After navigating the twists and turns of 2023, much like the adaptable chameleons we are, we emerged stronger and more resilient. Challenges were faced, lessons were learned, and triumphs were celebrated. A fitting end to the year was marked by the success of our Wilderness Foundation Africa student group – proof that resilience and determination lead to remarkable outcomes.

Vision 2024: Empowering Futures, Nurturing Nature, Creating Connections

At Ulovane Environmental Training, our vision for 2024 is to be the catalyst for positive change in the world of conservation, education, and community development. We envision a future where individuals are empowered with the knowledge and skills to become stewards of the environment, communities are uplifted through sustainable practices, and connections between people and nature are strengthened for generations to come.

Mission 2024: Forging Paths, Sustaining Communities, Preserving Nature

Education with Purpose: We are committed to providing unparalleled training experiences that go beyond conventional education. Our mission is to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to become exceptional guides, champions of conservation, and advocates for the well-being of local communities

We are excited to introduce the following projects for the year ahead!

Community Guide Training Project

Empowering Local Voices: Through our Community Guide Training Project, we aim to create a legacy of knowledgeable nature guides within local communities. Our mission is to foster employment opportunities, pride, and conservation ethics, ensuring that communities play an active role in safeguarding their natural heritage.

Conservation Experiences

Immersive and Impactful: In 2024, our Conservation Experiences will focus on creating meaningful connections between participants and the natural world. Our mission is to instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for biodiversity, fostering a global community of environmentally conscious individuals.

Privately Guided Safaris and Trips

Tailored Adventures, Lasting Memories: Our mission is to curate extraordinary, privately guided safaris and trips that not only showcase the beauty of Africa but also contribute to conservation and community development. Every journey with Ulovane is an opportunity to leave a positive impact on the places we visit.

Our Guiding Principles

Sustainability: Our practices are guided by principles of environmental sustainability, cultural respect, and ethical wildlife tourism.

Community Engagement: We strive to actively engage with and contribute to the well-being of local communities in the regions where we operate.

Conservation Advocacy: We are advocates for conservation, working to inspire and mobilize individuals to participate in the protection of our planet actively.

Lifelong Learning: Ulovane is a lifelong learning partner, committed to the ongoing development and growth of individuals passionate about nature and wildlife.

Join us in 2024 as we embark on a journey of growth, conservation, and community building. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the world we share.

These ten weeks have been a game-changer, a special journey between Ulovane and Wilderness Foundation Africa. This has been life-changing for the students, us, and everyone involved. It has been an incredible achievement for all participating in this Community Guide Training pioneer project. The time spent together made a positive impact on the students, it helped the various organizations reach their goals together and gave everyone a chance to grow personally and not just feel like we made a difference, but to know and see that we have made a real difference.

Ulovane Environmental Training extends profound gratitude to our invaluable collaborators and sponsors who played a pivotal role in making our inaugural Community Guide Training program a resounding success. Together with Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA), we embarked on an extraordinary venture, aiming to reshape the guiding landscape in the Eastern Cape. This visionary partnership seamlessly integrated aspiring guides into Ulovane’s esteemed program, harmonizing with WFA’s Umzi Wethu accredited vocational skills training.

This groundbreaking initiative, made possible by the unwavering support and generous funding from Graham Beck Wines, CCFA, and our diverse stakeholders, is poised to redefine wilderness guiding in our region. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to these champions of change for their invaluable contributions that have shaped the success of this transformative program.

We are excited to see what the future holds and we invite you all, to follow contribute, and engage with our program going forward! Without all of you, our Ulovane Alumni, followers, friends, partners, and collaborators, none of this would be possible! A personal thank you to Nicky and Ntobeko from Wilderness Foundation for their continuous support and motivation. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

And here we stand at the final stretch, two weeks left and the last challenges to face. Waking up on Monday at bush braai on Amakhala Game Reserve we were greeted by the sombre greenbul who chirped us into the final practical of the year.

It was a bumpy ride making it this far we’ve laughed, cried, sweat, and bled, and though the journey was arduous, I wouldn’t change a thing. On Monday we were taking out guests and happened upon a herd of elephants who disappeared over a hill, being good guides we followed to see if we could get a closer look. As we climbed up the hill with the vehicle we caught a glimpse of them just over the top, we stopped the vehicle as they seemed to be rustling only for us to hear a vehicle behind them spring to life. Did you know that elephants are very quiet when they move? This was all the more terrifying as three massive cows barrelled toward us, almost silent through the thicket. Though we were terrified, they meant us no harm only frustrated at being chased from behind, they danced before us almost as if asking for help, but in that moment, to us, it looked like aggression. They then gave us a trumpeting goodbye which shook me to my core. The next morning as we are still reeling from the elephants and a guide drives past our camp, he very casually says that there are lions at our gate sniffing around. I prayed Ragnar wouldn’t start barking. Later on, we went for a drive and spotted the pride not far from where we slept, needless to say, we didn’t sleep much that night. The positive side was we got to enjoy the sights and sounds of an evening in the bush, it was beautiful!

When we returned to Tanglewood, we started preparing for the final exams which were mammals, animal behavior, and Historic human habitation. The exams were not very difficult and we passed with ease. Whilst preparing, I started on my final presentation and decided on a topic I found very interesting throughout the course, Insects. Before arriving at Ulovane I had a bit of animosity towards the insect kingdom but this hatred quickly faded to intrigue and finally appreciation thus my presentation was on the fascinating world of bugs. On Thursday we had a visit from Craig, our first aid instructor, he’d come to give us our certificates and cover some things we didn’t have the time to complete during his first visit namely splints and cuts, everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the exercise and Craig even lamented that he couldn’t spend more time with us it was an informative and fun day that none of us would soon forget. It was a short visit but we did cherish the time and as fast as he arrived he was gone but the memory lives on in some awesome photos of everyone having a laugh.

 The 9^th week passed so quickly I barely had time to appreciate it and as the tenth and final week ran up on us we had to say goodbye to Hein who had been with us for over a month now, pushing us and helping us through the course. He’d been with us for so long that it became normal to see him every morning and with a heavy heart we all gave our goodbyes on Monday and a hoped to see him again once we finished the Final FGASA exam. He left us with some words, “Everyone in this group is crazy”, we all laughed as we knew he was right. Speaking of Exams, we finally concluded the 20 exams laid out by Ulovane, Lukholos’ head was steaming as he wrote the final words on his paper we all slept after that, everyone needed the rest. We ended off the Monday with some amazing presentations, thought-provoking and comedic, it was truly a delight.

The next day we did the final practical assessment which was a slide and sound exam and doing it made me realise how much we had already learned and how much more we could still learn, as we did some mock exams to prepare us for the Friday. Schalk helped us with answers we might have missed, we were just laughing and learning all together, this disjointed group feeling more like a family.

As I’m writing this we still preparing for the final Exam and I know it’s going to go splendidly. I know that I will miss a lot but to think how close I’ve gotten to nature and the wildlife is astounding to me. I’ll miss the beautiful view of the mountain face every morning as I sip my coffee on the stoep, hearing Albus Tom and Janet chirping to me as though they are trying to tell me about their nights. I’ll miss Bartholomew the toad who guarded the back door, and Sheldon the toad who guarded the front every night vigilantly. I’ll miss Etsebet the Cape Mountain Zebra that chased Masi into the bush in the third week. I’ll miss Naas the springbok, with a personality disorder, that makes him believe he’s an impala. I’ll miss Willy the Black Wildebeest that guards the territory atop the mountain and Vladimir the Common buzzard that perches on the various sweet thorns. Most of all I’ll miss Tanglewood and all the wildlife in its borders though this may be my last time here I’ll never forget the memories I’ve made with all my friends and as for what comes next dear reader I’ll have to tell you that on a guided experience with me as your professional guide. – Juandre Oostendorff – Langenberg Western Cape

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.”

Bear Bryant

Some of the theoretical learning that I fell in love with was Arthropods, the little insects that we never pay attention to but play a very big role in our lives. We would go out there and look, learn, and identify them which always had my blood racing, I loved that to the point where Mr Schalk said that I Ironically had eyes on my fingers, that was because I’d be touching every little insect we come across and I became the guy who had eyes on his fingers. I loved the ‘Rhorhos’ what we locally call them. Getting to know about them was mind-blowing and so fascinating, gave a whole new perspective about them. Another thing was learning about the mammals the big animals which was one of the best modules ever to learn, getting to know more about animals, their habitats, feeding behavior, and their social life structure.

Mr Hine was the one conducting the lectures on animals, and he shared his very best knowledge and expertise about them. We even got to a point where we would demonstrate the animals. I was the Wildebeest and my fellow student was a Leopard, we were acting how the Lion hunts Its prey, and as I was there pretending to eat grass she slowly crept behind me without even me noticing as I was busy eating as I turned over she was already the and caught me as her prey, so If I was a Wildebeest I’d be dead out there. The Lions are just so amazing when they hunt. That was fun and educational at the same time.

As time progressed we went on mind-blowing adventures that no words can describe. On one adventure we were out there on a game drive with an American nature expert who was our assistant that day admiring Mother Nature, on our drive we encountered a herd of Cape Mountain Zebras that were having the time of their lives, roaming and playing around with a baby zebra in between them, that melted my heart. We got to see a huge herd of buffalo, which was amazing, they were all united and living in peace in their hierarchical order. That was fascinating to see and had me staring for a while, as we were still on the buffalo sighting admiring the beautiful creatures, they started sniffing and looking over us, we were so caught up in the moment admiring them, all along they were alerting us that there was something behind us ‘Nature is so amazing’, we looked back and saw the Big Gentle Giant ‘The Elephant’ walked so quietly without making a single sound. Imagine a giant walking towards you, gently without making a sound, isn’t that mind-blowing? Seeing an elephant that was close on my birthday was the best thing I could ever wish for, and we named the young big bull ‘Masi The Elephant’ was a blessing and so heart-warming.

The Elephant was the highlight of my birthday, as the drive progressed we got to spot the amazing White Rhinos peacefully enjoying their own company. Rhinos are also gentle giants that just need our care, love, and protection. We can all play our part by keeping them safe for future generations to come. On one of the days, we went to Amakhala Private Game Reserve, where we got to be with qualified Nature Guides, with real guests coming from all over the world to explore our fascinating wildlife. This was so amazing and made me fall in love with Guiding even more, learning new things about different people, different cultures, and most importantly my Passion which is Guiding. We were so lucky to get to encounter a Pride of Lion on a very close range, humble, walking close to the vehicle peacefully and the Dominant Male Lion came slowly very close to the vehicle, as I was sitting on the edge of the vehicle I got to make eye contact with a Lion for about a minute, that’s was heart racing I don’t want to lie but that was so amazing, the very best of the best moments I ever experience In my entire life which I’ll save to tell generations to come.

Being out there in Mother Nature with Wildlife around is an experience that you’ll never be able to express to someone until they get to experience it too, It made me feel alive again. Never underestimate the power of nature. Take Care, Love, Protect, and Embrace Mother Nature, trust me it’s always worth it. “We are nature and nature is us, take care of it like you take care of yourself”

– Masiwakhe Madondile

With Thanks:

Embarking on an extraordinary venture, Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA) and Ulovane Environmental Training have forged an unparalleled collaboration. This visionary partnership seeks to transform the guiding landscape in the Eastern Cape. Within this groundbreaking initiative, aspiring guides are immersed in Ulovane’s renowned program, seamlessly integrated into WFA’s esteemed Umzi Wethu accredited vocational skills training.

Umzi Wethu, an accredited vocational training program, stands as a beacon for preparing youth for roles in the conservation and hospitality industries. Beyond providing accredited training to previously disadvantaged youth, it equips graduates with hands-on experience and resilience to excel in their respective fields. This pioneering initiative, made possible by the generous support and funding from Graham Beck Wines, CCFA, and various stakeholders, is set to redefine wilderness guiding in the region. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their invaluable contributions!

The first week of the course was a whirlwind of activity. We were busy studying and completing our workbooks. During the day, we went on game drives, exploring the surroundings. As the weeks passed, our adventures led us to Buffalo-Kloof. Here, we encountered animals we had only heard about or seen in pictures. One unforgettable moment was spotting a Cape Cobra, a stunning reptile. It was the first time any of us had seen a cobra, and the excitement was palpable. We even whispered in fear of the snake hearing us, only to realize later that snakes can’t actually hear. It was a funny realization and a highlight of my time there.

As time went on, we bonded as students and learned a lot from our lessons. I discovered the right way to conduct myself during drives and walks with guests. Our journey took us to Amakhala Game Reserve, where we met seasoned guides. Hearing them communicate in Xhosa on the radio, discreetly naming animals for guests, was really fascinating. Meeting Karin, one of Mr. Scalk’s former students now working at Shamwari, was inspiring. Her insights were valuable, and we learned a great deal from her. We even had the privilege of meeting Mr. Lee Gutteridge, a writer of some of our tracking books. His tracking tips added a fun twist to our learning.

Tanglewood, our cherished home, has burst into a vibrant kaleidoscope of life after the recent rains! The sight of wildflowers is simply breathtaking; golden carpets stretch across the landscape, while smaller purple, orange, and pink blooms surprise us each passing day. Back in October, the dam on-site was parched, holding very little water. Now, it’s a bustling hub overflowing with life. This surge of life unfolding at Tanglewood has been an incredible experience for us!

Every day, as we traverse the reserve on foot or in our drives, we stumble upon fresh and captivating discoveries. It’s a treasure trove of new spots, diverse plant life, enchanting wildlife, and a riot of blossoms. To witness this explosion of life is an absolute privilege, and we’re deeply honored to be a part of it.

During our drives, we noticed a springbok always hanging out with the impalas. It was unusual, and we playfully named him “Naas.” Naming the animals became a sweet tradition for us. We have a family of Cape Mountain Zebras, and we gave the male zebra the name “Elizabedi.” Even our avian neighbors, the Lesser Striped Swallows, became familiar to us, and we named them Albus, Janet Jackson, and Tom. Not to forget Bitholium, the toad, who made occasional nighttime appearances on our doorstep.

My time here at ULOVANE has taught me so much about nature. I’m grateful for this knowledge, and I hope to share it with the youth back home. Teaching them about conservation could help them educate their families about keeping our world healthy. Being surrounded by nature is not just beautiful; it’s also a source of healing and gives me a sense of purpose and joy. – Anele (Currently Guest Relations & Cheetah Ambassador at Nyosi Game Reserve)

Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.”

― Roy T. Bennet

Schalk’s Nature Notes & Visuals

Discovery of why the Lesser striped Swallows prefer to nest under the roof of our homes.

They could build their mud nests with long entrance tunnels under any type of ledge, but they still prefer to construct their nests close to us as humans. These Lesser striped Swallows established that most birds are scared of humans, but they have figured out that we actually mean them no harm. The truth is that there are birds, the White-rumped Swifts, who are after the Lesser striped Swallows’ nests, these White-rumped Swifts air dive in groups of 5 to 10 birds to attempt to bully the Lesser striped Swallows to abandon their carefully constructed nests, which the White-rumped Swifts are unable to construct. The White-rumped Swifts either bully and irritate the Swallows until they abandon their nests or these Swifts will enter the Swallow’s mud nests and remove the eggs or the chicks of the Lesser striped Swallows as a final reason for the Swallows to abandon their nests. The Swifts then take over the mud nests to lay their own eggs in and to rear their chicks in and they don’t have to go through the effort of constructing these elaborate mud nests. So for this reason, the Lesser striped Swallows have made their homes as close as possible to humans which most animals fear with their lives. – Schalk

Get ready for a captivating visual journey courtesy of Schalk. His lens captures the pure essence of wildlife and nature, offering a breathtaking view of our untamed world.

Editors Note: Embarking on an ambitious journey, Wilderness Foundation Africa and Ulovane Environmental Training have joined forces in an unprecedented collaboration. Their shared vision aims at revolutionizing the guiding landscape in the Eastern Cape. Through this groundbreaking partnership, aspiring guides are undergoing immersive training through Ulovane’s acclaimed program, integrated within WFA’s esteemed Umzi Wethu accredited vocational skills training. This innovative initiative has been made possible by the generous support and funding from Graham Beck Wines, CCFA, and various other stakeholders. We are so thankful!!

Tanglewood Dam flowing for the first time in years! What a blessing!

After a grueling weekend of non-stop studying for a massive exam covering four subjects, there was no time for rest. On October 23rd, we tackled that exam head-on. Right after, we swiftly packed our belongings and set off for the Amakhala Game Reserve. Arriving there safely, I couldn’t help but feel a tad apprehensive about the mischievous Baboons and Monkeys that roamed the area, known for their playful antics with food and belongings. However, as we unpacked, it became clear they posed no threat. Jeandre, Anele, and Ivanna were busy preparing dinner, and Masi and I eagerly pitched in, especially with Jeandre struggling to start the fire.

We gathered around the crackling flames and delved into conversations about our lives. It was here that I felt I truly got to know everyone better. Following dinner, we embarked on a night drive, it was a beautiful evening and just to enjoy the millions of stars, was incredible!

The next morning, Anele roused us all at the crack of dawn with steaming cups of coffee. I had slept like a log, a rare treat for someone accustomed to urban settings. We embarked on a game drive, a day that would forever be etched in my memory. It was during this outing that I truly grasped the essence of a game drive. The reserve buzzed with activity, game viewers crisscrossing the landscape. I was enchanted by the way the animals were referred to by their Xhosa names, a practice that aided in spotting them. I vividly recall the moment they called a herd of elephants “Umhlambi we Ndlovu.” That day also marked my first sighting of a lion in the wild, a female lounging nonchalantly, referred to as “ingonyama bafazi” over the radio. Furthermore, we encountered Sonie, a man who had visited us during our time at the Siyazenzela course, regaling us with tales of a challenging cliffside known as Eliweni, a challenge we would later conquer. These experiences filled me with a profound sense of contentment.

In the evening, a delightful lady named Karien joined us, and she led an engaging session on Biomes. Following this, Karien and Ivanna treated us to an enthralling game drive, where we were fortunate enough to spot teenage lions, playfully referred to as “Nguni mantsontso.” As we prepared to leave, the male cub stood up, appearing almost ready to pounce. It was a nerve-wracking moment, but Karien’s calm demeanor reassured us. She emphasized the importance of staying composed when faced with challenges, as panicking can dampen the overall experience for guests. During our coffee break, she shared her study method, which involved drawing while reading to foster a deeper understanding. This was a valuable technique that I took away from our time together.

The entire week at Amakhala Game Reserve was a resounding success, filled with laughter and unforgettable encounters with the wildlife. Eventually, we bid farewell to the reserve and made our way back to campus. Jeandre took the wheel, and while I used to be nervous during his drives, this time was different. We recounted our adventure-filled game drive with Mr. Schalk, finding humor in our previous jitters.

All in all, these two weeks were a whirlwind of fun and self-discovery, and I relished every moment of it.

• Lukholo

“Fresh air is as good for the mind as for the body. Nature always seems trying to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell. And so she has.”

–John Lubbock

Editors Notes: This course is the result of a strategic partnership between Wilderness Foundation Africa and Ulovane Environmental Training, with a focus on revolutionizing the guiding industry in the Eastern Cape. Through WFA’s Umzi Wethu accredited vocational skills training program, students are undergoing training provided by Ulovane, funded by the Community Conservation Fund Africa, Grahambeck Wines, and other stakeholders. A heartfelt thank you to all involved! For additional information about 2024, please feel free to contact us.

Arriving in the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape was really astonishing and immediately I felt out of my depth. What lessened the blow and made me feel more at home was that there were two other students who arrived with me from the Western Cape and I felt like I had an impromptu friend group.

My most outstanding moment during the first week arrived in the form of spotting the herd of giraffes that make their home on Tanglewood Conservation Estate. The realization that I was here, so close to these majestic beasts hit me like a pile of bricks. I had an emotional reaction and felt a little shaky, not from fear but excitement. I had already observed the Impala, the Cape Mountain Zebra, even the lone Springbok yet somehow it hadn’t dawned on me yet that I was actually living this. It was a powerful moment for me. I had been so caught up in being busy with workbooks and studying for the exam that I forgot to realize that I was living a moment that I had not thought possible a mere two months ago.

Learning about the Geology of local surrounding areas was interesting as it differs so much from that of the area where I had grown up and spent most of my life. The history of the area, i.e. the Frontier Wars that was waged in the area was also an interesting fact to learn about. On our very first drive around the area, Schalk showed a musket ball that he had found along the riverbed and literally amazed me. It really made me wonder about what other relics might be found around these areas.

A budding new skill that I’ve been developing is bird identification through sight, behavior, habitat, and bird calls. This was not a skill that I particularly deemed necessary when I was working in factories and later on, in the hospitality sector. However I have grown to appreciate the wide variety of birds found that are found in this area of Tanglewood Estate and surrounding areas. Because of this ability to connect with nature, have actually been able to enrich my other senses of smell, hearing, and even taste. I can feel myself growing in this regard.

Personally, I discovered that I am still the good student that I have always been and that I have enormous potential. The thing that I can improve on is that I need to tap into this and need to motivate myself constantly not become too comfortable.

In conclusion, this first week has been a massive adjustment for me and has challenged me a lot, yet I look forward to the rest of the course. I am excited and enthused to go into the second week.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Second Wind

My outstanding moment for the week was exploring the area around Tanglewood and then traveling to Buffalo Kloof Reserve. Right after entering Buffalo Kloof, we were so lucky as to see a herd of male Cape Buffalo, a herd of TseTsebe, and two Bontebok, or what I call a welcoming committee. It really kickstarted our journey through Buffalo Kloof Reserve, which had so many highlights that I can’t put it all in here.

Honorable mentions were the respective white and black Impala that we spotted, the Sable Antelope, and the Cheetah female, who hid very efficiently from us. What blew my mind completely was seeing a herd of African Elephants while they were feeding before they headed to the lake. They were so majestic that I asked Schalk to just allow me to observe them for a while, which we did. It made me emotional looking at the calves who were being so playful and at ease with humans (us) nearby because it knew that the matriarch would be keeping a watchful eye out. Heart-warming and so relatable to how we as humans also are as children. Our experience at Buffalo Kloof Reserve ended off strong with a rare sighting of an African Harrier Hawk. Completely mind-blowing stuff.

My favorite theoretical component was easily Astronomy. I loved going on the night drive up the mountain face to look at the stars. Laying on the ground on blankets, observing the night sky and its spectacular show, will be a moment I cherish always. Observing the constellations and stars as well as the Southern Cross was awe-inspiring and left a massive impression on me.

In the same vein, being able to orientate myself using the Southern Cross at night, and the stick-and-watch method were so insightful. I implemented the method using the Southern Cross practically and I loved every moment. Astronomy was a very fun topic for me during this week.

My personal growth moment came when I realized that I needed to be more disciplined and meticulous. I have been curtailed by procrastination tendencies and I need to be more proactive in my studies.

 To sum up, I love being here and I can’t wait to learn more.

Ivanna Williams (Ashton Western Cape)

Editor’s Note: This course is the result of a strategic partnership between Wilderness Foundation Africa and Ulovane Environmental Training, with a focus on revolutionizing the guiding industry in the Eastern Cape. Through WFA’s Umzi Wethu accredited vocational skills training program, students are undergoing training provided by Ulovane. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Wilderness Foundation Africa and their accredited vocational skills training program, Umzi Wethu, for generously sponsoring four of our students. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable support from the Community Conservation Fund – Africa NPC (CCFA) as another key sponsor for this course. We extend our sincere thanks to all involved for enabling Ulovane to make a meaningful impact on lives and contribute to our communities. Together, we are nurturing the next generation of exceptional Nature Guides and dedicated conservation advocates, one stride at a time.

Those who wander are not always lost but aren’t those that are lost wander. This week we found ourselves a bit off-track, to say the least where we found ourselves wandering around looking for tracks and signs of happenings in the dirt.

We started this week with a mock tracking assessment having to identify 50 different animal tracks or so we thought. I guess we can now confidently say that our imaginations are alive. Never have I thought we would miss identifying a White rhino’s track as a Kudu track or a piece of grass altering the composition in the sand for an animal track. After this day I think we can confidently say that we have all been bit by the tracking bug as the rest of the week game drives instead of trying to find an animal found us all hanging over the side of the vehicle staring at the floor looking for any grain of sand that is out of place for us to shout stop, stop to look at a track.

The set work for the week included weather and climate as well as biomes. Starting our lecture on weather and climate was ironically interrupted by an alert on our weather app that a cold front was approaching.  Here we got to not only watch the cold front pass but got to learn and understand every second as to why and what was happening every second during the cold front. In short, I can tell you it brings quite cold chilly, and rainy weather.   

Wednesday night we were hosted by Candice for a hospitality lecture. Here we experienced the hospitality side from the guest’s point of view. As we relaxed, wined, and dined by candlelight we learned the ins and outs of the hospitality sector. An important lesson we learned is that Hospitality is not only about being welcoming, friendly, cordial, and kind. In this industry, it also means being resilient and able to adapt to any situation at the drop of the hat.

From fascinating tracking in 40°C weather to epic game drives in the rain, week 5 has been incredible. We find ourselves being more on track and wandering in the right direction as we prepare for life as Nature Guides! – Christopher

“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”

― Germany Kent

Time is flying by!

It is already week 6 and time is flying, it feels like yesterday that we started this Apprentice Field Guide course.

The week started with a double lecture on Amphibians or little frogs and toads. Apparently, they are good indicators that an ecosystem is doing well. So if you see loads of frogs in a pond close to your place of residence just know that you are doing a great job in providing a healthy ecosystem around your house. Next to amphibians, we learned about the history of the human habitation of south africa or as we call it “triple H”. As most of us know, the life of humans as we know it today started in Africa and a large part is found in South Africa. Nowadays there are quite a few different cultures in South Africa, the most common in our area (Eastern Cape) is isiXhosa.

Next, we had another lecture, this time on conservation and how we can stop the erosion of our wonderful reserve. As well as stop bush encroachment and alien invader species. To get rid of them there are a few options, one of them is burning them down, this is also used to get rid of dead plant materials. After we talked about it in class we went out on a drive and noticed that there are quite a few ways that conservation is practiced on Amakhala.

The rest of the week was filled up with captivating game drives. On Thursday morning we went out to try and find frogs, but sadly we didn’t find any. Instead, we came across the lion cubs!! What an absolute treat. It is the first time we have seen them since arriving 6 weeks ago. What a wonderful sight that was.

Furthermore, we saw almost the entire Big 5 on that morning drive – how lucky we are to be able to go out and enjoy nature and all her gifts every day! We also had a visit to the old dairy which is now a little museum on Amakhala, and learned more about the Gush family which is one of the founding families of Amakhala. We ended the day with a magic sighting of two of the biggest land birds. The one I hope everyone knows, which is the ostrich the other is maybe less common, the Denham’s Bustard.

We ended off the week with some studying, because yes, you got to have a balance of work and play! – Bram

“When you have balance in your life, work becomes an entirely different experience. There is a passion that moves you to a whole new level of fulfillment and gratitude, and that’s when you can do your best… for yourself and for others.” – Cara Delevingne

The week starts off with us learning about the creepy crawlies of our world. Be it above or beneath the surface, they are all interesting in their own way.  At first one wonders why we should learn about bugs or as we now know them, Arthropods. I challenge the reader to learn one fact about these guys and soon you will be as hooked as we are. The evening brought us a game drive which turned out to be a treasure hunt. We all went about turning rocks in hopes of any arthropod we could find. The main prize of course being the scorpion. Arachnids, insects, and many more were found, except for the scorpion. Failing to find the scorpion we decided to ease our hearts with the search for our Hippos. The hippos were found but the real joy was seeing the calf step out of the water and pose for the camera. This could cause one to think that game drives are all about finding the animal. Sometimes subtle hints left behind by an animal can be just as good as the real thing.

Wednesday we headed off to Carnarvon Dale looking for the elusive Brown hyena. Instead, we found signs that he indeed was here. It started off with tracks, then his feces, and finally the pasting left behind by our hyena. Back in the classroom, it wasn’t all dull and gloomy. Here we learned about the intricacy of the circle of life. How all living things work together to bring us the beauty of Amakhala. Our week started with us focusing on the ground and those that dwell within it, but it ended with the heavens up above and all its feathered inhabitants. Piet took us for a drive where he shared his knowledge of birds and helped us have a better idea when it comes to identifying birds. There is so much to learn about our feathered friends, and so many feathered beauties to learn, but we will get there!

All in all, it was a great week, may the next one come along so we can push ourselves to be the best version of ourselves and the best Ulovane can offer. – Bulela, our local Amakhala Bursary student, who joins us from Safari Lodge! Bulela will join the Safari Lodge volunteer program as a guide once he successfully completes his Apprentice Field Guide Course!

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Transformation is key

Tick tock… it has already been a month, that is 4 weeks or 30 days… and speaking of numbers, this Tuesday we had the great opportunity to participate in the annual Animal Count of Amakhala Game Reserve.

It all started in the best way, with a beautiful sunrise that we observed from the elevated position of God’s Window.
The ecologist explained our roles to us and we divided into groups and also met other guides of the reserve, it was nice to meet new faces. Meanwhile, the sun had already risen and, after the curtain opened, the show began. All the groups started with a single mission: to count. In some moments it was difficult. As soon as you finished counting a group of zebras a new one appeared, and then one more and more. So the auction started, someone said 4, another 7, and then 9…last offer? Awarded! Total 9 zebras.

At other times it felt like looking for a needle in a haystack, and the challenge centered on who had the fastest eye. Maybe it could take a while before we found something but at least the company was great.
And always in excellent company, we returned to the lodge, where we were able to continue our studies.
This week was dedicated to botany, a really interesting subject, we often tend to underestimate the importance of plants, which however are essential for the life of many other animals and organisms, including humans.
Many interesting questions and equally interesting answers have surfaced. For example:
“Why do plants have flowers?”
Flowers are surely one of the many wonders that nature offers us, but they have higher purposes than just being colorful and fragrant. In fact, the flowers contain the reproductive organs of the plant, are so colored to be clearly visible to pollinating insects, and are so perfumed to attract them.
“Why that flower is white?”
The candid white color of the flowers is clearly visible in the dark of the night and therefore is more likely to attract nocturnal pollinating insects.
And what about you? What are your questions? Next time you take a walk, will you wonder why that flower is orange or why that plant is so prickly?
I have a lot of questions and here I am getting so many answers that in turn form so many other questions… I think this means learning. Ask questions, find answers, and start over but stay curious and therefore grow and mature continuously.

Speaking of maturing: during my drive this week we were lucky enough to observe elephants, beautiful and impressive creatures.
I asked a question: “When do elephants reach maturity?” and the answer was a tantalizing new question “What do you mean? Sexual maturity or mental maturity?” and a new lesson has begun.
Elephants reach sexual maturity between the ages of 8 and 13, but true maturity comes when they gain a role in the community, take on responsibilities and face challenges that change them. Not so different from humans, right?

One of the reasons I decided to do this course is to change and improve myself, so I hope I can transform like an elephant reaching maturity. – Veronica, our lovely Italian lady, is excited to learn, excited to be in Africa, and making the most of every day, with loads of questions!!

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”

-Helen Keller

From being woken up by the three little birds, to serenity in the hammock watching the pink skies to lion roars, before the full moon blinds you in the night sky, we can finally say that we have been earthed.

As we leave only our footprints behind, our first week at our beloved Ulovane campus which we call home, has now come to an end. Our daily duties and procedures at first sounded like boring repetition but by the end of the week, it felt like a month of being at the most amazing theme park. Monday to Friday we enjoyed three-to-five-hour lectures where we learned a little bit of everything but mainly astronomy and standard operating procedures for both Amakhala Game Reserve and the Ulovane Campus. We will have to wait for our marks to find out if we remembered it all.

Each day we pursued a four-hour game drive. These drives did not only allow us to get to know the area and the beauty within. The information and knowledge gained through the class work were also proven to be meaningful during these drives, let’s just say we all gained a new appreciation for the Universe.

Each sighting during our drives found us sitting in awe. Whether it be an Angulate tortoise laying an egg, a lion on an eland an ostrich kill, or a caracal in ambush mode behind a bush. These are memories that we will share forever and stories that we fight about to determine who gets to tell them around the campfire. This was week one. A week that we will all never forget, starting with butterflies in the stomach to friendships that will never be forgotten. – Christopher – a local Eastern Cape boytjie

Ready, set, GO!

And we are off, we have had our first exams and now we really started. Our second week started with an entertaining lecture on geology and with it got to know what our lovely planet consists of. In the afternoon we went on a game drive and had our first look at the three cheetah brothers. They were actively searching for their prey that night. We had a beautiful view during a wonderful sunset.

The next day we had our second lecture on geology to get to know our area. We got to know what the place of many aloes consists (Amakhala) of. Which type of rocks the ridges are made up of and what types of soils can be found where. Did you know what the importance of soil is on an ecosystem? Well, a type of soil is decided by which rocks are found in the area. These soils attract certain plants because the soil consists of the things that plant species need. The plants then attract certain herbivores and these in turn attract their predators. So soil has a big impact on what lives in an area.

Our lecture on fish the other day had a bit a longer duration than it should have had. Everyone was tired of the past days and it took some time to get everyone going. The game drive, therefore, came at the right time for some of us. Others were still active and they were the ones to hear the male lion roar and we then actively tried to search where it was lying down. It was nighttime so the darkness didn’t help too much. Trying to find it by pinpointing after the lion roars. When we did eventually find the male, it was just incredible, what majestic animals they are, and what a perfect way to end the evening.

We also had vehicle skills this week where for some of us we changed a tyre for the first time. It was a little struggle at first, but then everything went quite smoothly. That day we also learned how the engine worked and how the different components are connected and what their purpose is in the system. If there are complications with the engine and the vehicle doesn’t start or work anymore, we now know what to look for which is dependent on what level the lights work.

Just before the end of our second week, we discovered what our assessment drive would look like in the later weeks. We got a lot of useful information from that experience and we can’t wait until it is our turn.

We are one of the lucky groups because we have seen some special reptiles and we almost have seen every mammal there is on Amakhala. For example the water monitor and some different species of snakes. It is amazing looking back at the past two weeks that we all have experienced so much already and that is only to become more fun in the future. – Bram – representing Holland with a big smile & long legs

“Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye, it also includes the inner pictures of the soul.”

– Edvard Munch

This week we were over the halfway mark for the Marine Guide course and the end of our time at Ulovane was coming quickly into view.

Much too quickly for our liking, but before any of that, we started the week strong with a day of lectures focusing on fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Complementing the knowledge we had from the field guide course and going into new depths on some interesting topics such as the lateral line of fish which acts as a highly sensitive sensory organ allowing fish to swim in perfect unison in giant schools, it is incredible to see thousands of fish swimming together as one organism.

Tuesday was marked out as a day for fishing where the aim was to catch and identify as many different species as possible, as well as the chance for some of our competitive streaks to come out to see who among us could catch the most fish, unfortunately, the jury is still out on who the real winner was. We started off on the Kowie river and got to try our hands with a seine net, a large net used to catch a large amount of fish at one time, it was all hands on deck to haul it in each time and identify some species such as spotted grunters and groovy mullet.

We then changed course and headed off to the Kariega river to see what we could find there. It was here that we came across something truly special! While exploring up the riverbank we came across a little creature that we initially mistook for some kind of worm but as it turned out we had somehow stumbled upon an Estuarine Pipefish, one of the most critically endangered vertebrates in the world with an estimated 250 individuals left and found only in the Kariega and Bushamans estuaries. This was a truly amazing find for us and shows what can happen when you change your perspective and pay attention to the small things around you.

Another highlight of the week was our visit to Grahamstown to SAIAB the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity where we were able to see a preserved specimen of a Coelacanth; a prehistoric fish previously thought to be extinct until it was found again in 1938 close to East London which was an incredible scientific discovery at the time. We were also given the opportunity to view the amazing collection of specimens located there. A fantastic experience to walk around a series of rooms filled with probably thousands upon thousands of jars all filled with specimens of species of fish and amphibians collected over many years. It was really eye-opening to see the amount of care that has been taken to collect organize and categorise all these samples for scientific research to improve our understanding of the oceans and the life found within them.

After exam Friday, we used Saturday as our final time to take a walk along the beach at Kleinemonde before heading back to Ulovane Campus. This was a great chance for us to take advantage of the strong easterly winds that had been blowing the last few days to see some interesting things that had been washed up. On a short stretch of beach, we managed to find some really interesting things that we hadn’t seen before such as a still living cape cowrie as well as some giant barnacles still extending their legs out to search for food so we quickly put them back in the water and hopefully give them another chance!

We rounded the week of the week with an awesome trip to P.E. to take a boat trip to St Croix island to view some of our local marine life. We were very lucky to see some Indo-west pacific bottlenose dolphins giving us some amazing behavioral displays surfing the waves, coming close to investigate the boat, and even some mating displays. We also managed to see some African penguins like our little friend that we rescued last week, as well as many bird species such as cape gannets, cormorants, and a variety of gulls and terns flying around the boat. We were even lucky enough to see the resident black ray who calls the harbor home. Big thanks to Raggy charters for a really great experience and a wonderful way to cap off the week!

• Matt Forest

Make or Break

This week was nerve-racking and exciting at the same time! Assessment game drives entail taking guests out on a guided experience onto Amakhala Game Reserve. This is where all our theory knowledge and practical excursions came in hand. It was 9 weeks of intensive but valuable learning that would prepare us to become apprentice field guides.

We had to arrange all the necessary arrangements with the guests prior to their arrival for their guided drive. It was awesome to get into contact with my own guests and pass on everything they need to know/prepare. I was excited to get things going and see how I can apply everything that I have learned at Ulovane.

We did two drives so that you are fully prepared and ready. After the 1^st drive, the assessor sat down with me and we went through all the positives and negatives before going on the 2^nd drive later in the week. That helps a lot in preparing yourself and knowing what your strengths are and which areas you can improve.

I learned so much about myself during this week and learned how valuable being a guide is to entertain and inform guests coming on a guided experience. It was a little taste of great things coming in the future!

• Gerhard Opperman

Ready or not, Game Drive Assessments were on us

My week was a bit different from my two colleagues Gerhard and Jack as I still had classroom to prepare exams for the Sunday and it wasn’t less than 6 modules to study + the workbooks to do.
On Wednesday we had our tracking assessment which is basically a 12h in the bush trying to find and identify tracks. I never had proper tracking lessons before so I was a bit nervous but I am lucky to have participated in some volunteer projects whit amazing guides that taught me a lot! Still not happy with my final grade but apparently it was a good one… I also took the opportunity during the day to practice my driving before the assessment.

Thursday we had our Field Observation Assessment led by Karien where you walk around the reserve for some hours and all the modules you learned before came to play as Karien can ask anything and everything !!!!! And when I say everything, I am not joking! We were five for this assessment and we could feel how everyone was tired but it was great to see how much knowledge we gained during the last few weeks.

Friday and Saturday were the most difficult days for me with my two assessment drives. I had two groups of nine people with high expectations for the drive and I was very nervous about the driving and some procedures. Being at Ulovane for only 4 weeks compare to the other ones was a lot of pressure for me as I didn’t have the same experience in the reserve and with the driving than them. I felt a bit unconfident but I have the chance to have amazing friends all around the world who trusted me and encouraged me for this test.

I put some badass music under the shower on the Thursday night and it was time to rock it !!
My first group had high (and quite not possible hahaha of leopard, hyena, and porcupines) expectations and I had to find a way to please them anyway, I think it was a success as everyone was very happy with the drive even when I offered them to play a little game that involves putting antelope poop in your mouth !! Yes, I really did it! The second group was super super enthusiastic to be in the bush and it was 4h of joy and laughter but also good sightings with Ellies, antelope, a lioness and some plant tasting !
Even if I could have done better, I am a bit proud of the improvements I made through the four last weeks.

The week ended with my last writing practical exams and I promise you, when you are done righting 6 modules you are more than happy !!!!!

During lunch, my (not) nice friends the birds pooped on my phone and next to my fries just to remember me to study their calls… What a very nice remember right ?! Those birds…

I believe we are ready for the last week now !

• Morgane Sevellec

“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”

― Roy T. Bennett,