Safari like a Guide – Bush Skills Course

A fantastic one week bush skills course set in the Okavango Delta, delivered by the African Guide Academy who train most of the safari guides in the Okavango. This short course has been specially designed for adventurous travellers keen to have a deeper understanding of the wilderness both in theory and practise. Ideal for intrepid and curious travellers who are more interested in understanding the wilderness than luxurious accommodation, and a great introduction for self-drivers. Lectures take place on 4×4 game drives and during walking, mokoro, boating as well as in camp.

As the courses are modular and include some self-study, the days are more flexible and do not follow a strict schedule. This allows the trainer to create a weekly training programme based on local conditions, wildlife movements and water levels. Lessons given in camp but the practical application is stressed and therefore often lessons are given out in the bush.

Lectures are informal and are based on subjects of particular interest where students on the training course feel they would like further explanation of topics they have studied in the manual. The approach on this course is to facilitate discussions rather than conduct long theoretical lectures.

The trainer will always try to ensure that every student who joins our programmes has exposure to all our training. This means that every week students will do at least 1 mokoro excursions, some boating, game-drives, game walks, a sleep out on an island, tracking, navigation, survival skills, hydrology, ecology etc.

During the week at Kwapa Camp you will do a sleep-out where we load the bare minimum and head out to a remote location and set up an overnight camp, sleeping under the stars for the night. We return to camp before lunch the following day.

Based at Kwapa Camp in the southern Okavango. This is a simple but comfortable camp, consisting of nine tents, each 3×4 meru-style tent has an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet and bucket shower. The tents are furnished with camp beds, duvets, pillows, sheets and towels and lighting is provided by an LED battery powered light.

Please note that the flood waters of the Okavango are seasonal. Water based activities on our guide training courses are dependent on water levels. Our peak flood is typically middle to end of August.

Course fees include:

Shared tented accommodation – unless a 15% single supplement is paid
• All meals at Kwapa Training Camp
• Well-point water, tea and coffee
• All training and activities
• Scheduled transfer from Maun to Kwapa Camp return (1 transfer in and out per student)

The course will run from as few as just 4 students to a maximum of 8.

Day 1 - Maun arrival

The meeting point on the first day is just across the road from Maun International Airport, at 2pm. This is designed to coincide with the international flights which usually land around 1.30pm.

Your training guide will then take you to the shops where you will purchase your drinks for the duration of your stay. Only water, tea and coffee are provided in camp.

The group will then set off for camp, a 2-hour road transfer. Arriving at Kwapa Camp in
the late afternoon, the rest of this first day consists primarily of settling into camp, meeting the team, orientation and familiarization of the assessment process to be used for this course.

It is important to note that any arrivals after 2pm will not make the transfer. Therefore any delays in arrival will require an overnight in Maun (at own expense) and a private transfer to camp (an additional cost) the following day.

Day 2 -7 - Kwapa Camp

For the next week you will follow a rough daily schedule as per below, however please note this is only a general outline of what to expect – days are flexible and will change depending on student interests and external factors on the ground.

Mornings start early, before sunrise, followed by breakfast before heading out into the wilderness. The route taken and the transport used is based on the movement of the wildlife and the specific targets for the day. Wilderness excursions are done on foot, by vehicle, by boat and dug-out canoe.

Return to camp by late morning for a short lecture on one of our relevant topics. A hearty lunch is then served in camp followed by time for a shower, siesta and personal study time. Tea and snacks are served in the mid-afternoon and is followed by an afternoon excursion and dinner.

Day 8 - Maun - Departure Day

Departure Day.

Today you bid farewell to the team and this corner of the Okavango.

After breakfast you return to Maun, a 2- hour drive from Kwapa, in good time for any international connecting flights.

Map View

African Guide Academy – Kwapa Camp

Water Level

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About the Okavango Flood

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