Walk
on the wilder side
IFGA
Trails Guide Course - 35 days
Begin your journey to becoming a qualified Trails Guide. Learn how to lead walking safaris in a Big Five environment.
DURATIONS: 35 DAYS
NEXT START DATE: 29 MAY 2025
FORMAT: ON-CAMPUS
ACCREDITATION: CATHSSETA, IFGA & BUSHWISE
AGE: 18+
Experience the wild on foot
Learn how to confidently and responsibly lead walking safaris among South Africa’s most iconic wildlife.
Our 35-day IFGA Trails Guide course is ideal for those aspiring to become Advanced Trails Guides to lead walking safaris independently, or for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of exploring Africa's stunning landscapes on foot.
Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to log hours of walking in Big Five territory and have unforgettable encounters with wildlife. This course will equip you with the skills and qualifications needed to become a fully qualified Backup or Advanced Trails Guide!
How do Trails Guide qualifications work?
To become an Advanced Trails Guide, you’ll first need to complete the CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualification and meet the basic requirements. This is done during one of our in-person courses. Then, gain experience as a Backup Trails Guide (Second Rifle) by logging hours and encountering wildlife during the Bushwise Trails Guide Course. After passing the final assessment, you’ll be certified to act as a Backup Trails Guide during walking safaris alongside an Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle).
Next, log the required hours and wildlife encounters as a First Rifle. You can do this by returning to the Bushwise Trails Guide Course or at your workplace, where an Advanced Trails Guide will verify your progress. Once you’ve met the experience requirements, you can apply for an assessment to become an Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle) and lead walking safaris independently.
Stages of a Trails Guide
Backup Trails Guide Course and Assessment
Log your hours on foot and build your experience encountering wildlife as a Backup Trails Guide (Second Rifle) during the Bushwise IFGA Trails Guide Course. Once you have the necessary hours, and encounters, and have passed your theory exam you may be assessed to become a Backup Trails Guide.
Once you complete your final practical assessment, you'll be a qualified Backup Trails Guide (Second Rifle). This means you’ll be ready to back up walking safaris with an Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle) accompanying you.
Gain experience on foot
To log the hours walked and wildlife encounters required for you to be assessed as a First Rifle, you can either return to the Bushwise Trails Guide Course and walk as a First Rifle or gain experience at work with a qualified Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle).
They will help verify your hours and encounters in the First Rifle position.
Advanced Trails Guide Assessment
After logging the required hours on foot and wildlife encounters, you can apply for assessment to become an Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle).
This certification allows you to lead walking safaris independently with your guests.
Bushwise Backup Trails Guide Requirements
The following must be completed before your course and can be done during one of our in-person courses:
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CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide Qualification
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First Aid Level 1
The following are completed during the IFGA Trails Guide course:
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Firearm Proficiency (PFTC)
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Bushwise Advanced Rifle Handling
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Practical scenarios (100 hours)
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Walking hours (80 hours)
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20 rifled Encounters (at least 5 encounters with each of the following: Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion/Leopard). The number of encounters in the wild can’t be guaranteed.
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Bushwise Trails Guide theoretical exam
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Minimum of one assessment walk
Bushwise Advanced Trails Guide Requirements
To qualify for an assessment to become a legally qualified Advanced Trails Guide, you need to meet the following requirements, which can be completed during our IFGA Trails Guide Course while walking as a First Rifle:
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Have an existing Backup Trails Guide qualification
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A valid First Aid Level 2
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200 logged and verified hours walking on foot in a Big Five or potentially dangerous game area
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80 rifled encounters logged and verified (at least 10 encounters with each of the following: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion/Leopard). The number of encounters in the wild can’t be guaranteed.
Once you’ve completed the required hours and wildlife encounters on foot, you can apply for an assessment walk. Unlike the Backup Trails Guide qualification, the Advanced Trails Guide qualification requires at least two assessment walks.
Itinerary
Here's an example of what to expect during a typical day on the IFGA Trails Guide Course. Along with these core activities, you'll also enjoy some exciting extras, like sleep-outs under the stunning African night sky and hands-on rifle training.
Day 1: Early morning wake up and a bush walk
Your day begins with an early morning wake-up and a quick coffee or tea before heading out on your first 3-4 hour bush walk for the day. It’s lovely and cool during the first part of the day and animal activity is high giving you the best chance to encounter some animals, before returning to camp.
Day 2 - Brunch and an afternoon lecture
Fuel up after your morning walk and refresh yourself before your afternoon lecture or rifle-handling session. Our lectures, led by industry experts, equip you with all the knowledge you need to confidently ace the theoretical exam and conduct your walks ethically and effectively.
Day 3 - Free Time
After your lecture or practical training session, you have some downtime. This is time for you to reflect on what you just learned, catch up on some studying, or even spend time with your classmates. You might want to grab a quick snack, chat about the day's topics, or simply enjoy some quiet time to recharge before you head out for your afternoon bush walk.
Day 4 - Afternoon bush walk and dinner
As the late afternoon temperatures start to cool down, it’s the perfect time for your last bush walk of the day! This 3-4 hour adventure gives you a chance to apply everything you learned in your afternoon lecture. You return to camp for dinner, followed by stories around the campfire.
Mahlahla Lodge Campus
Your home for this course is a beautiful lodge-style campus with all the comforts you need – like a pool and a communal entertainment area. An electrified fence keeps the campus secure, so you can safely explore and exercise. With WiFi and electricity, you can stay connected with family and friends and dive into extra research for your studies.
Location
During this course, you’ll be staying at our Mahlahla Lodge Campus located on the border of the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve, about 60 km from Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province.
The Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve spans 25,000 hectares and is home to the Big Five, cheetah, and critically endangered species such as the African Wild Dog and the Southern Ground Hornbill.
| Campus
Mahlahla Lodge Campus
Your home for this course is a beautiful lodge-style campus with all the comforts you need – like a pool and a communal entertainment area. An electrified fence keeps the campus secure, so you can safely explore and exercise. With WiFi and electricity, you can stay connected with family and friends and dive into extra research for your studies.
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Dates & fees
Set start dates for 2025
35-day course | from £3,395
29 May – 03 July
27 July – 31 August
Payment plan
Plan 1
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A £1,155 deposit secures your booking
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First installment due 20 weeks before the course start date
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Final installment due 12 weeks before the course start date
Plan 2
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30% of the full amount is deposited to secure your booking
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The balance is split into six installments leading up to the course start date
Plan 3
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Custom deposit secures your booking
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The balance is split into equal installments with the final installment due 3 months into the course
What’s included
Learning resources & activities
Bushwise 8-week Online Trails Guide Course
Bushwise Trails Guide theory exam
Bushwise Trails Guide Assessment
Advanced Rifle Handling Training & Assessments
PFTC Training (Rifle Proficiency)
Unit Standards
117705 - 119651 - 123519
Private & Business
Training conducted by experienced long-term staff
Bush walks (twice daily)
Lectures/discussions
Living resources
All meals
Conservation fees
Accommodation includes:
Shared room in a bungalow or safari tent
Cupboard and fan
Boma and braai area
Space to exercise (at select campuses)
Social area
Free Wi-Fi
Library of field guiding books
Communal or shared en-suite bathroom
Limited laundry services
Support services
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Pre-departure support
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Location orientation
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24-hour in-country support
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24-hour emergency phone
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Emergency support from Bushwise on-site staff
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Daily briefings
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Feedback sessions
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Access to the Bushwise alumni program
What’s not included
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Flights
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Medical and travel insurance
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International and domestic airport taxes
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Transfers to and from campuses
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Police clearance or background check fees
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Personal workwear such as hiking shoes and jackets
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All Bushwise uniform (not compulsory)
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Compulsory and recommended reference books
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Extra local excursions