Accommodation
Field Guide Course
Your course is based in a private reserve near Bela Bela, South Africa. The reserve is teaming with the wildlife you'll be studying and working with as well as incredible mountain views, river basins and open grassland.
About the Accommodation
Where
Located on a 18,500 hectare "Big 5" private reserve is part of an area dedicated to habitat restoration, conservation, training and the safeguarding of nature.
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The Camp
You will stay in a remote bush camp, secluded at the heart of the reserve and the African bush. There, you'll live and work alongside your fellow volunteers and guides in small lodges dedicated to conservation work.
Bedrooms
Rooms are same-sex dormitory style rooms. Each room will have all the amenities you might need: cupboard space, fans for hotter days, and power points to keep cameras and phones charged.
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Communal Area and Kitchen
There are several communal areas where you'll be able to study related to your course plus socialise with your course mates. These communal areas include external dining and seating areas, wildlife viewing towers and platforms as well as poolside lounging areas.
The communal kitchen is where you'll take turns cooking meals, when the guides aren't treating you to a traditional BBQ (or braai, as it is locally known). These are a common social occurrence and take place outside.
Dinner time is usually spent around a fire for a traditional BBQ (Braai)
Your base camp, accommodation and where you'll be operating from.
Studying and working as a team means more eyes to spot animals as well as course mates to swap knowledge with.
Dinner time is usually spent around a fire for a traditional BBQ (Braai)
On-site Amenities
​On-site Activities
Although you will be studying when not on activities, there will be leisure time in the evening and during weekends. You can spend this time socialising around the camp, swapping stories about your day and getting to know your fellow group members.
Board games, ball games and cards are popular, so feel free to bring a few games. Another popular activity is observing the various animals in your surroundings, or comparing photos and notes.
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Phone
The site itself is quite remote and although there is phone signal, it does come and go.
For those who wish to purchase their own South African SIM card and phone, you will have a chance to do so during a weekend town trip.
Laundry
There is an on-site launderette which you will be able to access, so you can keep your clothes fresh and clean - and ready to get mucky again during activities
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Fencing and Security
Although the site is fully fenced off to keep a comfortable and safe barrier between animals and humans, for the sake of both parties please be mindful that you are still on a reserve.
Animals such as antelope, monkeys and warthogs sometimes like to visit camp. When this occurs, your tutors will explain any health and safety concerns. They will also chat to you about the behaviour of the animals, to ensure that you are comfortable with their presence and understand how to co-exist with them.
At least one tutor will be with you at all times while you are on-site. Although the place is well illuminated at night, please do stay vigilant.
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Rules and Respect
The site itself is your home, so please treat the place well. Please also treat the other guests and staff who share the camp with you with the respect they deserve, and you will be treated likewise.
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Equally, be mindful that you are on a protected reserve. Anyone found making a mess, damaging the environment or wildlife risk failing the course or being asked to leave.
About the Reserve
What Can You Expect to See?
The reserve is home to a highly bio-diverse environment where you can find many species of iconic African wildlife such as antelope, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, and predators such as hyena, leopard and newly introduced cheetahs. You can also expect to see and learn about many species of reptiles, birds and other smaller mammals. There are seasonal river basins, flood plains, thickets of acacias and other trees all giving you a dynamic habitat to explore as you study.
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Further Information
This private reserve is on the boundary of two distinct biomes meaning a higher than average amount of species of birds, reptiles and mammals.
