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Ranger Course in Africa: Become a Field Guide Level 1

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$600-900Program Costs
4.7 / 5Overall Rating
3Reviews
2013Year established

Program Overview

Are you ready to embark on your ranger adventure and complete your Apprentice Field Guide training in 55 days? This former Field Guide Level 1 course offers expert guidance from seasoned leaders and covers essential basics of Southern Africa’s flora and fauna. The program emphasizes hands-on training in the wild, preparing you to conserve the African wilderness's beauty.

You will master orientation and navigation techniques, including using constellations for positioning, handling a cross-country vehicle, and safely navigating rough terrain. You'll also gain skills in tracking, analyzing animal behavior, and identifying local wildlife and plant species.

Experience nights under the stunning starry sky; gather around the campfire with fellow adventure seekers; and create unforgettable memories in the bush.

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Program Highlights

Live and learn in the midst of Southern Africa’s wilder­ness for 55 days.
Acquire valuable field guide knowledge, instructed by experi­enced course leaders.
Discover the untouched flora and fauna on daily game walks and drives.
Spend nights in the bush, beneath the breathtaking starry sky.
Receive an official FGASA certifi­cate at the end of the course.

What's Included

Some Equipment
Pre-Departure Orientation
Training
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
All Program Activity Costs
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
Assistance Booking Travel
Textbooks / Reading Materials
Course Materials
Certificate of Completion
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Kruger Park, South Africa
  • Tuli block, Botswana

Fields & Subjects

  • Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Conservation & Preservation

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round
  • Terms Available
  • Throughout the Year

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Application Procedures

  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Written Application
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Resume

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • Post High School
  • During College
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career

Starts At

$600-900

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Natucate

4.7
3 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
2
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Academics
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Community
5.0
Living Situation
4.7
Cultural Immersion
4.7
Health & Safety
4.7

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-3 of 3 reviews

Denise OlbrichGermany · September 2023

Bester Reiseanbieter

Ich bin bereits das dritte Mal mit Natucate unterwegs und kann diesen Reiseanbieter von ganzem Herzen weiterempfehlen. Ich habe beide meiner Guidekurse in Südafrika über Natucate gebucht und würde es jedem ans Herz legen, dies auch zu tun. Man wird einfach optimal auf die Kursinhalte und die gesamte Reise vorbereitet. Durch seine jahrelange Erfahrung mit Ecotraining und der gesamten Industrie hat Daniel Insights, die mir vollstes Vertrauen in ihn und das ganze Natucate Team geben. Diesen Sommer bin ich mit Natucate auf die Private Wilderness Experience im Okavango Delta gefahren und es war großartig. Die Guides, die Umgebung und die Gruppe haben perfekt miteinander harmoniert. Ich komme definitiv wieder! Die Kommination vor, während und nach der Reise läuft jedes Mal schnell, unkompliziert und individuell ab. Kein Massentourismus. Natucate zeigt aufrichtiges Interesse an Ihren Kunden und deren individuellen Bedürfnissen. Ich fühle mich zu jederzeit verstanden und gesehen. Vielen Dank an Daniel und das gesamte Natucate Team für die unvergesslichen Momente auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent.

Martina BaumelerSwitzerland · April 2023

Abenteuer in Südafrika

Ich habe den Field Guide Level 1 Kurs in Südafrika über Natucate gebucht. Daniel und sein Team waren von Anfang an äusserst hilfsbereit und professionell. Durch die tolle Unterstützung wurde ich sehr gut auf meine Zeit in Südafrika vorbereitet. Auch während dem Kurs war Natucate immer zur Stelle, um alle meine Fragen zu beantworten. Daniel ist uns sogar während dem Kurs in Südafrika besuchen gekommen, Es war richtig toll ihn persönlich kennenzulernen. Insgesamt war die Zeit im Busch einfach fantastisch! Zwei Monate lang umgeben zu sein von wunderschöner Natur, atemberaubender Tierwelt und liebenswürdigen Menschen aus der ganzen Welt war unbeschreiblich schön, Es war super spannend jeden Tag viele neue Dinge über Tiere, Pflanzen, Geologie, Astronomie etc. zu lernen. Dank Natucate hatte ich ein einzigartiges und unvergessliches Abenteuer. Ich kann Natucate von ganzem Herzen weiterempfehlen.

AntoniaAugust 2018

Life changing experience!

While I was sitting in the middle of a breeding herd of elephants, I looked back on the past two incredible months. As an 18-year-old, I wanted to get to know a new country and learn more about the bush – that was the plan for my gap year! I was nervous at the arrival, but our group had the night at the guest house in Johannesburg and the drive to the camp the next day to get to know one another. By then I would never have guessed how close we became during the course; the nationalities, ages and life experiences were all so different, but we are all like-minded people on a course we chose, as I suppose many people would be. Greeted by Andreas, our first instructor, followed closely by our first camp coordinator, Yosta, everything began to fall into place and I started feeling comfortable. Our experience Our daily schedule of walks, drives, lectures and duty become the daily routine. The lectures became more detailed while the tests on the calendar kept coming closer. The theory was tough, but incredibly interesting and during the drives and walks we had some incredibly unique experiences. Some of the highlights include walking around lion, driving with elephant, several close leopards and the general beauty of the landscape. While the elephants have passed I realize the large scale of the amount we had seen, experienced and learnt. Alan, our last instructor, summed it all up: “You cannot describe that experience in words, so let’s not”. That's why I say I cannot effectively summarise these incredible two months, but I can urge you to take a chance at a life-changing experience. (Antonia, 19 years, 55 Days)

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Natucate.

What happens on arrival?

We suggest that you arrange flights to Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport) and arrive one day before the official start of the course. Spend one night in the city and get to the official meeting point the next morning, where you and the other course participants are picked up and taken to your camp.

How is a typical day structured?

Nature dictates the daily schedule. Your day begins with a sunrise excursion, either a game drive or a bush walk. Afterward, you'll return to camp for lunch.

The midday period is dedicated to lectures and personal time, allowing for study or rest as needed. After lunch and a coffee or tea break, you'll embark on your second bush excursion in the afternoon. You'll return to camp at sunset.

How big is the group?

Usually, up to 20 participants, plus staff members, will be accommodated in the camps.

Course activities will be conducted in groups of 9 participants, plus staff members, for driving-based activities and 8 participants, plus staff members, for walking-based activities.

What is the accommodation like?

Most of the time, you will stay in shared tents or little cabins. The accommodation is simple but comfortable. Check out more information on the following pages: 

  • Camp Mashatu (Botswana)
  • Camp Karongwe (South Africa)
  • Camp Makuleke (South Africa)
  • Camp Pridelands (South Africa)
  • Camp Selati (South Africa)

Is it possible to receive vegetarian/vegan meals?

The food is balanced enough to make a vegetarian diet possible. However, a vegan or gluten-free diet is a bit more difficult to arrange. You should inform us beforehand so our team on site has enough time for arrangements. Please be aware that the choice of vegetarian meals can be limited and might be repetitive.

Furthermore, given the location of these camps, pescetarian diets unfortunately cannot be catered to. 

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