What you will learn
This trail has been specially designed for our experienced tribe members. It builds on the skills and competences that you have already developed during your previous leadership Trails. We will start with refreshing your memory and dusting off your knowledge so you are quickly up to speed again. This means we will go through the basics of:
- Leading bush walks in a Big 5 area
- Driving a 4*4 vehicle through any kind of terrain
- Bush leadership skills
- Navigating using terrain, animals, sun, moon and stars
- Tracking animals
- Necessary survival skills
The main activity will be practicing your leadership skills by walking in the bush and by approaching potentially dangerous animals. The aim of these animal approaches is to learn to lead the team and be in control of the situation. We try to get as close as circumstances (terrain, sun, wind, cover, …) allow us, we study their natural behavior and to leave them in peace again. Each day will be led by a team of 2 participants. Together they develop the plan for the day based on the wishes of fellow participants. They will pepare everything needed and communicate this plan to the rest of the team. Throughout the day we will evaluate the different activities and turn these into learning experiences for the group. Our guide and facilitator will make sure everything is done in a safe and ethical way and without impacting nature or its animals.
Where you will stay
Our training takes place in our own private concession in the famous Okavango Delta. Our camp is situated in the South Eastern part of the Delta on a tongue of permanent land even during the floods. This makes our camp year round accessible by vehicle. Our concession area is 40,000 hectares or 400 square kilometers: an area of roughly 20 by 20 kilometers. It is unfenced and in direct connection with the rest of the Delta: a true wilderness.
Our tented camp has been set up along the seasonal Xwapa river (depending on rainfall in Angola it flows from April to October) and is also unfenced. During the day we share it with the birds, monkeys, snakes and elephants and during the night hippo’s, hyena’s, leopard, lions, honey badgers and porcupines sometimes visit or walk trough. It is interesting to see their tracks in the morning – like reading the morning paper. In this area we are the only people allowed. As long as we follow the ethical and safety rules for being in the bush we are completely free to do as we please.
Where you will sleep and eat
You will be sharing tents with 2 participants (single occupancy has a 15% surcharge). Our tents are new and measure 4*3 meters plus an 3*3 ensuite are with a bucket shower and a toilet.
We have our own chef and staff that will cook all our meals unless we want to do a BBQ ourselves. Coffee, tea and water is available all day. Wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks are available at sundowners and in the evening. All food and drinks are included
<p>Arrival at Maun Airport at around 14.00 hrs. </p><p>• Pick up by guide and facilitator</p><p>• Shopping for drinks and other small personal items</p><p>• Drive into the Okavango Delta and into camp</p><p>• Welcome to camp and camp rules an safety</p><p>• Guided drive with sundowner and personal introduction</p><p>• Dinner and drinks by the camp fire, program next day</p>
<p>• Wake up, breakfast and plan for the morning</p><p>• Whole day drive around the concession: drive a 4*4 game drive vehicle, explore terrain and ecology, inventarise animal presence and movements</p><p>• Dinner and drinks by the camp fire, program next day</p>
<p>Wake up, breakfast and plan for the day</p><p>• Drive to Shooting Range</p><p>• Rifle range shooting practice: set up range and range safety instructions, rifle safety instruction, basic rifle instruction, practical training, (team) competition</p><p>• Lunch: BBQ at Shooting Range</p><p>• Self drive to South East along the river: drive a 4*4 game drive vehicle</p><p>• Self walk in the South side and back to vehicle: walking and navigating in the bush, tracking most common tracks, animal and PDA identification and approaches</p><p>• Dinner: Sundowners and leftovers by the vehicle next to the river</p><p>• Self night drive back to camp</p><p>• Guided explanation of stars and constellations</p><p>• Drinks by the camp fire, program next day</p>
<p>This day will be lead by a team of 2 participants. The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 3 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.</p>
<p>This day will be lead by a team of 2 participants. The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 3 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.</p>
<p>This day will be lead by a team of 2 participants. The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 3 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.</p>
<p>This day will be lead by a team of 2 participants. The programs will be an elaboration of the activities during the first 3 days and will include: Self drives and walks during daytime, self drives during night time, Mokoro lessons, trips and competitions (if water levels permit), boat lessons and trips (if water levels permit), advanced explanation of animal identification, advanced skills training such as leading in general, navigating, tracking, rifle handling, problem solving, team communication, planning, …Each activity will be evaluated by yourself, the rest of the team and the guide and the facilitator.</p>
<p>• Wake up and pack your bags</p><p>• Breakfast and goodbye to the staff</p><p>• Guided drive from camp to Maun</p><p>• Last lunch together</p><p>• Handing out certificates</p><p>• Check-in for flights</p>
