biomimicrySA and EcoTraining are joining forces to bring you this biomimicry expedition workshop.

Who should attend this Biomimicryworkshop?

• Existing professional field guides and field guides in training and/or any interested parties
• Adventurous spirits looking for a learning holiday with a difference
• Tourists of all ages wanting an understanding of Africa’s web of life and to gain a greater appreciation of the inspiring genius of nature

What you will learn

• An introduction to biomimicry
• History, philosophy and ethics of biomimicry
• Examples of biomimetic success stories
• The interface of design and biology
• How to apply biological knowledge to design challenges
• Biological and ecological principles relevant to design
• Sustainability challenges and potential bio-inspired solutions
• Practical application of biomimicry as a design & innovation tool
• How to facilitate biomimetic research & design

What you’ll do:

• Solve a design challenge by asking “what would nature do here?”
• Practice applying the tools of biomimicry in a real world scenario
• Explore nature’s genius through field-based activities
• Learn from(rather than just about) local plants, animals, and ecosystems
• Become acquainted with life’s inherently sustainable design principles
• Learn how to translate nature’s genius into innovative sustainable design solutions.

What you’ll take home:

• An understanding of the power of innovation for conservation
• A method for bringing nature’s ideas to the design table
• Tools and expert contacts for further explorations
• A whole new way of viewing and valuing the genius that surrounds us

Enquiries / Booking process

1. Further course information is sent to you from Enquiries at [email protected].
2. To book a provisional place on a course a registration form must be completed and returned to Enquiries via e-mail or fax. Bookings & Admin processes the registration form and provisionally books the place.
3. Once the deposit for the course has been paid and a confirmation sent to or faxed to +27 (13) 752 4753. Bookings and Admin will confirm your place. Please ensure that you try pay 7-14 days from date of registration to ensure your place. Please advise if not!
4. Further information and details will be sent from Bookings & Admin or Support.
5. For camp information, directions/maps, etc. refer to the Eco-training website

Cost per person: R5,500 (no Vat payable)

Rate includes: Accommodation Meals Instructors and Training Manuals Game drives Walks Tea, coffee and cordials

Rate excludes: Transfer fee between camps Transfers/transport to and from the camp, before and after the course Lunch on transfer days to and from camp. Laundry R55 per week in 2011 Any accommodation before and after the course Beverages (beer, ciders, bottled water)

**In unforeseen circumstances, rates are subject to change without notice for un-paid bookings.

Deposit: In order to confirm your booking, we require that a 40% deposit be paid into the EcoTraining account.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The balance of the fees is due 4 weeks before the course starts.
• Invoices are issued on request only

Pay via credit card or wire transfer:

Banking Details

Account Name:           EcoTraining CC

Account Number:       030 257 131

Bank:                           Standard Bank – Nelspruit Main Branch

Branch Code:              05-28-52

S.W.I.F.T Code:          SB ZA ZA JJ

Standard IBAN:           ZA16SBZA052852030257131

Ref:                             YOUR NAME AND SURNAME

Fax proof to:               +27 (13) 752 4753 or email to

**International learners can apply for a bank draft from their respective bankers or pay via an internet transfer.

Cancellation Policy:

Should you cancel your booking:

• 8 weeks or more before the start of the course, then 25% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
• 34 – 28 days before the start of the course, then 40% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
• 27 – 21 days before the start of the course, then 60% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
• 20 – 14 days before the start of the course, then 70% of the full course fee will be forfeited.
• Less than 14 days before the start of the course, then 100% of the full course fee will be forfeited.

Postponement of a course will result in an administration fee being charged.

CANCELLATION DUE TO ILLNESS, DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER ETC. – There will be no discounts or monies refunded for missed or unused services, this includes voluntary or involuntary termination, i.e. sickness, death of a family member etc.  ECOTRAINING will however bank their stay for twelve months during which you can return to take up their unused services.  If you cannot return within this time they will forfeit your full course fee with ECOTRAINING. All associated costs of returning to the project will be at the clients’ expense.

EcoTraining’s accommodation facilities and game reserves are authentic, with as little clutter to dilute the relationship between nature and our learners as possible. While learners are at our camps, we want them to co-exist in the environment, when sleeping we want them to hear elephants browsing on leaves and nightjars call right outside the tents or bungalows at night. EcoTraining stands for an honest comfortable safe experience.  It’s all about the bush.

Makuleke Concession in Kruger Park – The Location

Situated between the Limpopo and the Luvuvhu Rivers in the northern sector of Kruger National Park is the Pafuri region, an area spanning 24,000 hectares (59305 acres). Within the Pafuri area is the Makuleke Concession, the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and the most diverse and scenically attractive area in all of Kruger National Park.

The Makuleke concession is not accessible to the ordinary tourist visiting the park. This area belongs to the Makuleke community. This is quite a historical event for South Africa as the Makuleke people were removed from this area in 1968 and after a lengthy process it was finally re-instated to the community in 1998 after a very long struggle. This area is certainly the wildest and most remote part of the Kruger National Park and offers varied vegetation, great wildlife viewing, the best birding in all of the Kruger National Park and is filled with folklore of the early explorers and ancient civilizations.

As is the case with our other camps, the Makuleke camp is unfenced, and animals do on occasion wander through the camp. Learners have woken up in the morning to find the tracks of elephant, leopard or lion around the camp.

Accommodation

The sleeping arrangements at all our camps consist of 2 people sharing per tent. Single requests are required to pay double-rates. Women and men do not share tents unless booked as a couple.

Meals

Early morning wake-up: Tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit

Brunch after activity: Cooked breakfast, cereals and fruit

Afternoon tea: Light snacks

Dinner: A balanced, warm plated meal (Meat, vegetables and salad)