Overview
Train as a Professional Safari Field Guide in South Africa

If you are looking for a career that will be an adventure, or a hands on experience in the bush that you will never forget, this course is for you. This six month or one year course is the ideal platform for a successful career in the challenging game lodge industry. All the trainers are from The Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA). Content is both theoretical and practical, with an optional six-month work experience placement programme at a variety of game lodges around South Africa. The curriculum includes bush skills such as shooting, 4x4 driving and bush knowledge such as conservation, reserve management, geology and animal behaviour.

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This was a fantastic year and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in wildlife and nature.

Susan Robertson, 2006 student

Highlights

Experiencing a unique African bush training experience living in a 4/5 star African lodge for 6 months in the heart of a spectacular game reserve; learning to track animals through the bush; getting acquainted with big game and all the main predators, including lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and rhino; living and working alongside FGASA qualified South African Guides getting constant learning and inspiration; having the chance to sleep out in the bush under the spectacular African stars and wake up to a beautiful sunrise.

Location

The courses are run from two campuses in the Limpopo province, in the north-eastern region of South Africa. Both are located in areas famous for their big game and dramatic scenery of beautiful African bush, and have the mysterious Drakensberg Mountains as a stunning backdrop. Students spend six months having practical and academic training on campus, and then spend the final six months doing work experience at one of a number of lodges located in the Lowveld of South Africa.

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Field Conditions

The two campuses are located in the Lowveld, approx 500km northeast of Johannesburg. The areas that the course traverses for practical training are areas of true big game territories, to show you the African bush at its best. The reserves are home to predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as beautiful elephants, rhinos and hippos.

Accommodation at either campus is comfortable, in an idyllic bush setting. The rooms are shared and students have access to all basic facilities, a social area and swimming pool and lecture facilities. All meals are provided and there are laundry facilities available. Uniforms and linen are washed and ironed for you weekly. The campus also has electricity.

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What's Included

Accommodation and food - please note that during the 6 months of training participants will have one week off after every 4 weeks when food is not provided. Training material and manuals (FGASA approved); tuition, including guest speakers; ammunition and shooting assessments; FGASA registration and exam fees (Level One); a six-month placement at a game lodge for practical experience, with regular follow-ups by the staff.

Volunteers will also gain the following qualifications •FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) national certificate - Level 1 - practical and theory. • FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) level 2 (practical must be taken at a later date) -•FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling Certificate • SASSETA (Rifle handling, proficiency, maintaining of fire arms and shooting) • THETA (The Hospitality, Sports, Education and Training Authority) National Qualification (Level 2) in Nature Guiding • National First Aid Certificate • Dangerous game experience • 4x4 competency - •ethical guiding principles - •6 months work experience and testimonial from a 4-5 star lodge or a research programme if included.

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