Online course

African Nature and Wildlife

This course was created in partnership with
Course Information

Course information

Next start date
Enrollment closes
Saturdays
Course frequency
Every week
Duration
Time committment
- hours
Format
Online
Optional extra
GVI Program Abroad
Price*

Book before the end of March 2024 and receive a GBP 100 scholarship

*Flexible payment options available
This course was created in partnership with
Course introduction

Join the African Nature and Wildlife online course. The course is run by Bushwise, GVI’s sister company and the top-rated training provider of Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) certifications. More than 90% of those who graduate from a Bushwise professional field guiding program, get a job.

However, unlike other FGASA courses of its kind, this course features a social, multimedia online learning experience led by experts with over 50 years of experience in the field. Each module is taught by one of our experienced professional field guides and qualified trainers. You’ll have the option to ask experts questions and discuss topics with other participants from around the world. In addition, the course includes a masterclass lecture series delivered by directors of conservation organisations, leading researchers and other experts that are designed to give you in-depth local insight into a diverse range of topics in African nature and wildlife conservation.

If you’d like to continue your journey towards becoming a field guide, join our FGASA Field Guiding online course, after successfully completing the African Nature and Wildlife course. You’ll then be able to write your Apprentice Field Guide theory exam, towards an NQF2 qualification. This will enable you to enrol for the practical element to qualify as an Apprentice NQF2 Field Guide (Level 1).

Is this course for you?

The African Nature and Wildlife online courses is for anyone who’s interested in Southern African nature or wildlife and would like to become an expert on the subject. Anyone ages 16 and above is welcome to join for this online course.

Skills you’ll acquire

After completing this course you’ll be able to:

Earn your certification
Certification signature

Once you’ve successfully completed your course, you’ll receive a digital certificate of completion from Bushwise. The certificate will state that you have passed the African Nature and Wildlife online course. This certificate will enable you to take your next step in becoming a field guide – the Bushwise FGASA Field Guiding online course.

The course begins with an introduction to Southern African geology. You’ll learn how different types of rock and soil found in Southern Africa support specific plants and animals. Move on to learning about how the Southern Africa climate and weather patterns are shaped by a range of factors. Then, find out how to identify key features of the Southern African sky and how they change from season to season, in the astronomy module.

Move on to learning about ecology, finding out how biological and non-biological organisations interact to shape Southern African ecosystems. Then discover the definition of a biome, a community of organisms adapted to a specific environment and sharing similar characteristics. Learn how to identify the biomes that can be found in Southern Africa.

Then you’ll start learning about specific species. To get you started, you’ll first learn how species are named in the scientific community, in the taxonomy module. Afterwards, study botany basics. Learn how to identify Southern African plant species and their traditional uses. Find out how to identify arthropods next. These creatures include insects, arachnids, such as spiders, myriapods, such as millipedes and centipedes, and crustaceans, such as crabs. Finally complete modules on how to identify fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals commonly found throughout Southern Africa. Finish off your study of the Southern African animal kingdom with a module on ethology, the study of animal behaviour.

In the final two modules, you’ll learn how conservation activities in Southern Africa are managed and about the history of human habitation in the Southern African areas.

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunities to attend masterclasses on a range of more in-depth topics such as elephant, pangolin, snake, vulture conservation and research, anti-poaching initiatives, trailing animals on safari walks, bird photography, African folklore and relevant operational strategies used in the management of nature and wildlife reserves.

Course curriculum
Module 1: Geology
Module 2: Weather and climate
Module 3: Astronomy
Module 4: Ecology
Module 5: Biomes
Module 6: Taxonomy
Module 7: Plants
Module 8: Arthropods
Module 9: Fish
Module 10: Amphibians
Module 11: Reptiles
Module 12: Birds
Module 13: Mammals
Module 14: Ethology
Module 15: Conservation management
Module 16: Historical human habitation
SDG Logo
12
Responsible consumption and production
14
Life below water
15
Life on land
8
Decent work and economic growth
9
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Courses crafted by experts
Nico
Nico
Online Training Manager

Nico was exposed to the bush early on, spending time with his family in the Caprivi. His grandfather played a massive role in his life, sharing his passion, knowledge and stories of the African bush with him. Nico has been in the tourism industry for 11 years and actively guiding for 9 years. His current qualifications are Professional Field Guide, Professional Track & Sign, Trailing Level 3, Tracker 3, Regional Birding, and Trails guide. Nico is working towards SKS qualifications such as birding and walking.

Includes courses in partnership with
Richmond School of Professional & Continuing Studies

Want to find out more about this course?

During office hours, we'll get back to you within a few minutes.

By submitting this form, I consent to contact via phone and email, as per GVI’s Privacy Policy.