- Overview
- Syllabus
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Course
structure - Included
- Dates and fees
- Instructors
- Testimonials
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The Bushwise
difference
FGASA Field Guiding
Info
Become an African safari, nature and wildlife expert. Attend expert-led masterclasses, gain FGASA NQF2 and NQF4 knowledge, learn through engaging discussions and earn a certificate from the top-rated provider of field guide qualifications.
Next start date 26 June 2023
Course Frequency Every 3 months
Duration 12 weeks
Time Commitment 10 hours per week
Format Self-paced, online
Age 16 years and above
Overview
If you’re interested in gaining theoretical knowledge to become a field guide, you’re in the right place. This course is a combination of our two online courses, and will allow you to write your FGASA theory exam for NQF2. After completing this qualification you can join us on an in-person course to become a fully qualified guide.
Bushwise Field Guides students are educated and trained to become field guides of the highest standard in the safari industry. Our top-rated courses pair the practical skills you require with a comprehensive foundation of theoretical knowledge. With this system, our graduates are able to create the best guided safari experiences.
We have developed an all-encompassing online field guide training course to accelerate your knowledge beyond the minimum requirements of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), and to give you a well-rounded foundation for your safari guiding career.
Bushwise’s FGASA online course is aligned with the official FGASA syllabus and offers an additional 20 hours of learning for further qualifications. You will gain NQF2 (Apprentice Field Guide) and NQF4 (Field Guide) knowledge in this online field guide training course.
Safari guides are required to have a FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2) qualification with a total of 400 hours – 60% practical work, 20% theoretical work and 20% self-study. Our online course covers 120 of these hours.
With this head start, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a professional in the field guiding industry.
Then, step into the heart of the African bushveld and take your field guiding career even further by completing the rest of your hours with Bushwise’s FGASA Professional Field Guide Course that’s offered at our campuses in the Greater Kruger and Greater Makalali areas.
To give you the most out of your online learning experience, the Bushwise FGASA online course includes guided learning, self-assessments, video lectures, live webinars and formal assignments.
Your online FGASA training course will include 21 live sessions in 12 weeks. These sessions include lectures from industry leaders in conservation and safari guiding, who will give you expert insight into real-life situations you might encounter. You’ll also learn about the types of challenges that exist in the industry and get insider knowledge on how these situations are addressed.
Our online learning platform also allows you to work and interact with like-minded students from all over the world. You can create conference rooms where you can meet international participants, participate in video study groups, or create a social space outside of the curriculum and make lifelong international friendships.
Ready to start your professional field guiding career?
Course details
Course specifics
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12 weeks online (excluding orientation)
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10 hours per week
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Self-paced, guided learning
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16 years and above
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English
What you’ll learn
On completion of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Create a guided experience for guests on safari
- Ensure the health and safety of your guests when on a guided experience
- Identify, understand and explain animal behaviour
- Identify different African species and ecosystems
- Identify and interpret African animal tracks
- Identify African bird species by song and appearance
- Lead and engage large groups of diverse people from around the world
- Understand the recommended ethical guiding practices and carry out an ethical guided experience in the natural environment
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a professional field guide.
Join this online course to attend live lectures delivered by leaders in their field who have over 50 years of combined experience. These include directors of
conservation organisations, managers of wildlife reserves and experienced field guides. See the African wild through their eyes, informed by in-depth knowledge developed over many years.
Listen to their stories and learn from their successes and missteps. Ask them questions and receive personal feedback.
Why choose us?
You’ll be joined in these classes by others from around the world who are just as passionate about African nature and wildlife as you are and are on the same learning journey. With them, discuss real-world case studies that put the theory you’re learning into context.
Complete regular quizzes so that you can see your growing expertise, and assignments to apply your acquired knowledge to things you might see and experience while in wild African spaces.
You’ll complete 20 official FGASA training modules. Topics covered include the best practices of field guiding, radio procedures, rifles and advanced rifle handling, and viewing potentially dangerous animals, as well as African mammals, plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and fish. You’ll also learn about African ecosystems, geology, climate and even astronomy.
But, like all Bushwise courses, we cover so much more than the basics. By attending our masterclasses, you’ll gain specific insight into
elephant, pangolin and vulture conservation. You’ll also learn about how anti-poaching initiatives are run and about innovative conservation strategies. This course is designed for everyone, from students, new graduates or career changers who are looking to start a career in
African wildlife, to working professionals or retirees interested in citizen science projects.
If you’re interested in starting a professional field guiding career, this course is your first step.
Live from campus
@bushwise.sa
Info
Become an African safari, nature and wildlife expert. Attend expert-led masterclasses, gain FGASA NQF2 and NQF4 knowledge, learn through engaging discussions and earn a certificate from the top-rated provider of field guide qualifications.
Next start date 26 June 2023
Course Frequency Every 3 months
Duration 12 weeks
Time Commitment 10 hours per week
Format Self-paced, online
Age 16 years and above
Testimonials
We pride ourselves on the success of our students. Their success starts with the quality and depth of our courses. Our online courses are no different.
We value the power of reviews and the importance they play in decisions for our prospective students.
Take some time to read what our alumni have to say. The testimonials from students around the world who completed our online courses will hopefully help you in making your decision to join the Bushwise team.
Read the testimonials below.
This online course was great and has provided a solid ...
read MoreThis program is the best thing I have ever done ...
read MoreTo future students, from all the places I could've chosen, ...
read MoreThank you for the most amazing, engaging and interesting courses ...
read MoreI really enjoyed the course. It was interesting and nice ...
read MoreOverall this course was amazing I have learned so much ...
read MoreIt’s been an absolutely great time and a super introduction ...
read MoreA wonderful course filled with loads of information, all set ...
read MoreThis is hands down the best online nature-related course I ...
read MoreI thought I had average knowledge about nature but very ...
read MoreI loved this course – was very informative and helpful. ...
read MoreI have followed this amazing online course. It’s definitely a ...
read MoreLive from campus
@bushwise.sa
Info
Become an African safari, nature and wildlife expert. Attend expert-led masterclasses, gain FGASA NQF2 and NQF4 knowledge, learn through engaging discussions and earn a certificate from the top-rated provider of field guide qualifications.
Next start date 26 June 2023
Course Frequency Every 3 months
Duration 12 weeks
Time Commitment 10 hours per week
Format Self-paced, online
Age 16 years and above
The Bushwise difference
Bushwise’s founder is a passionate conservationist. After her long and fruitful career in conservation, she realised there is a need for professional field guides to help ethically sustain the wonderful planet we call home. This passion gave birth to Bushwise in 2006, and we have been delivering the cream of the crop to the safari industry in qualified field guides.
It’s our passion, love and dedication for mother earth that drives us to constantly evolve in our learning methods. As a result, there is a substantial difference in experience and education that you receive at Bushwise, and that is why we deliver field guides of the highest standards. This is why we can confidently offer an employment guarantee to all our South African students
Highest quality
field guide trainer in South Africa
Bushwise is well known in the industry as a provider of the highest quality field guide trainer in South Africa. This online course aims to provide a level of quality and support which is no different.
Responsive and
efficient support that goes above and beyond
The Bushwise team is extremely passionate about nature and the field guiding industry, and focuses on providing support above and beyond other providers. Whether it’s assisting students to reach specific learning-based milestones, or providing support towards a new career path in the safari industry.
Expert-lead personal learning experiences
Bushwise’s online courses are unique due to the amount of personal and guided learning time the student gets. There are weekly live webinars hosted by the instructors, allowing you to engage with students in discussions and Q&As. There are also student forums available to interact with fellow students, discuss topics of interests, ask questions and learn new things.
Live from campus