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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

  • Namibia: Game Ranger in the Etosha National Park

  • Fiji: Wildlife researcher

  • Thailand: Conservation officer working in elephant rehabilitation

  • 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 IFGA by 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 certifications. For the select students in our IFGA 6-12 month course who qualify, IFGA certification 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

*Projections based on 7+ years of experience working at luxury safari lodges or their equivalent. **Based on market research conducted in 2023 with luxury lodges across Southern Africa, when comparing IFGA with other guiding qualifications.

Exclusive

       benefits at Bushwise

Career guarantee

An industry exclusive

100% employment rate

Your dream career is in sight

Recruitment services

Networking & job opportunities

The wild is your office

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IFGA Safari Guide
Training Experience

The ultimate safari experience. Whether you're exploring the idea of a career in field guiding or looking to spend time in nature, this experience is for you. Gain essential CATHSSETA NQF2 knowledge to enrich your experience or use it as the first step toward a wildlife career.

7-28 days
From R20,100

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Safari Guide
Training Taster

Whether you simply want to immerse yourself in nature or experience life as a field guide, this is the perfect short escape with a lasting impact. Spend a few days with us and combine your love for nature with a high-level introduction to guiding, animal behaviour and mammals.

1-7 days
From R3,750

With the new Bushwise Foundation grants, you could be awarded up to R100,000 towards your course. Anyone can apply!

Apply by 31 December!

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Bushwise is the exclusive Southern African training provider for the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) qualification and standards.

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What makes

Bushwise different?

Exclusive

Southern

Africa provider

92%

of lodges would prefer

to hire a Bushwise graduate

No. 1

rated on Trustpilot

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. Whether you join us for 3 days, 12 months, or something in between, your home away from home is immersive and right in the bush. Our Sabi Sabi campus is located in the world famous Sabi Sabi Reserve, within the Greater Kruger. Our SAWC campus is next to the Orpen Gate to Kruger National Park, and the iconic Timbavati white lions are regularly seen on game drives. Our original Mahlahla Campus will give you access to the Greater Makalali Game Reserve, another incredible Big Five destination. Our new Nkuwa Wilderness camp is west of the iconic Kruger National Park, and provides the perfect blend of immersion in nature and all the creature comforts. 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 IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course (6/12 months) and our IFGA Professional Safari Guide Short Course (2 months). Both allow you to become a fully qualified guide and are designed for career-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. You can earn valuable qualifications like: – IFGA Certification – CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 – Bushwise Field Guide – CyberTracker evaluation – Wilderness First Aid – Reptile Handling We also offer two shorter experiences: our Safari Guide Training Taster (3-days), a unique introduction to life in the wild; and our IFGA Safari Guide Training Experience (7–28 days), ideal for aspiring guides or nature enthusiasts seeking deeper immersion. Our professional courses are rated No.1 on TrustPilot and offer a blend of classroom lessons, theory, practical training and real-world experience. Your work placement will get you a foot in the door, whether here in South Africa or abroad with one of our international conservation partners. Our career guarantee, unique in the industry, will set you up for success. We have a 100% employment rate for graduates of the 12-month course. Luxury lodges regularly 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 3 days or a whole year to join us, there’s a Bushwise wildlife experience or field guiding course for you! Find yours.

Grants of up to R100,000 available
You could be awarded up to R100,000 towards your course! Apply by 30 Nov.

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