Connect

with nature

from your home

Join this online course to attend live lectures delivered by leaders in their field who have over 50 years of combined experience. See the African wild through their eyes, informed by in-depth knowledge developed over many years. Listen to their stories and learn from their successes and missteps. Ask them questions and receive personal feedback.

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Course details

Course overview

You have a keen interest in wildlife, conservation and nature. You’d like to learn more through an online wildlife course, and maybe work towards getting your CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2) qualification one day, but don’t want to take the leap into a full-time international safari guide course just yet. You have some free time and an internet connection, and would like to learn more about African wildlife.

If this sounds like you, then this course is a great option. Our interactive online conservation course is an incredible way to spend 10 hours a week, over an 8 week period, learning all about wildlife and conservation.

Through the Nature Enthusiast Online Course, you can start gaining CATHSSETA NQF2 and NQF4 knowledge from the comfort of your home. Upon successful completion of the course, you'll also receive a Bushwise Nature Enthusiast certificate. This accredited online course is an excellent starting point for anyone considering a wildlife career, or just keen to expand their knowledge.

This course is designed for anyone – high school students, new graduates, mid-career professionals with a bit of free time and a passion for nature, retirees and citizen scientists. Whatever your background, if you’re interested in wildlife and passionate about conservation, you’re welcome on a Bushwise course! If you’re interested in starting a safari guiding career, this online course is the first step towards reaching that goal.

If you’d like to start your journey towards CATHSSETA NQF2 qualification, upgrade your experience to the 12-week online Bushwise Field Guiding course. Then join us on campus to complete the practical portion required to earn your CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 qualification!

Course specifics

8 weeks, 10 hours per week

Self-paced

16 years and above (We welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels)

English

On completion of this course, you’ll be able to:

Identify different African species and ecosystems
Identify, read and understand African animal tracks
Explain different types of African animal behaviour
Identify African bird species by song and appearance.

Why study with Bushwise?

What sets Bushwise apart

Since the first Bushwise course was held in 2006, we’ve provided world-class field guide training to students from around the globe. Bushwise online delivers the highest standard in theoretical knowledge for guiding in South Africa and beyond.

It’s our passion, respect and dedication to nature and our students that drives us to keep on improving our courses.

No.1 rated on TrustPilot

Our courses consistently rank highest on multiple review platforms, from No.1 on TrustPilot to our top ratings on Google, Facebook, GoAbroad and GoOverseas. Students love how interactive, flexible, eye-opening and educational our online courses are.

More than the fundamentals

Our courses follow IFGA and Bushwise curriculum, to ensure you get the highest quality education. But we don’t stop there! By attending our masterclasses, you’ll gain insight into various aspects of conservation including anti-poaching initiatives and innovative conservation strategies.

Flexibility for all lifestyles

Join us for 4 to 12 weeks while continuing your normal daily life. Classes are designed to be flexible, with pre-recorded segments and live lectures. Study in your own time. Our online courses are designed for everyone from students to nature enthusiasts, bush-lovers, career seekers, future guides and people with a little extra time who just want to learn!

Award winning trainers

The Bushwise online courses are led by award-winning staff — including Nico Brits, category winner from Safari Guide of the Year competition 2022. Our trainers are experts in their field, and are constantly gaining experience and knowledge themselves. We are a specialised and committed team, with nearly a century of experience combined. We have experts in entomology, ornithology, conservation, rifle handling, botany and more.

Soft skills

Guiding isn’t just about the knowledge you share, it’s about the way you guide and how you connect with your guests. It’s the soft skills that make a world-class guide stand apart from the rest: communication, leadership, empathy, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making and more. We believe in the importance of training students on these aspects to make them the best guides possible.

Support at every step

Feel supported throughout your time with us. Bushwise’s online courses are unique due to the amount of learning support we give students, including interactive online platforms and proactive communication. When you need extra guidance on a topic, our trainers will be there to give you the support you need.

Syllabus

This course comprises 17 modules, covering everything from geology to reptiles and conservation management.

Week 1

Module 1: Introduction to Nature Enthusiasts

Get important information about the course
Meet your peers, your course trainer, facilitators and student support team

Week 1

Module 2: Geology

Understand the meaning of geology
Provide explanations for the types of plant life and associated animal life that occurs in an area based on soil and rock types

Week 1

Module 3: Weather and climate

Describe the influences on the Southern Africa climate
Explain weather conditions that apply to the area where you are guiding

Week 2

Module 4: Astronomy

Understand the main interesting features of the night sky, season by season
Learn how to include this in enhancing your clients’ experience

Week 2

Module 5: Ecology

Acquire a knowledge of how the various components fit into the larger ecosystems
Learn its importance in safari guiding

Week 3

Module 6: Biomes

Understand how the dynamics of a particular area interact and the role of each element in the functioning of that area

Week 3

Module 7: Taxonomy

Gain an understanding of how the structures of taxonomy interrelate with the plants and animals in an area

Week 4

Module 8: Plants

Understand basic botany related topics such as plant processes
Identify various plants
Learn interesting facts related to traditional beliefs associated with specific species

Week 4

Module 9: Arthropods

Acquire skill in how to identify arthropods at a basic level
Be able to provide basic information that relates to interesting facts in respect of amongst other things, feeding habits and behaviour

Week 5

Module 10: Fish

Know and understand how to identify common species of fish
Learn the ecological importance of fish

Week 5

Module 11: Amphibians

Grasp how to identify common species of frogs and toads
Master identifying them by means of their calls as well as understanding their ecological role

Week 6

Module 12: Reptiles

Learn how to identify the different species based on their features, interesting facts relating to survival strategies and reproduction in the various different species

Week 6

Module 13: Birds

Understand how to identify the different species based on their features, interesting facts relating to survival strategies and reproduction in the various different species

Week 7

Module 14: Mammals

Discover how to identify the different species seen on safari in the African bush based on their features, interesting facts relating to survival strategies and reproduction in the various different species

Week 7

Module 15: Ethology

Acquire knowledge of wild animal behaviour as individuals, but also group behaviour
Be able to explain different communication methods, territories and interpret the signs and sounds of animals

Week 8

Module 16: Conservation management

Become proficient in what conservation practices are used in the natural environment and why these are carried out
Learn how field guides can play a role in conservation alongside their safari guiding duties

Week 8

Module 17: Historical human habitation

Gain an understanding of interesting facts about early human history, and the distribution of traditional southern African cultures

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Curriculum

The Nature Enthusiast online course is eight weeks long and is made up of 80 hours of learning. Students typically spend 10 hours per week completing the material required to gain the certificate. The online course comprises 17 modules, each delivered by one of our experienced trainers in South Africa. Lectures include discussions on safari guiding, wildlife and conservation topics.

Each week is made up of live webinars which help to ensure that you are on track and allow you to engage in question and answer sessions with the Bushwise trainers and instructors. There are compulsory quiz-based assignments to complete and pass in order to receive a certificate for the online course.

Expert masterclasses and live lectures

This course includes access to leading experts in the field through a series of weekly masterclasses and webinars. Each of the live sessions will give you the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and ask questions.

Plan your career in the safari industry with Bushwise and grow your knowledge about the biodiversity in Southern Africa. You will engage in this online course through a variety of mediums and platforms.

The learning experience

Self-Paced Lectures

All lectures are compiled by subject matter experts with over 50 years of combined experience in the field, including conservation, field guiding, wildlife research, lodge management, and more.

Readings

Recommended readings are provided to encourage you to delve deeper into each topic.

Quizzes

Each module includes a short 5–10 question quiz from the required readings.

Assignments

Each module has an assignment based on the Bushwise manual. The assignments will also be discussed in the weekly webinars.

Discussions

Bushwise encourages discussions on the student forums. Share your thoughts, receive answers to your questions and get to know the fellow students.

Live classes

Live webinars are held weekly to discuss that week’s module and assignment.

Student support

A dedicated student support manager will also be on hand to answer any questions regarding technical support.

Reviews

Hear directly from Bushwise alumni. Our reviews are posted here and also shared across other platforms, like TrustPilot, Google, Facebook, Go Overseas and GoAbroad.

Greyton Mlambo,

September 2022

Want to become a professional nature guide? Join BUSHWISE they have the best knowledgeable trainers.

Caitlyn Pearce,

April 2022

Bushwise is a fantastic and informative course that is presented in an engaging and relaxed way, while making sure you receive a wide range of information so that you have a very holistic knowledge of all African species, biomes etc. by the end of the course.

Jacques Du Toit,

March 2022

I found the course to be extremely helpful and informative. I feel a lot more prepared for my upcoming course at the Bushwise campus having learned from the online Nature Enthusiast course.

Benjamin Skingsley,

August 2021

The course exceeded my expectations. It went into so much more detail on aspects that I'd never even considered to be relevant and it wasn't until doing the course I realised just how connected everything is. The trainer was brilliant; friendly, approachable and also incredibly knowledgeable. I especially enjoyed the Masterclasses on both astronomy and reptiles, I hadn't quite realised just how interested I'd be in the subjects, however they're now both areas I'd definitely like to learn more about.

Wana Bezuidenhout,

July 2021

I definitely enjoyed the course, you gain a lot of knowledge and it feels so good to talk to people about nature and understanding and knowing what it is about. I don't look at nature or any small living organism the same way as I did previously.

Tristan Joshua,

July 2021

I am a gap year student who loves nature and wildlife, so this course was perfect for my needs. I now have a broader knowledge that I can use for the rest of my life, whether I am guiding or not.

Zoe Ziemtsman-Brits,

May 2021

To future students, from all the places I could've chosen, I am ecstatic that I ended up choosing Bushwise as they are exactly what is looked for and needed. When it not only comes to the materials given to better your knowledge and other skills but when it comes to the support and teachers.

Christie Janse Van Rensburg,

March 2021

Thank you for the most amazing, engaging and interesting courses provided. The live Webinars has been great, hearing other peoples journeys in this industry and getting the word out there. It was so interesting to learn everything it never got boring!

Meet the team

With nearly a century of experience combined, we are a specialised team with experts in entomology, ornithology, conservation, rifle handling, botany and more. Join us and work with award-winning staff, including Pioneer Moyo and Nico Brits, category winners from the Safari Guide of the Year competition 2022 and 2023. Get to know these amazing individuals:

Best trainers in the industry

Aneen - Bushwise Online

I grew up in Paarl and from a young age my parents introduced me to the Kruger National Park, sparking my love of the bush. I made a few detours as a singer and actress before realising that I want to spend my life sharing my passion and knowledge with guests and students. My husband, Wayne, and I are based at the Wildlife College campus. I still keep my creative side alive through my art business. What better inspiration than the African bush!?

Holding down head office

Eugene Relling - Director

I was born and bred in Durban but have called various parts of South Africa home. I’ve always had a passion for wildlife. I studied operations management and over the past 15 years I’ve been in roles that range from restaurant owner, project and operations management as well as sales manager for various leading tourism and safari organisations. I joined Bushwise in 2021 with a mission to ensure we train the next generation of ethical ambassadors of the natural world by providing unmatched skills and experience.

Watch Eugene's video

Sharin Myburgh - Operations Manager

My passion for the bush came from growing up on a farm and spending most holidays in Kruger National Park. I have worked for many years in the corporate industry and gave it all up for the bush. From working as a leopard researcher to managing 5-star lodges all over South Africa, with a bit of overlanding in between, I realised my passion is definitely people and conservation.

Watch Sharin's Video

Rohandi Relling - Administrator

I grew up in Cape Town, where I wanted to become a marine biologist growing up. I am now based in a beautiful town called Hoedspruit where my love for the African bushveld grows every day. After 10 years in the real estate industry, I finally decided to follow my passion and joined the amazing team at Bushwise. I am a mother of three beautiful children, and I love teaching them about nature.

Annie DuPre - Communications

Originally from the USA, I’ve lived in South Africa since 2014. I have a masters in global policy studies and my career has slowly shifted from international relations to conservation. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and after I completed my FGASA course in 2019, I pursued work that combined all of my interests. In addition to managing communications for Bushwise, I’m studying endangered wild dogs in my free time.

Included

CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 & NQF4 theoretical knowledge
A wide variety of learning materials

Academic support from expert trainers which includes live webinars
Masterclasses hosted by industry experts
A dedicated student support manager who will respond to technical and administrative queries within 48 hours

If you pass the online course, you will receive the following certificates:

The Bushwise Nature Enthusiast online course certificate of completion

You will be provided with access to the following compulsory learning materials:

The Nature Guide Learner Manual – Grant & Gillie Hine

Note that you must also complete the Introduction to Field Guiding online course and pass the practical field program assessment in order to gain the full FGASA qualification and certificate.

Note that these books will be sent to you digitally. Should you also wish to have a hard copy, additional costs are applicable.

Excluded

Internet access
A device (laptop preferably) and earphones
Recommended supplementary reading material

APPLY NOW

Nature Enthusiast Online Course

Become an African nature and wildlife expert. Attend expert-led masterclasses, learn through engaging discussions and earn a certificate from the top-rated provider of field guide qualifications.

DURATIONS: 8 WEEKS

NEXT START DATE: 13 JAN 2025

FORMAT: SELF-PACED, ONLINE

ACCREDITATION: CATHSSETA

AGE: 16+