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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.

Founded
2006

Frequently asked questions

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Reviews

Jocelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nature Guide

The 60 day course which I did almost three years ago educates you fully on the Limpopo ecosystem and on the responsibilities of a qualified guide. In addition, for less than the cost of the usual holiday safari you have full immersion in the bushveld and if you complete the course successfully you receive a nationally recognized diploma.

I do not wish to add anything else. So if my review is invalid because of its length that is your decision and I will inform Bushwise. Lots of artificial intelligence but not much common sense.

What was your funniest moment?
Watching a large male elephant help himself from our tea table, while stopped on our morning drive.
Pros
  • Adventure
  • Education
  • Immersion in the bushvrld
What other participants should know
  • None
Eliz Aquino
Eliz
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I'll never forget this experience!

I experienced the Bushwise Adventure Safari program, as part of Go Overseas' On the GO trips, an annual site visit perk offered to full time GO employees to join a partner program on GO, just like our community of travelers! I was lucky enough to go on a safari with Bushwise for 7 days and it was an experience i'll never forget!

As a first time safari goer, I didn't know what to expect, but this was better than I could imagine! Seeing elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, baby hyenas, a lion, rhinos, and plenty of more animals in their natural habitat is something I'll cherish forever.

Our field guide, Darryn truly made this experience immersive and customizable, and I left with a TON of new animal knowledge! Beyond just the game drives, Darryn showed us how to read animal trackings, thoroughly explained EVERYTHING we saw/answered every single question we asked LOL, and taught lectures at the camp about various topics like rhino poaching, medicinal plants, and more.

Plus, the camp was gorgeous! It's a quiet glamping experience literally in the bush! With it being a small group experience, I was worried about what the social life would be like but everyone was so friendly and we ate each meal together, hung out after/during drives, etc!

I highly recommend this safari program to anyone who wants to go beyond the typical safari experience and get a real, immersive understanding of the bush. I'd love to come back one day with my partner and family!! Thank you so much to Bushwise for the amazing experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
On my last night-time game drive, we were surrounded by 15+ giraffes just watching us drive by! The sun was setting and the giraffes were all around us and it was the coolest/most serene thing i've ever seen.
Pros
  • Friendly, knowledgable, and funny field guide leading each game drive!
  • Beautiful accomodations
  • No need to worry about food! There's a chef on base for your meals. Coffee, juice, and tea are available 24/7.
What other participants should know
  • There are two game drives a day, so you're sitting a lot! Maybe bring a mat or something for yoga, pilates, or stretching back at camp.
  • There's some down-time in between drives and limited wifi at the camp, so prepare to unplug! I happily read a book in between drives!
  • Come prepared, there are lots of animals far away! I forgot binoculars, so make sure to pack that and a good camera.
Jori
Jori
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lessons & Memories I'll Cherish for Life!

As a 26-year-old, I always believed that going on a safari was something I would experience in my retirement years. I pictured fancy game lodges and long drives with a lot of animal sightings, but a LOT of money spent, too. I never could have expected the sort of experience Bushwise provides, which is an immersive, high-quality, and incredibly memorable trip in the bush at a price point my family, friends, and I could afford.

Now for the specifics—Something I really loved about Bushwise is the educational element woven throughout the entire experience. It's also flexible! If you want to join the group for a presentation on animal tracking, you can, but if you prefer a nap, you can do that too. The staff is 100 percent there to ensure you get the most out of your experience, however you want that to look. We were also served 3 meals a day and snacks, freshly prepared by our wonderful camp chefs. Our beautiful glamping site with not-so-occasional views of baboons, monkeys, and birds was very comfortable. We enjoyed lots of laughs with the other safari goers in our group, and loads of cool animal sightings, including sightings of 4 of the Big 5! Last but certainly not least, our group was very lucky to have a warm, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable guide, Darryn, who went above and beyond to make our experience the best it possibly could be.

Thanks to Darryn and his team, my experience with Bushwise is one I will never forget. I am telling everyone I know about their programs, regardless of age or travel experience, and I can only hope to come back myself one day!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I’ve seen animals like giraffes, elephants, and lions at zoos, but nothing can prepare you for what it’s like to see them in the wild. At one point, we sat parked among a herd of 15+ elephants. Listening to them move through the bush, communicating and interacting with one another, is an experience you never forget.
Pros
  • Welcoming and caring staff
  • Beautiful and comfortable accommodations
  • Exciting animal sightings and immersive educational lessons
What other participants should know
  • If you are an active person, bring a yoga mat for body weight workouts & stretching!
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)
What other participants should know
  • 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)

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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