Stargazing/astronomy
• Theory lectures with PowerPoint presentations
• Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions - subject to water levels
• Motorboat trips - subject to water levels

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Who should take this course?

• People who want to reconnect with themselves and are looking for an authentic bush experience to help them recharge, renew, and reset.
• Experienced safari-goers who are now looking for a deeper, more holistic experience in the African wilderness.
• School and/or university graduates looking for a life-changing gap year experience.
• Adventurous individuals looking for more than just a typical backpacking experience
• Aspiring guides
• Experienced guides looking to further develop their knowledge and skills

Important: Even as a participant not seeking certification, you must complete a minimum number of assessments and game drives. This is not a budget safari; it is a guide training school.

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Participant goals and qualifications:

No prior experience is required for this course. It is important that you are clear about your course goals when booking.

• For personal enrichment only: This is not a budget safari! Many students take this course for personal enrichment and have a fantastic time, but please keep in mind that our goal and focus is on learning and skill development. You will be training alongside people who want to become the best guides in the industry. To maintain the integrity of this structured course, all participants are required to take daily review tests and a final theory exam. Upon completion of the course, all participants will receive an African Guide Academy certificate.
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• Qualifications:
  Participants can choose to pursue one of the following qualifications, or both:
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  1. FGASA Field Guide (Level 1): The Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) is the national guide qualification in South Africa. It is also the most recognized qualification in Africa. Please note: To qualify for FGASA Level 1, you must complete the pre-course workbooks and prepare the required study material before attending the course. It is the student's responsibility to contact FGASA directly to arrange registration and the mailing of the books. It is advisable to do this as early as possible, as shipping study materials and workbooks before the course takes some time.
  To obtain the FGASA certificate, you must also complete the full 28 days of training, though this does not have to be done in one go and can be spread out over a longer period.
  The FGASA Level 1 theory exam is taken during the final days of the course at Kwapa Camp, and your practical assessment is conducted throughout the 4 weeks—depending on your progress, you will be assessed as competent in the required areas, with the final evaluation taking place in the last days of the course. Please also note that you cannot register for the FGASA Trails Guide course until you have successfully completed this Field Guide course.
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  2. BQA Level 2&3: This is the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) assessment, the national guide qualification for Botswana. Participants take their theoretical exam during the final days of the course at Kwapa Camp. The practical assessment takes place over 2 or 4 weeks; depending on your progress, you will be assessed as competent in the required areas, with the final assessment occurring in the last few days of the course. The BQA also differs in that you do not have to complete the full 28 days, but can instead complete 14 days. Furthermore, with the BQA, you have the option to complete the Trails Guide course before successfully finishing the Nature Guide course. Please note that for an expat to obtain a guiding license in Botswana, they must have a valid work and residence permit, at least 5 years of guiding experience outside of Botswana, and a BQA Level 3 Nature Guide qualification (local and enrichment students qualify with Level 2).

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You should have sufficient English language skills and a generally good level of fitness.

Itinerary:

Day one:
The African Guide Academy trainer will meet all participants at the PPCC Indian restaurant opposite Maun Airport at 14:00. This allows participants to arrive on international flights on the first day of the course (flights usually land around 13:15). Participants will then have the opportunity to purchase drinks, snacks, etc., before the approximately 2-hour road transfer to Kwapa Camp begins. Please note that participants arriving after 14:30 will need to find accommodation in Maun and pay US$70.00 for an unscheduled transfer to Kwapa Camp the following day.
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After arriving at Kwapa Camp in the late afternoon, the rest of the first day consists mainly of orientation and an introduction to the assessment process used for this course.
Meals: Dinner

A typical day:
Kwapa Camp, located on the banks of the Kwapa River in the Okavango Delta, operates on a "duty guide" system. Every day, there are two duty guideswho help with wake-up calls and breakfast preparation. One duty guide leads the morning activity, while the other leads the afternoon activity. Each activity lasts about 3 hours. After returning from the morning activity around 10:00, there is a coffee and tea break.

The instructor then discusses the performance of the morning activity with the duty guide, giving the participant the opportunity to comment on their own strengths and weaknesses. The group then discusses these points and provides constructive criticism. Finally, the moderator adds points that they feel could have been handled differently. At every meal, the duty guides are encouraged to host the group using appropriate hosting techniques, such as maintaining conversation throughout the meal, ensuring drinks are always available, and making sure all "guests" have what they need before they begin eating.
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06:00 - 10:00: Morning activity / training session
10:00 - 11:00: Tea & coffee break
11:00 - 12:00: Lecture
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Shower and downtime
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Candidate presentations (topic to be discussed with the moderator). Discussion on presentation content and technique.
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Afternoon activity / training session
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Review of the afternoon activity / training session
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner and wrap-up of daily activities

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Last day:
After the morning activity and breakfast, we will return to Maun in time for your international flight.

Meals: Breakfast

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Please note that this is only a rough overview, which can and will change depending on guest needs and external factors.‍