Nkonzo Wildlife - Ethical Conservation and Research
  • Home
  • Get Involved
    • Research Internship
    • Field Guide Training
  • Research
    • White Rhinoceros
    • Hyaenids
    • Bovids
    • Endangered Wildlife Trust - Wildlife and Roads
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Funding
    • Our Partners
    • Competition
  • Contact

FGASA Field Guiding CoursE

Travel to South Africa and complete this course in the African Bush that trains you up in Field Guiding to secure a job in eco-tourism. 
The course develops highly skilled professionals in the field guiding industry through the FGASA Apprentice Field Guide qualification (NQF2) and FGASA Field Guide (NQF4) curriculum. This course provides a well-rounded and specialised field guide education, backed by FGASA and CATHSSETA accreditation. It is specifically developed to provide vocational skills and qualifications required by employers in Southern Africa.
This course takes place on private game reserves close to Hoedspruit, in the Limpopo province. 
Known for its rich biodiversity, the South African Bushveld will offer you every challenge and opportunity to excel as a safari guide. 
After completing and passing this 6 month course, you will have the opportunity to do a 6 month work placement with a selection of lodges and game reserves in South Africa. ​

Course Work

During this 6 month course, you’ll learn the essentials of field guiding theory and ground this in practical experience. 
This Professional Field Guide course varies between classroom-based learning and practical experience sessions. The balance between the 2 will differ between modules but an average day could look something like this: 
05:30–07:00 - Meet in the Kitchen for coffee and a light breakfast, then depart for the morning activity, either a walk or a drive, or a lecture in the classroom
11:00 - Brunch
12:00 - Free time
15:00 - Afternoon activity or lecture in the classroom
The practical training and skills development is carried out in two locations. The first location is the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve, which is a vast 25000 hectare nature reserve in the Lowveld that is dedicated to wildlife conservation.

The second location is the Southern African Wildlife College, based in the Greater Kruger National Park, one of South Africa’s most famous Nature reserves best known for accommodating the big 5.

Requirements

Schedule

All participants must be at least 18 years old.
All participants must have a valid full manual driver’s licence, held for a minimum of one year.
All participants must have a reasonable level of fitness. 
All Participants need to be fully vaccinated against Covid -19 and need to provide a negative RAT covid test conducted at least 72 hours before arriving on base. 
While on program, you can expect to spend about 50% of your time in a classroom doing theory and the other 50% of your time out in the field  gaining some practical experience. 
After every 4th week, students will get a full week off and are encouraged to leave campus, travel and explore the local area. 
Saturday afternoons and Sundays are also free time, however it is recommended that students use this time for personal study and preparation for the upcoming lectures. We do offer a transfer from the airport to the base so please do let us know if you would like to use it! 
For those that will be using the provided airport transfer, we kindly ask that you group together at the international arrivals information desk at OR Tambo airport at 10:30 am. 
The coach is scheduled to leave OR Tambo at 11:00 am and make the 6 hour drive to base. 

Lifestyle

The accommodation may be a little more basic than what you are used to with participants staying in shared bedrooms ( 2 people per room) with shared bathroom facilities. There is hot water available for showers, flush toilet facilities and participants share general cleaning duties around base. 
All meals will be prepared by our catering team and the food is generally Western style with some cooked in the traditional local style. 
Please note that no alcohol is permitted on base!!

Included

  • Certificates
  • Nationally recognised certificates
  • FGASA Apprentice Field Guide NQF2 certificate
  • FGASA Apprentice trails guide theory (practical add available)
  • FGASA Field Guide (NQF4) knowledge
  • CATHSSETA national qualification (NQF Level 2) in Nature Guiding
  • Firearm Proficiency SASSETA
  • Unit Standard: 117705 – Knowledge of the firearm control act
  • Unit Standard: 119651 – Handle and use of manually operated rifle or carbine
  • Unit Standard: 123519 – Handle and use of manually operated rifle or carbine for business purpose
  • National Level 1 & 2 First Aid Wilderness certificate
  • National Level 3, 4×4 driving qualification – Unit Standard: 254135
  • Cybertracker Track & Sign qualification (SASSETA & CATHSSETA)

EXCLUDED
  • Flights,
  • Medical and travel insurance,
  • Visa costs,
  • Personal kit,
  • Additional drinks and gratuities,
  • International and domestic airport taxes,
  • Laundry,
  • Food and transport during weeks off,
  • Recommended reference books,
  • Transport costs to placement,
  • Professional drivers permit and licensing costs, including transportation.
  • Professional field guide course certificate
  • Wildlife photography workshop
  • Birding specialist course
  • Reptile orientation course
  • Dangerous game experience
  • Social media module in the Field guide & Lodge industry
  • Advanced Rifle Handling
  • 6 months work experience from placement venue (50-week course)
  • Pre-departure support and discounted services
  • FGASA Field Guiding online course with expert-led masterclasses to help you prepare for your program
  • 24-hour emergency phone
  • Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
  • Experienced, long term staff conducting all the necessary course training
  • Welcome meeting
  • Location orientation
  • All necessary FGASA course manuals and materials
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
  • Ethical guiding principles
  • Other activities, such as sleep outs and Kruger trips
  • Basic astronomy, survival skills during sleep outs
  • Bushwalks
  • 2 x sets of uniforms
  • All compulsory books (if included)
  • Limited internet
  • T-shirt, fleece jacket, cap and beanie
  • Camp management & leadership skills
  • Basic vehicle mechanics
  • Hospitality training
  • Location orientation, survival skills
  • Meals while on the course (except during off weeks)
  • Kruger Park trips & visits to other reserves or places of interest

applications

PLEASE SEND ENQUIRY DIRECTLY TO INFO@WILDLIFE-RESEARCH.COM

Rate

 ZAR 217 500.00​

Contact Us

    Preferred Program Dates - All queries
Submit
South Africa
​Hartenbos
​Western Cape
​+27 81 207 9807
​info@wildlife-research.com
Nkonzo Wildlife
​Research Internships and Conservation Volunteering
www.wildlife-research.com
​Copyright © 2022 All Rights Reserved
Wildlife Research and Conservation
Donate
Online Courses
​Contact Us


  • Home
  • Get Involved
    • Research Internship
    • Field Guide Training
  • Research
    • White Rhinoceros
    • Hyaenids
    • Bovids
    • Endangered Wildlife Trust - Wildlife and Roads
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
    • Funding
    • Our Partners
    • Competition
  • Contact