Professional Field Guide Course
Course Location
SOUTH AFRICA
Course Duration
2 Months Intensive Course
Join the ultimate Field Guide Course in South Africa, the world’s premier destination for wildlife training. Immerse yourself in the heart of the African bush, gaining hands-on experience in tracking, ecology, and guiding skills. Led by expert instructors, this intensive program prepares you for a career in conservation or eco-tourism while offering an unforgettable adventure in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Upon completion you'll be qualified as a Level 1 FGASA Field guide as well as achieving the CATHSSETA NQF2 National Qualification. FGASA is recognised throughout Southern Africa allowing you work at private reserves, game lodges and other in wildlife roles or acting as a great career boosting qualification back home.
What you'll gain
Under the eyes of your instructors they will teach you everything a guide needs: tracking, approaching big game on foot, species identification, animal behaviour or traditional medicine and plant usage and more!
Ready to pass your practical assessments, theoretical exams and gain your qualification!What you'll be doing
Practical: Your classroom is the outdoors! Twice a day, on foot and via safari viewers, you'll immerse yourself in nature to gain skills. Regular activities guarantees close and incredible sightings to learn from... and enjoy!
Theoretical: When not in the field, attend structured lessons, study and read to gain further knowledge.What you'll learn
Track and Sign
Dangerous Game Approach
Bird identification
Geology
Astronomy
Basic ecology
Taxonomy
Meteorology
Plant and Grass identification
Insect identification
Mammalian biology
Mammal identification
Animal behaviour
Conservation management
Erosion control
Invasive species management
Anthropology and history
Animal sounds and interpretation
Highlights you can expect
Industry Training
You'll gain knowledge and practical skills. Unlock your new potential and become a safari guide. Gain a complete understanding of the natural environment and how to lead groups and host guests.
Tracking
You'll learn how to track and trail wildlife on foot. Search for signs of animal activity and learn to interoperate and identify foot prints, scrapings, territorial marking or droppings. An eye opening and essential skill for any guide.
Unbeatable Wildlife Interactions
As a guide, it’s your job to get up close and personal with African wildlife. This will be a life changing experience where you will see magnificent wildlife via safari viewers and on foot throughout as you explore the best of South Africa.
Dangerous Game Approach
As part of your course you'll be taught how to approach dangerous wildlife both in a vehicle and on foot. Build your confidence and understanding of animal behaviour as you get up close with animals like rhino, buffalo and more!
Extra Qualifications
You'll have the opportunity to gain additional training and qualifications in other subjects. Bird identification, Cyber Tracking and even firearm usage. Build extra skills you feel are important and grow yourself and your career.
Breathtaking Landscape
Prepare to be amazed by the beauty of the South African sunset, by its magical night sky, by its breathtaking natural landscapes, and the sights and sounds of this unique, wild, exotic continent.
Ready For Work
Your tutors have decades of experience working as professional guides across Africa. They'll give advice and feedback as you roleplay guiding to a group of paying guests. Gain new skills and get ready to unlock this exciting career opportunity.
Discover Nature
Boost your knowledge, and learn about animals from antelope to zebra, big and small; study the flora and fauna, learn about behaviour, biology and the intriguing relationships in the animal kingdom. Learn to track animals in the wild and take home a new understanding about their complex ecosystems through personal exploration and discovery.
This course is the opportunity of a lifetime for those looking to work in the wonderful world of professional safari guiding or for those wanting an adrenaline pumping and knowledge filled travel experience.
We have taken care of all the details so you can focus on the adventure of a lifetime!
The placement includes:
Accommodation during your stay
Transportation and guides/tour leaders during course and activities.
Study guides and manuals
Food and drink (excludes any personal extras)
All itinerary/activity equipment is provided
Tented accommodation with practical month
Meet and greet event in the UK
24-hour emergency onsite support
100% financial security with your booking
Certificates on completion of course
What's not included?
Flights
Travel insurance
Visa and Immigration requirements
Vaccinations and health screening/checks
Personal travel insurance
Optional activities (any that you book during your stay)
In order to join us you'll need to:
Be above 18
Have valid travel insurance
Have booked return flights
Organise the relevant travel and immigration documents
Undergo any relevant medical checks and vaccinations
These are your personal responsibility. Proof that all requirements are met must be sent ahead of your arrival.
For this 2 month all inclusive life changing course ONLY €4255
In Partnership with Hamba Africa
Additional Info
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Here is an example of how the course is structured.
Please note: Example may not be exact. The order of activities can vary based on factors like seasonality and weather, behaviour of animals or for logistical reasons.
Week 1:
Nature Guiding
Mon – Fri: Early morning practical session in your classroom, the bush! Followed by mid-morning theory session, early afternoon study time, late afternoon practical session for another chance at incredible animal encounters, building confidence and knowledge.
Weekend: Practical session, study time, first theory exam (Sunday). Sunday afternoon is off time.
Week 2:
Nature guiding
Mon – Fri: Early morning practical session, mid-morning theory session, early afternoon study time, late afternoon practical session.
Weekend: Study time and second theory exam
Week 3:
Track and Sign
Mon - Fri: Track and Sign Track and Sign Interpretation Course. Unlock your inner instincts as a tracker and improve your practical guiding abilities.
Optional extra: On the weekend there is an excellent opportunity to be assessed for a CyberTracker Track and Sign certificate.
Week 4:
First Aid & Dangerous Game
Mon - Fri: Dangerous Game Dangerous Game Basic Training course. Learn how to approach Dangerous Game by foot and by vehicle.
This is the first step toward becoming a FGASA Trails Guide. (Note: the Trails Guide qualification cannot be completed on this course – that process is continued after completing FGASA Level 1
Mid-Course Break
Between week 4 and week 5 of the course there is a compulsory break in which all students must leave the reserve. The length of the break is typically around 9 days and is a great opportunity to explore some of the rest of South Africa.
Need ideas with how to fill your break? Give us a message!
We are happy to assist with everything: suggesting where to go and what to do, how to get there and evening booking it for you.
Week 5:
Practical and Theoretical
Mon – Fri: Early morning practical session, mid-morning theory session, early afternoon study time, late afternoon practical session.
Weekend: Study time with third theory exam on Sunday. Sunday afternoon is off time.
Week 6:
Final Preparation
Mon - Fri: You'll continue your early morning practical sessions and prepare for your final theoretical assessment for FGASA Level 1 theory.
As a group you'll be cramming hard and covering your final weak points.
Weekend: Study and final theory exam
Week 7:
Birding and practical guiding
Mon - Fri: Under the wing of local birding experts, you'll learn all about how to identify and the behaviour of different birds gaining an additional qualification with bird identification.
Improve your practical guiding skills further and grow your confidence in the bush on foot and via vehicle.
Weekend: Study and off time
Week 8:
Final week - Finishing touches
By now you will hardly be able to recognize yourself after how far you've come! You'll have a immense knowledge of the bush, the animal that live in it, how to approach them and how to lead guests.
Your instructors will give you some feedback with how to present and guide a group of guests, getting you ready for your practical assessment and the professional world of guiding!
Course Completion:
Certificates, feedback and next steps
With your final practical assessment and your last day, you'll receive your certificates officially qualifying you as a FGASA Level 1 Field guide, ready to get out there in the world of professional guiding!
Your instructors will give you feedback with how to improve your skills and abilities moving forward or even career advise and pointers, where to go and job opportunities.
Will you come home or will you stay in South Africa?
With your qualification and access to FGASA's job site you'll be able to start applying for positions both in South Africa and across Southern Africa itself.
What you do next is up to you but we will be happy to assist where ever possible, who to contact and work opportunities to apply for.
The future looks bright!