28 nights, fgasa apprentice trail guide or ngtb/bqa back ... · full qualification shall be...

©NGTB Code – NQF 2&3 Walk&Rifle/App Trail Guide 28 night Jan 2020

NGTB and or FGASA Apprentice/Back-up and Lead Walk + Rifle (NQF 4) & BQA Part Award s (NQF 4&5)Jan 2020

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28 Nights, FGASA Apprentice Trail Guide OR NGTB/BQA Back-up or Lead Walking Guide

Course. Both include Advanced Rifle Handling

1. Course information DURATION of FIELD COURSE = 28 nights – excluding previous guiding and walking experience if applicable and excluding 20 days Pre Self-Study Time

VENUE = Mobile Leased Tented Camp in Okavango Delta Or any Workplace = Operating Safari Tourist Facility for employed operators guides.

Notional Hours 280 hours Back-up Walking + Rifle Use training = inclusive of minimum 50 hours on foot on course.

Course Schedule Camp Style Batch type course options are available =

- BATCH ONE = Advanced Rifle Handling (6 days) Includes theory training and rifle drills, shooting practice and assessment. Rifle use course (excludes extra ammunition).

- BATCH TWO = walking only (22 nights) if have rifle/ARH certificate.

- FULL COURSE = In combination = 28 nights Botswana guides seeking Lead Walking must have required experience validate by NGTB.

- FGASA Guides who already have Back-up Trails, or Apprentice Guide may join to gain some of the required 100 Lead Walking hours for their Trail Guide Qualification.

Leased Mobile Tented Camp, Bucket Showers and bush toilets. Main dining and lecture tented area. OR in operating Safari Tourist Facility Workplace where booked for Employees. Service = 3 meals a day, tea and coffee, juice and Okavango Delta water. Includes lessons, walks, Game Drives individual mentoring and one assessment attempt.

Accredited Training Provider

www.natureguidetrainingbotswana.com Cell: +267 73236336 PO BOX HA 104 HAK, Maun Botswana email: [email protected]

http://www.natureguidetrainingbotswana.com

mailto:[email protected]



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Modules trained on course – Theory and Practical Rifle Theory and Practical

- Rifle Function and Safety - Advanced Knowledge of ballistics - Destroying dangerous animals - Arms and Ammunition Act and Carry

Walking Theory and Practical - Knowledge of Back-up and Lead Guide Roles

and Responsibilities. - Navigation - Mammal Diseases - Knowledge of dealing with potentially

dangerous animals (PDA’s) - Advanced knowledge of PDA’s habits

Practical Assessments on course - Advanced Rifle Handling = Use a rifle a lead

guide - Provide Back-up for a Lead guide on a walk - Lead an Interpretive Nature walk in area

containing PDA’s. - View and manage PDA sightings on foot - Generate a multiday Post Walk Report = NGTB

Qualification Target Group This course is designed for candidates with or without previous walking guiding and rifle use experience. The course is designed to not only introduce, but also to mentor interested candidates into the career as a professional nature guide specific to back-up and lead walking in areas containing potentially dangerous animals (PDA’s) and sensible rifle use. Botswana The course is accredited under the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). Candidates that prove competent in the full qualification shall be recognized by BQA as a level 2/NQF 4 Back-up OR Level 3/NGF 5 Lead Walking guide with relevant rifle use based on the learner’s achievements and total record of experience on foot. FGASA This course is specifically designed for FGASA Apprentice VPDA (NQF 2) guides to begin the process of becoming a Professional Trail Guide (NQF4). First, they must gain the Advanced Rifle Handling Competency, following up with learning and gaining hours on foot and encounters with Potentially Dangerous Animals on foot. This initial experience is to be gained under mentorship of a Trail Guide trainer and assessor. Once the relevant hours and encounters have been attained and the Trail Guide Exam including rifles has been passed, only then may the candidate be assessed as an Apprentice/Back-up Trail Guide.



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Following this competency, they may then begin to log hours and encounters on foot as a Back-up or lead, on path to becoming a Lead Trail Guide. They will also have to attain the various SAQA Rifle Competency standards before being ARH Assessed. Lead Trail Guiding Hours and Experience Already qualified FGASA Apprentice Trail guides may join on the course entirety or for shorter slots to gain valuable hours and on foot experience under mentorship as an Apprentice/Back-up and Lead, logging hours and encounters for their Lead Trail Guide status.

Nature Guide Training Botswana (NGTB) main focus is beyond the qualification requirements, ensuring candidates are suitably prepared for Industry workplace expectations as well-groomed and competent Back-up or Lead Walking guide with rifle use. Join for the Experience Only Nature and conservation enthusiasts may join just for the experience of walking the wilds of Africa. NB: such candidates must be aware that others are there for a certificate, so we will have to follow a set structure t ensure they cover the syllabus and assessments. The certificate learners may take preference in leading or backing up to ensure they gain relevant hours and encounters on foot. Dates = 2020 28 night Back-up and Lead Walking Nature Course = Botswana NQF 4&5 FGASA NQF 2 VPDA and Apprentice to NQF 4 Trails Guide

42 night Field Guide Course – FGASA NGF 2 and Bots NQF 4

In 2nd June and out 29th June 2020 In 3rd July and out 14th August In 18th August and out 11th September In 1st October and out 11th November In 14th November and out 12th December Employment options after course NGTB may assist suitable candidates to possibly gain employment or workplace attachments in various safari companies at course end, but this is not guaranteed, nor should be expected. We would aid those that excel.



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Entry and Registration Requirements NB: All COURSES ARE RUN WITH A MINIMUM OF 4 PEOPLE and MAXIMUM OF 7 PEOPLE BOOKED, unless under special arrangements.

1. Register with NGTB - who in turn registers learners with BQA – only once full competency has been achieved.

Register with NGTB - FGASA candidates must be paid up members and register with FGASA for the Apprentice Trail Guide course and pay FGASA direct for theory exam and moderation and relevant study material.

2. Register at least 3 months before course commencement. 3. Course Confirmation via deposit paid. 4. Driver’s License Code 8 and should have public drivers permit – preferable. 5. Literate and have conversational skills via English language – preferred Cambridge/Grade 12 level of

education. 6. Must be physically fit – be able to move around without assistance of others, be able to see, hear and

touch. 7. Must be physically fit to walk at least 6 hours a day = roughly 15 kilometers a day – early morning and

afternoon walk sessions. 8. Must have travel insurance and medical aid cover – or supported by

employing company/sponsoring organization. We recommend that all should register with Okavango Air Rescue for your time in the filed with us. This service allows for medevac’s via helicopter support anywhere in the Okavango Delta. One can simply join on arrival at the Maun Airport.

Qualification Certificate entry and attainment requirements: Apprentice Trail/Back-up Walking Guide

9. Should have First Aid Level 1 – specific to African bush to attain the final Guide certificate = Valid for two years typically. BOTSWANA BACK-UP Walking Guide if Candidate wishes to gain Qualification = MUST have an Assistant Guide License (for Back-up Walk) and Professional Guide License (for Lead Walk) = Should be minimum of 19 years of age for Back-up and minimum of 20 years of age for Lead Walking guide.

FGASA Apprentice Guide if Candidate wishes to gain certificate = Must have First Aid Level 1 = Must have FGASA Apprentice/NQF 2 guide certificate as minimum. = Should be minimum of 18 years of age. ………….= For ARH certificate candidate must have relevant SAQA Rifle Handling Standards for Guides wishing to gain the ARH certificate from FGASA. Candidate may still do the ARH with us.



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Requirements to gain Certificate/Qualification at course end For FGASA and Botswana/BQA/NGTB

10. Back-up/Apprentice Walking Guide = must attain 50 hours on foot and 10 encounters with PDA’s as part of the training group.

FGASA - See FGASA website for Trail Guide 11. Must pass the Trail Guide Exam before being eligible for Practical assessment process. Must have passed

the ARH Rifle Handling assessment. Must have relevant SAQA Rifle Handling Standards 9those seeking to work as Trail guides in SA).

12. Must spend 10 hours with assessor at end of course to ensure competent and to sign on for the Apprentice mentoring process to become Lead Trail Guide.

Botswana/BQA/NGTB 13. Must pass the Back-up and Lead Rifle Use theory exam = BQA/Botswana. 14. Must pass the Back-up and Lead Walking theory exam = BQA/Botswana. 15. Must pass the Back-up walking assessment – includes Viewing PDA on foot as a Back-up.

Lead Trail/Walking Guide FGASA – See FGASA website for Trail Guide

16. Apprentice Trails Guides to gain 50 hours as 2nd Rifle during trail guide course, or other in field with Lead Trails Guide and to gain relevant encounters. To gain 50 hours as 1st Rifle during trail guide course with Trail Guide mentor.

17. To then gain 50 hours and 10 encounters of 3 PDA species as 1st Rifle in the workplace with paying guests and a Lead Trail guide as 2nd Rifle. To then complete the NQF 2 apprentice Trail Guide practical assessment with endorsed assessor. To spend at least 10 hours on foot over two days as 1st and 2nd rifle and 2 different PDA specie encounters. Now the candidate will hold the NQF 2 VPDA Qualification.

NB: Apprentice Trails Guides may join our Trails guide courses and act as Apprentice guide for others on process to become Apprentice guides. Lead Trail Guider to have:

The Apprentice Trail guide program Valid ARH and SAQA Unit Standards NQF 4 FGASA Guide First Aid Level 1 Tracker Level 1 Certificate

Botswana/NGTB/BQA Lead Walking Guide

18. Should have Professional Guide License competence in Botswana. 19. Must have required hours on foot and PDA encounters as back-up guide NQF 2, or have required

previous hours on foot and encounters back-dated and validated by NGTB = Recognition or Prior Learning and Current Competence.

20. Should be minimum of 21 years of age



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21. BQA Lead Walking guide = must have 150 hours on foot (30 as lead) and 30 encounters with PDA’s as listed per species.

22. Must have passed Lead Rifle use standards (if intending to carry rifle). 23. Must pass the Back-up and Lead walking theory exams. 24. Must provide a Multiday, Multi-venue post walk report. 25. Must pass the Lead Walking Assessment – Includes interpretive walk and Viewing PDA’s on foot =

required to view 2 PDA’s during assessment.

BATCH TYPE Course Options Available. Suggest full course for qualification but candidates can book in on set batches over time to gain the

qualification, such as: OPTION ONE = FULL COURSE = 28 nights, Rifle use and Back-up Walking Guide.

OPTION TWO = 6 night ARH/Rifle Use course ONLY. OPTION THREE = 22 night Walking ONLY = Apprentice or Lead.

Other Options of 14 day walk courses are available on special request.

Guides seeking Lead Walking Qualification must have relevant previous hours on foot and PDA experience to gain Full Qualification.

Daily Schedule The typical day consists of early morning wake up (5 to 6am), Breakfast and then a walk activity which could be a game drive and walk combination of roughly 4 – 5 hours Return to camp for Brunch (11 to11:30 am). Take a rest, shower and study break. Conduct various lessons in afternoon lesson (2 to 4 pm) and have tea before the afternoon walk activity which may include a night drive. Dinner at (8 pm).

2. Qualification and Guide License information = BQA The BQA National Certificate in Tourism Nature Guiding (NQF 5) old Level 3 with strand in Back-up or Lead Walking and Rifle use is issued to candidates by BQA. NGTB provide BQA with the candidate’s full list of qualification achievements. BQA then register the candidate’s achievements and provide the candidate recognition at A SEPARATE COST.

NGTB provide the candidate with a certificate for the relevant walking and rifle use award.



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DWNP Guide License Document issue The Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Botswana recognize this Walking and Rifle Use competence letter and may then award the candidate with a relevant endorsement such as = Assistant Guide License with Endorsement as a back-up Walking guide or an Lead Walking Guide, with Professional DWNP Guide License. HOWEVER – this is not all in place yet with DWNP and candidates should be aware of this. It is the role of DWNP and Not NGTB or BQA.

3. Camp Information In various leased mobile tented camps in the southeastern parts of the Okavango or any workplace in operating Safari Tour Facility, these areas provide the prefect landscape for the training of Nature Guides. A diverse array of habitats from near permanent rivers, lagoons, Okavango Island communities, seasonal floodplains, mixed dry woodlands and mopane woodland, allow for a diverse existence of wildlife. Species that may be encountered during the course range from elephant, buffalo, (both rhino species may be encountered), hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, serval, honey badger, African wild cat, wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, kudu, impala, wildebeest, tsessebe, zebra, reedbuck, lechwe and more. The bird life is terrific with over 300 species occurring as well as common reptiles and invertebrates. The aquatic Okavango environment of ecology, hydrology, amphibian, fish, plants and an array of other smaller organisms will be encountered!

The camp is a mobile tented camp set-up and is run as close to a typical safari camp/workplace environment as possible. This allows learners to gain real workplace type experience during the course. A central fire place is set up for evenings to sit and enjoy the African night sounds and discuss days learning and adventures.

There will be other game viewing vehicles using the area so our walks will focus in areas where we aim to avoid vehicles and this this is not guaranteed.

Accommodation = Maximum of 7 Learners per course, per vehicle and trainer Each learner shall have their own Dome tent with veranda and chair. Each tent is fitted with a ground mattress, sheet, pillow and pillow case. Each dome tent shall have a solar light for study. Wash Basins are set-up on veranda



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of tent for daily refreshing.

Learners that may wish to share tents shall be provided with a larger Dome tent OR, learners sponsored by companies or other for Botswana may have to share larger, 3x3m dome tents.

Main Area A Marque tent area utilized for lessons and meals with lighting for night time study and engagement. A comprehensive library is available for learners to utilize for study.

Ablutions and showers Numerous bucket showers are set-up for learners. Heated water is provided and one shower a day is recommended. Numerous bush toilets are set up. Meals 3 meals a day are provided such as:

1. Breakfast = Tea, Coffee, Juice, Cereals, Porridge and Fruit 2. Brunch = Wholesome meal with a mixture of cooked breakfast and lunch, Juice, Tea and Coffee

- Afternoon tea = Tea, Coffee and a light snack 3. Dinner = meat, starch and vegetables

Dietary requirements can be catered for within reason! Drinking Water = is available from River/Borehole. We can provide mineral water bottles at candidates own cost. Extra Drinks – Soda drinks are available as a cash sale at Village close by or the operating camp.



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4. COST OF FULL COURSE 28 night FGASA Apprentice Trail Guide OR Botswana Back-up/Lead Walking and rifle use Course

COST = P46 000-00 = excluding extra ammunition = INTERNATIONAL RATES If only 2 students booked then an extra 25% will be charged

If only 3 booked then an extra 18% will be charged Citizen rates are available on enquiry and proof of Citizenship

COURSE COST INCLUDES COURSE COST EXCLUDES

Registration, Full Study Material (BQA), Lessons, One attempt at Theory Exams and practical Assessments and Moderation – For BQA

Ammunition = 15 rounds for those booked on rifle use course = this relates to one assessment attempt. Any practice or extra assessment rounds to be paid for per-use.

Transport from Maun to camp and back, all meals and refreshments and Activities.

Individual mentoring and achievement report.

ABOVE COST SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Transport to Maun from your destination. Extra soft/other drinks – available for cash sale

at or Village or as sponsor decides. Laundry Service = P50-00 per week at mobile

camp or as sponsor decides. Any theory exam re-writes and practical re-

assessments. Ammunition = extra ammunition required for

training and assessment - ARH FGASA expect 120 rounds to be fired

and the cost may vary between P110-00 to P120-00 per round.

- BQA/Botswana expect 40 rounds to qualify as per cost above.

Travel of assessor to workplace after to the course for final assessments for qualification if required.

BQA credit reporting fees = P2-00 per credit = 19 credits for Back-up Guide + Rifle Use and 45 credits for Lead Walking Guide + Rifle Use.

Courier fee to BQA. NGTB/BQA certificate issue.

FGASA Trails Guide Study Material Trails Guide Exam Moderation of assessments All above paid direct to FGASA

ABOVE COST SUBJECT TO CHANGE



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5. Course Booking/Reservation In order to book for this course specifically:

A. Complete registration documents = at least 2 months before – preferred 4 months before course commencement.

B. 50 % deposit to be paid to secure booking – preferred 3 months before course. - Once confirmed via deposit, 10% of the deposit is

non-refundable. C. Full cost to be paid 60 days before course commencement date.

COURSE MINIMUM = 4 students must be booked in order to run the course as per dates. BUT, this may vary based on circumstance and special arrangement with NGTB.

Cancelation Policy

75% of deposit, 60 days before commencement 100% of deposit 40 days before commencement 75% of total charge, 25 days before commencement 100% of total, 15 days before commencement. Postponement options are available via enquiry for booked courses – however cost is subject to change.

Refund Policy

Preferred postponements options are available before refunds if manageable by the company and the learner.

Depending on the reasons as to why a refund is required, refund may be made in full within one month of the incident occurring.

However, a deposit of 20% will be held to cover administration purposes.

Refund requests must be made in writing to the Managing Director.

The Managing Director and Board, shall convene with the student and staff to conduct a hearing as to why refunds was requested and investigated.

Refund amounts will be agreed on based on reasons why. Further relevant services all-ready rendered to the learner will not be refunded.



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Reasons for refunds

The course was canceled, or portions thereof by the company – which was not due to a natural disaster or company closing due to Government, political sudden change.

The Student was un-happy for some, reasonable/valid reason for the offering of the course structure.

Registration for Certificate with BQA NGTB can only register candidates with BQA for this qualification once full competency has been achieved.

6. Conclusion NGTB believes in developing suitable candidates to become leaders in the Safari Industry in Botswana and abroad. The Managing Director has over 22 years of Guide training and development experience specific to the Botswana landscape and further involvement in the International forefront, for both BQA AND FGASA.

He has been actively guiding since 1993.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

Sincere regards

Clinton Phillips Managing Director

28 nights, fgasa apprentice trail guide or ngtb/bqa back ... · full qualification shall be...

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