
Out here
nature
teaches us
Go further with
placements across
5 continents
The knowledge and experience you’ll gain at Bushwise is transferable across our wild planet. Our graduates have gone on to work in lodges, reserves and national parks, as park rangers, tour guides, researchers and conservationists.
In addition to placements in every corner of South Africa, our international work placements include:
-
Costa Rica: Research assistant in a rainforest conservation organisation
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Namibia: Game Ranger in the Etosha National Park
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Fiji: Wildlife researcher
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Thailand: Conservation officer working in elephant rehabilitation
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Canary Islands: Wildlife research analyst
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Projected
career path
Global
career potential
Salary
expectations
Award
Recognition
Selective
admissions?
FGASA QUALIFICATION
Recognised in Southern Africa
Guide at a range of lodges
R150,000-350,000 per year (Basic salary + tips)
FGASA Nature Site Guide
Recognised as industry standard for guiding in South Africa
No
How does an IFGA qualification compare?

The International Field Guide Association (IFGA) sets global standards for wildlife and safari guides.
The letters IFG after their name mean a guide has been successfully admitted to, and passed, the most selective guide training program in the world, and they are prepared to exceed guest expectations, every step of the way.
Bushwise is the exclusive Southern African training provider for IFGA qualifications. For the select students in our Professional Field Guide course who qualify, IFGA training comes at no additional cost.
Shaping ultimate
wildlife guides
Guide or head guide at luxury lodges, hosting international guests
Yes, placements across five continents
R650,000-R850,000 per year (Basic salary + international tips)
The letters IFG after your name
Preferred by 92% of luxury lodges
Yes. Approximately 20% of candidates are successful.
IFGA
QUALIFICATION

FGASA
QUALIFICATION
Guide at a range of lodges
Projected career path
Global career potential
Recognised in Southern Africa
Salary expectations
R150,000-350,000 per year (Basic salary + tips)
Award
FGASA Nature Site Guide
Recognition
Recognised as industry standard for guiding in South Africa
Selective admissions?
No
Learn from experts
and inspiring trainers


Our field guide
courses are wilder
Begin the biggest adventure of your career and train to become a qualified field guide in South Africa’s Big Five territory. Study under the guidance of industry experts and award winners with over 100 years of combined experience. Witness wildlife in their natural habitats as you learn about animal behaviour and ecosystem functions. You’ll earn professional certificates which will open doors for a career in conservation, wildlife, ecotourism and more. When you join an in-person course with Bushwise, you’re setting yourself up for success – whether you become a safari guide in South Africa, a wilderness guide in Alaska, a game ranger in Namibia, a researcher in Costa Rica, or a conservationist in Thailand. Our top programs are backed by the International Field Guide Association (IFGA), for which we are the exclusive training provider in Southern Africa. With an IFGA qualification, you stand out as a global leader in guiding and wildlife. It’s this global qualification, international work placement opportunities and expert guidance that will set you apart in your career growth. We offer two signature nature courses, our 23-50 week Bushwise Professional Field Guide course and Bushwise 60-day Safari Guide course. Both are FGASA courses, designed for catered for career-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. You’ll earn valuable qualifications like: – IFGA Field Guide – FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 (formerly Apprentice Field Guide or Level 1) – CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 – Bushwise Field Guide – CyberTracker evaluation – Wilderness First Aid – Reptile Handling Our field guide and wildlife courses – rated No.1 on TrustPilot – offer a blend of classroom lessons, theory, practical training and real-world experience. Your work placement - whether here in South Africa or abroad with one of our international conservation partners - will get you a foot in the door. Our career guarantee - which is unique in the industry - will set you up for success. We have a 100% employment rate and the majority of superior and luxury lodges request Bushwise graduates. We’re proud of our students@heart policy and we know this experience will change your life! Whether you're a career or experience seeker, you have 60 days or a whole year to join us, there’s a Bushwise wildlife course or field guiding course for you. Find yours.
The wild is your office
