Travel with confidence: To give you more flexibility, all bookings made in March include unlimited free date transfers.
Bushwise
guarantees
Since 2012, 97% of the South African graduates of our 12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide course has secured employment, excluding the COVID-19 period when hiring freezes affected the industry.* This reflects the eligible graduates who chose to remain in the safari industry, were over the age of 21 at graduation, and successfully passed all Bushwise modules. This success stems from our graduates being exceptionally well-prepared and equipped with practical skills and experience that go beyond theory and exceed industry expectations.
Employment Guarantee
At Bushwise, we’re confident in the strength of our training and industry connections. That’s why eligible South African graduates of our 12-month courses receive a career guarantee (subject to our Terms & Conditions). If you successfully complete your training programme and work placement, we guarantee you’ll receive a job offer within the timeframe listed below:
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12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course: within 6 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Game Management Course: within 12 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Wildlife Tourism Course: within 12 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Conservation Course: within 12 months of graduating
Your money back
At Bushwise, we believe in the quality of our training and the strength of our industry connections. That’s why eligible South African graduates of our select 12-month courses receive an employment guarantee (subject to our Terms & Conditions).
We guarantee you’ll receive a job offer within the timeframe listed below:
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12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course: within 6 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Game Management Course: within 12 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Wildlife Tourism Course: within 12 months of graduating
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12-month Practical Conservation Course: within 12 months of graduating
If you meet the criteria, make proper use of our support services, and do not secure a role through our support within the stated timeframe, Bushwise will refund 50% of your course fees.
How it works
Bushwise collaborates with leading lodges, reserves, tourism operators, and conservation organisations to ensure our curriculum meets current industry standards, including CATHSSETA and IFGA requirements. This alignment helps us deliver training that is practical, relevant, and respected throughout the sector.
Our graduates are known for their professionalism, skill, and commitment — qualities that have earned Bushwise a strong reputation and long-standing industry relationships. These partnerships, combined with our track record of producing exceptional field guides and wildlife professionals, form the foundation of our employment guarantee.
Excludes the COVID-19 lockdown period, during which many companies had hiring freezes.
Guaranteed work placements
Eligible students enrolled in any of the following 12-month programmes receive a guaranteed 6-month work placement:
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12-month IFGA Professional Safari Guide Course
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12-month Practical Game Management Course
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12-month Practical Wildlife Tourism Course
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12-month Practical Conservation Course
These placements take place at established lodges, reserves, and conservation organisations across the country. They offer essential hands-on experience, industry exposure, and the opportunity to build a strong professional network – all of which help you take the first confident step into your wildlife career.
Anel Olivier
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Malawi
The course was incredibly well planned, but also leaving space to change and adapt which is a necessity in the bush. I did a 6 month placement at Greenfire Game Lodge in Balule Wildlife Reserve. I did game drives and bush walks, hosting in the main lodge, and also some general lodge and reserve management activities. Bushwise surely set us up with the right skills needed for this life. It is the perfect window into a career in the bush, whether it is into guiding or any other wildlife related field. Bushwise builds a personal lasting relationship with each of their students, making you a part of their small bush-family.
Thabisane Ernest
Mala Mala Game Reserve
South Africa
I read on Mala Mala’s website that they were looking for a guide. The requirements were stated clearly on the website: CATHSSETA, First Aid L2, Track & Sign Qualification, Advanced 4×4 Driving Certificate, knowledge of food and beverage. Thanks to Bushwise, I had all the required qualifications that obviously put me in a more advantaged position. My advice to aspiring guides out there is, never underestimate what you can achieve. I wouldn’t have achieved all this without the high-quality training from Bushwise Field Guides, thank you for the opportunity, thanks to the dedicated and experienced trainers who equipped me with knowledge and field experience. The advice and mentorship after I had finished the course has been very helping during the beginning of my guiding career.
Ryan Jack
Africa on Foot
South Africa
Bushwise qualification helped me as a working guide in the industry. I was placed at Africa on Foot in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve, which I really loved. I was always interested in Trails guiding and it was a great place to start my career in the industry and the guides there really helped me learn even more and grow as a guide. I am now working permanently for Africa on Foot at their sister camp called nThmabo Tree Camp. I plan to gain my full Lead Trails qualification and then go onto to do CATHSSETA. I would eventually like to start leading guided walks out into the reserve. I would definitely recommend Bushwise as it is a great course and an amazing experience which can help you get a great start in the guiding industry.