Location
  • South Africa
    • Hoedspruit
Term
Academic Year, Summer
Subject Areas
Animal Science Astronomy Biology Botany Conservation and Preservation Earth Sciences Ecology Environmental Studies Hospitality Life Sciences Natural Sciences Tourism Wildlife Sciences +3

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
High School Diploma
Housing
Dormitory
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
0
Price Details
FGASA Apprentice Field Guide NQF2 certificate
FGASA exam and registration fees
Basic Wilderness First Aid
SASSETA Firearm Proficiency
Cybertracker Track and Sign and Trailing qualification
Bushwise Professional Field Guide certificate
Additional training including bird specialist, hospitality, photography, 4x4, reserve management, and more
Shared accommodation in fenced camp near Big 5 reserve
Training conducted by experienced long-term staff
Online masterclasses led by industry experts
Two sets of uniforms
T-shirt, fleece jacket, cap and beanie
All meals (except during off weeks)
Support services
Additional activities including trips to Kruger National Park and more
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Meals Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

See price details for everything included.

What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
What's Not Included (Extra)

We do assist with providing the necessary letter for your study visa.

Feb 06, 2024
Nov 08, 2023
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Bushwise Professional Field Guide course is the most comprehensive and immersive safari guide course available. Train with the industry’s award-winning instructors and wildlife experts, under the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) and Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) curriculum.

You'll spend six or 12 months living and training in South Africa's Big Five country, learning theory and going on game drives and bush walks. Each day will bring something new and wonderful – from watching a lion on the hunt, to spotting rare birds, to tracking elephants – and so much more.

To aid in your wildlife career development, this course offers a range of placement options that provide experience in more wide-ranging areas in the conservation, research, and field guiding industries. Subjects covered include ecology, botany, and taxonomy, as well as bushcraft and survival skills like track and sign, advanced rifle handling and 4x4 driving.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Train in a Big 5 game reserve close to South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park and live with like-minded people in a fenced camp in the wilderness.
  • Observe animal behavior and interactions in the wild and learn how to host a guided experience.
  • Train under passionate professionals, industry experts and award-winning trainers.
  • Jump-start your conservation career through a 6-month work placement at a reserve, lodge or conservation organization.
  • Earn valuable certificates from FGASA, Bushwise, SASSETA, CATHSSETA and more.

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 29 reviews
  • 5 rating 89.66%
  • 4 rating 10.34%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.65
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 29 reviews
Default avatar
Kayla
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

Bushwise

Testimonial.

Bushwise has grown to be my home, my family and I have without a dought learnt so much and gained so much experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life.

Starting the course seemed Scary at first, and I felt like the six months on campus would feel like forever, but now, closer to the end, it felt like yesterday that I walked through the doors, clueless about the bush. Its also been everything but scary. Yes the assignments seem like alot sometimes, and halfway through the course you are going to feel so tired of hearing the same things,( community spider nests ) . But It has been the best six months of my life and I would do it all over again if I could. I've proven to myself time after time that I'm capable of so much more than I thought. I've met so many people with the same love for nature and friendships that will last a life time

I wil always recommend Bushwise if anyone is thinking of becoming a researcher, a conservationist, a field guide, or just loves the Bush.
Saying all this, I will just add that this course is alot of hard work and dedication. It will test you and is not for people that just want to go out and have fun, and not work or study at all. But the amazing thing is that all that hard work pays off every time. And If you love the Bush and bring you're all every single day, it's not even going to feel like hard work at all.

The amount of things the trainers have learnt me in just six months, is crazy. They have every student at heart, and are people you wil have in you're life forever. Every trainer wil have their own way of teaching/guiding, and one of them wil always for work for you. They are not just trainers and at the end of the course you wil call them part of you're family.

If anyone is Struggling to find a good place to study the bush, or stuck between training providers , I wil say Choose Bushwise, and I'll say it over and over again. It will meet all you're expectations and more, and you wil not want to leave the campus at the end. I will alway thank Bushwise for the guide they've made me today, and for the experience I will take with me forever.

Kayla Bloemhoff.

Pros
  • It meats all expectations
  • Learnt more than i could imagine
  • Leaving with a whole new family and friendships for a life time
Cons
  • Its not for those who dont like to work or study hard
21 people found this review helpful.
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Kayla

Thank you for this heartwarming review. Starting something new in a new place can be scary, but also exciting! I'm glad that you had fun and pushed through the work - I'm sure it was worth it! It's great to hear how much knowledge you gained in these six months and glad that you felt at home and made great connections with the people around you!

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

Default avatar
Ethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Course for Nature Lovers!

Doing Bushwise was the best decision I could’ve made. Coming from Canada I’ve always had a fascination with the African bush and wildlife so by doing Bushwise it allowed me to follow my dreams and pursue my passions. All the staff and trainers are very friendly and professional. Student life is great as we get plenty of time to relax and spend time with each other in between learning. Every student gets a fair chance to learn and participate in all the activities. Coming from overseas I feel very at home here and everyone is very supportive and welcoming.

Pros
  • Excellent training
  • A variety of opportunities in different fields
  • Very laid back campus life
Cons
  • Eskom
  • Wifi isn’t the best
  • Weather is hot sometimes
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

It was an amazing experience and would absolutely recommend it to everyone. The knowledge I have aquired on this course will stick with me for the rest of my life! The trainers are highly qualified and always ready to help when needed. The best part of the course was the food that was provided and the accomadation. The days were long but always worth it. I will always remember this campus and course with all the people and staff. Thank you for the best expierence of my life and I am looking forward for the rest of my career!

Pros
  • Everything
  • Everything
  • Everything
Cons
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
22 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise field guides

I had an incredible experience at Bushwise Field Guides. The combination of track and sign, trailing, and birding activities made my time there truly unforgettable. The trainers were exceptional, especially Darryn, whose expertise was invaluable. I also loved the advanced rifle handling training, which added a unique dimension to the program. Claudia, our camp mom, was incredibly helpful and made our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, my time at Bushwise was a perfect blend of learning and adventure. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the world of field guiding and wildlife conservation.

Pros
  • Everything was a pro
Cons
  • Nothing was a con
21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Niel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

Bushwise has taught me so much about our natural surroundings. Not only have I learned about nature I learned new things about myself. I grew so much as a person in 6 months I discovered new hobbies which i never thought i would get into. The trainers are just amazing helping us through every step of the way they used their own free time to help us prepare for our upcoming exams.
Their courses are amazing. We got so many qualifications in 6 months that will help us so much through our career.
Can't wait to see all the faces in the guiding industry.

Pros
  • Course
  • Trainers
  • Area
Cons
  • Food
  • Kitchen
  • Tent
39 people found this review helpful.
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Niel!

Thank you for your review. Your experience sounds amazing! It's lovely to hear you've grown in a personal capacity as well as professionally. I'm also glad that you were thoroughly supported throughout your stay. I wish you all the luck with your career in the future!

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

Default avatar
Becky
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 months at Bushwise

My time at Bushwise has been great fun. The experience of spending 6 months living in the bush is something already incredible in itself, but the Bushwise staff made the experience even better. Both the trainers and office staff remained incredibly helpful, friendly and welcoming throughout the entirety of the course. Whilst the study load can be heavy at times, it becomes worth it seeing your personal growth and development at the end of the course. My favourite memory will always be fulfilling my biggest dream of not only seeing a white lion in the wild, but being the guide on this sighting!

Pros
  • Great environment
  • Easy to travel to Kruger National Park
  • Gain lots of knowledge and skills
Cons
  • Studying is very full on throughout the entirety of the course
  • Large group size of students
  • Things become very costly throughout
37 people found this review helpful.
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Becky!

This is absolutely amazing! That sounds incredible and I hope you took some pictures. I love that you were able to experience this sighting and grow as well throughout your course. Thank you for this lovely review.

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

Default avatar
Campbell
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Student Review

Bushwise exceeded my expectations. Both with the learning environment and the entire experience.

Learning with extremely knowledgeable and experienced trainers who have so much to give and teach. The trainers and Bushwise as a whole were always helpful, caring and interested in you as an individual and your personal growth.

If anyone has an interest in this experience and industry Bushwise is the perfect place for all people, with all goals and objectives. I didn’t have enough characters so I’m adding.

36 people found this review helpful.
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Campbell!

I'm thrilled to hear that the course exceeded your expectations and that you had such an enjoyable experience. I love that you felt supported throughout your course by your trainers and that you gained s much valuable knowledge. Thank you for your lovely review!

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

Default avatar
Shannon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!

This will forever be one of the best experiences of my life. This course opened my eyes to so many facets of the guiding industry and I can’t wait to explore them all further. The staff and the trainers will always have a special place in my heart!
I have made friends for life and this experience will continue to shape me as I progress in my career from here. We were able to see so many wonderful wildlife sightings over this time as well. Being able to meet so many experts in the field is something I also really loved.

Pros
  • Range of activities
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Professional development
Cons
  • Isolation
  • Living conditions/maintenance
48 people found this review helpful.
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Shannon,

Thank you for the review! It's incredible to hear that your Bushwise experience was one of the best experiences of your life and that you are excited to explore a career in the guiding industry further. All the very best for the future!

Questions & Answers