Call us now on 0845 812 8222 
Or email us - info@afrecotours.com
 
Afreco Tours Home

Birding Courses (6 nights)

for serious birders and amateurs alike

Course overview & content / Accommodation & location / 
Course availability / Your Guides

VERY VERY POPULAR - BOOK YOUR PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLACES ARE GOING FAST!

Course Overview & Content


The Bird Courses are run in the Makuleke concession
of Northern Kruger National Park; one of the last true
wilderness areas in South Africa and a very special
place indeed. This camp and location  is truly spectacular!

Whilst the summer months are always great for the migrants,
birding in any month in this area is excellent.

   

** There are a wonderful diversity of habitats here in

Northern Kruger National Park
attracting a huge variety of birds **
 
Students on the Birding Safari course. A Trip run by Afreco Tours to the far North of remote Kruger National ParkLilac-breasted Roller, one of the many bird species found in the far North of Kruger National ParkThis is a top quality, accredited birding course, is run by Bruce Lawson who is considered one of South Africa's top birding guides.

The course was put together to provide sufficient information and training for an individual to write the SKS South African Birding qualification with confidence.

Although a serious birding course this an excellent Bird Safari for all bird enthusiasts!

Don't be put off by the exams & qualifications…


This trip is suitably appropriate for any person who wants to improve their bird knowledge and skills or to enhance their guiding career or just for their own personal benefit and enjoyment.

In addition to this the camp is probably one of Kruger Park's best kept secrets! Located with in stunningly beautiful Big 5 Game territory the area boasts a wide range of habitats and  landscapes.

Birds are abundant and so is the other wildlife. Some of Kruger National Park's' biggest Bull Elephants roam these parts.

 

A typical day (but this can vary)


Will consist of theory sessions during the day:
  • held in the camp incorporating use of electronic media to add value and interest
  • after breakfast (after returning from morning practical walk or drive)
  • and then again after a midday break and prior to the afternoon practical walk or drive
  • Practical bird identification sessions during early morning and late afternoon drives and or walks
Note: An extensive Training Manual is provided, however we recommend participants bring notepad/book/pens; to take further notes and also your own bird field guide(s) (various bird books are provided for use during the course) and most importantly good binoculars.

Major Theory Subjects Included:


Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, Zoogeography, Habitats & Environments, Bird Behaviours (Breeding, Chick Development, Feeding, Mating etc), Migration, Ethics/Conservation and Bird Identification.
 

Practical Field Sessions:


Students on the Birding Safari Course in Makuleke, Kruger National Park.The practical sessions in the field will assist you in knowing what to look for to successfully identify birds, also to point out the differences between certain 'difficult' species. Both sight id and call id is discussed during the practical sessions.

The practical sessions, will be either walking or in an open game drive vehicle or a combination of both.

Course Assessments:


A common site, Yellow-billed Hornbill. Kruger National Park, South AfricaHooded Vulture on elephant carcass in Kruger National ParkThe course includes both bird slide identification and a bird call identification assessments on final full day. A written assignment handed out during the course is required to be completed, however, this is an 'open book' style and is to be returned to Lawson's Birding Academy upon completion, for marking.

All course participants receive a 'Certificate of Participation' and those successfully passing all three assignments (slide/calls and written) will receive a 'Certificate of Competency'.
 
back to topTop of page
 

Accommodation & Location (venue)

Your camp is situated in the Northern area of Kruger National Park, in an area known as the Makuleke Concession. The camp itself is set in a lovely area shaded by huge Nyala trees, with each spacious tent having its own private ensuite facilities. The tents are raised on timber platforms, each with their own deck overlooking the surrounding bush.

The accommodation is 2 people sharing per tent. It is an excellent area and the birding is just awesome!

Also see the Makuleke page for further information.

Birding Safari accommodation in the Makuleke Consession - Far remote north of Kruger National ParkGiant Yellow Fever trees in the far north of Kruger National Park, just one of the many bird habitats on this birding safari trip
 
back to topTop of page
 

Course availability

 
2008 2009 CAMP - Makuleke (Above pics)
18 November - 24 November                 Only 5 AVAILABLE !      11th- 17th February  FULL
25 November - 01 December (Fully Booked) 04 March - 10 March   7
- 18th - 24th November FULL
- 9th - 15th December    16

 

Course Duration:


6 nights (arrival 2pm on day 1 and departure after breakfast on final day)
 
back to topTop of page
 

Your Guide (s)

 
Bruce Lawson, your guide on this Birding Safari CourseBruce Lawson is one of only a few, fully qualified professional guides with both FGASA Level 3, SKS Dangerous Game and SKS National Birding (THETA NQF6) and is also a FGASA Accredited Trainer and Assessor.

Bruce, apart from his formal qualifications, is considered as one of the country's top birding guides.

Where we utilize a second trainer, that person will also be a qualified SKS Birding Guide.



In compliance with the UK Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 an insurance policy has been arranged with Travel & General Insurance Company plc to protect customers’ prepayments paid in respect of the ground handling aspects of packages where the customer is responsible for arranging travel to the destination offered in this brochure/literature/document/on this website (subject to the terms of the insurance policy), for:

  • a refund of such prepayments if customers have not yet travelled, or
  • making arrangements to enable the holiday to continue if customers have already travelled

in the unlikely event of our financial failure.

back to topTop of page
 
 
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Links & Resources