Discover Your Place in Africa’s Eco-Tourism Efforts
 From field guiding to horse trail guiding, and marine conservation training to land conservation training, Campfire Safaris in South Africa is an organization that offers the curious traveler and budding philanthropist a variety of adventurous volunteer, internship, and guide certification opportunities.
Through their exciting programs, individuals from all around the world can lend a hand in Africa’s eco-tourism and conservation efforts. Whether you have a passion for horses, marine life, conservation, wildlife, guiding, or volunteering, Campfire Safaris has tailored courses to accommodate individual needs to better suit their volunteers and interns.
Highlighted below are three of their most renowned and popular courses:
Conservation Land & Sea: Born nearly 10 years ago, Campfire Safaris’ Conservation Land course has evolved into a more holistic approach to conserving the fragile wildlife of Africa. Through its growth, Campfire Safaris has been able to add marine conservation programs to their Conservation Land curriculum.
 Beginning in June 2010, Campfire Safaris will offer their combined conservation program, Conservation Land & Sea, to individuals who want to volunteer, intern, or train to be a field guide.
During this joint, one-month education / volunteer program, which is comprised of both fieldwork and in-class lectures, students will learn the basic elements of marine eco-systems and ways to maintain and conserve their cleanliness and living organisms and animals.
During this course, students will discover . . .
- The basic elements of life found in the ocean and on land.
- The land zones of a coastline including beaches, estuaries, dunes, and coral reefs.
- The living patterns of fish, Echnodermata, sponges, single-celled organisms, and marine mammals, reptiles and birds.
- The importance of seaweed and algae in the balance of marine life.
- How to clean the shoreline.
- How to deal with the dangers of the sea including predators, currents, and tides.
- How humans impact the sea and ways to manage and conserve the sea.
 FGASA Field Guiding Course: During this highly rewarding program, participants take a comprehensive look at nature and discover how to interpret its fragile eco-systems and wildlife. Students then learn how to convey this interpretation in an insightful way to visitors from all over the world.
 When you partake in this course, you will have the opportunity to discover the natural wonders of the world, develop exceptional observation skills and an immense appreciation for nature, and interact with people from all around the world.
At the end of this adventurous course, participants will receive certification as an official guide to take visitors out into the wilderness and show them the many hidden treasures of the African bush.
During this course, students will discover . . .
- How to interpret the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.
- Real-world applicable lessons in leadership and theoretical practices.
- The essential practices of animal management.
- The truth behind which animals are hunted and why they are hunted.
- The difference between trophy hunting, poaching, and meat hunting.
Horse Trail Guide Course: Designed with equestrians in mind, the Horse Trail Guide Course is for horse lovers who want to participate in equestrian study. The program comes in several forms including volunteer work experience, internship and practical training placement, and horse trail guide training.
For those interested in volunteer work experience, you can be trained in equestrian center management, wildlife conservation and preservation practices, and learn about the role horses play in the African eco-system.
If you’re interested in an internship and practical training placement, you can participate in a wildlife study and equestrian study while Wildlife Equestrian Centre estate. Here, you will have the opportunity to research the purpose of horse trails, learn about environmental impact, and experience hands on learning.
If you are looking to earn qualification in horse trail guiding, African Dream Horse Safaris is currently working to become a training facility.
If you are interested in earning an accredited qualification, African Dream Horse safaris is in the process of becoming a training centre in South Africa that offers just that.
During this course, students will discover . . .
- How to ride and manage a horse at an intermediate level.
- How to manage a group of horses through a safe and relaxed approach.
- How to care for horses.
- How to help tourists mount and dismount their horse.
- How to ride as a substitute or backup guide.
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It is quite something when I consider how the safari industry has changed for the better, over the last 20 years, from when I started my carear as a learner guide. Back in the day, they gave us a poorly photocopied sylabis and left us to our own devises, I guess this was understandable as we only had a handful of qualified Professional guides at the time. 
The training and courses offered today allow an excellent foundation for guides coming into our industry as well as people interested in learning more about it. It is a wonderful experience learning to understand the world around you in Africa, if not a little frustrating as the more that you learn the more you find that there is to learn.
Trip Name: Kruger Safari and Beaches of Mozambique
Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.