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 17 - 24 of 29 reviews
Default avatar
Chris
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best nature experience and learning

I had so much fun learning and being apart of the bushwise team and allowing them to teach me the wonders of the bush as well as give me a great start in my career. I really enjoyed my time being on this course living on campus and experiencing the bush up front and learning about everything that lies with in the bush. The other thing that really is amazing is the lectures that are taught as well as the activities that we were able to do that gave us evwn more qualifications that would help in our industry. Bushwise really taught me alot and i would recommend the course to all that is wanting to go into a guiding career or even hospitality industry within a lodge. Last thing i have to say is that the staff of bushwise are the friendliest and most helpful people and are always willing to help and thats where i really appreciated all the help. When joining bushwise you are not just a student you are part of the bushwise family.

What was your funniest moment?
The day we went "frogging" in the small dam we jave here to go and look for and identify different types of frogs while walking through squishy mud. We all ended up jumping in and swimming with the frogs
64 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise Field Guides

A great course and the most extensive FGASA provider you can ask for. For international students especially this course is your best bet at getting into this field of work due to the help in getting the additional qualifications such as the PDP and the add ons like Lowveld Trails and Advanced Rifle Handling, as well as the extensive practical experience in a big 5 game reserve both in vehicle and on foot. The trainers are all great and enthusiastic people who want you to succeed, doing their best to do so. The placement if you go for it is also essential to get your foot in the door whether your abroad or local and there is plenty of time to recover and explore South Africa in the numerous off weeks you will have in the six month training period.

55 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mara
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

I waited two years to join Bushwise after volunteering in South Africa in 2017 and I am so glad I did! The teachers were all incredible and I am lucky to have had the chance to learn from these men, Gerhard, Vaughan, and Ed. The experience that I have gained over the past six months is immeasurable. No experience can be without flaws and while those were at times aggravating I know that what I will remember for the rest of my life are the friendships I made, the lessons I learned, and the experiences I shared with people I have grown to love. This course is for passionate people with a specific interest in being a student and a teacher for the rest of your life. I am now uniquely well equipped to move forward in the industry of field guiding and I am excited to start working with volunteers at the start of the next year.

What would you improve about this program?
Restrict participants to 21 and older because you need to be 21 to become fully qualified to work. Improve communication between students and staff and also between the staff themselves.
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tyron
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

It was amazing and it was the best experience of my life! I would do it all over again if I could!

I have Learned so much and I can’t express how greatful I am for this opportunity. Anyone who loves the bush or has a keen interest in nature would love this course. I have learned an extreme amount of things about the whole and my self. I loved every aspect and I made great friends. My respect and love for nature has grown immensely! I feel I am now ready for my career that lies ahead.

I’m so happy that I could have gone through on this journey with Bushwise. This was the best experience of my life and I hope anyone who does this has the time I did. The trainers were amazing and the information and knowledge that they give was amazing.

What would you improve about this program?
Staring lectures all from the start to be able to use it to gain more knowledge while on course
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sasha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Decision I Ever Made

After finishing university, I didnt know what I wanted to do with my degree, so I travelled overseas and taught English. While the teaching and the travelling that went with it was fun, it never quite fulfilled the the space I needed to be filled. Until I was browsing Instagram and saw an old university friend’s pictures of the Bushwise course she was doing. I was hooked! I immediately messaged her and got the details, applied for the course and after acceptance I began the best time of my life on 7 January 2019. The course has left me with a vast knowledge of the nature around me, as well as new friends that will be in my life forever, and countless life lessons I will forever hold on to. Bushwise is the best decision I ever made - I’m living my dream, and you could too.

What was your funniest moment?
Getting stuck in a dry river bed with my new classmates and digging ourselves out and pushing the car out - team building deluxe!
46 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise

Incredible course with amazing knowledgeable trainers! Hard work and lots to learn but definitely worth it to become a field guide. Had the most fantastic experiences out in the bush and there is nothing that compares to meeting elephants and lions face to face on foot! There are so many other aspects to the course that are included which are so relevant and provides a greater knowledge base such as 4x4 driving, track and sign and first aid certification.

Meeting like minded people and being embraced into the Bushwise family makes the 6 months fly by and form forever friendships.
I would definitely recommend doing the course with its brillant theory and practical components and fantastic staff and surrounded by awesome wildlife at the camp.

50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christiaan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun times

The people on this course are incredibly close, which has made this course incredibly fun. The trainers make it even more enjoyable and interesting. The course is just to mack a change and to learn your self and ather people about nature and it is just a awesome time to do it and to enjoy it. I will seaport anyone how wold like to do it and have fine and learn more about the nature and meat more people and enjoy there life in nature and not in a small please where they have to go and work. The nature is the place to be to work and have fun. I will miss the people here and will never forget them as long as I live. The trainers have a very special place in my heart and things they have teaches me I will never forget. Thanks Bushwise for all you have done.

What would you improve about this program?
Nothing it is a blast and we just have fun and a good time
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life in the bush

If you are tired of the same routine everyday and you want to change your life then Bushwise is the place for you. If i look back at how much i have learnt since the day i arrived at the Bushwise campus i can’t put into words how incredible the amount of information i have been able to absorb in my time here. You need to be able to deal with a simple way of and leave the luxuries at home. Its not easy and it takes some time getting use to but once you adjust bush living is the best thing ever! The noises, the animals, the birds, everything makes it amazing! You just feel emerged in the environment living on this campus. You make amazing friends and you learn things you would never expect. I would recommend this course to anyone that wants to learn everything there is to learn about the bush.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first test. Just that it was the actual beginning of the rest of my life and it was incredibly nerve-racking!
37 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers