Blog
All you need to know about the Trails Guide qualifications
What is a Trials guide? ‘The FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide is an individual who is in training (in an apprentice programme) to become a Trails Guide and will learn how to function as 2nd Rifle and later as 1st Rifle during the training phase. The apprentice programme...
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From students to Field guides
We’re almost halfway through our 6 months at Bushwise now before some of us go on placement. When I look back to our first semester here, I can see how all of us have grown. Our breadth of knowledge is almost incomparable now thanks to our incredible trainers working...
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Game drive assessments looming
Lately it has all been about practicing for our mock game drives, which will eventually lead to our real Game Drive assessments. This meant everyone practicing their routes through the reserve as well as brushing up our knowledge of all the different roads and...
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Update with a student on a work placement
What kind of placement were you hoping for? I’ve always been interested in research and I love to be involved in all aspects of it. I came to Bushwise hoping to do my placement at a research venue, specifically GVI. I was an intern at GVI three years ago and when I...
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Trails by tyres
“Being a field guide without knowing how to drive your vehicle, is like walking a trail as first rifle and not even knowing how to use that rifle” – Mark Frazer Vehicle recovery One of the most vital skills a field guide can have is understanding their vehicle. Not...
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Guns, tracks and family
So, this week has been one of the busiest weeks for some of us, with the group splitting up. One half of the group was doing the Track and Sign course with the one and only Colin Patrick, and the other half of the group learning the fundamentals of rifle handling and...
read moreAdvantages of field guiding for a researcher
Researchers and guides are very often completely different creatures! The guide is an entertainer, a socialite, a person often living the holiday dream. If guides did guiding just “as a job”, their motivation would not make it worthwhile. Working 17 hours a day,...
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Insects and other bugs
We have just started to do our very own full drives, which is kind of stressful, yet exciting at the same time! This will give us better insight to what it would feel like to be a working field guide. The responsibilities and preparation that goes into it is a lot...
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Bang, Bang. Rifle training and Track & sign week
This week, group one and two did two very different but equally important practical training: Rifle handling and Track & Sign. I was in the Rifle handling group which actually turned out to be a lot of fun despite the serious nature surrounding firearms. We...
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Past Bushwise student now working at the iconic Mala Mala Game Reserve
A past Bushwise student and recipient of the Annual Bushwise Scholarship Thabisani Buthelezi (Ernest), now works at the Iconic Mala Mala Game Reserve as a Field Guide. Special family time on Safari Ernest takes us through how he managed to secure himself a job as a...
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