Training Camps  7 - Day Botswana Ranger Experience.

 

Experience’s Objectives:

 

To provide participants with an introduction to African wildlife and the natural environment, in an enjoyable and exciting way. The course will teach ethical behaviour in natural environments as well as conservation initiatives that everyone can contribute to in their day-to-day life. The objective is for participants to understand the underlying elements that support this amazing variety of life such as geology, soils, plants and climate as well as how both small and large organisms and species interact with one another and their environment.

 

A typical day will include.
• early morning wakeup with tea/coffee | bush coffee whilst on game drive.
• A daybreak drive or walk, focusing on the topic of the day.
• Return to camp for a hearty cooked breakfast.
• Debriefing on morning activities observations/ lessons
• Midday lecture
• Free time or leisure activities
• Mid-afternoon light lunch
• Afternoon drive or walk, focusing on the day’s lecture theme ended with sundowners.
• Dinner and debriefing on the evening activities’ observations and lessons.

 

Variations to typical schedule may include.
• Full day activity for tracking and trailing
• Full day activity for navigational walks
o Both will incorporate general observations and learning.
• Evening activities may include star gazing (astronomy)

Itinerary

14:00 Estimated Arrival Time at EcoTraining Botswana Eco-Camp
• Upon arrival a safety briefing will be conducted, an orientation of camp as well as an introduction to the staff.

• Participants will be shown to their accommodation, followed by time to settle in as well as time to prepare for the afternoon activity (dependent on arrival time).

Afternoon Activity
• A late afternoon activity which will be a game drive and night drive to introduce the participants to the reserve and
the night sky.

Morning activity:
• A morning activity which will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk.

• Focus on the Ecology and Geology of the surrounding areas. Noon discussion and practical experience:

• Interactive discussion by instructor based on Ecology and Geology -understanding the inter-relatedness and with a focus on the local area, including Geology and Soils, Weather and Atmosphere, Food Web and  Energy Flow, Habitat Ecology and Conservation in terms of invasive species and other Ecology, Geology based conservation.

Afternoon activity:
• Afternoon activity which will either be in the form of game drive or bush walk.

• Incorporating general game viewing, with emphasis on the Basic Ecology and Geology – topics covered during the
Noon Discussion.

Morning Activity:
• Trail from camp focusing on Navigation and Orientation and how to use nature as a tool to navigate and orientate yourself in the bush and make your way to your midday picnic spot. Noon Discussion and Practical Experience out in the field:

• Interactive discussion by instructor based on Navigation and Orientation as well as Bush Skills.

• Discussion topics and practical experiments to include basic practical skills including use of landmarks, sun, compass and maps for Navigation and  Orientation.

Afternoon Activity:
• Game drive, combining with a walk if there are interests, and incorporating general game drive viewing, with emphasis
on Navigation and Orientation.

Morning Activity:
• A morning activity which will either be in the form of a game drive or bush walk.

• Trail from camp focusing on Animal, Bird and Tree Identification and  Behaviour. Emphasis on Mammals, Amphibians, Reptile, Fish and Arthropods, endangered species and how the reserve aids conservation.
Noon Discussion and Practical Experience:

• Interactive discussion by instructor based on Animal, Bird and Tree Identification and Behaviour.

Afternoon Activity:
• Game drive, combining with a walk if there are interests, and incorporating general game drive viewing, with emphasis on Animal, Bird and Tree Identification and Behaviour with an extra focus on endangered species and big game animals.

Morning Activity:
• A morning activity will be planned to test current situational awareness  capabilities. This will be done by placing various objects randomly that don’t below in nature along this route and testing the groups observational skills as well.

• After this the groups will be taught how to Track and Trail as well as read “signs” in the bush. Noon Discussion and Practical Experience:

• Lecture based on Animal Tracks and Tracking followed by an Excursion to the nearby Rhino Sanctuary

Afternoon Activity:
• Afternoon activity focusing on the elements discussed in the lecture which will both be in the form of game drive and bush walk to test your newly learnt skills in the ancient art of tracking and reading the bush.

Morning Activity:
• A morning walking activity with a focus on Bird and mammal identification with the emphasis on bird behaviour as well as how to interpret specific birds as a tool when approaching dangerous game on foot.

Midday Activity:
• Interactive discussion by instructor based on Walking and approaching dangerous game on foot – trails and guiding.

Afternoon Activity:
• A game walk focusing on how to approach animals on foot with the  emphasis on dangerous animals.

• How to use different mammal & bird calls and the behaviour as alert calls whilst on a walk.

• Short activity drive with hotbox for last coffee/tea as the sun rises and provides an opportunity for students to sit in silence and just “be in nature”. Return to camp for packing and departure @ 09:00am