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SPECIAL: 1-Week Bush Survival Course

This is a 5 day theory and practical course running from Monday to Friday - learn all about the African Bush and how to survive in it.

This course will provide you an opportunity to learn about African bush living, and help you gain survival skills. The course covers areas such as camping skills, fauna and flora, forest conservation, medicinal plants, astronomy and orientation and is set in the rural region of Alicedale, a beautiful location surrounded by Game Reserves

WHO CAN DO THIS COURSE?

• The course is open to all Travellers volunteers and can be completed before, during or after your placement.

• Non-Travellers volunteers are also welcome to participate in this course.

PRICES:

• £245 for all Travellers volunteers doing a placement with us

• £595 for Non-Travellers volunteers.

SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE COURSE:

• Introduction and Orientation
• Nature Walks
• Wildlife Tracks and Signs
• Bush Survivals discussions and skills, fire making, solar still, shelter construction
• Alien Plant control and management
• Plant I.D. and Ecology
• Medical and Food Plants Walk
• Wilderness Trail and Camping
• Game Census
• Data entry-wildlife stocking density for Private Game Reserves
• Visit to a Private Game Reserve and Game Drive
• Visit to Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary

Click here to read what our volunteers have said about this course.

"We have had a great week here in Esingeni! Shamwari and the feeding at the Born Free Sanctuary were definite highlights of the week. Surrounding area is ‘lekker’ (awesome) with the accommodation fitting in perfectly. Sleep out was a chance to put our skills to the test under the stars, with the walks challenging yet rewarding. They also allow you to see some spectacular wildlife at very close quarters! The course covers all aspects of the bush and any questions will be answered by your personal oracle Wayne Vos. Food was excellent, every appetite was catered for!  All in all this week was an experience never to forget and a true insight into some of South Africa’s greatest secrets."  By Volunteers Peter Smith, Patricia Munro and Timothy George

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the list of all our projects in South Africa

MINI PROJECTS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Untouched, Pristine, Untamed…
The course will include a Wilderness Hike and sleep out, plus a game drive on a Private Game Reserve and a visit to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary.

The course is conducted by a fully qualified field specialist and expert and is run from Esingeni Bush Camp, where the volunteers on our African Wildlife Course are based. Esengeni is a tented camp where one can appreciate the African Bush from the very inside. It is nestled beside a small stream and tucked beneath a krantz, surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the bush.

"During the bush survival the three of us learned lots of new and valuable skills that would keep one alive in the bush if stranded. From gaining security through building a shelter and a fire, to signalling for help, finding food and water and also how to orientate yourself using various means (although Gareth stills finds this aspect almost impossible to do and Wayne summed it up brilliantly today when he said “just follow Lyndsey!”).

The highlight of the week was camping out on the highlands ridge, although it rained and some got wetter than others, fun was had by all. The climax of the bush survival course was an exquisite drive through Shamwari game reserve where we saw lots of fascinating animals, birds and wildlife behavior." Lyndsey Taylor and Gareth Luscombe, Feb 2006

About Esingeni Bush Camp: This is where our volunteers on the African Wildlife Conservation and Management Course stay. The area is rich in naturally occurring fauna and flora, from centuries old cycads and beautiful wild flowers and bulbs, to an abundance of bird and animal life which inhabit the vicinity of the camp. The tents are hidden under the canopy of wild olives, offering privacy and seclusion.  Tents are situated a short distance from two fully equipped bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot showers. 

Esingeni’s most enchanting feature is the lodge area, which consists of stunning stone and thatch buildings.  It is fully furnished with a comfortable sitting area and large fire place and attractive wooden dining facilities.  Two shaded verandah areas with classic outdoor furniture offer the opportunity to kick back and relax in style.  (There is also a fully equipped kitchen facility).

• Transport from Port Elizabeth Airport to Course site and back again
• Accommodation
• All meals whilst in Camp
• Lectures and Field activities
• Overnight Camping and Nature Walks
• Visit to Private Game Reserves (transport included)
• Visit to the BFF Cat Sanctuary (transport included)

To apply for this course, please click here

“I needed a break from the buzz of my mundane urban life and hoped the Conservation Discovery Course at Esingeni would provide that escape. My objectives were to learn about conservation and Africa’s wildlife and have fun doing so! There were various emotional moments connecting with nature (fauna & flora); such as clawing my way up a steep hill in a forest, to the pinnacle.

The highlight of the discovery experience for me however, was negotiating several hills in the somewhat unforgiving Eastern Cape landscape to the over indulgent and camping out in the wilderness. Helping set up the tent, fetching water from the dam, spotting tracks of wildlife, being teased by the beckoning cry of the Hadeda Ibis, eating diner round the campfire, laughing as we toasted marshmallows after dinner; I realized I would not be the same person returning home.

My horizons clearly broadened, my objectives fully met and exceeded, I breathed in deeply and knew I had had a blast!” Angela Adebayo (Kent, England, a teacher)

To see the Prices of this project and all our other projects in South Africa, please click here

• Food & accommodation while on your project, unless otherwise stated,
• 2 T-shirts, if required for your project
• All support and backup during your programme
• Meeting you at the nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.

Return to the South Africa Home Page and
the list of all our projects in South Africa

TO APPLY FOR THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CLICK HERE