FGASA Field Guide Course South Africa
95% of our South African graduates who complete the 50-week version of this program are offered permanent positions within a month of graduation.- Overview
- Program Details
- Campus
- Placements
- What's Included
- Free Time
- Dates & Costs
- Apprentice Trails Guide Add On
- Meet the Team
- Testimonials
The best field guiding course available
FGASA field guide course description
Is your goal to become a Field Guide or work in the Eco-Tourism field? Do you want the most comprehensive field guide course available with a 6-month work placement? Bushwise Field Guides offers all of the above and guarantees a job offer for South Africans (T & Cs apply). Their [email protected] approach enables support from your initial enrollment, until long after you finished the course.
Overview of the course
The Bushwise campus is based opposite the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve, about 60 km from Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province. There is no better place in the world to do your field guide course. The South African Bushveld is known for its rich biodiversity and will offer you every challenge and opportunity to excel as an apprentice field guide. Bushwise has built a reputation as a leading training provider in the safari industry and offers one of the most comprehensive courses available. We strive to not only have a 100% pass rate, but also guarantee a permanent position for our South African graduates on the FGASA Professional Field Guide Course. The course has been designed to develop highly skilled professionals in the field guiding industry through the FGASA curriculum. The aim of the course is to provide a well-rounded and specialised education, and is specifically developed to provide vocational skills and qualifications required by employers in the Southern Africa region. After completing and passing the 6-month course, students have the opportunity to do a 6-month work placement with a selection of prestigious lodges and game reserves in South Africa, like Moholoholo, Kapama, Africa on Foot, Siyafunda, Karongwe, and Motswari. We have also had placements that have turned into permanent positions in Patagonia, USA, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia and Rwanda. By getting experience in a luxury game lodge, animal rehab centre or at a wildlife research & monitoring centre, you can secure a permanent position as a field guide, reserve management, or conservationist around the globe. The academic curriculum at Bushwise is accredited by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), the South Africa Qualifications Board, and the Culture Art Tourism Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). All students are taught by professional guides and instructors, some who even trained through Bushwise. All additional qualifications are also attained through accredited training providers. 
Why choose us?
- Since 2012, 100% of all our South African students who graduated from the 50-week course were offered permanent positions.
- We are confident in our program that we offer a 50% money-back guarantee*. If you don’t get a job offer within six months after graduating the 50-week course, 50% of your program fee will be returned to you.
- 95% of our South African graduates who complete the 50-week version of this program are offered permanent positions within a month of graduation.
- Bushwise students achieved the highest marks of all the FGASA long term providers, and have done so for six years in a row. Our exam results average since 2013 is 88%.
- We offer the most comprehensive course available in South Africa with the quality of training, professionalism, and ethical guiding standards as our top priority. See more on the what’s included page.
- Bushwise students have gained employment at the finest five-star lodges and research bases not only in Southern Africa but also all over the world.
- Bushwise graduates are sought after in the industry with many lodges contacting us to fill their Field Guide vacancies
- Bushwise Recruitment is a free service to all past and current Bushwise students, helping you find the best job for your skills and interests.
- Students have access to exclusive Bushwise online courses, including the expert-led masterclasses.
- We include extra modules, orientation courses, social media training and much more, see the what’s included page.
- We pride ourselves with our [email protected] policy, having an invested interest in each and every student, supporting and training them to the high standards that our industry demands.
- Our trainers combined have over 50 years’ experience working in the industry.
- We offer the most affordable daily rate when broken down in comparison to other training providers.
- On this course, students can earn six certificates recognised nationally across South Africa, and work towards earning three more.
- We make it easy for international students to obtain a Study Visa which allows them to get their SA driver’s license and then their professional driving permit (PrPD). This allows you to be able to register as a guide, do a placement and maximise your chance of employment.
Program Details
Course Itinerary
The course varies between classroom based theory and practical sessions, the proportions of which depends on the module and course requirements. An average day could look like this:
- 05h30 – 07h00: 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
- 11h00: Brunch
- 12h00: Free time
- 15h00: Afternoon activity or lecture in the classroom
Bushwise carries out its practical training and skills development in the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve and Protected Widerness Area, a vast nature reserve in the Lowveld covering an area of over 25000 hectares, dedicated to wildlife conservation and home to the Big Five.
Life on the course
Bushwise has a daily structure in place so that everyone gets into a routine of a working Field Guide. We aim to give a balance of theory and practical training during each day, but we do allow for program requirements, seasonal changes and students’ needs.
Typically your day will start between 5:30am and 6am. Your weeks will consist of different modules, including mammals, birds, 4×4 skills and rifle handling skills, just to name a few. Bushwise follows the FGASA curriculum with additional modules to enhance your knowledge and practical experience. All training is conducted by professional guides, registered trainers, and instructors.
On your practical sessions, which are typically bush walks or a game drives, you will concentrate on specific modules and put the theory you have learned in the classroom into practice. At the end of each week, all the students are tested on that weeks’ module before moving onto the next one. However, the learning of each topic will always be present in every week to cement the foundations of the previous weeks’ theory.
Topics included:
- Introduction to guiding in the natural environment
- Creating a guided nature experience
- Geology
- Astronomy
- Weather & climate
- Ecology
- Taxonomy
- Biomes of Southern Africa
- Botany – trees & grasses
- Arthropods
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Fish
- Birds
- Mammals
- Understanding animal behaviour
- Conservation management & historical habitation
- Vehicle Skills and basic mechanics
- 4 x 4 training
- Specialist guest speakers
- Hospitality & hosting basics in a lodge environment
- Principles of anti-poaching
- Survival & navigation
- Viewing potentially dangerous animals
- Rifles & rifle handling
- Bush first aid skills
- Tracking (Cybertrack Track & Sign)
- Wildlife photography
The program runs for 4 weeks and then you will have 1 week off, you can stay on campus or you are welcome to go off exploring, see the “Free Time” tab for some options. Please note that during the off week food, laundry, and transport is not included during this time as the Bushwise staff will also be having time off. You must be focused, dedicated, and work hard to reach the standard required to pass both the theory and practical assessments. You will need a 75% mark to pass the course and be eligible for placement.
The Mahlala Bush Campus and Reserve
Students based at the Mahlahla Bush Campus will carry out their practical training on The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve (GMPGR), a spectacular 26,000 hectares big five wilderness reserve in the Limpopo province. Featured reserves within the GMPGR where practicals are conducted include Pidwa Wilderness Reserve and Makutsi Reserve.
The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve is situated west of the Kruger National Park. It is an ideal training ground with a variety of fauna and flora and promises intimate wildlife encounters with the big five. Other incredible species include cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra and kudu.
Accommodation & facilities at Mahlahla Bush Campus
Accommodation for the field guide training course is on the Bushwise Mahlahla Bush Campus, which is an 8Ha fenced lodge-style campus. The bush campus is safe from predators, so you are free to go for a walk or run anywhere on campus. We have a large variety of bird species that are regular visitors to the campus dam, and secretive species such as honey badgers and civet are seen almost every night, with the occasional visit from pangolins and leopards. You can sharpen your practical skills on bushwalks, go birding, and encounter game that roams the campus.
Students will share a chalet (rondavel) that accommodates two students. A laundry service is provided weekly for uniforms and bedding, free of charge, and students also have free access to the facilities for personal use.
The chalets, dining area, and laundry facilities are all clustered together. It’s a short walk around the dam to get to the classroom. It’s an open classroom with a roof and light shading on two sides to give that bush feel. There is a swimming pool next to the classroom that overlooks the dam for those hot summer months.
Available on the Bushwise Mahlahla Bush Campus
- Shared rondavel (with fan)
- Communal bathroom
- Free wifi
- Juice, tea and coffee available 24/7 on campus
- Pool
- Basic gym area with weights for keeping in shape
- Volleyball court
- Shooting range for bow and arrow
- Gardening in the Bushwise vegetable garden
- Braai and social area
- Game vehicles
- Field guide related library
- Classroom
- Bushwise staff also reside on campus in the case of an emergency.
Work placements
On the 50-week course field guide students have an opportunity to undertake a 6-month placement. The Bushwise head trainer will assess each and every student to see which placement suits them best, focussing on evaluating students based on performance, interest, and the students’ personality traits. That is why Bushwise has a 100% employment success rate for South African students.
This allows students to gain valuable ‘hands-on’ experience, and cement the knowledge and skills learnt during the course. It also provides a valuable foot-in-the-door to the safari tourism industry, wildlife careers, and conservation careers. Here are the two main placement options:
- Professional Field Guiding. Work and guide in 3* – 5* safari lodges. This includes exposure to working and guiding on a big five reserve with dangerous game such as cheetah and hippo. Field guides interact with tourists visiting the private game reserves, and focus on sharing knowledge about nature and the environment. These guiding experiences are either conducted in a 4×4 vehicle or on foot. Field guides act as interpreters between the environment and the guests, with the ultimate intention of promoting conservation and environmental protection.
- Wildlife Conservation or Management. Become part of a dynamic team of conservationists, wildlife researchers, reserve wardens, or managers as guides or support staff. Your placement will typically be within a wildlife conservation area, game reserve, wildlife rehabilitation, or animal care organisation. Availability on wildlife conservation or management programs is very limited and can only be offered when available.
All students must pass both the FGASA and Bushwise course requirements before being placed at any placement. For more information on placements, and the lodges we work with, navigate to placements.
Kapama River Lodge
Leo Africa
Nyati Safari Lodge
The Bushwise students we received from Bushwise thus far have all been very knowledgeable well trained and very eager to work with excitement in everything they do.
Africa on Foot
Maholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
We provide the most comprehensive FGASA field guiding program currently available, with the most affordable daily rate. To compare what we offer with other providers, see this handy chart.
Only at Bushwise
No other FGASA training provider currently offers a money-back employment guarantee or recruitment services.
Your money-back employment guarantee
We’re so confident that any South African students who complete our 23-week course and a 27-week field guiding placement, will secure a job within 6 months after graduating that we’ll return 50% of your program fee will be returned to you if this doesn’t happen. Please note that terms and conditions apply. Read more here.
Recruitment services
Successfully complete our 23-week course and a 6-month field guiding work placement to make use of our free recruitment services. We’ll help you secure a position that best suits you. This includes identifying a position, providing a professional reference, contacting your other referees and setting up the interview.
Certificates and training included on this program
Certificates recognised across South Africa include:
- the FGASA Apprentice Field Guide, NQF2 certificate
- the CATHSSETA (Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority) Nature Guiding, NQF2 certificate
- the 4×4 Professional Driving, NQF3, unit standard: 254135, certificate
- Wilderness First Aid Levels 1 and 2, unit standard: 254135, certificates
- the SASSETA Firearm Proficiency certificate, including:
- knowledge of the firearm control act, unit standard: 117705
- handle and use of manually operated rifle or carbine, unit standard: 119651
- handle and use of manually operated rifle or carbine for business purpose, unit standard: 123519
- the Cybertracker Track and Sign qualification, recognised by SASSETA.
Training recognised across South Africa include:
- FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide, NQF2 theory
- FGASA Field Guide, NQF4 theory
- FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) theory.
Other certificates and training include:
- the Bushwise professional field guide certificate
- the Bushwise birding specialist course
- a wildlife photography workshop
- a social media in the field guiding and luxury safari lodge industry module
- guidance and experience in viewing potentially dangerous animals
- a reptile orientation course
- wildlife camp management and leadership training
- vehicle skills and basic vehicle mechanics training
- survival skills and navigation training
- ethical guiding principles training
- principles of anti-poaching training
- basics in hospitality and hosting in a lodge environment
- wine tasting and food pairing.
Practical experience includes:
- 14-day Apprentice Trails Guiding practical experience
- 6-month work placement as a field guide or another position in wildlife, conservation or eco-tourism.
What else is included?
Learning resources include:
- all necessary FGASA course manuals and materials (only for international students)
- all compulsory books (only for international students)
- FGASA registration, exam fee and assessment
- experienced, long-term staff conducting all the necessary course training
- online masterclasses led by industry experts.
Living resources include:
- accommodation including:
- a shared room in a traditional African hut a desk, cupboard and fan
- a pool
- a volleyball court
- a basic gym with weights
- a braai area
- a social area
- wifi at no extra cost
- a library of field guiding books access to game vehicles
- on-site registered shooting range
- a communal bathroom
- laundry services
- two sets of uniforms
- t-shirt, fleece jacket, cap and beanie
- all meals while on the course (except during off weeks)
- accommodation during off weeks.
Support services include:
- pre-departure support
- airport pick up and drop off (only for international students)
- welcome meeting
- location orientation
- 24-hour in-country support
- 24-hour emergency phone
- emergency support from Bushwise on-site staff
- daily briefing
- final feedback session
- final day ceremony
- visits by staff while on the work placement
- access to our alumni program.
Activities include:
- trips to the Kruger National Park
- overnight sleep outs under the stars in a wildlife reserve
- guided safari walks
- visits to nature reserves
- entrance fees for excursions
- assistance with booking other extracurricular activities.
What’s not included?
The following services are not included in this program:
- all necessary FGASA course manuals and materials (only for South African students)
- all compulsory books (only for South African students)
- flights
- airport pick up and drop off (only for South African students)
- medical and travel insurance
- visa costs
- professional drivers permit and licensing costs, including transportation.
- police clearance or background check fees
- personal workwear such as hiking shoes and jackets
- international and domestic airport taxes
- additional drinks and gratuities
- recommended reference books
- transport costs to the work placement
- extra local excursions
- meals, laundry and transport during free-time weeks during the course
- accommodation, electricity, internet and meals during the work placement portion of the program. (These are only be provided at the sole discretion of the work placement provider.)
We follow the COVID-19 guidelines set by the South African Department of Education.
Free Time
Saturday afternoons and Sundays are free time for students, although it’s recommended that students use this time for personal study and preparation for the upcoming lectures. After every 4th week, students also get a full week off and are encouraged to leave campus, travel and explore the local area. Some highlights to be enjoyed:
- Head out to the Blyde River Canyon for boat trips, kloofing, whitewater rafting, hiking, hot air ballooning and camping.
- The Kruger National Park gates are only 90min drive from campus. Day trips or overnight camping trips are available within the Park.
- Moholoholo Rehab Centre is 60 min drive from campus. Spend some time exploring the rehabilitation of endangered species.
- Do a 1-day panorama route and see Bourke’s Luck potholes, God’s Window, and many waterfalls with swimming spots.
- Giant Baobab a.k.a Upside Down Restaurant is only a 50 min drive from campus/ They sell the best pancakes in Limpopo, be sure to try them.
- Debengeni Falls in Tzaneen is a stunning waterfall accessible by anyone. It offers picnic areas and hiking trails.
Dates and costs
| South African Citizens | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23 weeks | R175,450.00 (incl VAT) |
| 2021 | 50 weeks* | R197,450.00 (incl VAT) |
| 2022 | 23 weeks | R175,450.00 (incl VAT) |
| 2022 | 50 weeks* | R197,450.00 (incl VAT) |
| International Citizens | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23 weeks | GBP £13,145.00 / USD $18,095.00 / EUR €15,895.00 / 24,695 AUD |
| 2021 | 50 weeks* | GBP £14,245.00 / USD $19,745.00 / EUR €17,545.00 / 27,445 AUD |
| 2022 | 23 weeks | GBP £13,145.00 / USD $18,095.00 / EUR €15,895.00 / 24,695 AUD |
| 2022 | 50 weeks* | GBP £14,245.00 / USD $19,745.00 / EUR €17,545.00 / 27,445 AUD |
*Our flagship program: it’s the best value for money and includes an employment guarantee and free recruitment services.
Payment Plans
Plan 1:
- R15,000 deposit needed to secure your booking
- first instalment due 20 weeks before the course start date
- final instalment due 12 weeks before the course start date
Plan 2:
- 30% of the full amount to deposit to secure your booking
- The remaining balance will be split of six instalments leading up to the course start date.
To add to your qualifications and skills, Bushwise includes extra modules and external professionals to help with specialist skills. As a result, Bushwise will not be able to offer full scholarships to our courses.
Bushwise is recognised by most major South African banks including FNB and Standard Bank, South African citizens can apply in-branch for student loans to assist with payment of course fees!
95% of our students are being offered permanent positions within a month of graduation
| Apprentice Trails Guide Course Add On | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | R23,000.00 (incl. VAT) |
| 2021 | R23,000.00 (incl. VAT) |
Course Start Dates
| 23 or 50 week course | 7 January 2021 |
| 23 or 50 week course | 8 July 2021 |
| 23 or 50 week course | 7 January 2022 |
| 23 or 50 week course | 8 July 2022 |
| 2021 Apprentice Trails Guide Add On | 4 June – 15 June |
| 2021 Apprentice Trails Guide Add On | 4 December – 15 December |
| 2022 Apprentice Trails Guide Add On | 2 June – 15 June |
| 2022 Apprentice Trails Guide Add On | 2 December – 15 December |
Personal costs – You can expect to spend approx. R4500/GBP250/USD280 per month depending on your personal habits. During weeks off you are welcome to stay at the campus, and just cover your own food costs. You will need to budget extra if you plan to travel in these breaks.
On the 14 day Bushwise Apprentice Trails Guide course in conjunction with Lowveld Trails you will cover all the necessary requirements to meet the FGASA Apprentice trails guide qualification. Your time will be spent meeting the minimum number of dangerous game encounters, on foot and logging the minimum number of hours required. This course will also focus on the ethos of guiding, as well as bush skills.
Please take note, that this in only an add on option available to students who are booking in conjunction with the 23 week or 50 week FGASA Professional Field Guide Course.
The maximum number of students allowed on the course is 8. Book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information on the Apprentice Trails Guide Course, please click here.
Instructors
Our expert instructors have backgrounds in both conservation and the tourism industry. They will teach you solid fundamentals and how to apply your knowledge practically in the industry.
Trevor Myburgh
General Manager & Trainer
Trevor is a trainer at the Mahlahla campus and has been in the lodge and guiding industry for seven years. He has held various positions including lodge management, leopard research, capture and relocation, wildlife rehabilitation, overland guiding and guiding in Big 5 reserves in various parts of South Africa.
Vaughan Jessnitz
Senior Trainer
Vaughan has been part of the tourism industry for the last 10 years, guiding and managing camps throughout South Africa, specifically in the Greater Kruger National Park. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various conservation and research projects specialising in entomology and biodiversity mapping throughout South Africa. He has been working at Bushwise for the last four years.
Edward Smith
Trainer
Edward is currently the youngest trainer at Bushwise and has been part of the Conservation and Tourism industry since he left school back in 2010. At the age of 19, he qualified as both a field and marine guide but decided to kickstart his field guiding career by taking an opportunity at one of South Africa’s oldest private game reserves, Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve in Hluhluwe, KZN.
Jack Hutchinson
Trainer
Jack was a Bushwise student back in 2009. He has been guiding for the last 11 years in 5-star lodges such as Imbali Safari lodge, Lion Sands and Thornybush in South Africa. He has been working at Bushwise since January 2020. He is currently training to become a FGASA assessor and mentor for trail guides.
Lindi Hutchinson
Trainer
Lindi finished her apprentice trails guide training in 2011. In November 2013, she started her guiding career at Entabeni Game Reserve in the Waterberg, South Africa. She has worked in numerous different reserves and biomes and is now a professional field guide with FGASA Level 3 and Full Trails qualifications. She has been working at Bushwise since January 2020.
Our passion for nature, conservation thereof, and the education of prospective field guides are evident in all our on-campus programs. Our professional trainers deliver with utmost dedication to achieve outstanding results through all our courses. Let’s hear what the alumni have to say. Read more on our alumni’s success stories.
Sophie Pyper, United Kingdom, 2020
I had the most amazing 6 months with Bushwise and cannot praise highly enough the quality of training and friendliness of all the staff. The experience and knowledge I gained goes far beyond what I expected, with trainers passing on information that you cannot possibly learn in textbooks! The Bushwise campus is the perfect balance between a professional training environment and a family atmosphere where you instantly feel safe and comfortable in the bush. As an international wanting to get into the industry there are additional challenges compared to South Africans, but again the support and patience from Bushwise was and still is incredible!
Jenny Draime, United States, 2020
Bushwise was amazing! Not only have I gained an incredible knowledge about the bush I have also made many awesome friends! The trainers are absolutely great as well! They take the time to teach you about everything they know and especially what they are passionate about! I’d definitely recommend Bushwise
Zander Schoeman, South Africa, 2020
Choosing Bushwise was one of my best choices I made in life. Being part of Bushwise becomes so much more than just nature. Becomes a family. And they take very good care of everyone – and I can stand as witness that there is so much more going on behind the scenes that you don’t always know of where they will do anything in their capability in order to help you in whatever it may be.Lot of oppurtunities under them which will take you further than just a stepping stone.
Daniel Mogale, South Africa, 2019
The whole experience for being in outdoors most of the time,enjoying nature at it best and staff is very friendly,crazy and awesome. Thanks for evrything BUSHWISE…!
Devlin Loader, South Africa, 2019
This area is fantastic. The trainers at this institution give all their effort into making sure that we get the best education there is. The accommodation is great and the people you meet will for sure be friends for life.
Mara Vinnik, United States, 2019
This is the place to go if you are passionate about learning about the bush and the life it holds. The staff’s desire to constantly learn and teach are unique in terms of experiences you can have in the bush.
Georgie Hall, United Kingdom, 2019
Bushwise has been everything I could have hoped for and more. It has given me more knowledge than I could have imagined and feel like I’m only just at the tip of the iceberg. The staff and trainers were excellent and so passionate about not only wildlife but teaching their students more than what was required and educating us about the ethical way of guiding. The admin team are also extremely helpful for international students as they take care of all of the extras needed to complete the course. I’ve made friends and work colleagues for life and can’t recommend Bushwise enough.
Shawn Gardner, South Africa, 2019
Bushwise has been one of the best experiences of my life. The amount of knowledge that you gain from the trainers, all while meeting friends for life, is amazing. Constantly being surrounded by people who share the same passions as you, want to be in the bush and learn as much as possible sets Bushwise apart from other training providers. The training staff is so knowledgeable and have a way of spreading their infectious attitude about the bush. If you’re debating doing a field guide course, choose Bushwise!!
Elandri du Plessis, South Africa, 2019
It was the most exciting 6 months of my life! I had learned so much about the bush as well as myself. Being in the bush every day learning about the big and small was a privilege that I would recommend to anyone wanting to make a change in their life. There is never a dull moment in the bush!
Lucia van den Berg, United Kingdom, 2019
If you are tired of the same routine everyday and you want to change your life then Bushwise is the place for you. If i look back at how much i have learnt since the day i arrived at the Bushwise campus i can’t put into words how incredible the amount of information i have been able to absorb in my time here. You need to be able to deal with a simple way of and leave the luxuries at home. Its not easy and it takes some time getting use to but once you adjust bush living is the best thing ever! The noises, the animals, the birds, everything makes it amazing! You just feel emerged in the environment living on this campus. You make amazing friends and you learn things you would never expect. I would recommend this course to anyone that wants to learn everything there is to learn about the bush.
Claire Hopkins, United Kingdom, 2018
Quite simply the best 6 months spent with the best people! Fantastic trainers with an exhaustive knowledge of every detail of the bush and a passion for passing that knowledge on to the students. Would do it all over again if I could!
Antony Peel, United Kingdom, 2018
Amazing 6 months with more amazing people. A place that offers a lot more than knowledge and training in the bush, but friendships for life and experiences you will unlikely get anywhere else. Can’t wait to continue my second 6 months at work placement!
Ellie Schwartz, United States, 2018
Bushwise has been such an amazing experience and I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to become a field guide! The staff members are incredible and have vast knowledge of the bush; be prepared to work hard and learn lots. For any internationals looking into the course, be prepared to overcome unexpected challenges that South Africans may not face and work extra hard during placement in hopes to secure a job afterwards. I’ve enjoyed my time here so much and met so many great people and lifelong friends. Sad to leave, but excited to expand my knowledge and teach others about the bush at my placement!
Tasha van den Aardweg, South Africa, 2018
DO IT! Honestly was the best time. Met the most awesome people and made life long friends. Learnt so much about the bush and experienced epic sightings! Thanks to all the trainers and staff for making the last 6months unforgettable
Gina Ferguson, South Africa, 2018
A most incredible six months spent at Bushwise. The trainers are exceptionally enthusiastic and have an extensive knowledge of all aspects experienced in the bushveld. The campus gives off an extremely homely feel due to the support staff and familial relationships formed during our time spent here. Would definitely recommend to any budding field guides!
Mark Kaptein, Netherlands, 2018
Awesome experience during which I learned a lot about the bush and guiding. I can’t think of a better preparation to start in the safari industry than following the bushwise course. A lot of practical activities like game drives and special skills are combined with theoretical knowledge. The trainers are very passionate about their job and I would certainly recommend the course!
Amy Villis, United Kingdom, 2018
This course has been fantastic! My husband and I have enjoyed every minute and it has been better than we ever imagined. The trainers are very experienced and give a lot of help and guidance along the way. And the course content is really interesting and fun. We’ve made some fantastic friends and awesome memories. I’d highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to do their FGASA Level 1.
Testimonials
Kate Nelson
General manager Camp Jabulani, Relais & Châteaux
“Bushwise is a professional organisation, committed to the welfare of its students and to ensuring that they enter the safari industry with the correct qualifications, a high level of knowledge and strong guiding ethics.”
Ben Tupper
former Bushwise student, now GVI SANParks Internship Coordinator
“Signing up and completing Bushwise has changed the course of not only my career but my entire life. I now get to wake up every morning to the sounds of baboons and hyenas and end each day with the setting African sun; none of this would have been possible without undergoing the Bushwise course”
Bushwise is accredited by Field Guides Association of Southern Africa
