Turing Scheme
Tracking & Field Guiding
South Africa
Spend 15 days enjoying the incredible experience of immersing yourself in the world of South African wildlife. Not only will you learn about the Big 5, the Little 5 and everything in between, but you’ll also be gaining invaluable hands-on experience and developing your understanding of conservation, animal and human conflict, animal management, animal behaviour and ecology.
It’s not often you get to camp under the stars surrounded by lion calls. This is one of very few reserves that have The Big 5 roaming together and here you’ll learn all about them up close and personal. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge on the Sustainable Development Goals that align with this project, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact.
“It was the best experience of my entire life and incredibly useful. I learnt so much and it was so fun throughout! The team were very helpful answering any questions we had very quickly, the way the trip was planned out was perfect, everything in the itinerary was met on the trip and was a really well-organised trip. I would definitely use Flooglebinder again in the future. Hopefully, very soon I loved the entire experience so much :) ”
Across 15 days, you’ll immerse yourself in South African culture as well as experience the realities of tracking and field guiding.
If you’re looking for a hands-on, educational experience, this is ideal; and if you want to progress your career in wildlife conservation even further, you can complete your FGASA qualification – the stepping stone to becoming a field guide.
*Costs: £2350pp (exc flights) - cost to the student £1615
Travel grant available for South Africa £905
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to Limpopo Reserve
Days 2-13: Tracking and Field Guiding which includes: cyber tracking; remote first aid training; avian, mammal and entomology studies; wildlife management and conservation.
Day 14: Transfer to Soweto and bicycle tour
Day 15: Depart
About your adventure
After travelling to the Limpopo Reserve, you’ll begin your tracking and field guiding work. Here, you’ll be given practical and theory sessions, teaching you everything you need to know about the local fauna and flora. You’ll spend days observing and interpreting sights and sounds, identifying signs of wildlife and traversing (by foot or by Jeep) the wide expanses of the Reserve.
Given the nature of wildlife tracking, no two days will be the same – and itineraries are subject to change based on the needs and whims of the wildlife! However, your adventure will touch on a huge range of topics, including ecology, taxonomy, biomes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, behaviour, tracking and signs, conservation management, and, of course, guiding. Not only that, but you’ll be skilled in bush cooking, driving Jeeps around the Reserve and identifying every species of wildlife.
You’ll also have the opportunity to gain your Cyber Tracker Assessment. Based on your theory and practical lessons, you’ll be able to identify tracks on the ground and be able to conclude which limb of which animal made that track, and whether they were running, walking or hunting at the time – quite the party trick!
After an incredible experience in the Reserve, you’ll be experiencing South Africa like a local, with traditional cuisine and local guides to give you a real taste of South African culture – even exploring the township of Soweto by bicycle.
Our trips are designed to help you develop a wide range of life skills and a deeper understanding of how you can help us work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Learn more ⟶
“It was awesome and I’m never going to forget it especially the part where we got to be a part of the darting of the rhino and being able to get so close to her. Learning about how a game reserve works was very interesting and learning about all the different ecologists has made me think about maybe going down that route. I mean I could go on but yeah it has honestly been one of the best trips I’ve been on and I didn’t want to come home! ”
Tracking & Field Guiding itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in South Africa
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you’ll be taken by private transfer to the Limpopo Reserve. This will become your home for the next 2 weeks while you learn about South African tracking and field guiding.
Meals: L, D (depending on arrival time)
Accommodation: Tents
Days 2-6
Tracking and Field Guiding
This is your chance to get fully immersed in the world of wildlife conservation through hands-on and practical lessons.
6 am: Hot drink and rusks followed by a morning practical session
9 am: Breakfast
10 am: Theory session
12:30 pm: Lunch, relax and study
4 pm: Practical session
7 pm: Dinner & campfire under the stars
Note: This is subject to the whims and needs of the wildlife! Sometimes, plans will need to be adjusted for a potential darting or a radio collar that needs recharging – your work fits around the wildlife!
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Tents
Days 7-13
Cyber Tracking Qualification
Your second week puts the knowledge you have been gaining to the test as you take part in the Cyber Tracking Qualification for the chance to earn an official certificate to take home with you!
Days 7-8: Cyber tracking work
Day 9: Walking the Dangerous Game
Day 10-12: Cyber tracking work
Day 13: Cyber tracking assessment
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Tents
Day 14
Transfer to Soweto
After a jam-packed time in the Reserve, you’ll transfer to Soweto. On the way, you’ll stop at the Cradle of Humankind to learn about human history at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then, into Soweto for some exploration – by bike! Here, you’ll learn about the local communities and the disturbing recent history of the Apartheid, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Hector Peterson.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Backpackers rooms
Day 15
Depart
On your final day, you’ll head to Johannesburg ready for the journey home. This trip will be a life-changing experience, whether it’s the skills and knowledge you’ll use for a future career path or simply the unforgettable memories and nature immersion that will change you as a person.
Meals: B
What’s included
NOTE:
Personal insurance, visas, vaccinations, personal expenditure, tips for leaders, guides and drivers and any other services not listed above are not included.
Important notes
Once you have had your place confirmed, you will then receive a link to register your details and necessary activity permissions with Flooglebinder. You will also receive further information about the impact surveys and report, and a kit list for the trip. If you have any questions about the trip please get in touch. If you have any questions about Flooglebinder’s educational adventures please take a look at our FAQs page.
VACCINATIONS
For this particular trip, please see details below.
Please check with your local GP to find out which vaccinations you require for any adventure that you decide to book. These are a guide; a full consultation is necessary to establish individual risk and suitability of vaccines. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a vaccine can be offered.
Recommended vaccinations:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
Vaccinations to be considered:
• Typhoid Fever
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Cholera
• Tuberculosis (TB)
Malaria Infected Country.
INSURANCE
Please check if your school/college provides insurance and if not we will require your policy number and details 8 weeks before departure. Flooglebinder has public liability cover of £5million but participants must arrange their own travel insurance for all other levels of cover (e.g. cancellation, curtailment, loss of personal belongings etc.). Please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations.
Your safety is our number one priority on all of our educational adventures. All of your finances are protected through Financial Failure Insurance and each programme adheres to British Standards (BS8848). If you have any questions about our safety and security measures, please do get in touch.
See what life is like on tour
