Course Title

Introduction to GPS and Navigation Techniques for Desert Safaris

Note: Many are calling it now the GPS course. Use that title if you like but please keep in mind that it's far more than that.

Brief Description

A unique course offered in Cairo for those who are into making their desert safaris richer and safer.

The course is especially useful for off-roaders and hikers of --all levels of experience-- new to desert navigation techniques and maps. (see Why Desert Navigation? for more).

In our modern times, ignorance is your enemy in the deserts.

Navigation is about being able to plan the detailed route of a safari yourself, navigate the route safely (using maps, GPS, and Compass) with your friends and be able to give names to everything, and easily share (ethically and safely) your knowledge with other Navigators.

It not only gives an introduction for beginners to navigation techniques and compasses specifically customized to 4x4ers and hikers in the Egyptian terrain, but also the status of maps and GPS in Egypt and practical techniques to use them in the Egyptian geography.

Although an introduction (meaning, you have to keep practicing after it ends), it is complete, it even includes ethics and safety measures as well as a cool historical brief on how navigators got a position 'fix' before GPS so that you know how to handle situations when you lose your GPS for instance (Survival Navigation!). All in a concise, fun, and visually-rich instruction for all adult members of the family.

For additional info, download the training course flyer (top right of the page here) and check Why Navigation? Please also check our Frequently Asked Questions—they might cover important points that you need to know.

Format

A very concise but a deep introduction of the subject. Enjoyable sessions at weekdays' evenings followed by a fieldtrip on a weekend for some more fun learning and exercises. Navigators are encouraged to buddy-up during the course as this is more like real-life situations in safaris.

Exercises

Exercises are much fun and based on real world problems. You'll use compass, maps, ruler, calculator and dividers and other navigation instruments that you'll be instructed in details on how to get them.

Although the above exercises are already practical in Nature, the course has even more practical one—the Fieldtrip. This is an exciting part of the course where the maps are actually studied in the field and among the topographic features that are represented on the map.

Instructor

Mohamed Mabrouk, is a GIS expert whose knowledge in Egyptian (digital) maps is to a professional level. He's also a photographer, Sinai researcher, and the founder of SaharaSafaris —a large non-commercial community of travelers—and have led countless hiking and 4x4 expeditions to many places in Egypt.

Navigators Buddy System

It is customary to have two persons involved in the various tasks of navigation and route-finding. This course's format encourages buddies to work together. It's advised that you come along with your expected travel-mate with which you'll be venturing into safaris. A spouse, or son are examples. If not, you'll be buddied-up with another beginner Navigator in the course.

Requests and Reservations

For detailed contents, or any other request/question, please email Course Organizer (a note about your level of experience in 4x4 would help him answer better, thank you.)

1. Check course schedule that suits you (always use week number 'W0' when referring to a course)

2. Ask all the info you like to know about the Course

3. If you send a reservations email, it must include Week number of course, your full name and contacts for downpayment. Reservations must be done on email to Course Organizer.

4. If there's a seat for you, you'll get an email of confirmation. Then before course starts, you'll get emails of where to get the required maps, compass and detailed directions to the training facility.

You might like to buddy-up with a friend during the course (normally your preferred travel companion so that you can plan your next expeditions on maps together) but you'll buddied-up with another during the course if you don't, so no worries.