Ranger Training | Beginner Course in Botswana

Course length:

7 nights

Starting point:

The meeting point is opposite Maun Airport at 14:00 on the first day of the course. The time is chosen so that international arrivals can be adjusted

Accommodation:

This course takes place at Kwapa Trails Camp. The Meru-style tents have a private bathroom with a bucket shower and bush toilet. Each tent is equipped with two camp beds, sheets, pillows, duvet and towels. There is a battery-powered LED lamp in the tents. The covered veranda has a sink and camping chairs.

Activities:

Although we will spend most of the course walking in the wilderness, we will also do nature trips and, when water levels allow, mokoro and boat trips to various habitats.

• Practical experience in navigating the African wilderness, bush survival techniques, the ancient art of tracking, handling weapons, identifying birds and mammals, and much more
• Hikes and overnight stays in the wilderness
• Game drives in a 4×4 vehicle
• Game watching safaris
• Stargazing and astronomy
• Theory talks and presentations by qualified and knowledgeable instructors on various topics ranging from local geology, ecology and hydrology to astronomy and weather/climate

Who should take this course?

• People who want to reconnect with themselves and are looking for an authentic experience in the bush that helps them recover, renew, and restart.
• Experienced safari visitors who are now looking for a deeper, more holistic experience in the African wilderness.
• School and/or university graduates who are looking for a life-changing time-out experience.
• People with a sense of adventure who want to do more than just a typical backpacking trip.
• Survivalists who want to acquire the skills necessary to survive in the wild.
• Leaders who want to learn many of the practical aspects that are often only discussed in theory.
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Objectives and qualifications of participants:

The walking lessons acquired during this course can be credited towards the BQA “Back-up Trails Guide” and the FGASA “Apprentice Trails Guide.” This course is not registered in the National Qualifications and Credit Framework in Botswana.

However, at the end of the course, there will be a practical exam and, depending on your skills, you will receive a certificate of achievement.

You don't need any previous knowledge. However, you should have sufficient English language skills have and are generally in good fitness.
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Itinerary:

First day:
The trainer from the African Guide Academy meets all participants at Duck Cafe opposite Maun Airport at 14h00. This allows students to arrive on international flights on the first day of the course (flights usually arrive at 1:15 p.m.). In order to have enough time to arrive at Kwapa Training Camp while it is still light, we can only give a grace period until 3:30pm in the event of flight delays.

Daily activities:
The daily routine is to leave at dawn and we return to camp between 10 and 11 o'clock. Although we will travel to different parts of the concession, we will be traveling on foot most of the time. During the heat of the day, we have free time or short, informal talks. In the afternoon, when it cools down, we set off and return to camp in the evening.

While we will be giving informal talks on tracking theory and some digital quizzes, the majority of the course is focused on what nature tells us to do.

Last day:
We are driven back to Maun, where we arrive at Duck Café around 11 o'clock.


Please note that this is only a rough overview, which can and will change depending on the needs of guests and external factors - and on some days it is even not met at all! We leave it up to the wilderness to determine the best possible experiences.