Qualifications
What qualifications can I get on the International Safari Guide course?
Nationally recognised certificates and qualifications include:
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CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) qualification
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CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) knowledge Trails Guide theory
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SASSETA Firearm Proficiency (three Unit Standards)
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Wilderness First Aid certificate
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Cybertracker Track & Sign and Trailing qualifications
In-house and other certificates:
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Bushwise International Safari Guide course certificate
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Bushwise 4x4 driving qualification
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Advanced Rifle Handling
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Wildlife photography workshop
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Bushwise birding specialist course
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Reptile orientation course
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Dangerous game experience
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Social media in the ecotourism industry module
What qualifications can I get on the 60-day Safari Guide course?
Nationally recognised certificates and qualifications include:
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CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) qualification
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Cybertracker Track & Sign qualification
In-house and other certificates:
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Bushwise 60-day Safari Guide Certificate
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Wilderness First Aid certificate
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Reptile orientation course
Are IFGA qualifications recognised outside South Africa?
The International Field Guides Association (IFGA) is a global qualification for wildlife and tourism guides. It is an elevated qualification that opens doors to working at the world's most luxury lodges, from South Africa to Patagonia, Thailand to Costa Rica, and beyond. Learn more about IFGA here.
Do I need any previous qualifications to apply for a Bushwise course?
As a South African organisation, our minimum requirement is a 60% pass rate on your matric exams. For international students, this would typically be the equivalent of C average or above. You do not need to have prior wildlife or field guide experience to do a Bushwise course.
How do I go from CATHSSETA NQF2 to NQF4?
NQF4 is the stage above NQF2 in the CATHSSETA hierarchy. Think of this like a bachelor’s degree and an honours degree. You can only become NQF4 certified by gaining work experience and passing further exams.
To become a qualified Nature Site Guide NQF4, you must accumulate a minimum of 260 days of practical active guiding experience as Nature Site Guide NQF2. 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.
What jobs will I qualify for with my Bushwise and CATHSSETA qualification?
The most common career path is to become an NQF2 qualified guide/entry-level field guide at a lodge or reserve. However, there are hundreds of job possibilities after you’ve graduated from Bushwise. You could work towards a career as a national park ranger, wildlife veterinarian, expedition leader, conservationist, researcher, tour guide and much more (additional qualifications may apply). To learn about all the different directions this course can take your career, visit this page on our website.
Placements
What is a placement?
A Bushwise placement is an optional (but highly recommended) add-on to your International Safari Guide course. This is what takes you from a 6-month to a 12-month course. A placement gives you the opportunity to work in the industry and gain valuable experience.
It also helps you build connections and network – essential for breaking into this competitive industry. You can also earn a work reference for this six month period. Find out more about placements here.
Are the placements paid?
The work placement is not paid but includes accommodation, food and the opportunity to earn tips from guests. During this time, you can build on your Apprentice Trails Guide walking hours and encounters, and gain guiding hours to qualify as a Field Guide NQF4.
What placements are available?
Placements are at a selection of prestigious lodges and game reserves in South Africa, like Africa on Foot, Thanda Portfolio, Greenfire Game Lodge, Siyafunda (Makalali), Kapama Private Game Reserve and Sibuya Game Reserve, as well as placements in neighbouring countries such as Namibia. We constantly grow our portfolio of placements to match our students’ skills and interests. Curious about what lodges and conservation organisations look for in a field guide? Check out this video.
Who gets a placement?
Any student on our 50-week Bushwise International Safari Guide course can do a placement. We cannot guarantee placements for individuals over the age of 39. However, we will endeavour to find a placement for absolutely everyone who is interested.
Safety & Support
Is it safe living in the African bush?
Our campuses are located in safe and secure locations near Kruger National Park and Hoedspruit town. The campuses are within electric fence boundaries for your protection. We still encourage students to be vigilant at all times while on Bushwise property. This includes not walking alone at night or in the early or late hours when nocturnal animals may still be active. We will also provide you with a list of additional safety measures in your welcome packet.
Is South Africa safe?
As with anywhere in the world, it’s important to be vigilant and take safety precautions when travelling between destinations in South Africa. We understand that people have concerns about safety, particularly when travelling to South Africa from abroad. However, we prioritise your safety and will happily help put your mind at ease as you travel here!
As part of your orientation at Bushwise, we will walk you through our personal safety recommendations. This includes not carrying valuable items on your person in public, and always using trusted transportation options. We are happy to provide guidance in this regard, or have one-on-one discussions to address any specific concerns you may have.
What kind of support is offered to students?
We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all our students. Before you arrive on campus, our team will be in contact to ensure any personal needs are met on the ground. This includes a dedicated tutor who will work with you throughout the course to ensure you get the most out of your education. Our staff are available 24/7 on campus, so you can rest comfortably knowing that you have full-time support.
For more information on support after you finish a course, visit the section of our FAQs devoted to “After the course.”
For international students
How do I get to campus?
For international students, we offer a transfer service from the Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. This shuttle departs at 7am sharp on the first day of the course. We can recommend a guest house near the airport for the night before. If you require assistance with accommodation, please chat with your enrolment manager prior to arrival.
Do you get many international students?
We do! Students from all over the world have joined Bushwise courses. Around a third of our students are international, but this varies from year to year.
What are the visa requirements and does Bushwise help with this?
Students on our Bushwise 60-day Safari Guide course can come on a visitor’s visa. This covers any study or activity less than 90 days, and is issued to most visitors on arrival.
Those on our 6- and 12-month Bushwise International Safari Guide course will need to apply for a study visa for the duration of your time in South Africa. This visa must cover the full course length, whether you are doing the 6- or 12-month option.
The visa application process must be done in your home country at the South African embassy or consulate. You can find a list of study visa requirements online at the Department of Home Affairs website. Visa processing can take up to 12 weeks. Bushwise will supply you with a study visa support letter as well as important information related to the application process.
What is required in terms of vaccinations, insurance and malaria medication?
You will need travel and medical insurance coverage for the entire time you’re on course. A hospital plan should be sufficient and must include helicopter evacuation in the case of emergencies (this is covered by most medical aids/health insurance – but please check with your provider).
Bushwise does not require any vaccines beyond the COVID-19 vaccine (at time of writing), however we recommend that you consult with your country’s health department to see if they require any vaccines for international travel. Keep up to date with our COVID-19 policy here.
Kruger National Park is in a seasonal risk zone for malaria, and mosquito bite prevention is advised. We encourage all students to take precautions like mosquito nets and insect repellent. You can also take anti-malaria tablets if you feel it is necessary, but only once you have consulted with your general practitioner.
Do I need to drive manual/stick shift?
Yes. All the vehicles that Bushwise and the other game lodges use are manual. All students must already hold a manual licence, with at least one year of relevant experience before their application can be considered. Students will be required to pass an internal driving test at Bushwise before they are allowed to drive company vehicles.
I’m not from South Africa. Can I work there?
In order to work legally in South Africa, you have to secure a work permit, critical skills permit or similar visa. There are a few ways to do this but the process is not easy. See this article for more. Bushwise does not assist with work visas.
However, through your placement you may develop relationships with safari companies and build a valuable network. This is essential when trying to break into this competitive industry, whether you’re local or international! Some of our international students start as volunteers at lodges, reserves and conservation organisations. We can put you in touch with alumni if you’d like to chat with someone who has successfully found employment in South Africa.
