Guide Courses – Africa

Humans are born with a sense of adventure. There is something inside all of us that calls for wide open spaces and areas of natural beauty. But in today’s world, people are looking for more – a sense of achievement, and of giving back to the wilderness areas that they visit. One of the best ways to do this is to join a nature guide training course in Africa. Not only will it be the experience of a lifetime, but you will leave there with invaluable knowledge that not only enriches the mind but also the soul.

Africa is famed for its culture and tradition, but its biggest attraction to many is the plethora of animals that roam its fertile regions. Tourism is a major driving force of Africa’s economy and as we search for fresh and rewarding past-times, experiential trips are becoming more and more frequent.

Overview Guide Courses

Field guide courses and game ranger training courses are a great way to combine a safari experience with the bonus of making a valuable conservation contribution to the very animals you are learning about.

Bush training can be done in many African countries, but before you take the plunge and pack your bags for a few months, you must choose the correct course that suits your interest. There are 2 main categories of bush training which can be read about in the following.

Game Ranger Courses in Africa

Ranger training in most African countries is tailored towards the conservation and environmental management and well-being of an area. There is minimal guest contact and the course is focused more on practical bush training. Game ranger training courses may include disciplines such as game capture, survival skills, alien species control, game counts, snare removal, and even antipoaching.

Ranger courses in Africa are tough and you can expect to live rough and work hard. That being said, it is a rewarding feeling to go back to basics for a while. The ambience of bush life, coupled with the skills learnt, makes this special.

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Nature Guide Training Courses in Africa

Field guide training or nature guide training in Africa is more focused around the guest experience. Due to the exposure that guides have to the public, it is imperative that they are not only knowledgeable, but are well versed in hospitality and communication skills. Guides are the translators of nature and their role is to educate and share the fascinating facets of the natural environment to tourists.

Mammals, birds, amphibians, botany, geology, astronomy and conservation management are just some of the topics covered in most field guide courses in Africa, as well as hours and hours of practical exposure to iconic wildlife in a game viewer, and on foot. Guides must learn to read and interpret the behaviour of animals so that they can ensure the safety and well-being of both their guests, and the natural environment. Safety and ethics play a major role in bush training! In addition to these core skills, a great emphasis is put on hospitality as part of the field guide training. This may include communication skills, wine tasting and even story-telling.

Ultimately then, both game ranger training courses and field guide training courses are chocked full of adventure. Thanks to our hectic lifestyle and cramped existence, most of us yearn to reconnect with nature and return to our roots. Enrolling in a guide training course in Africa is a wonderful way to find yourself; and to find new meaning in your life. To be immersed in Africa’s rich bushveld is one thing, but to truly understand it is life changing.

Guide Courses Africa – Frequently asked questions

How do I become an African Guide?

Regardless of which African country the guide course is conducted in, the requirements for all are very similar. First and foremost, you must attend a nature guide training course or game ranger training course to log your experience. Lengths of ranger courses in Africa vary, but most will be at least 2 months in duration. At the end of the course, you must then complete a theory exam before being practically assessed to prove your competence.

Due to the fact that Field guide training courses involve driving tourists in open game viewers, it is necessary in some countries to attain a ‘public driving license’ for legal reasons. Most providers will assist with this process as part of the guide course. Field guide training in Africa is independently regulated by the country hosting the training. This means that the nature guide training courses may differ depending on whether you train in South Africa, Botswana or Kenya for example. Should you wish to go on and seek paid employment, you may be restricted to the country (or countries) within which the training provider is recognised (subject to visa requirements of course). In addition to the above, all that is needed is dedication, passion, hard work and a sense of adventure!

What is the difference between a Game Ranger and Field Guide?

Regardless of which African country the guide course is conducted in, the requirements for all are very similar. First and foremost, you must attend a nature guide training course or game ranger training course to log your experience. Lengths of ranger courses in Africa vary, but most will be at least 2 months in duration. At the end of the course, you must then complete a theory exam before being practically assessed to prove your competence.

Due to the fact that Field guide training courses involve driving tourists in open game viewers, it is necessary in some countries to attain a ‘public driving license’ for legal reasons. Most providers will assist with this process as part of the guide course. Field guide training in Africa is independently regulated by the country hosting the training. This means that the nature guide training courses may differ depending on whether you train in South Africa, Botswana or Kenya for example. Should you wish to go on and seek paid employment, you may be restricted to the country (or countries) within which the training provider is recognised (subject to visa requirements of course). In addition to the above, all that is needed is dedication, passion, hard work and a sense of adventure!

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