Whilst we do spend time ensuring that our notes and lectures are all up-to-date, we pride ourselves in being a bit “Old Fashioned” when it comes to training, so our weekend modules all take place
“in the bush” rather than “on the web.”
This gives our students not only an opportunity to forge new friendships, but also the genuine hands on experience required to really grow your knowledge.
We use four different venues for our training during the year, with the practical weekends being undertaken in three of the national parks in the North West Province and the forth, which is used for our Saturday lectures, is a national heritage site.
They are :-
Pilanesberg (Google Maps)
Not only is Pilanesberg the jewel in North West Park’s crown it is also one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills – the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. This extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex and is within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as “Bushveld”.
Borakalalo (Google Maps)
Is one of the most diverse conservation areas of North West, where visitors can walk freely along prescribed trails to enjoy the eco-diversity of this very special Reserve. It is situated 60 km north of the town of Brits and consists of 13 000 ha of woodland and open bushveld – in a remote and peaceful area of unusual beauty and diversity set in Kalahari veld and woodlands, along the banks of the Moretele River and the 800 ha Klipvoor Dam.
Kgaswane (Google Maps)
Kgaswane Mountain Reserve is a place of special beauty, an escape into a mountain range of great natural appeal, and is one of South Africa’s listed Ramsar wetland sites. Situated above the town of Rustenburg across a varied habitat of quartzite mountain peaks and vleis on the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg.
Freedom Park (Google Maps)
Freedom Park is a cultural institution housing a museum and a memorial dedicated to chronicling and honouring the many who contributed to South Africa’s liberation. The museum aims to preserve and narrate the story of the African continent, and specifically South Africa, from the dawn of humanity, through pre-colonial, colonial and apartheid history and heritage, to the post-apartheid nation of today. It is a long walk, spanning some 3.6 billion years.