Further Information
Train as a professional safari field guide in South Africa

This course is run by Bushwise Field Guides, in conjunction with GVI. It is known for producing the highest calibre graduates for the demanding hospitality industry. The academic curriculum is accredited by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA); the South Africa Qualifications Board; and the Hospitality, Education and Sports Training Authority. The curriculum has been developed by accomplished industry experts.

Bushwise works closely with specific reserves and lodges to design tailor-made training programmes to suit both the student and the placement reserve. Training is maintained at a top academic and practical level, through which we endeavour to produce high quality competent guides, by offering training in guiding, bush knowledge and bush skills.

The courses run with a maximum of 16 students and this, along with our low student to instructor ratio, ensures everyone receives more personal attention and a higher standard of training. All are experienced instructors, field guides and experts in their field. The training will be in the form of lectures for theoretical knowledge, with a large emphasis placed on practical application and training, which are both essential in the making of a competent and professional guide

Field Guiding

Guiding is essentially about a genuine enjoyment and an honest appreciation of, and dedication to, all the many faces nature has to offer us. It is indeed a privileged occupation. Imagine being paid to take people out into the wilds of Africa!

- An extract from the book 'A Guides Guide to Guiding' - Garth Thompson

The Field Guiding industry in Southern Africa, alongside tourism, is growing at a rapid rate. As such, the demand for high quality, qualified and well informed guides is fierce. However, the national requirements for guiding qualifications are becoming more stringent in order to standardise and increase the quality of guides, and to ensure the safety of their guests. Increasingly, trainee guides are finding it more difficult to get work or internship placements without the minimum required qualifications, and with a lack of contacts. Bushwise was set up to assist guides to get ‘a foot in the door’ and lodges to increase the number of professional and competent guides available in the industry. A course such as this enables students to have a six month placement to gain experience in the field, to develop contacts in the industry and to leave after a year with all the necessary qualifications and experience to continue in a guiding career.

Sample Placement lodges information

Transfrontier Africa

Operating as Ezulwini lodges where there are 3 different lodges namely - Billy’s Lodge, River Lodge and Paradise camp. Ezulwini lodges are situated in the Balule Game Reserve which is now part of the Greater Kruger National Park reserves. They have traversing on 8000 hectares of the 40000 hectare Balule Game Reserve. On the reserve you will find all of the so called Big 5 species as well as general game and lots of bird species.

Tangala Safari Camp

Tangala is situated in the Thornybush Game Reserve which is 12000 hectares of prime African bush. On the reserve you will find all the Big 5 as well as lots of general game species as well as a interesting bird species. Thornybush Game Reserve has recently introduced Black Rhino to their dangerous game specie list. At Tangala you will be able to traverse on the majority of the Thornybush Game Reserve area.

Makalali Private Game Reserve

Makalali is a four star lodge which forms part of the Greater Makalali Conservancy. The Conservancy consists of 23 000 hectares, has 4 of the Big 5 and many other smaller species and is a birding paradise. Makalali has 4 guest camps which accommodate 12 guests each, ensuring a personal experience for each one.