Category: FGASA Field Guide Course

From field guide to field guide trainer

Bushwise trainer Wayne Lubbe is based at our Mahlahla campus, near the Greater Makalali Game Reserve. In this post he tells his story of growing from a field guide himself, into the field guide trainer he is today! Ever since I can remember, I’ve had this internal desire to be close to nature. So back...

Celebrating the newest class of Bushwise graduates

We’re taking a moment to celebrate our Bushwise graduates – a group of incredible individuals who have just completed their six-month Professional Field Guide course. As they head on to the next stage of their career, Bushwise’s Louise Pavid bids them farewell with this thoughtful story. Six short months ago, 34 fresh new faces arrived...

A horse trails guide in the African bush

Jenika Pohl is a Bushwise alumnus and horse trails guide with Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill in the Waterberg region of South Africa. The Ant Collection specialises in horseback safaris. In this blog, Jenika tells us her story of how she came to Bushwise and eventually ended up in a dream job as a horse...

Safari Guide of the Year 2022 – what sets them apart, brings them together

At Bushwise, we can’t hold back our excitement for Safari Guide of the Year 2022. We’re excited because we’re hosting this year’s prestigious event in the Greater Kruger National Park. We’re also excited because one of our very own trainers, Nico Brits, is one of the top five finalists for this award. But mostly, we’re...

Learning the language of the bush: Cybertracker track and sign

  Track and sign with Cybertracker is a valuable and wonderful part of Bushwise Professional Field Guide training. Bushwise students learn valuable skills that help them interpret the footprints and other marks they see in the bush. Anti-poaching units, such as K9 units, also use these tactics when working in the field. Trainer Darryn Murray...

How do birds get their colour?

A question many of us have asked ourselves at some point in time: How do birds get their colour? Bushwise trainer Wayne Lubbe brings his expertise to explain why we see those vibrant colours. Feathers have made it possible for birds to take to the air efficiently and successfully, enabling species to spread globally. The...

Animal social structures – solitary or gregarious?

  In this blog, Nico (trainer with Bushwise and finalist for Safari Guide of the Year 2022) describes animal social structures. Discussing animal groupings, animal behaviour and animal dynamics is all part of being a successful guide. As a guide trainer, it’s important to have the skills to pass this information on to your students. ...

Field guide jobs and career paths: where do I go from here?

If there’s one thing we know about field guides, it’s that there’s no “one size fits all” field guide job. You might think, but a field guide is a field guide, right? Not quite!  When a student joins a Bushwise Professional Field Guide course, a 35-day Practical FGASA course, or even one of our online...

My origins in film and wildlife photography

Bushwise’s Louise Pavid shares her passion for safari and wildlife through photography and videography. In this post, she tells us how this fascination all started – and where it’s taken her. When I was a young and naïve eight year old I answered the same question most eight year olds answer: “What do you want...

Advanced rifle handling with Bushwise

Bushwise trainer Darryn Murray describes advanced rifle handling training scenarios and safety. ARH is an important part of becoming a trails guide. “The name is Bond, James Bond….”  Hopefully we have all heard this line at least once in our lives?  “James Bond, licence to kill…” Well, when field guides are trained to use a rifle...