Bushwise
guarantees
Since 2012, every eligible South African graduate of our 12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide course has secured employment, excluding the COVID-19 period when hiring freezes affected the industry.* This reflects the eligible graduates who chose to remain in the safari industry, were over the age of 21 at graduation, and successfully passed all Bushwise modules. This success stems from our graduates being exceptionally well-prepared and equipped with practical skills and experience that go beyond theory and exceed industry expectations.
Employment Guarantee
At Bushwise, we’re confident in the strength of our training and industry connections. That’s why we offer a career guarantee for eligible South African graduates of our 12-month Professional Safari Guide course – if you successfully complete the training programme and the work placement, we guarantee you’ll receive a job offer within six months (subject to our Terms & Conditions).
We extend the same guarantee to eligible graduates of our 12-month Practical Game Management course, with a twelve-month window to secure a role in the wildlife sector following successful completion of your training and work placement.
Subject to our Terms & Conditions, if you meet all eligibility criteria, accept and make proper use of our support services, and don’t secure employment through our support within the stated timeframe, we’ll refund 50% of your course fees.
Your money back
Bushwise is confident that eligible South African graduates who successfully complete our 12-month Professional Safari Guide course will secure a job offer within six months. For our 12-month Practical Game Management course students, we extend the same guarantee to eligible graduates to secure a job in the wildlife sector within 12 months of successfully completing their training and work placement. As part of this commitment, if you meet all eligibility criteria, accept and make proper use of our support services, and are unable to secure employment through our support within this timeframe, Bushwise will refund 50% of your course fees (subject to our Terms & Conditions).
How it works
Bushwise works closely with key players in the safari, hospitality, and wildlife sectors to align our curriculum with the latest industry requirements, including CATHSSETA and IFGA standards. This is how we ensure our students receive the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge. We are committed to our role as a top CATHSSETA training provider in the industry and continue to deliver world-class training for our participants. This is how we’ve built strong relationships with lodges in South Africa and beyond.
Bushwise field guides are highly skilled, motivated, and professional ambassadors not only for Bushwise but for the industry as a whole. Alongside our successful industry relationships, our field guides have a reputation for quality and excellence. We are confident that this reputation will continue and expand across the industry.
*Not including Covid-19 lockdown period when many companies had hiring freezes.
Guaranteed work placements
As an eligible student of our 12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course or 6/12 month Practical Game Management Course, you’ll complete a 6-month work placement at a real lodge, reserve, or conservation organisation. This invaluable hands-on experience enhances your CV, expands your professional network, and helps you gain practical skills to kickstart your safari guiding career.
Anel Olivier
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Malawi
The course was incredibly well planned, but also leaving space to change and adapt which is a necessity in the bush. I did a 6 month placement at Greenfire Game Lodge in Balule Wildlife Reserve. I did game drives and bush walks, hosting in the main lodge, and also some general lodge and reserve management activities. Bushwise surely set us up with the right skills needed for this life. It is the perfect window into a career in the bush, whether it is into guiding or any other wildlife related field. Bushwise builds a personal lasting relationship with each of their students, making you a part of their small bush-family.
Thabisane Ernest
Mala Mala Game Reserve
South Africa
I read on Mala Mala’s website that they were looking for a guide. The requirements were stated clearly on the website: FGASA L1, First Aid L2, Track & Sign Qualification, Advanced 4×4 Driving Certificate, knowledge of food and beverage. Thanks to Bushwise, I had all the required qualifications that obviously put me in a more advantaged position. My advice to aspiring guides out there is, never underestimate what you can achieve. I wouldn’t have achieved all this without the high-quality training from Bushwise Field Guides, thank you for the opportunity, thanks to the dedicated and experienced trainers who equipped me with knowledge and field experience. The advice and mentorship after I had finished the course has been very helping during the beginning of my guiding career.
Ryan Jack
Africa on Foot
South Africa
Bushwise qualification helped me as a working guide in the industry. I was placed at Africa on Foot in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve, which I really loved. I was always interested in Trails guiding and it was a great place to start my career in the industry and the guides there really helped me learn even more and grow as a guide. I am now working permanently for Africa on Foot at their sister camp called nThmabo Tree Camp. I plan to gain my full Lead Trails qualification and then go onto to do Level 2 FGASA. I would eventually like to start leading guided walks out into the reserve. I would definitely recommend Bushwise as it is a great course and an amazing experience which can help you get a great start in the guiding industry.