A South African Wildlife Experience
10 Day NATURE QUEST 2007
International Arrival Day
Upon arrival
Transfer from OR Thambo Airport in Johanneburg to hotel and evening of rest
DAY 1
Transfer to Hoedspruit (Karongwe Camp)
Travel by road (6-7 hours) or by charter flight (2 hours)
Upon arrival
Welcome and briefing about what travelers will learn over the duration of their stay; how the experience will be conducted, etc.
Afternoon lecture
Introduction to ecotourism and Safari guide skills in South Africa
Afternoon outing
Game drive/walk
DAY 2
Morning walk
Discussion on basic ecology, geology, soil-types, taxonomy and plant communities with introduction to plants
Morning lecture
Introduction to the area’s boundaries, orientation of the camp and the major landmarks
Afternoon lecture & outing
Sketching maps of the area using aerial photos and maps and outing with navigation exercises
DAY 3
Morning drive
Photography and use of binoculars
Morning lecture
Photography
Afternoon lecture
Photography
Afternoon outing
Photography
DAY 4
Morning drive
Drive along concession border, discussing conservation and doing anti-poaching work; sustainable development and the wise use of natural resources
Morning lecture
Basics of plant identification and plant uses
Afternoon lecture
Basics of bird identification
Afternoon outing
Birds and plants
DAY 5
Morning walk
Animal tracks and tracking with tracking exercises
Morning lecture
Animal tracks and tracking
Afternoon lecture
Basic animal behavior
Afternoon outing
Afternoon walk, looking at above two topics
DAY 6
Morning walk
Approaching dangerous game.
Morning lecture
Bush and survival skills, setting up a bush camp
Afternoon activity
Setting up camp; this evening guests will sleep out under the African stars!
Evening
Astronomy
DAY 7
Morning activity
Dangerous game rifles; how to carry out safety procedures
Morning lecture
Introduction to the game drive vehicle, radio procedure exercises and the use of a spotlight.
Afternoon activity
Game drive – basic 4 x 4 skills
Evening
Game drive – basic 4 x 4 skills
DAY 8
Morning outing
Sensitivity in guiding
Morning lecture
Identification and ecology of reptiles and amphibians
Afternoon lecture
Identification and ecology of invertebrates
Afternoon outing
Walk, looking at all aspects of ecosystem.
DAY 9
Morning outing
Identification and ecology of invertebrates in the field
Morning lecture
Basic habitat management principles
Afternoon lecture
Ecotourism and the local communities
Afternoon outing
Spend afternoon doing habitat, anti-erosion work.
DAY 10
Morning outing
Game Drive and breakfast out in the bush
Morning
Depart for Johannesburg and transfer to airport for international flight home
Notes:
- Morning and afternoon outings can involve a game drive or bush walk.
- The above includes the educational elements of the travel experience only. Activities such as sundowners (evening cocktails); bush picnics; bush cooking opportunities; spontaneous tracking of big game where possible, etc. take place throughout the duration of the experience, but are planned according to weather and guest’s desires.
