This course is based on the beautiful River Dart which finds its source at Dartmoor and ends in the sea at Dartmouth. The course is centred around the section from Totnes to Dartmouth which has a large array of wildlife and because it is a tidal river, the scenery is fantastic. In some places it feels like you are travelling down the Amazon, where colonies of herons are nesting in great numbers and the trees grow right down to the waters edge. Some of the animals you may see range from seals, bats, salmon and trout, birds of prey, waders and kingfishers. There have been recent sightings on the Dart by the elusive otter but we are not promising anything!

We will have the opportunity for wild camping with open fires and will stay in two river beach locations. There will be an oportunity for fishing should you wish to bring a small travel rod. As this is a tidal river freshwater rod licences do not apply.

Friday at noon, depart Sharpham Estate and enjoy a gentle familiarisation paddle and brief exploration up the river Hems (which is a bit like a short jungle adventure!) and a really good wildlife haven. We will arrive at Ham point about 5pm and set up camp in the woods.

Saturday depart Ham point and head towards Dartmouth. We will pass oyster beds, hopefully collect some samphire, explore reed marshes and a variety of habitats on route. We will pass by Stoke Gabriel and Dittisham on our way into Dartmouth and come back on right bank and stop at our next private location for the night.

Sunday depart from near White Rock and a slow paddle around the area, looking at the various creeks and tributaries plus getting out for wildlife exploration. Finally, we will travel up river and end at the wonderful Sharpham Vineyard Cafe for some delicious final fare before departure when you will be returned to your cars back at the estate.

Why choose us?

In many ways this epitomises the very heart of our company ethos. Bushcraft is a branch of the natural sciences and this is nowhere more apparent than on this course because it includes outdoor living skills, travel, wild foods and natural history knowledge. Your leaders really understand not just the basic bushcraft skills, but have a lifetime of experience and an intimate knowledge of wildlife. The sort of people who can pick up an old stick and tell you which tree it came from, spot tracks and explain the habits of the flora and fauna you encounter. This is an unusual skill set to find as it is born out of thousands of hours in the outdoors. Your canoe coaches are also extremely experienced, this is essentially what they do five days a week and even on their holidays! .

The aim of the course is to give you an insight into the varied habitats found on the river and is predominantly a nature watching course studying plants, trees, animals and birds and working on identification skills. We will also teach you fundamental paddling techniques. Our very experienced instructors will be on hand at all times to answer queries and to help you get to grips with your transport! Subjects covered:

• Canoe expedition safety
• Paddle skills
• Wild foods
• Wildlife watching and tracking
• Plants and trees
• Fishing

All meals (bar one) will be cooked out of doors and all accomodation is on wild camp sites with no running water. We will be taking all of our equipment with us and will be self sufficient for the trip until the end when we end up back at the private estate for a late lunch at their fabulous vineyard cafe!

You may consider doing this course together with the Wild Food as an extended holiday ?

• Must be able to swim 200m
• Good level of fitness required
• Minimum age 18.
• You will need small tents for this course
• Group size 14
• Instructors - John Rhyder, Nigel Ohlson and Charlie Chambers