Located in the heart of the bushveld, the perfect setting to be trained as a professionally trained Field Guide.
Established in 2006, Bushwise is the leader in Accredited Field Guide courses and provides its students from all over the world with Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) certifications. The organisation’s exceptional standards and excellent reputation make its accredited 23 and 50-week Field Guide training courses and Work Placement programmes both respected and highly recognised in the game lodge industry.
In 2018, the company launched a new recruitment arm of the business, which focuses on placing South African participants into positions at lodges, in an attempt to continue to uphold the 100% employment rate for South African graduates since 2012.
Chose the most comprehensive Professional Field Guide Certifications (FGASA) available, getting up to 8 certificates at the end of the 6-month period.
WHY CHOOSE US?
Once again our students achieved the highest marks of all the FGASA long term providers, and have done so for 6 years in a row. This shows the quality of training provided.
100% Since 2012, of all our South African students on the last two courses were offered permanent positions.
Many past students have gone on to gain employment at the finest lodges and research bases in Southern Africa helping Bushwise with its reputation for training high quality guides. Lodges include Mala Mala, Singita, Lions Sands and Londolozi.
We are best value for money in terms of all the inclusions we offer.
Lodges contact us often requesting past Bushwise guides for positions available in their establishments and have just launched Bushwise Recruitment, a free service to all past and current Bushwise students to help you find the best job for you!
Our trainers combined have over 50 years’ experience working in the industry.
After researching other long-term courses available, we know that our course is the most comprehensive and has the best value for money in terms of what is included.
Students can get up to 8 certificates on our course, 5 of which are Nationally recognized
- S24.15036°
- E030.59360°
Closest main airport
- Eastgate Airport – Hoedspruit
- OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg
Closest major city
- Polokwane – 2h30 min drive
- Nelspruit – 3h30 min drive
- Johannesburg – 5h30 drive
- Pietersburg – 02h30 drive
- Hoedspruit – 1h00 drive
- Tzaneen – 1h00 drive
- Phalaborwa – 1h20 drive
COURSES OFFERED
23 weeks Professional Field Guide course
Course Overview
No day is the same on our FGASA certified field guide course. Each day you will be learning something new but Bushwise has a daily structure in place so that we all get into a routine. However, things will remain flexible depending on the needs of the student, the season and the program requirements. Although we aim to give a balance of theory and practical training at all times the first 3 months of the program are focused on bombarding you with knowledge and wonders of the bush in both practical drives and lectures. So be prepared to work hard and get studying! The last 2 months will be focused more on the practical side to put all your new knowledge into practice and get up close and personal with nature and the big game! A typical day varies but the day will often start early at around 5.30 – 6am. You will usually grab a cup of coffee before heading out into the bush for a morning of practical training laden with reference books of the African bush and a pair of good binoculars, or have a morning of lectures. Each week you will be focusing on different modules such as birds, mammals, 4 X 4 skills etc. Bushwise follows the curriculum of FGASA and we use the manuals as a reference tool, as you will be taught by experienced guides and instructors. On your practical sessions in the bush, either a walk or a drive, you will concentrate on these modules and put all the theory you have learned in the classroom into practice in the field. At the end of each week all the students are tested on that weeks module before moving onto the next one. However, the learning of each topic is continuous as nature is all around you so you cannot help but increase your knowledge and skills while you are out in the bush as the weeks progress. By midday you will be pretty tired and the African heat will certainly make you drowsy so all the students have a break to relax, rest or study. Remember though you have a test at the end of the week! Depending on what activities you had in the morning, after a break you may be timetabled to get some more fresh air and head out for an afternoon practical session building on your skills and knowledge gained in the morning session. All the teams return for an evening meal sitting around the fire discussing their experiences that day.
Duration
23 weeks
Course Fees 2018
- R160 000
2018/2019 Course dates
Course starts 7 Jan 2019 or 8th of July
Admission Requirements
- Student applying must have the matric certificate or equivalent.
- All students MUST hold a full manual drivers licence (obtained AT LEAST A YEAR before the start date of the course). It is vitally important that all student have ample manual driving experience and are confident behind the wheel of a manual vehicle.
- The course is presented in English and all students MUST be FLUENT in written and spoken English.
- Hospital plan cover is required for the course and placement.
50 week Professional Field Guide course - includes a 6 month work placement
Course Overview
Experience the ultimate African wildlife adventure while gaining qualifications and transferable skills in the African bush to improve your chance in gaining your dream career in the wildlife industry.
After the 60 day Field Guide course students will be a Level I Field Guide through the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa. During these 60 days there will be in-depth training to prepare the student for a Track and Sign and a Trailing assessment following the Cybertracker standards. Another part of the course is a First Aid course through Emergency Solutions.
Duration
50 weeks
Course Fees 2018
- R180 000
2019 Course dates
- 7 January 2019
- 8 July 2019
Admission Requirements
- Student applying must have the matric certificate or equivalent.
- All students MUST hold a full manual drivers licence (obtained AT LEAST A YEAR before the start date of the course). It is vitally important that all student have ample manual driving experience and are confident behind the wheel of a manual vehicle.
- The course is presented in English and all students MUST be FLUENT in written and spoken English.
- Hospital plan cover is required for the course and placement.
What your course includes
- Included on the course:2 x sets of uniforms
- 6 months work experience from placement venue (50 week option)
- All necessary FGASA course manuals and materials
- All necessary training by experienced staff
– Back up Trails theory
- Bushwise astronomy
- Basic vehicle mechanics
- Bushwise Birding specialist
- CATHSSETA (The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector, Education and Training Authority) National Qualification (Level 2) in Nature Guiding
- Cybertracker track & sign qualification
- Dangerous game experience
- Ethical guiding principles
- FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) Field Guide national certificate – NQF 2 – practical and theory
- FGASA Advanced Field Guide knowledge (previously known as Level 2)
- Hospitality training
- Limited internet access at no extra cost
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on the course (except during off weeks)
- National LEVEL 2 First Aid Certificate
- National level 3, 4 x 4 driving qualification
- Other activities, such as sleep outs on Big 5 game reserve, Kruger Park trips & more
- Reptile orientation course
- SASSETA (Rifle handling, proficiency, maintaining of fire arms and shooting)
- Safe and basic Bungalow/cabin accommodation (shared)
- SA Wine orientation, tasting and food pairing
- Social media understanding in the Field guide & Lodge industry
- T-shirt, fleece jacket, cap and beanie
- Welcome meeting
- Wildlife photography workshop
– Add on Back up Trails practical 11 day course – optional
GENERAL
Venues
- Training venue is Mahlahla Campus, located opposite The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve.
Student Accommodation
What Students should bring
- Walking boots
- Trainers
- Sandals/comfortable shoes
- Khaki/natural coloured socks
- Long sleeve trousers and shirt
- Belt
- Fleece and/or warm jumpers, hat and gloves
- Sun Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Medical Kit
- Towels
- Waterproofs/windproof Poncho
- Binoculars
- Torch/Flashlight – or head torch
- A day-pack/rucksack
- Bedding for sleep outs). Bring a sleeping bag (2-3 seasons) and a groundsheet and/or roll mat for camping. Warm sleeping bag liner for winter months and a sheet liner for the summer.
- Sun Cream
- Insect Repellent
- Swimming Costume
- Water bottle – essential. It needs to be 1.5 – 2 litre capacity.
- Tin Mug, Heavy duty gardening gloves, Penknife, Laundry marker, Camera, Alarm clock & Laundry Bag
- Stationery Bring pens, pencils, pocket sized notepads and A4 notebook, which are essential for taking notes during class and on practicals. All other learning materials will be supplied.
- Laptop
- Any reference / field guide books you may have.
Important Information
All students MUST hold a full manual drivers licence (obtained AT LEAST A YEAR before the start date of the course). It is vitally important that all student have ample manual driving experience and are confident behind the wheel of a manual vehicle.
The course is presented in English and all students MUST be FLUENT in written and spoken English.
Hospital plan cover is required for the course and placement
ADDRESS & CONTACT DETAILS
Telephone: +27 (0) 63 225 9282
UK: +44 (0) 139 258 0989
Email: kim@bushwise.co.za
Website: www.bushwise.co.za
