Further Information
Professional safari field guide course in South Africa

This course is run by Bushwise Field Guides, in conjunction with GVI. It is known for producing the highest calibre graduates for the demanding hospitality industry. The academic curriculum is accredited by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA); the South Africa Qualifications Board; and the Hospitality, Education and Sports Training Authority. The curriculum has been developed by accomplished industry experts.

Bushwise works closely with specific reserves and lodges to design tailor-made training programmes to suit both the student and the placement reserve. Training is maintained at a top academic and practical level, through which we endeavour to produce high quality competent guides, by offering training in guiding, bush knowledge and bush skills.

The courses run with a maximum of 16 students and this, along with our low student to instructor ratio, ensures everyone receives more personal attention and a higher standard of training. All are experienced instructors, field guides and experts in their field. The training will be in the form of lectures for theoretical knowledge, with a large emphasis placed on practical application and training, which are both essential in the making of a competent and professional guide

Field Guiding

Guiding is essentially about a genuine enjoyment and an honest appreciation of, and dedication to, all the many faces nature has to offer us. It is indeed a privileged occupation. Imagine being paid to take people out into the wilds of Africa!

- An extract from the book 'A Guides Guide to Guiding' - Garth Thompson

The Field Guiding industry in Southern Africa, alongside tourism, is growing at a rapid rate. As such, the demand for high quality, qualified and well informed guides is fierce. However, the national requirements for guiding qualifications are becoming more stringent in order to standardise and increase the quality of guides, and to ensure the safety of their guests. Increasingly, trainee guides are finding it more difficult to get work or internship placements without the minimum required qualifications, and with a lack of contacts.

Bushwise was set up to assist guides to get ‘a foot in the door’ and lodges to increase the number of professional and competent guides available in the industry. A course such as this enables students to have a six month placement to gain experience in the field, to develop contacts in the industry and to leave after a year with all the necessary qualifications and experience to continue in a guiding career.