Category: Course updates

What is it like to be a Bushwise trainer? In this blog Wayne Lubbe shares his experience with teaching and learning from aspiring field guides.

3 min read

We’re always learning

There are many challenges that come with being in charge of future field guides’ training. One thing I find challenging, but also extremely satisfying, is that even we trainers will never know everything. The opportunity to constantly learn and experience new things in the bush is always a plus. It’s also important to teach young students to always be open and take in as much as they can within the time that they spend with Bushwise. 

For me, the most important thing is to teach upcoming field guides to be entertaining, informative and to create memorable nature experiences to their respective future guests that they will have the privilege of guiding around this beautiful country of ours.

Interpreting the natural world

The aims of nature guiding are to reveal and expose people to the natural heritage, history, folklore and the beauty of the country. Field guides need to create awareness of the complexities of the natural environment by sharing factual knowledge and meaningful interpretation of the events taking place around them. 

For us as trainers, we are trying to be the best examples of what a good nature guide is and to share our passion, knowledge and above all respect for the environment and wildlife. As students become field guides they will have a responsibility towards their clients, but an equal if not greater responsibility towards the natural environment. 

With the methods and skills thatI have developed over the years in the industry I try to develop not only an understanding of each subject we cover, but to demonstrate the interdependence of all aspects within the ecosystem and how everything is essentially linked together. It is important that you as a guide supply an overall understanding of the “bigger picture”.  And if we can successfully help the students to create that experience, then I am utterly grateful.

Teaching is a privilege

When I see the growth of each student not only within this exciting field, but also within themselves then I am happy. I enjoy helping someone’s dream become a reality.

Trainers have the privilege of being part of people’s journeys and sending out future custodians of nature into such a wonderful occupation. Being a teacher and trainer does not stop after a lecture or when the time is up in the classroom, the reality is that you are the older brother to some, the shoulder to cry on when things aren’t going great and the person to give advice when needed. 

The bonds you form with students become lifelong bonds of kinship. This is not just a job for me, but rather an investment in the future of an individual. I am proud to be a part of such a journey and I am proud to be a part of Bushwise that sets some of the highest standards in the field guiding industry.

Learn from our world-class field guide trainers like Wayne when you join a Bushwise course. Apply today.

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We get a lot of questions about field guide qualifications. From IFGA to NQF2, NQF4, CATHSSETA, NDT… the acronyms go on and on! How do I go from NQF2 to NQF4? What is included in a field guide course? We know it can seem confusing, so we put together this simplified guide to help you navigate the process.

4 min read

What is a field guide course? 

A field guide course in South Africa is typically an in-person training program of anything from 30 days to three years, depending on the training provider. Throughout this time, students are provided with the knowledge and practical skills they need to successfully guide in their ecosystem or habitat. Subject matter ranges from bird identification to rifle handling, 4×4 driving, animal behaviour, dangerous game encounters, planning a guided experience and more.

More comprehensive programs, like the International Field Guide Association (IFGA), will also prepare you to guide in other locations and even internationally. Bushwise is the exclusive IFGA training provider in southern Africa and is also accredited by CATHSSETA, detailed below.

What is CATHSSETA?

Field guide qualifications in South Africa are governed by CATHSSETA (Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority). CATHSSETA-accredited training providers, like Bushwise, provide training programs for students to become qualified field guides.

At Bushwise, we offer multiple field guide courses, both online and in-person. On our in-person courses allow you to earn an IFGA standard and CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 qualification. On our online courses, you can gain the theoretical knowledge you need for these qualifications. Here are our major courses:

1. IFGA Safari Guide Short Course 2 Months

2. IFGA Safari Guide Course 6/12 Months

3. Bushwise Nature Enthusiast online course

4. Bushwise Field Guiding online course

Completing an in-person course is one of the best ways to become a field guide, and Bushwise is committed to helping its students navigate the qualifications process easily. 

How long is a field guide course? 

Our in-person Bushwise courses vary from two months to one year in length. In both of these courses you can qualify as an IFGA and CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2), but our longer course includes additional qualifications and certifications. 

How many field guide levels are there? 

To understand the CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide levels, it helps to understand the most common acronyms you’re likely to encounter. 

1. CATHSSETA = Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Training Authority 

2. NQF = National Qualifications Framework

3. NDT = National Department of Tourism

Different field guide levels are equivalent to different NQF levels in CATHSSETA. Under other government authorities, your education level will earn a specific NQF level. For our sake, we need to know what NQF2 and NQF4 are, as these are the levels assigned to field guide qualifications:

1. CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 = the first level of field guide qualification, which you can earn through an accredited training provider like Bushwise.

2. CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF4 = the second level of field guide qualification, which requires you to work or gain experience in the industry.

How do I go from Nature Site Guide NQF2 to NQF4?

We get this question a lot! As stated earlier, you can qualify as a CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide with a CATHSSETA-accredited training provider like Bushwise. But, you can only become NQF4 certified by gaining work experience and passing further exams. 

To become a qualified NQF4 field guide, you must accumulate a minimum of one year of practical active guiding experience as an NQF2 field guide. Up to half of this can be non-guiding experience, like mentored guiding, anti-poaching, and wildlife monitoring.

Once you feel you have the necessary skills and knowledge, you can apply to write your NQF4 exams and complete the practical assessment. If you pass both and have a valid first aid certificate, you can then register as a Nature Site Guide (NQF4). Find out more here.

Where can I do my NQF4 exam?

Nature Site Guide exams must be proctored and moderated by accredited institutions, like Bushwise. Contact us to learn more about how to proceed.

How do I become IFGA qualified?

As stated earlier, Bushwise uses the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) standards for our CATHSSETA-accredited field guide training programs. These standards set high expectations for the quality of guides we produce, giving them a strong foundation to guide anywhere in the world.

There are two essential steps to becoming qualified:

1. You need to pass the IFGA theory exam

2. You need to do your practical assessment with an IFGA-endorsed assessor

We hope this has been helpful as you navigate the field guide qualifications process. If you have additional questions, please reach out to our friendly enrolment team! We can get you on the right track for your wildlife career.

#NQF4 #fieldguide #safariguide #IFGA #safariguide #NQF2 #IFGAcourse #safari #fieldguiding #fieldguidecourse

Nature guide, nature site guide, field guide or safari guide. You might have heard these terms used interchangeably before. In South Africa, these are all terms used for people who lead guided experiences in the African wilderness. 

Safari guides are most often associated with iconic African wildlife, like lions and elephants. 

But with the same national qualification – NQF2 Nature Site Guide – someone could lead camping tours in South Africa’s vast interior landscapes, or take people on guided hikes through our tropical coastal forests. It just depends on where you’re qualified to guide and the kind of program you studied through.

Nature guiding has many different applications across South Africa, as long as you’re appropriately qualified. So what does it take to become a nature guide? What’s nature guide training all about and how can Bushwise get you there? Let’s learn.

What is a nature guide?

Nature guides are ambassadors of the natural world. They facilitate human-nature interaction through guided tours, whether in a game viewer, on foot, on horseback or even on bicycle. 

In South Africa, a nature guide or field guide is someone who is certified to lead tours in a specific area (like Kruger National Park or a private game reserve). They have qualifications under CATHSSETA (explained below) and often another accredited training provider, like Bushwise.

What is CATHSSETA?

CATHSSETA is the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority. It is one of the 21 SETAs established under South Africa’s Skills Development Act, specifically to define and recognise qualifications in these industries. 

When you become a nature guide, you receive a certificate from CATHSSETA recognising your qualifications (Bushwise can help with this process). This certificate is a national document, but you will still need permission from regional authorities to guide in a specific area. 

Understanding all of this can be a bit overwhelming – luckily when you do a course with Bushwise, we help make it easier to manage!

How do I become a nature guide?

If you’ve found this page while searching for information on nature guides and field guides, then you’re in luck. Bushwise is a world-class training provider of field guides in southern Africa. 

We operate near the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa, where you can earn your CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualification. 

These qualifications are essential if you’re going to become a field guide in the African bush!

Join nature guide training with Bushwise by signing up for our IFGA Safari Guide Course 6/12 Months. This is a 6- or 12-month training course that will give you all the theory and practical experience and knowledge you need to pass your exams. 

Just like preparing to enter any other career or industry, you must work hard to succeed, and Bushwise helps get you there. 

What does a field guide do?

The most traditional experience of a field guide looks a little something like this. You’ll wake up every day before sunrise to prepare to take your guests on safari. You’ll meet them for coffee and snacks before heading out on a game drive, bush walk or other guided experience. 

Over three or four hours you’ll share your knowledge with your guests, imparting wisdom through stories, interpreting animal behaviour, or simply discussing our natural world as you observe animals going about their daily lives. 

This is an extremely rewarding experience as you’ll see things many people never see in their whole lives!

After the morning activity, you take the guests back to the lodge and spend the bulk of the day completing your other responsibilities – whether that’s taking guests to the airport, running errands, leading special activities, or taking care of administrative tasks. 

In the afternoon, you’ll lead another activity, either with the same guests or new arrivals. This process repeats each day for the duration of your work period. Most guides working for lodges in the Greater Kruger will work for a few weeks, then have a week or two off. 

Being a field guide, nature guide or safari guide is a unique and rewarding career. 

If this sounds like something you’d love to do – consider applying through Bushwise for nature guide training. Launch your field guide career, today!

Did this blog speak to you? Have you always wanted to work with animals – but aren’t sure how? Get started with jobs working with animals.

#gameranger #bushwise #fieldguide #trailsguide #guidejobs #animals #fieldguidetrainer #sightings #fieldguiding #gamedrive #guiding #fieldguidecourse #fieldguides

So you want to become a field guide in South Africa (or further abroad). You might have read that there are a few different avenues you can follow to reach your goal. In this blog, we outline some of the most common ways to become a safari guide, and our recommendations to start your wild career!

Read time: 5 min

How do I become a qualified field guide?

If you want to become a certified field guide (also called safari guide or nature guide) in southern Africa, one of the best and most well-respected ways to do this is by completing a CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 qualification through an accredited training provider (like Bushwise). You must pass both written (theory) and practical exams to qualify.

There are two common ways to earn your CATHSSETA qualification. The first is a full-time training program where you live and study in the bush, learning from experts and trainers who really know the material. At Bushwise, our courses are driven by the International Field Guide Association (IFGA) standards and CATHSSETA requirements. With IFGA, the qualification goes even further than South Africa, providing you with a base to become a guide anywhere in the world. Learn more about IFGA here.

The second way to become qualified is to self-study and write the exam in your own time, either by following an online course or reading the books and doing research on your own. Beyond the online course, this option requires an in-person assessment by a qualified training provider, like Bushwise.

While either option can get you your field guide qualification, it’s essential that you don’t undervalue the significance of proper field experience. To be a successful field guide, you’ll need skills like 4×4 driving, track and sign, birding, first aid, PrDp, and much more. 

What does CATHSSETA stand for?

CATHSSETA (Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority) is one of the 21 SETAs in South Africa. The SETAs were established in 2001 to facilitate skills development in their relevant sectors.

The major functions and responsibilities of CATHSSETA are:

1. Develop and implement a skills plan for the sector, and prioritise skills development.

2. Support the NQF implementation.

3. Conduct and undertake quality assurance.

4. Disburse levies.

5. Report to the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Through our training programs and curriculum, Bushwise follows the guidelines and standards as set out by CATHSSETA. When you qualify as a field guide with Bushwise, we register you with CATHSSETA.

What does it mean to be an IFGA guide?

With the IFGA name by your qualification, you’re telling future employers that your field guide education was gold standard. This is because IFGA sets a high bar for skills and experience of qualified guides. If a guide has the letters IFG by their name, it means they were successfully accepted into – and passed – the most selective guide training program in the world.

What’s the difference between NQF2 and NQF4?

The acronyms NQF2 and NQF4 come from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This is a national system in South Africa that recognises education levels – across all industries. In field guiding, NQF2 applies to the first level of Nature Site Guiding (also called field guiding in the industry) while NQF4 is the second level. At the moment, there are only NQF2 and NQF4 qualifications for field guiding by CATHSSETA.

Can you study field guiding online?

You might be hesitant to jump right into a 6- or 12-month training course to become a qualified field guide. That’s okay! We completely understand – and it is possible to start your field guide career from the comfort of your own home. Bushwise offers three different online courses to get you started.

Our online field guide course will get you started with the knowledge you need to become a qualified guide. With this head start, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a professional in the field guiding industry.

Once you’ve finished the online course you can sign up for our 60-day Safari Guide course to get your essential field experience, do your practical assessment and complete your certification. 

Interested in becoming a qualified field guide? Join a Bushwise course today and launch your wild career.

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What is a field guide? So you’re interested in guide books. Let’s look at the main features of a field guide book and where you can find them.

Read time: 4 mins

Here at Bushwise, we train field guides – people who are passionate about nature and want to become ambassadors of the natural world. 

But a field guide could also be a guide book, such as a guide to fynbos or regional birds. These books provide incredible detail into plants and animals, helping you identify them and learn more about them. 

In this blog we’re focusing on the book version. 

What is a field guide?

Around the world, this term has different meanings. Here in South Africa, it means  nature guide – someone who interprets the natural world for their guests, typically in national parks, game reserves and other protected areas. 

In the UK and the US, as well as many other countries, the term field guide often refers to a guide book. A person could go to a bookstore or online shop and order a guide book on a specific species or species group, whether plant or animal. 

Why it’s called a field guide

The idea is that you’d carry this book with you whenever you’re “in the field” and use it as a reference. 

So, the book should guide you as you explore and understand the different species you see. Therefore, the book guides you in the field. It is a field guide.

The most common ones cover things like trees, wildflowers, birds, amphibians, fish, mammals and insects. You might also get a region-specific book for a specific biome or ecosystem. Such books might simply be called “field guide to the wildlife of…” or something similar.

What are the main features of a field guide?

The best field guides will include a clear organisation system, whether alphabetical or taxonomic or otherwise. Then, each species page(s) should ideally have:

1. detailed description of each species

2. images that help you distinguish it from others

3. regional map or other visualisation for habitat and status

4. calls (usually phonetic – and usually just for birds)

5. breeding details, diet, and other information

Obviously this will vary depending on the type of book and publisher. 

You can also now find these books published as apps. A popular example in southern Africa is birding apps, such as Roberts or Sasol. These types of apps include interactive maps, audio recordings of bird calls and tools to compare similar species. 

You can also keep track of the species you see, which is a fun way to turn wildlife sightings into an interactive game!

How do I find a field guide? 

Wherever you find books! Most bookshops will have a section on nature or wildlife. Simply search for the subject matter you’re interested in. They might have multiple options depending on the region or species group. 

We recommend you try a few different field guides to see what you enjoy the most. For example, I prefer wildflower field guides that categorise flowers by colour instead of by species grouping. It just seems more straightforward to me, but your preference could be different!

What is a field guide person?

A field or safari guide is a trained person who conducts a guided experience for guests in a natural environment, often in a game viewer or on foot. 

You’re interested in field guide books. You’re interested in nature. Have you ever thought about making a career out of it? That’s where Bushwise Field Guides comes in.

Through Bushwise, not only can you absorb more knowledge about wildlife and nature – you can become a qualified guide yourself! 

The beginning of each new Bushwise course fills the Lowveld air with anticipation and excitement. Not only for the newest intake of field guiding hopefuls, but also for us, the Bushwise staff.

Before the new batch of students arrive, we know a little about them – their names, where they’re from, and a bit about their backgrounds. But we don’t know the types of people they are, or the types of guide they will become. We just know they have one thing in common (with each other and with us) – they love nature and want to spend time in the bush.

We are as excited as our new students are. Despite having spent years knocking about the bush there is very little that doesn’t excite us about it. The prospect of sharing our knowledge, experience, skills and stories with the new students reminds us why we do this in the first place.

In the first few days of every course, we naturally have some admin to take care of. Aside from the induction and welcome there are a few housekeeping rules we cover to make sure everyone fully understands what they’ve got themselves into. 

The most important of these is the safety briefing. For many of our students, this will be the longest they’ve been away from home, fully immersed in the Lowveld environment that doesn’t bend, flex or forgive when it comes to the laws of nature.

Once the basics are covered we move on to the next important task – ensuring all the students are capable of driving the safari vehicles. For many, this can be intimidating. 

The sight of a two-tonne Landcruiser and the realisation that the vehicle has not one, but two gear shift knobs can often result in a few minor panic attacks. “How on earth do you expect me to drive this thing?!”

After the driving assessments are complete those worries are put to rest – it’s just a car after all. A car just like any other, with the added bonus of the option to engage four-wheel drive mode for those steep, rocky roads or thrilling off-road adventures in the Lowveld!

Ok, now we’ve learnt that we can actually drive the car and it’s not that scary after all. But, what happens if we’re out and one of Africa’s very inconvenient thorns happens to pierce one of the tyres? Enter the high-lift jack, the industry standard tool for changing the 30kg+ tyres on a Landcruiser or Land Rover. 

The high-lift jack is possibly one of the most dangerous tools of the trade if you don’t know how to use it properly. As with every other piece of equipment used on the course, when it comes to safety we take this training very seriously.  We spent a full afternoon under the African sun, rolling around in the red dust learning how to properly and safely change a tyre in the wild.

With all the safety admin done and dusted we finally reached the moment our students had been so eagerly anticipating – their very first game drive in the reserve. 

The word “excitement” doesn’t even come close to describing the electricity coursing among the students as we prepared the vehicles on a crisp winter’s morning. If we were capable of bottling that electricity, we might just find a solution to the power supply problem!

The first drive in the Lowveld was an adventure, to say the least. We heard leopards calling and chased after them, sadly yielding no result. We stopped for coffee at the river, removed an elephant roadblock in the form of a knob thorn tree (a couple of our students learnt the hard way that yes, knob thorn trees do in fact, have thorns on them). We even went on a little bit of a rescue mission. 

The smiles, laughter and wide-eyed curiosity grew with each passing minute. As staff, our hearts filled with pride, joy and certainty that by the time this new group of students reaches their graduation in December, we’re going to be injecting the safari tourism and conservation industries with passionate, dedicated professionals who are all wild about the wild!

We’re so excited to welcome our newest class of Bushwise IFGA Safari Guide students. Are you ready to start your career journey with Bushwise?

Words and images by: Louise Pavid

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