Nature Guide – Okavango Delta

about the school

African Guide Academy

The training courses are conducted in the Okavango Delta which has been declared a World Heritage site because of it’s pristine ecosystems, it’s scenic beauty and abundance of wildlife. The Okavango is one of the most scenically spectacular wildlife areas anywhere in the world. The myriad of crystal clear channels and wildlife rich islands is a habitat unlike any other.

The learning experience is influenced by the natural beauty of the area and the habitat diversity. Kwapa has a combination of river channel’s, floodplains, lagoons as well as riparian woodland, savannah, mopane scrub, climax mopane woodland and grasslands.

Possibly the most amazing thing about the area is the fact that it is part of a wilderness that stretches unfenced for hundreds of thousands of square kilometres through Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, southern Angola and southern Zambia.

The Trainers

Even in a great area with wonderful biodiversity you need a great field guide trainer. The trainer not only helps you to identify the species but also to interpret the behaviour and understand the complex and fascinating interactions between the species and their environment.

AGA has a team of safari guide trainers that are unsurpassed in their qualifications and experience.

course content

Learn & Experience

• Practical, hands-on experience of navigation in the African wilderness, bush survival skills, the ancient art of tracking, weapons handling, bird and mammal identification and so much more

• Wilderness walks and sleep-outs

• 4×4 vehicle game drives

• Game walk safaris

• Stargazing and astronomy

• Theory lectures and presentations from qualified and knowledgeable trainers on diverse topics ranging from local geology, ecology, and hydrology, to astronomy and weather/climate

• Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions – depending on water levels*
• Motor boating skills – depending on water levels*

*Typically, the flood arrives at Kwapa mid-May and the peak water is in August with the flood receding by November. Please note that every season is different, and boating can only take place if the flood is sufficient to launch. Mokoros require much less water.

Who’s it for

• People looking to reconnect with themselves, who are searching for a back-to-basics bush skills experience that will help them recharge, renew, and reboot

• Seasoned safari goers who now seek a deeper, more holistic, African wilderness experience

• School- and/or university-leavers who are looking for a life-changing gap-year experience

• People with a spirit of adventure who are looking beyond a typical back-packing experience

• Aspiring guides

• Experienced guides wishing to further enrich their knowledge and skills

• Important: also as an enrichment student you have to complete a minimum of exams and game drives. This is not a cheap safari, it is a guide school.

start dates

camps

Our training camp is situated in a private concession area in the southern Okavango. Major habitat types include savannah, woodland, mopane woodland/scrub, grassland, floodplain and riverine forest. Please note that Kwapa is not in the permanent swamps which makes it a better wildlife area but when water levels are low November-June the Kwapa River may dry up all together. Water levels in the Okavango are impossible to predict from year-to-year.

The area has resident populations of most of Africa’s iconic wildlife but our focus on all our courses is learning and discovering. We do not chase Big 5 but rather delve into the ecological interactions of all our wildlife regardless of the species.

Kwapa Camp has nine 3 x 4 meru-style tents with a short passage to an enlarged en-suite bathroom with bucket shower and short drop toilet. Each tent is furnished with two camp beds, sheets, pillows, duvet and towels. A battery-operated LED light is provided in the tents. There is a wash basin relaxing chairs on the covered verandah.
Accommodation is on a shared basis with the option of a single supplement for single accommodation.

transfers

The transfer is included in the course price and takes place on the first day of the course. The African Guide Academy trainer meets all students at the PPCC Indian restaurant across the road from Maun Airport at 14h00. The transfer to camp takes approximately 2-2.5 hours.

qualifications

No prior experience is required for this course. It is important to be clear when making your booking what your course goal is.

Enrichment only:

This is not a cheap safari! Many students attend this course for personal enrichment and have fantastic time but keep in mind our goal and focus is on the learning and development of skills. You will be training alongside people who wish to become top guides in the industry. To keep with the integrity of this being a structured course, all students are obliged to write the daily revision tests and a final theory exam. All students will also receive an African Guide Academy certificate for participation on completion of the course.

Qualifications: Students can choose to do one of the below, or both:

1. FGASA Field Guide (Level 1): This is the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa and is the national guiding qualification used in South Africa. It is also the most widely recognized qualification in Africa. Please note: that to qualify for FGASA level 1 you will need to download our training manual, complete the pre-course workbooks and prepare the required lecture material before attending the course. The onus is on the student to contact FGASA directly and arrange for registration.In order to qualify for the FGASA certificate you must also do the full 28 days of training but this does not have to be done in one session and can be done over time. You will write your FGASA Level 1 theory exam at Kwapa Camp in the last few days of the course. Your practical assessment will be done over the 4 weeks – as you progress, you will be marked competent in the required areas, with your final assessment being conducted in the final days of the course. Please also note that you may not enroll for the FGASA Trails Guide Course until you have successfully completed this Field Guide course.
2.  BQA Level 2&3: This is the Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) assessment which is the national guiding qualification for Botswana. Students write their theory exam at Kwapa Camp in the last few days of the course. Practical assessment is continuos throughout the course. BQA does not require 28 days of training however, doing the full qualification in less time is strenuous. Please note: while you may achieve the BQA qualification, for an expatriate to be issued with a guiding license in Botswana, one needs a valid work and residence permit, to show a minimum of 5 years guiding experience outside of Botswana and BQA Level 3 Nature Guide qualification (local and enrichment students qualify with Level 2).

price

2021 Prices:

14 Days = USD$ 3766 pp

28 Days = USD$ 7532 pp

2022 Prices:

14 Days = USD$ 3954 pp

28 Days = USD$ 7908 pp

(African residents may enquire for Africa rates)
A 15% single supplement applies.

There is no minimum group size. Maximum group size is 8 (exclusive of the one sponsored local student)

*Please note that the official price for this course is in USD as above. Any other currency price for this tour is merely indicative. The USD price will be converted to your preferred currency using the exchange rate on the date of invoice.

INCLUDED

▪ Shared tented accommodation Single supplement 15%
▪ All meals at Kwapa Training Camp
▪ Well-point water, cordial, tea and coffee
▪ All training and activities
▪ Scheduled transfer from Maun to Kwapa Camp return (1 transfer in and out per student)

EXCLUDED

▪ Unscheduled transfers to/from Kwapa Camp
▪ Travel insurance and all flights
▪ Items of personal nature, including toiletries
▪ Staff gratuities
▪ Drinks other than those mentioned – these can be purchased in Maun before leaving for Kwapa camp
▪ FGASA/ BQA registration and exam fees