Requirements and Training
Field Guide Course in South Africa

Skills Required

Participants should be able to drive a manual vehicle if you want to take the FGASA qualification and have good observation skills.

Training and Qualifications

This course is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to complete the FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) Level One qualification. Students who have applied for the FGASA qualification that are successful will receive a certificate endorsed by FGASA.

Subjects covered during 28-day course:

Welcome and Introduction; Eco Tourism and Guiding; field guiding as a profession; attributes, skills and duties of a field guide; Bush navigation and orientation; Ecology; Geology; Soils; Weather; Plant communities; Plant identification and uses; Grasses; Presentation skills; animal tracks and tracking; Bird identification and behaviour; Animal behaviour; approaching dangerous game; Setting up a bush camp; Sleep-out in bush; bush skills and survival; Dangerous game rifles; the Game drive vehicle; Spotlighting; basic 4X4 driving; planning of game drives and walks; radio procedures; Reptiles; Amphibians; Sensitivity; anticipating animal behaviour; Astronomy; Identification and ecology of Invertebrates; Bush habitat management principles; Photography and binoculars; Communication and facilitation skills; Rifle shooting exercises; dealing with guests; anti- poaching; Fresh water fish; Africam; sustainable development and the wise use of natural resources; eco tourism and local communities; taxonomy; solitaire ; working in the industry; career opportunities; testing and evaluations.