Description
Highlights:
- Have the opportunity to complete a 6 month placement after successful completion of the 6 month course
- Receive a FGASA accredited certificate in order to walk into a career as Field Guide
- Live in the South African bush surrounded by the Big Five
- Work with experienced and educated Mentors and Course Instructors, our trainers combined have over 50 years’ experience working in the industry
Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and Field Guiding? Is your hope to pursue a career in eco-tourism?
Travel to the South African Bush and work alongside qualified, experienced trainers in order to receive your accreditation in FGASA Field Guiding.
This course is rated one of the most inclusive courses and has seen many of its graduates go on to secure jobs within top class game reserves and lodges. It includes a 6 month in-country training program after which, upon successful completion and graduation, students will move on to be an intern in a working environment with one of our partners.
Other than the FGASA qualification, students will also be trained up in:
- Wildlife photography
- Reptile orientation
- Basic vehicle mechanics
- Ethical guiding principles
- Hospitality training
- South African wine tasting & food pairing,
- Reserve management principles
- Online course covering
- Theoretical field guiding apprentice
- Principles and basic mechanics
This experience cannot be matched and you are guaranteed to walk away as a highly rated, qualified and experienced Field Guide ready to step into a career.
Introduction
Daily Life
The course varies between classroom-based learning and practical sessions. The balance between these two will differ module to module. But an average day could look like this:
05:30–07:00
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
11:00
Brunch
12:00
Free time
15:00
Afternoon activity or lecture in the classroom
Travel & Accommodation
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.
The possibilities are endless!
Accommodation & Meals:
Accommodation is shared, with two students to a room/rondavel and shared ablutions. The campus also has a fully functional and equipped lecture room, dining room and braai area, facilities such as swimming pool and volley ball court for recreational use and access to internet.
Meals are provided daily, except for over the weekends when you are off.
Requirements
No specific skills required, participants need to be passionate about wildlife and wish to pursue a career in Field Guiding or Eco-Tourism.
All training is provided in country.
Prices
23 weeks – £17,450
50 weeks – £18,800
What’s Included:
- 6 months work experience from placement venue (50-week course)
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Experienced, long term staff conducting all the necessary course training
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary FGASA course manuals and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Ethical guiding principles
- Other activities, such as sleep outs and Kruger trips
- Basic astronomy, survival skills during sleep outs
- Bushwalks
- 2 x sets of uniforms
- All compulsory books (if included)
- Limited internet
- T-shirt, fleece jacket, cap and beanie
- Camp management & leadership skills
- Basic vehicle mechanics
- Hospitality training
- Location orientation, survival skills
- Meals while on the course (except during off weeks)
- Kruger Park trips & visits to other reserves or places of interest
Note: Map coordinates are approximate
