The Area/s where field guide training courses take place

​Set on the banks for the Kwhai River in the southeastern parts of the Okavango, this area provides the prefect landscape for Guide Training Courses linked to FGASA and BQA Nature Field Guide Course. A diverse array of habitats from near permanent rivers, lagoons, Okavango Island communities, seasonal floodplains, mixed dry woodlands and mopane woodland, allow for a diverse existence of wildlife.
The Kwhai River area is a popular destination for many Mobile Safari operators and boasts exceptional wildlife viewing all year round.
 
Species that may be encountered during the course range from elephant, buffalo, hippo, possible Rhino species, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena, serval, wild cat, genet, civet, porcupine, giraffe, roan, sabel, kudu, impala, wildebeest, tsessebe, zebra, lechwe, warthog and more. The bird life is terrific as well as other such as common reptiles, Nile crocodile, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes, various amphibians and an array of other smaller organisms to be encountered! One student from South Africa ticked off 76 new bird species in a month.
 
The camp is a mobile tented camp set-up and is run as close to a typical safari camp environment as possible. This allows learners to gain real workplace type experience during the course.
A central fire place is set up for evenings to sit and enjoy the African night sounds and discuss days learning and adventures.

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Activity description

The activity focus varies according to the type of guide training courses booked.

Botswana and FGASA NQF 2 Vehicle guide training courses focus more on nature drives during early morning, afternoon and night drives.
​Some walks will be offered to learn the intricacies of nature guiding by foot and for a broader guided experience offered.

Walking/Trail guide training courses focus primarily on walking in the wilderness. Game drives will be available, especially to gain access to walking areas a distance from camp.

Rifle Training for walking courses = Theory and dry drills practice is conducted at the camp for the first two days. From there, we travel roughly two hours every day to the shooting range.

HOw & When to get here

Travel to and from Maun
Various transport options are available from, Johannesburg to Maun.

• Air Botswana or SA Arilink run a daily return flight from Johannesburg South Africa, to Maun Botswana. BUT, we do suggest thast you book SA Airlink to ensure better timing on arrival in Maun.
• There are various Bus Services from Johannesburg To Maun and back.

go to air botswana website

go to airlink website

Getting to camp
Due to the long and hard terrain road transfer to camp, NGC does suggst for people to fly into camp at their own expense on an air charter flight. Not only is this a quicker transfer, but it also allows people the brilliant experience of gaining a birds eye view of portions of the okavango. Should you book a seat on a small charter flight, luggage restrictions are up to 20KG pperson in a soft bag.

We do offer road transfers to the camp from Maun at an extra fee, with less luggage restrictions - the fee is P600-00 per person one way.

Should students need to be transfered back to Maun during the course for own/personal reasons, then your option would be to book a charter flight from the nearby bush airstrip to Maun and back. NGC office will arrange this for you.

When to arrive in Maun
We suggest you arrive one night before the course commencment date to allow you to purchase final goods for the 6 week course such as air time and cell phone sim cards. Secondly, the international flights arribe roughly midday and should there be delays, this then creates logisitcal issues of driving to the camp late in the afternoon. In such cases, you may then require to either book a seat on a charter flight too camp (if available on short notice) or to book into a gueyts house/backpackers in Maun for the night and then a charter flight seat to camp the nextt day at your own expense.

NGC office can pre-book you into various hotels, guests houses or backpackers for your night before arrival and night in Maun after course before departure.

Accommodation

Each learner shall have their own Dome tent with veranda. Each tent is fitted with a ground mattress, sheet, pillow and pillow case. Each dome tent shall have a solar light for study.
Wash Basins are set-up on veranda of tent for early morning and daily refreshing.
Learners that may wish to share tents shall be provided with a larger Dome tent.

Main Area
A Marque 10 x 5m tent area under Leadwood Trees is set up and utilized for lessons and meals with lighting for night time study or other. The main area looks onto the Kwhai River floodplain and many animals are seen = wild dogs have hunted in front of camp, elephant herds move past, hippos, reedbuck, lechwe, waterbuck, hyena and more.... While you are attending lessons or having a meal!
 
Ablutions and showers
Numerous bucket showers are set-up for learners. Heated water is provided and typically one shower a day is recommended.
 
Shared pit latrines are set up for students.
 
Drinks
Teas, Coffee, Water (Borehole) and juice are available during meals and activities. A small selection of soft drinks, beer and cider is available on a cash sale basis from the Kwhai Village. Should you wish to bring your own alcohol/soft drinks, this can be bought in Maun on arrival day.

Services

​Staff and services
Two Batswana staff are present to help run the camp including a Cook as well as a General helper.
Geusts are expeted to keep expected to keep their tents clean. Should you wish the general helper to clean your tent, then this can be agreed on with the help[er at your own rate.

​Laundry
A basic laundry service is available every three days or so. no ironing is available at P50-00 per person per week, payable at course end.
Staff will not wash any underwear and socks.
​Washing basins are available for students to wash their own laundry and underwear.

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