Discovering the Art of Bushcraft and Navigating the Apocalypse

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Or how you could thrive if society as we know it were to collapse? These questions have always intrigued me, and I believe that learning the art of bushcraft is the key to unlocking the answers.

When I first began my journey into bushcraft, I was astounded by the vast array of skills and knowledge required to navigate the natural world. From building a shelter using only materials found in the environment to starting a fire without matches or a lighter, the possibilities seemed endless and the challenges daunting.

But as I delved deeper into this ancient practice, I realized that bushcraft is not just about survival; it is about connecting with nature on a profound level. It teaches you to observe and understand the environment, to work in harmony with the resources around you, and to develop a respect for the delicate balance of the natural world.

And if you think that bushcraft is only for the extreme survivalist or the thrill-seeker, think again. The skills and principles of bushcraft are relevant to anyone who wants to gain self-reliance and develop a deeper connection with the world around them. It offers a unique way to unplug from the fast-paced modern world and find solace in the simplicity of nature.

Furthermore, the knowledge gained from learning bushcraft can be invaluable in times of crisis. In the face of an apocalypse or disaster, the ability to adapt, improvise, and rely on your own skills can mean the difference between life and death. By understanding how to source food and water, create shelter, and navigate unfamiliar terrain, you are equipping yourself with the tools to survive and even thrive in the most dire circumstances.

In conclusion, the importance of learning bushcraft and honing your survival skills cannot be overstated. It is not just a hobby or a passing trend; it is an art form that connects us to our primal roots and empowers us to face the unknown. So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, resourcefulness, and resilience, then the world of bushcraft awaits you.

Imagine this: You, me, and the whole family. We’re out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature’s wonders. No phones, no TV, just the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling. It’s an adventure waiting to happen.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why would we want to escape the comfort of our home and go on a survival course?” Well, let me tell you why. We all lead such busy lives, constantly glued to our screens, that we forget what it’s like to truly connect with nature and challenge ourselves.

When you step into the wilderness, everything changes. You become part of something bigger than yourself. Every step you take, every fire you light, is a testament to your resourcefulness and resilience. Survival skills aren’t just about staying alive; they’re about embracing the thrill of the unknown and discovering what you’re truly capable of.

Think about it. When was the last time you pushed yourself to the limit? When was the last time you felt that sense of accomplishment after overcoming a challenge? It’s easy to get caught up in our comfortable routines, but taking a step outside of our comfort zone is where the magic happens.

Not only will a bushcraft and survival course teach us practical skills like navigation, fire-making, and shelter-building, but it will also give us a chance to reconnect with each other. In our fast-paced world, quality time with loved ones often takes a backseat. But out there, in the wilderness, we’ll have no choice but to bond, support each other, and work together towards a common goal.

Of course, I understand that it can be intimidating to leave our creature comforts behind and venture into the unknown. But that’s the beauty of it. It’s in those moments of fear and uncertainty that we truly grow as individuals and as a family.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure? Let’s leave our worries behind, step out of our comfort zones, and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors. Together, we’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.

Living off the land often means making use of what is nearby. A cave can be the perfect shelter to shield us from nature’s harshest elements.

While I was driving home through the bustling and cramped city, I noticed a somewhat untidy man with a messy beard darting back and forth between the busy traffic. His eyes had that wild look of someone who is either crazy or has just woken up, and he wore a cardboard sign that said “The End Is Near!” Clearly, he was a disturbed individual, but as I waited at the traffic light, hoping he wouldn’t see me, I couldn’t help but notice the people on the sidewalk wearing their protective masks, the fumes from countless car exhausts filling the air, and the news anchor’s voice on my car radio describing the troubles of the week.

Life can be overwhelming sometimes. There are so many things happening in the world that it’s hard to keep up. Climate change, population growth, conspiracies, bigotry, viruses, wars, extinctions, politicians, K-pop – the list goes on and on. It’s enough to make your head spin.

Have you ever thought about learning survival skills? The Western Cape Karoo is the perfect place to do just that.

It’s funny how one moment of reflection can change everything. It happened to me recently when I realized that the end might be near. Some might call it an epiphany, but I suddenly had this feeling that an apocalypse was on the horizon. What kind of apocalypse? I couldn’t say for sure. Maybe zombies would rise from the depths, or a deadly disease would spread like wildfire. Worst of all, what if Kanye West became president and had access to those big red buttons?

No one can predict the future (except maybe Attenborough, that guy knows everything), but what I do know is that my family and I are not prepared to survive any kind of cataclysm. We don’t have the skills or the knowledge to make it through.

Well, let me tell you, when the world is falling apart around you, the first thing you gotta do is get outta town. I mean, seriously, if you stay in the city, you’re asking for trouble. I’ve seen those shows on Netflix, and let me tell ya, people lose their minds when the apocalypse hits. It’s like all sense goes out the window and we turn into savage beasts.

Imagine a group of adventurous boys experiencing a thrilling weekend in the wild, learning valuable survival skills from the knowledgeable Geoffrey Phipps.

Now, let’s say you find yourself in a dire situation where the world is crumbling around you, and you desperately need to find food and protect yourself from the harsh elements. You also have to consider the challenges of starting a fire, finding clean drinking water, building shelter, and defending yourself against unexpected threats, like former office workers turned marauders and cannibals.

I must admit, I was at a loss for solutions. That is until I let my imagination take over.

“Children, we must hurry! SARS is on our heels!” I exclaimed, urging my kids to move. With no time to pack anything, we made a daring escape into the vast Karoo region with only the shirts on our backs. They were baffled by my urgency, so they asked, “What’s SARS?”

“Children, it’s an unrelenting force of evil. It’s unstoppable, merciless,” I explained, seeing their fear grow.

And rightly so, for in a situation like this, fear is a natural response.

Listen up! Did you know that animals have their own secret language? Birds, for example, love to gossip about predators lurking nearby. If you’re out in the wild, they’ll snitch on you and give away your game. Sneaky, right?

We were heading to a super remote place called the Rangers Reserve in the Karoo. It’s this awesome spot near a small town called Touws River. If you’re into rugged adventures, you can sign up for a weekend bush survival course there. The instructors, Geoffrey Phipps and Marcus Hargreaves, are like the masters of bush craft. They’ll teach you everything from survival skills to tracking and anti-poaching techniques. So, our training was about to kick off!

Now, brace yourself for the most important survival philosophy that Geoff shared with us: the 5 Cs. These are like the magic ingredients you need to have in your back pocket to survive out in the wild.

‘When you head out into the wilderness, there are a few essentials you need to bring along,’ I thought to myself. ‘First, a sharp Cutting tool will come in handy for various tasks. Then, a sturdy Container is essential to carry water and any other supplies you might need. Next, you’ll want to bring something Combustible to start a fire when needed. Don’t forget some Cordage, like rope, which can be incredibly useful in many situations. And finally, make sure you have a reliable Cover to protect yourself from the elements.’

We were gathered around the campfire when Geoff asked, ‘How prepared are you? Did you bring all the Cs?’ I proudly mentioned, ‘I packed a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and some Coffee!’ However, Geoff had different Cs in mind. We couldn’t agree.

‘No need to worry,’ Geoff reassured us. As the sun rose over the Karoo landscape, casting a stunning orange glow, he continued, ‘Everything you need can be found or created from nature.’

As the jackals greeted the dawn with their peculiar melodies and the sunbirds danced among the protea bushes and acacia trees, an overwhelming sense of tranquility washed over me. There were no cars honking or trails in the sky; it was the perfect setting for our grand family adventure.

“So, can anyone explain to me why a knife is important?” Geoff asked, breaking the peaceful silence. Naturally, I thought about its usefulness in battling zombies and extraterrestrial invaders, but my daughter had a more practical answer. “For cutting. For protection. And for cake,” she replied with a smile.

“Mostly correct,” replied Geoff. Since we hadn’t brought any tools with us, our knowledgeable guides took it upon themselves to demonstrate how to make a knife using stone and flint, just like our ancestors did when they roamed alongside unicorns and mammoths.

I went for a walk along a dry river bed and found some really cool pebbles. They were perfect for making sharp tools like razors, spearheads, and axes if you knew what you were doing.

Hey there! Allow me to introduce Geoff Phipps – a professional tracker and anti-poaching expert. Let me tell you, he’s got some amazing skills when it comes to surviving and making the best of what nature has to offer.

Now, here’s the deal: my friends and I tried our hand at some survival techniques, but let me tell you, we weren’t exactly pros at it. Our feeble attempts ended up in failure and frustration. We made a lot of mistakes, got a few bruises, and even ended up saying a few things we shouldn’t have. It turns out, mastering the art of knapping, which involves shaping stones into useful tools, takes a whole lot of practice and precision.

But luckily, our mentors, Geoff and Marcus, were there to lighten the mood. They laughed off our mishaps and praised our small victories. They cracked jokes and put big smiles on our faces. It made all the difference.

Geoff gave us some valuable advice: “Stay positive and have fun with every task. In survival situations, those who keep a clear mind and stay optimistic tend to do better than the pessimists.” Wise words, right?

Do you ever wonder why Bear Grylls always has a smile on his face, even when he’s drinking his own urine? It’s because he knows the secret to survival in the wilderness. When you find yourself stranded in the great outdoors, you need to be prepared for anything.

That’s where Bear Grylls comes in. He’s an expert in survival techniques and outdoor skills, and he’s made it his mission to teach others how to thrive in the wild. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a novice explorer, Bear Grylls has the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the challenges of nature.

Survival isn’t just about physical strength and endurance. It’s also about having the right mindset and making smart decisions. Bear Grylls understands that survival is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. That’s why he focuses on teaching you how to stay calm under pressure, problem-solve in challenging situations, and make the best use of the resources available to you.

Bear Grylls knows that survival is all about adaptability. In the wild, conditions can change in an instant, and you need to be able to adjust your plans on the fly. Whether it’s finding shelter, sourcing clean water, or foraging for food, Bear Grylls will show you how to think on your feet and make quick decisions.

But survival isn’t just about enduring hardship. It’s also about finding joy in the most unlikely places. Bear Grylls understands that even in the toughest situations, there can be moments of beauty and wonder. That’s why he always keeps a positive attitude and a smile on his face, no matter what challenges he faces.

So the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember Bear Grylls. Follow his advice, stay calm, and keep a smile on your face. With his help, you can conquer any challenge and survive in even the harshest of environments.

Have you ever wondered about the different foods you can eat and those you shouldn’t? Termites may not look appetizing, but they are actually packed with protein and taste surprisingly like peanuts. On the other hand, ants are a bit more tricky. They have a mild poison that can sting and their taste is quite acidic, so it’s best to avoid eating them altogether.

Now, let’s talk about the challenges of finding a container, specifically for liquids, in the wild. In certain areas, you might come across gourds growing on trees or learn from bushmen how to raid an ostrich nest for resources. However, that wasn’t an option on the Ranger’s Reserve. Instead, we had to get creative. We were taught how to make wooden bowls by placing hot coals on a split log. Once the burned wood was scraped away with our stone tools, we were left with a decent indentation for holding liquids. It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely better than having nothing at all.

So, how do you actually find water in the Karoo? It’s not exactly easy, considering that it’s not very abundant on the surface. But let me tell you what Geoff taught me. He showed me how to read the landscape and recognize the signs of a hidden water source. One of his tips was to follow dry river beds. And it’s not just for water, but also for finding useful things like plastic bags and empty bottles.

When you head out into the wilderness, make sure you bring a metal bottle. Why metal? Because it allows you to boil water, getting rid of any germs that might be lurking.

That night, we decided to construct a basic solar still. All we needed to do was dig a hole in the ground and cover it with a piece of plastic we found in the riverbed. We used our wooden bowl to collect the moisture that condensed on the plastic.

We also discovered that if you attach a plastic bag to a branch of a living tree, the leaves will release water through a process called transpiration. Neither method gave us a significant amount of water, but in a survival situation, even a little bit can make a difference.

Geoff and Marcus often lead intense programs where you have to truly rough it and rely on nature for everything. But the weekend field courses that people like us can take are much more forgiving. Failing these courses doesn’t have any real consequences.

Watch as Geoff shows you a clever trick for getting water from a living tree by using just a plastic bag.

Instead of roughing it in a warthog hole or some basic shelter, we lucked out and stayed in a super fancy farmhouse that had all the amenities – including Wi-Fi and running water. And best of all, we didn’t have to eat termites or rats because there was a Steers nearby in Touws River.

My kids threatened to sue me if I didn’t take them there – they thought it was such a treat!

The next day, we tackled the 5 Cs, starting with cordage.

“But where do we find string, and why do we need it?” I asked. Geoff explained that cordage has many uses, one of which is making snares to catch animals for food.

So, let me tell you about this really cool thing I learned. I got to peel the stringy bark off different kinds of trees, and then I found out how to twist those fibers together to make a super strong piece of twine. And get this, we used that twine to make all sorts of clever traps, kind of like nooses!

When I went out hunting for dinner, I quickly realized that having the right camouflage was essential for success. It was like a secret weapon that would help me secure my next meal.

There were different camouflage patterns for different types of animals. Some were designed to blend in with the environment and catch smaller animals like mice and guinea fowl. Others were meant to help me hide from larger prey like antelope, warthogs, or even zombies. Even though I couldn’t use traps in the nature reserve, the knowledge of camouflage could still come in handy one day when survival skills were required.

After learning about camouflage, we moved on to spoor tracking exercises in the bush. This involved following animal footprints and identifying the paths they regularly took.

“Before you can set a successful ambush or trap, you need to know the routes your prey takes,” Marcus explained to us.

Spinning and rubbing, that’s how you’ll do it. Keep at it long enough and either your arm will give out or you’ll accidentally start a fire.

The true experts in tracking spend years, maybe even a lifetime, honing their skills, but we managed to pick up a few basics. Like following footprints to find water and learning which animals were nearby, and therefore potential dinner.

“Look at these rats I caught and skinned,” I proudly announced to my kids, pointing at our handmade wooden bowl filled with these revolting skilpadjies. “But how do we cook them?”

“We don’t!” my son exclaimed, looking horrified.
“We go back to Steers!”

Not this time, though. I wasn’t letting them off the hook that easily. Neither of them had seen a skilpadjie before… mwahahaha!

Learning how to identify animals by their tracks is a crucial skill for survival. It’s like a secret code that nature leaves behind, waiting to be deciphered.

“So, let’s conquer the art of fire-making,” Marcus suggested with enthusiasm. Little did we know it would be more challenging than we ever imagined. We scoured the land for dry proteas, gathering tinder to fuel our fire. We attempted to create an ember by striking flints together, but our efforts fell short. We even experimented with directing sunlight through a broken piece of glass, and resorted to rubbing sticks between our hands and constructing a homemade bow to spin a wooden drill.

Despite our determination, all we managed to conjure was a mere wisp of smoke. No matter how fiercely I rubbed or how hard I strained, my skin drenched in sweat and my forehead veins pulsating, I couldn’t ignite a flame. The Kalahari bushmen made it look like child’s play, but it certainly wasn’t. In the end, I had to surrender to defeat and rely on a trusty lighter.

‘Keep your spirits up,’ I heard Marcus say. ‘You can’t become an expert at everything in just one weekend,’ he added reassuringly.

After completing several more survival tasks and learning valuable lessons, we were led to a cave nestled atop a cliff. The panoramic view of the reserve stretched out before us, awing us with its beauty. ‘This will be your home for the night,’ Marcus informed us, before departing and leaving us to our own devices.

With the skills we had acquired over the past few days, we embarked on constructing the final C, which was the cover. We gathered shrubbery and brush and skillfully weaved them onto a frame made of sticks.

Sitting around a crackling campfire with my fellow survivalists, we took turns brewing tea and protecting ourselves from the swarm of zombies. We had devised clever ways to defend our camp – using homemade string and flakes of flint, and starting fires with smoldering coal wrapped in moss.

To ensure our safety, we had even set up trip wires along the path leading to our cave. You never know what could be lurking out there – zombies, aliens, or even a deadly virus like SARS.

As we sat there, my ‘New Dawn’ family, gazing up at the starry sky that blanketed the quiet Karoo landscape, our faces smeared with greasy ‘rat’ fat, we felt a sense of invincibility. We were prepared to face any form of apocalypse that may come our way.

But then, a sudden glimmer caught our eyes – a meteor streaking through the sky. It was a reminder that no matter how well we prepared, there are some things that are simply out of our control – like the end of the world.

Take Action

At Rangers Reserve, you can join our self-catering weekend bushcraft and survival courses starting at R1 000 per person. This price includes basic accommodation in a tented camp. Our courses are designed to cater to your interests and needs, taking into account your age and experience. If you’re looking for a longer and more intense workshop, feel free to get in touch with us.

We also offer various options to upgrade your accommodation. You can choose to stay in a farmhouse or cottages. The prices range from R950 per night for a two-sleeper cottage, R1 850 per night for an eight-bed house, to R3 000 per night for a luxury home that can accommodate four people. If you have any questions or want to book, you can reach us at 023 004 0074. More information is available on our website at rangersreserve.co.za.

Welcome to the cozy comforts of home. A crackling fire, a delicious meal, and a sturdy roof over your head. What more could you possibly desire?

Now, when it comes to survival craft courses, you have several options in South Africa.

Boswa Survival:

Gauteng branch: Hartebeestfontein

Contact: 072 916 5080

Limpopo branch: Warmbad, Bela Bela

Contact: 082 094 2262

Mpumalanga branch: Schoemanskloof

Contact: 073 861 1246

Website: boswa.co.za

Wilderness Trails:

Location: KZN iMfolozi Wilderness

Contact: 083 225 5960

Website: wildernesstrails.org.za

SA Special Forces Association:

Offering hardcore survival and bespoke family courses in Gauteng

Contact: 012 663 2211

Website: recce.co.za

Gwahumbe Reserve also provides junior ranger camps in KZN

Contact: 082 347 6536

Website: gwahumbe.co.za