South Africa - 16 day environmental ranger course
Johannesburg to Johannesburg

Highlights: • 3-Day Drakensberg Hike • 4 x 4 Driving Skills • Kruger National Park • Hluhluwe Game Reserve • Snake and Reptile Course • National Parks • Firearm Skills • African Culture • River Guiding Skills • Game Walks • Abseiling

13 NIGHTS CAMPING 1 NIGHT CABIN 1 NIGHT INN

This course is designed for those who want to combine a very active holiday with a learning experience. Because of mass tourism nowadays it is often difficult to find a product that truly caters for the fit and adventurous that are prepared to take a few risks. The amount of knowledge one wishes to absorb on this course is up to the individual as the subject matter is vast. We will have a few lectures and an examination afterwards. However, the level of fitness required is not negotiable. This is a tough course and we will not jeopardise others' enjoyment for the sake of the unprepared. This course is not recommended for anyone over the age of 45 years.

DAY 1: JHB - DRAKENSBERG DINNER Leaving your Inn at 09h00, we head eastward via Harrismith to our first stop overlooking the magnificent Sterkfontein Dam. After a brief discussion on the Vaal/Tugela water scheme, we continue to Retiefklip where we cover some of the more recent history of South Africa. Our camp tonight will be at the base of the mountain and we will prepare for the following days of hiking.

DAY 2 - 4: DRAKENSBERG HIKING BREAKFAST/LUNCH / DINNER We begin our 3-day hike into the natural wilderness area of the Berg. Each day we cover approx. 15KM with steep gradients, and clients need to be fit, as once started there is only one way out. Sleeping at night is in caves and each participant must carry his share of the supplies. Topics covered on the hike will include mountain fauna and flora, mountain leadership, and general hiking techniques. On day 4 we return to the campsite for a welcome shower.

DAY 5: DOLPHIN COAST BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER An early start, we head directly to the coastal town of Umdloti. We will spend a night at a Coastal Inn and will cover various aspects of coastal ecology and marine biology.

DAY 6 -7: ZULULAND BUSH CAMP BREAKFAST / LUNCH /DINNER Leaving the coast, we begin our journey through the hills of rural Zululand to your Camp. Situated in a private reserve bordering False Bay, this Inn provides the ideal base for exploring the diversity of Zululand. The two days will be spent visiting Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve, walking in False Bay National Park, visiting a Zulu village, and generally learning about the local fauna and flora.

DAY 8-9: SWAZILAND BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Travelling north, we enter the Kingdom of the Swazi where we spend a full day on the Great Usutu River learning the guiding skills of kayaking and rafting. We camp for the two nights.

DAY 10: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Leaving Swaziland, we enter the Kruger Park, home to some of Africa's most incredible wildlife. Our entire day will be spent viewing animals in their natural environment. Tonight we camp in one of the parks rest camps, where we may have the option of a night drive (own expense).

DAY 11: HAZYVIEW BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER After an early morning game drive in the park, we exit and travel the short distance to your Inn. The afternoon will be spent studying birds and butterflies in the sub-tropical riverine forest surrounding the Inn.

DAY 12 - 15: BALULE GAME RESERVE BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER These last days of the course will be spent in the bushveld of Balule, a private game reserve bordering the Kruger Park. This is "Big 5" country, and our time here will be spent learning about spoor, trees, birds and many other aspects of nature. We will visit the Swadini Reptile Park for an in depth course on reptiles, and will conduct lessons in firearms, 4x4 driving, and other interesting subjects necessary for field guiding. It is here also that we conduct the final exam, which will cover all of the subjects learned during the course.

DAY 16: JOHANNESBURG BREAKFAST Today we head back to Johannesburg via the Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Pilgrims Rest. We arrive in the evening, far healthier and wiser for the experience.

The cost for the above is in the region of £837.00 per person, excluding flights and airport taxes

Cost includes: transport ex Johannesburg, food, accommodation, park entry fees and professional instructor. We can gladly cost this itinerary to include international flights on your preferred choice of airline.