Wake up each morning to the start of your exhilarating adventure in the heart of the African wilderness. A member of your team will gently awaken you, unless it's your turn to be the early bird. After dressing, enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading out on your first bushwalk.

Throughout the course, you will take turns being the lead guide and back-up guide, each responsible for the safety of the group during the walk. As you journey through the bush, you'll uncover the secrets of the African wilderness and engage in enlightening discussions on various topics relevant to your course exams.

Return to camp for a midday break, where you'll meet with your instructor to review your morning walk. Enjoy a hearty lunch before heading to a classroom session that will provide you with theoretical knowledge and teach you the proper handling of a rifle.

As the sun begins to set, embark on your second excursion of the day. This could be a bushwalk, game drive, or motorboat or mokoro trip, depending on the water levels. You'll have the opportunity to lead walks, pole the mokoro, and conduct game drives, putting your newly acquired skills into practice.

After taking in the beautiful sunset, head back to camp for a group discussion about the day's activities and a shared dinner. Then, relax and unwind with some free time to read a book, play games, mingle with your fellow students, or simply enjoy the breathtaking natural surroundings.

The Trails Guide Course is a balanced mix of theoretical and practical units and is available as a two or four-week program. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in the Advanced Rifle Handling Course (ARH), held at the NG30 concession (Kwapa) borders, receiving twice-weekly training sessions to further hone your skills.

As you undergo training to become a Trails Guide, you'll acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to become a proficient walking guide in the African bush.

The course focuses on game walks, survival training, tracking, and rifle handling, providing you with hands-on practical training and theoretical units.

During early afternoon lessons in the camp's classroom, you'll learn about Southern Africa's nature through lectures and presentations on geology, ecology, astronomy, weather, and climate. The knowledge gained from these sessions will enable you to provide insightful and educational tours to your guests.

To develop essential navigation, survival, and guiding skills, you'll venture into the bush with your guide during the morning and late afternoon. You'll learn how to approach wild animals safely, operate a motorboat and a mokoro, track animals, and sharpen your senses during wilderness sleep-outs. It's important to note that daily shooting training is critical to ensuring the safety of your safari guests throughout their journey.

Upon completion of the course, you'll receive a certificate of attendance if you're taking the course for personal enrichment. If you're interested in improving your skills on a professional level, you can work towards two official qualifications as part of a final exam at the end:

The BQA Back Up Trails Guide qualification from the Botswana Training Authority and the FGASA Trails Guide NQF2 qualification from the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa.

During your Trails Guide training, you'll learn essential rifle handling skills through intense hands-on practice. To master this skill, you'll visit a shooting range outside the Kwapa concession twice a week for live ammunition shooting exercises.

The day starts at sunrise, with a drive to the shooting range after breakfast. Here, you'll receive personalized training on how to handle a rifle, and efficiency is tested through shooting exercises. Passing these exercises is mandatory to carry a rifle during game walks. While waiting for your turn, you can use the time to relax or study for your theoretical exam. After shooting practice, you'll prepare lunch and head back to Camp Kwapa. Early afternoon classroom sessions provide theoretical knowledge, followed by an afternoon bush excursion. In the evening, you'll return to camp for dinner and free time to relax or study.

The Trails Guide course is a comprehensive training program that equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proficient walking guides in the African bush. While completing the course, trainees have the option to take the official FGASA exam to obtain an official course certificate. The theoretical exam covers all the topics discussed during the course, such as bush safety, navigation, animal behavior, taxonomy, and guest interaction. Trainees' competencies are regularly assessed throughout the course, ensuring they meet all requirements using a checklist. Additionally, trainees undergo a practical shooting assessment, where exercises evaluate their accuracy and speed. Once they've fulfilled the competencies of a Back-Up Trails Guide and passed the theoretical exam, they'll receive the official course certificate, demonstrating their knowledge and competence as a Trails Guide.