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Bushwise Field Guides

Why choose Bushwise Field Guides?

Bushwise Field Guides is the exclusive International Field Guide Association (IFGA) training provider in southern Africa. Our courses are aligned with CATHSSETA requirements for NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualification and NQF4 knowledge. We offer world-class safari guide training in the African bushveld, gap year experiences, wildlife conservation internships, as well as online nature enthusiast and field guiding courses.

Graduates of our 6- and 12-month International Field Guide and 60-day Safari Guide courses become qualified safari guides, ready to enter this competitive industry with the Bushwise name behind them. We have award-winning trainers on our staff, including experts in entomology, ornithology, conservation, rifle handling, botany and beyond.

Bushwise students continuously receive high pass marks in their qualification exams. As a result, the Bushwise experience can’t be matched. And that’s why we deliver field guides of the highest caliber.

Reviews

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Annika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great 60-day experience

I enjoyed the 60-day experience very much. It is difficult but definitely worth it.
Difficult because of the amount of information that we had to learn in a short period of time. As well as the early mornings (I'm not a morning person).
I loved the game drives as practical practice (practical drives), it definitely helped me learn better as I was seeing what we were learning about.
I also liked the trips out to the Hoedspruit Reptile Center and to Mariepskop.

This was a great and fun experience.
Thank you for everything Bushwise.

What was your funniest moment?
There are too many fun and funny moments. (No funny moments were funnier than another.)
One of my favourites was learning the frog sounds in a team with little dances to help remember them, and then trying not to do the little dances during the test😂.
Pros
  • Abundance of knowledge
  • Amazing nature and animals
  • New friends (including international friends)
Cons
  • Bad cellphone signal
  • Bit far from town
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Annika,

Thank you so much for leaving a review on your Bushwise experience! We are so pleased that you had such a great time and learned so much. All the best with everything!

Regards,
Katherine (Bushwise Outreach Team)

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David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventure of a lifetime

I had a wonderful time at Bushwise academy. I got to meet people from different countries and all were excited about nature.
It really felt like paradise.
The memories I collected are too exciting and I can’t wait to tell stories to my people back home.
The training I received was as expected.
I was not experienced in anything having to do with wildlife, but now I am feeling super confident with the knowledge I gained. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to explore nature. This is the best place to be!

What was your funniest moment?
When I saw Mr Jocelyn do The Zulu war dance😂
Pros
  • Quality trainers
  • Good food & accomodation
  • Amazing social life
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi David

Thank you for reviewing your experience. It's heartwarming to hear that you've made such exciting memories and connected so well with your peers. We're excited that you feel so confident leaving this experience and hope you have a prosperous wildlife career!

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

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Guy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bushwise 60 day review

The Bushwise 60 day course is a fun filled, challenging and extremely rewarding experiance. As someone who didn't really know what to expect when joining my expectations have been met and fulfilled beyond my expectations. The instructors are extremely well qualified and insure you learn and grow to become the best possible guide you can be. The Mahlahla campus is a fantastic environment and the staff are so friendly and make delicious food. The all round experiance has been something I would highly recommend for someone looking to connect with the bush and nature.

What was your funniest moment?
The stories around the camp fire at the makalali camp out in big 5 territory were great fun.
Pros
  • Fun
  • Challenging
  • Unique
Cons
  • Long hours
  • Hot weather
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Guy

Thank you for reviewing your experience! We're happy to hear you had fun while still learning and being challenged. It's also amazing that your expectations were met, you connected well with the staff and enjoyed the food!

All the best,
Tiffany (Alumni Team)

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Davide
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Become Wiser in the Southern African Bush

As the African proverb says: « Knowledge is a garden », and what better garden to learn in than the South African Savanna also known as the Bush (short for Bushveld). These last two months have been an amazing adventure and it was a privilege to have not only some of the best trainers in the industry but also some of the top tier specialists in field guide arena. Pioneer MOYO was my lead trainer and mentor, probably one of the most knowledgeable and humble teachers I have ever met, his patience, dedication and passion made this course second to none. The other trainers with whom we spent less time were also outstanding and each of them bring their specialist interest and experience which are invaluable. Our group was lucky to stay in a beautiful idyllic lodge called Mahlahla Lodge who is managed by a lovely lady called Mandi who took great care of everyone. If you are not sure and hesitant, all I can say is: Do It! You won’t regret! As another African proverb says: « If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together », I would say that if you want to go really far in the guiding industry and become really knowledgeable about the bush and generally become a wiser version of your current self, then look now further and book your course with BushWise.

What was your funniest moment?
Probably when my father did a Zulu dance in front of the whole group… lol
Pros
  • The Best Trainers
  • Great Accommodation
  • Full Bush Immersion
Cons
  • None
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi there Davide,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review on your Bushwise course! It was wonderful to read about your experience and we are so thrilled that you felt supported, inspired and ultimately cared for by the staff!

I love your use of African proverbs to describe your Bushwise course - and we definitely endorse both of these, especially the latter - of going (or being) together! It is always great to hear how the participants have made connections and memories with their specialist trainers, with their fellow participants, and all of those who contribute to ensuring that our Bushwise participants have the most valuable time.

Thanks again and all the best,

Katherine (GVI/Bushwise Outreach Team)

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Gabriella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Bushwise 60 Day Adventure

In the heart of the bush, my time at Bushwise has been quite the adventure. From making lifelong friends to once-in-a-lifetime moments, every minute has been valued. Like any journey, there were challenges, but they only added to the whole experience. As well as the focused studies, a touch of humor kept things engaging. I'm eternally thankful for my Bushwise family, the rollercoaster ride has been nothing short of remarkable.

Amidst the rustling leaves and distant animal calls, the lessons learned about conservation and wildlife have become embedded in my soul. The immersive experience has ignited a passion for protecting our planet's treasures, and I am eager to carry these values forward in my journey. The knowledge gained from tracking elusive creatures and understanding ecosystems has given me a unique perspective, one that extends beyond textbooks. Bushwise not only provided education but sculpted a profound connection to nature, a gift that will endure throughout my lifetime!

What was your funniest moment?
To be honest, it's challenging to pick just one, but a definite highlight was a sweltering Sunday afternoon drive during our final course. Hot and bothered in the scorching 50-degree Celsius heat, we desperately needed a break. One of our trainers spontaneously had us exit the car and dip our feet in a shallow river. What started as a simple cool-off turned into a memorable escapade with Rigby, swimming, sand fits, and laughter. Those carefree moments washed away our stress, leaving behind cherished jokes and memories that never fail to make me smile.
Pros
  • Friends for life
  • Incredible knowledge
  • Once in a lifetime experiences
Cons
  • Hectic workload
  • Short time span for said workload
  • No off days really
Response from Bushwise Field Guides

Hi Gabriella

Thank you so much for taking time to write a review on your Bushwise experience.

We are so pleased that you had such a unique and memorable experience with Bushwise! It is great to hear how you forged great connections with all on the course! We hope to hear from you again in the future.

All the best,
Katherine (GVI/Bushwise Outreach Team)

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