Project Coordinator
Participate in the nature guide training in the heart of the bush in South Africa. You will be trained in a nature reserve to become a professional guide. The training modules are spread over 1 year: species identification, tracking and group supervision with experienced guides. You will be part of an international team within our training organization to live a real immersive experience of personal and professional development. It is also an opportunity to train by acting positively on the ecosystems of the region!
Like all of our training programs for working in environmental fields abroad, this comprehensive and in-depth course is designed for anyone looking to develop their knowledge of wildlife.
Our training programs take place in South Africa and Botswana. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you will be based in camps located in the heart of the bush. You will go on foot or 4×4 expeditions twice a day. Your training may take place in one to four different reserves, allowing you to discover a wide variety of animal species and habitats.
This program lasts a full year. During the “theoretical” training, students participate in two outings per day: one in the morning from 5/6 AM to 10/11 AM and another in the evening from 4 PM to 8 PM to observe wildlife. There are also walking excursions to learn tracking techniques.
Following the training, students are placed in a practical internship at a partner lodge to test their guiding skills under the supervision of experienced guides and managers.
Trainers are also examiners, and 2-3 instructors will evaluate you throughout the course. Exams include oral presentations and real-life scenarios during expeditions, such as leading a safari, giving safety instructions, and providing explanations about animals.
At the end of your training, you will be able to obtain the following certifications:
– FGASA Field Guide Level 1
– Nature Site Guide NQF2 (CATHSSETA) qualification and FGASA Apprentice Field Guide Certificate
– Firearm Proficiency Certificate
– FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling
– FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Status
– EcoTracker Track and Sign Certificate
– EcoTracker Trailing Certificate
– FGASA Tracker Certificate
– Basic and Advanced Birding
– Wilderness Medicine (Level 1 and 2)
While the field guide training provides an essential foundation for a professional guiding career, shorter programs are more accessible to a wider range of participants, including gap year students, interns, retirees, and nature enthusiasts.
The available training modules include:
The goal of these courses is to develop practical skills and expand knowledge gained in the FGASA Level 1 guide training. At the same time, you will enhance your environmental awareness and understanding.
You will have the chance to learn the traditional art of tracking, gaining insights into ancestral skills. We are committed to preserving and reviving indigenous knowledge by working with some of the last local experts.
The EcoQuest program has two main components: learning about nature and experiencing the daily life of a safari guide in the field. Additionally, you will learn to drive a 4×4, identify birds, trees, and other vegetation, and track animals.
This course allows bird enthusiasts and nature guides to acquire the basics of bird identification or deepen their existing knowledge. While part of the training is theoretical, it is primarily a practical experience involving extensive fieldwork.
This course focuses on uncovering the secrets behind stunning nature photography. Participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning in the field under the guidance of an experienced professional. Mornings and afternoons will be spent in the bush capturing the best shots, followed by classroom sessions for reviewing and constructively critiquing the photos taken during the day.
This unique course is designed to offer future guides and nature lovers an opportunity to connect with nature through unforgettable experiences. The training emphasizes the philosophy of nature and tracking, teaching participants to minimize their impact during activities. It is led by some of the most experienced guide trainers in Africa as part of the professional field guide training.
Like all of our training courses for working in the environment abroad , this project in South Africa allows you to benefit from complete learning while contributing to the preservation of the region's ecosystems.
Our trainings take place in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you will evolve in camps located in the heart of the bush. You will go on expeditions on foot or by 4x4 twice a day. Depending on the option chosen, your training may take place in 1 to 4 different reserves, which will allow you to discover a wide variety of animal species and habitats.
This complete and in-depth training extends over a full year. It was created to meet the need for qualified guides in the safari market. It is intended for those who plan to position themselves in this market, but also for all those who wish to develop their knowledge of the African bush.
The nature guide training organization offers a formula that gives you every chance of success: "theoretical" training is given in 2 different reserves for about 6 months to experience as many situations as possible. Students take part in 2 outings a day, one in the morning from 5/6 a.m. to 10/11 a.m. and in the evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in order to observe the nightlife. There are also walks to learn tracking techniques. Following the training, the students are then placed on a practical internship in a lodge to test their guiding skills. They are supervised by experienced guides and managers.
The trainers are also examiners, they will be 2-3 people to determine your success! You will have many exercises such as making oral presentations to other students to practice speaking, scenarios during outings: presentation of the safari, safety instructions, explanations about the animals, setting up the break coffee in a secure location (tea/coffee/biscuits!) etc.
At the end of your training you will be a certified guide in the following areas:
- FGASA Field Guide Level 1
- Nature Site Guide NQF2 (CATHSSETA) qualification and FGASA Apprentice Field Guide Certificate
- Firearm Proficiency Certificate
- FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling
- FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide Status
- EcoTracker Track and Sign Certificate
- EcoTracker Trailing Certificate
- FGASA Tracker Certificate
- Basic and Advanced Birding
- Wilderness Medicine (Level 1 and 2)
If this nature guide training constitutes an essential basis for those who wish to pursue a career as a field guide, many participants have a completely different profile: students in a gap year, approved internship, retirees, curious people in search of in-depth knowledge of the bush, nature lover, etc.
We expect from the participants a real implication within the group, as well as the participation in all the tasks of upkeep and maintenance of the camp and the vehicles. Students will learn to pay attention to the needs and safety of their partners, to be responsible for each other in a wild environment, and to work as a team.
The objective of this training is to develop and consolidate the practical skills and knowledge acquired as part of the FGASA level 1 guide training. At the same time, you will improve your knowledge and awareness of the environment.
It is also accessible to those looking for an opportunity to experience wilderness and develop personal skills.
The Safari Guide course is for those who want to experience the bush and get to know the environment. Thanks to these 28 days spent in nature, you will be able to acquire solid skills and knowledge about nature.
You will have the chance to learn the traditional art of tracking. You will have an overview of ancestral know-how. Indeed, we are working to revive and sustain indigenous knowledge, collaborating with some of the last local experts.
EcoQuest training has two quite distinct aspects: getting to know nature, and living the daily experiences of a safari guide in the field. And in addition, you will learn to drive a 4x4, to identify birds, trees and other plants, and to track animals.
This training allows bird lovers and nature guides to acquire the basics of bird identification or to develop their knowledge in this area. If part of the training is theoretical, it is also and above all a practical training. It involves many hours spent in the field.
This is about learning the secrets behind successful nature photos. Photographers will also have the opportunity to put their learning into practice in the field, accompanied by an experienced professional. Morning and afternoon, the participants will be in the bush and will try to take the best shots. These outings will be followed by indoor sessions, dedicated to the analysis of the photos taken during the day, and which will be subject to constructive criticism.
This absolutely unique course is intended to offer future guides and nature lovers the opportunity to discover nature and be in communion with it, through unforgettable encounters. The training emphasizes the philosophy of nature and tracking. Participants will learn to have as little impact as possible during their activities. It is led by the most experienced trainer guides in Africa, as part of nature guide training.
Our organization is the leading nature guide training organization in Africa. Since 1993, we have trained more than 4000 student guides, young and old, from all over the world.
We run trainings all over Africa, from South Africa to Gabon, and from Kenya to Namibia. We are particularly proud of the work accomplished with local populations, in Gabon, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia and Kenya: we have helped them to develop skills that have enabled them to find jobs in the eco-tourism sector.
Certifications and Accreditations of the Training Organization:
– THE FIELD GUIDES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (FGASA)
– The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)
– THE KENYA PROFESSIONAL SAFARI GUIDES ASSOCIATION (KPSGA)
– BOTSWANA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
We run trainings all over Africa, from South Africa to Gabon, and from Kenya to Namibia. We are particularly proud of the work accomplished with local populations, in Gabon, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia and Kenya: we have helped them to develop skills that have enabled them to find jobs in the eco-tourism sector.
Certifications and Accreditations of the Training Organization:
- THE FIELD GUIDES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (FGASA)
- The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)
- THE KENYA PROFESSIONAL SAFARI GUIDES ASSOCIATION (KPSGA)
- BOTSWANA QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
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