EcoTraining Goes to Kenya

January 16, 2018 - 3 minutes read

EcoTraining Guides & Guardians is offering two training programs in Kenya this year, in addition to their courses offered in South Africa and Botswana.

Masai Mara EcoQuest is an immersive educational safari course timed to co-inside with the world-famous animal migrations in the Mara and neighboring Serengeti Plains. During the courses, wildlife enthusiasts learn how to conduct drives and wilderness walks, and gain exposure to the fascinating three-way relationship between wildlife, local communities and conservation efforts in the Mara.

Among the general topics covered by EcoTraining experts are:

  • Introduction to ecology
  • Animal tracks and tracking
  • Birding and plant identification
  • Animal behavior
  • Astronomy

Mara-specific teachings include:

  • · Wildlife cohabitating with communities, cattle and crops
  • Conflict between pastoralists and wildlife competing for the same space and food
  • Community schools and sports amid the Mara conservancies
  • Conservation models involving cattle in wildlife areas
  • The rhino sanctuary

EcoTraining’s wilderness education center is located alongside the Mara River between local villages and wildlife areas. Participants must be aged 16 plus, in good health and able to walk at least 2 km.

2018 Course Dates:

  • 17-30 June (14 days)
  • 18-31 July (14 days)
  • 1-7 Sept (7 days)
  • 15-21 Dec (7 days)

The Kenya Safari Guide course consists of 28 adventure-packed days living in and learning about nature and ecology at EcoTraining wilderness camps in Kenya. Participants take part in a variety of educational opportunities, while driving and walking through some of East Africa’s most stunning areas.

Whether you’ve chosen a professional career linked to wildlife or nature, just finished school and are on your gap year, if you’ve taken a career break, are a researcher or regular traveler to the bush, this course is for you.

The course is structured to maximize the practical experience in the bush, allowing for many hours each day of interpreting the local ecology and enjoying the wildlife experience.

General areas covered during the Kenya Safari Guide course include:

  •  Field guiding as a profession
  • Basic 4×4 driving
  • Navigation and orientation
  • Radio procedures
  • Ecology
  • Reptiles
  • Geology and soil
  • Amphibians
  • Fish
  • Mammals
  • Weather and climate
  • Anticipating animal behavior

Participants must be aged 16 plus, in good health and able to walk at least 2 km. All students who complete the course will be awarded with an EcoTraining Certificate. In addition, students will have the opportunity to attempt the KPSGA bronze qualification.

2018 Course Dates:

  • 1-28 June (Mara Training Center)
  • 2-29 Nov (Borana Conservancy)