Professional Field Guide, Southern Africa

Join us for an enriching journey offered by our partner Natucate as we present the one-year Professional Field Guide Course—an exceptional opportunity focused on lifelong learning, wilderness exploration, and conscious travel in the beauty of Southern Africa.

Throughout this program, participants will immerse themselves in a unique natural environment, earning the FGASA endorsed Professional Field Guide certificate. Spend the majority of your time under open skies, fostering a deep connection with nature and engaging in an intensive learning experience.

Over the course of twelve months, you'll acquire essential skills for a career as a professional field guide, covering wilderness survival strategies, firearm proficiency, and medical care. Additionally, explore South Africa's diverse flora and fauna, enriching your understanding of the environment at a leisurely pace.

It's important to note that international individuals must obtain work permits and register with the National Department of Tourism to work as Field Guides or Trails guides in Southern Africa. Failure to comply with these regulations constitutes a violation of the law. For more information, please reach out to us.

Topics and activities of your Professional Field Guide Course

The Professional Field Guide Course offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for the challenges of guiding in the outdoors. Central to guiding in the field is a solid understanding of navigation and local flora and fauna. You will learn various navigation techniques and engage in animal track and behaviour analysis to improve your ability to identify species from tracks and calls.

Commence your journey by mastering equipment handling, such as off-road vehicles, radios, and rifles, complemented by a comprehensive first aid course. Subsequently, delve into the core aspects of guiding, covering geology, astronomy, meteorology, and regional history.

The course structure reflects the rhythm of nature: activities take place at sunrise and sunset, with lunchtime lectures in between. As you gain experience, you will develop a deeper understanding of wildlife behaviour that will enable you to deal effectively with complex situations. Once you have learned the basics in the initial phase, you will have the opportunity to put them into practice. For example, you can shadow experienced guides in a lodge or work in research centres.

Arrival and orientation

Your journey commences in Johannesburg, where it's advisable to arrive one day before the course begins. Following an overnight stay in a guest house of your choosing, you'll be transported to the reserve gate. Upon arrival, a brief orientation will precede your first activity or free time at the camp.

The course comprises two distinct phases. The initial phase, lasting four to five months, is dedicated to theoretical and practical ranger training. Subsequently, during the following four months, you'll have the opportunity to apply your newly acquired skills during an internship. At the end of the course, you will return to Johannesburg, with the option of extending your trip or returning home.

Accommodation and board

During your Professional Field Guide course in Southern Africa, accommodation varies depending on the camp. In Makuleke, you'll stay in stilt houses with attached bathrooms, while other camps offer dorm tents with shared bathroom facilities. Each camp features a spacious common room for training, communal dining, and group gatherings. As the camps are unfenced, access is restricted to participants only, ensuring a secluded and secure environment.

Meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during activities, are provided daily. While the camps operate off-grid, power is generated by generators, offering limited opportunities to charge electronic devices. Solar lamps and satellite telephones are available for emergencies, given the limited mobile reception.

Accommodation arrangements vary based on location, with most participants sharing tents equipped with basic amenities for comfort. Despite simplicity, the focus remains on providing a comfortable stay. Camp facilities typically include communal areas for campfires and recreational activities.

Leisure time

During your training year as a Professional Field Guide, you will have the opportunity to relax and explore independently, depending on your individual schedule and projects. Following the initial two months, you'll enjoy one to two weeks of downtime. Even midway through your fourth month of training, before beginning your internship, you'll have some free time available. Whether it's taking a break, exploring the surrounding area with friends, or visiting nearby cities, these days are yours to utilise. It's worth noting that if you change camps, travel may shorten your free week.

The course is structured into several modules, each culminating in theory and practical tests. Following the completion of each module, you'll have a designated number of free days. For details on upcoming free time allocations, please don't hesitate to ask.

Your spare time can be spent socialising with fellow participants, relaxing, or engaging in study sessions. Some camps offer amenities such as libraries, table tennis, or volleyball courts. Depending on the course plan and circumstances, you may have the opportunity for field trips or excursions to nearby cities during longer breaks.

The region: Southern Africa

Located in Southern Africa, the Professional Field Guide course offers diverse learning opportunities across multiple camp sites. These include Camp Mashatu in Botswana, and several camps in South Africa, such as Camp Karongwe, Camp Makuleke, Camp Selati, and Camp Pridelands.

Participants will experience the region's rich biodiversity firsthand, with a focus on practical field training in the African bushveld. Each campsite provides a unique environment for learning, from the rugged terrain of the Makuleke Concession to the sprawling plains of Kruger National Park.

Amidst the iconic acacia trees and savannah landscapes, participants engage in activities such as game drives, wildlife tracking, bush walks and conservation efforts. Additionally, they have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture through interactions with nearby communities.

Southern Africa's diverse landscapes, including lush forests, arid savannahs, and riverbeds, offer an ideal setting for aspiring Field Guides to gain hands-on experience and develop a deep understanding of conservation practices.

You wanna know more about the Professional Field Guide trip, you can find detailed information here. The course provides a comprehensive learning experience that prepares participants for a career in field guiding while fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world.