Explore the heart of Africa and Botswana with our specialized Nature Guide and Trails Guide courses in Botswana's stunning Okavango Delta. Learn from experienced professionals and gain skills to become an expert in wildlife and nature guiding.
Botswana is renowned for its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts.
Expect to encounter a wide variety of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, and numerous bird species. The Delta's unique waterways and lush vegetation create a perfect backdrop for both adventure and tranquility.
Activities range from game drives and mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions to guided walking safaris, providing a comprehensive exploration of Botswana’s natural beauty.
Participants must be at least 18 years old to join the guide courses, ensuring that all can fully engage in the activities and responsibilities involved.
Participants must be at least 18 years old to join the guide courses, ensuring that all can fully engage in the activities and responsibilities involved.
The Nature Guide Course is the first step to becoming a level 1 certified guide. It covers animal behavior, botany, geology, and ecosystem interactions, with extensive field experience in tracking, bird identification, and ecological understanding. Participants can join for 2 or 4 weeks for enrichment, but must complete the full 4-week course and pass the FGASA exam for qualification. This course offers a solid foundation in natural history and guiding techniques.
The Trails Guide Course is the level 2 course, focusing on walking safari skills, including navigation, safety protocols, survival skills, rifle handling, first aid, and handling dangerous game encounters. Participants can join for 2 or 4 weeks for enrichment, but must complete the full 4-week course and pass the FGASA exam for qualification. This advanced training prepares you for leading walking safaris in various terrains and situations.
No prior experience is necessary for the Nature Guide Course. However, it is recommended that you complete at least 2 weeks of the Nature Guide Course before enrolling in the Trails Guide Course. You will be provided with a student preparation manual before the course starts, ensuring you are well-prepared for both the theoretical and practical components.
Yes, both courses offer certifications that are highly respected in the eco-tourism and conservation industries. To become a certified FGASA guide, you will need to pass the optional FGASA exam. These qualifications are recognized across Africa, enhancing your career prospects in wildlife guiding and conservation.
To register for the FGASA exam, visit the FGASA website (https://www.fgasa.co.za/ ) and click on "register" in the upper right corner. Select “Apprentice Field Guide NQF2” in step 1 and follow the subsequent steps.
Registration and literature fees are paid directly to FGASA and are not included in the course fee.
You will receive the Nature Guide Workbooks, Kwapa Maps, and a student preparation manual from the Guide Course, which must be completed and returned to us at least 2 weeks before the course start date.
In the Okavango Delta, expect to see a variety of wildlife in a unique and pristine environment. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems, which support an abundance of wildlife. You will encounter large herds of elephants, giraffes, and various antelope species. Predators such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs are also commonly sighted. The waterways of the Delta are home to hippos and crocodiles, while the region is a paradise for bird watchers, hosting numerous bird species. The seasonal flooding creates a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, providing a unique backdrop for your wildlife guiding education. This environment offers an unparalleled opportunity to study and observe wildlife behavior in one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
Yes, many participants choose to enroll in both the Nature Guide and Trails Guide courses to gain a comprehensive skill set and a deeper understanding of Botswana's wilderness and guiding. This combination provides a well-rounded education in guiding, making participants highly versatile and well-prepared for various roles in wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.
You will need to complete the full 4-week course to take the exam and get the certification. However, as the course is built up into two blocks of 2 weeks, you have the option of joining for the first two weeks and then finishing the remaining two weeks at another time, as your training will be logged. This flexibility allows participants to manage their schedules while working towards certification.
The guide courses are led by seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in Botswana's wilderness.
The owners of the guide courses in Botswana, known from the TV show ´Safari Brothers´ on Nat Geo Wild, bring a wealth of real-world expertise and engaging teaching methods. Learning from these experts and the other instructors ensures a deep understanding of the environment and the skills needed to navigate and interpret the wild.
These courses are designed to provide not just theoretical knowledge but also practical, hands-on experience that is invaluable in the field of wildlife guiding, elevating your adventures in Africa to a whole new level.
The Nature Guide Course in Botswana is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the ecology and wildlife of the Okavango Delta. This course covers a wide range of topics such as animal behavior, botany, geology, and the intricacies of the Delta’s ecosystems. Extensive practical sessions include tracking animals, bird identification, and understanding the complex interactions within the ecosystem. Participants can join the course for either 2 or 4 weeks for personal enrichment. To achieve the FGASA qualification, participants must complete the full 4-week course and pass the exam. Hands-on learning in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, guided by experts with real-world experience, provides an unmatched setting for developing your guiding expertise.
The Trails Guide Course in Botswana is designed for those who want to specialize in leading walking safaris and trail guiding. This course focuses on the skills needed for safe and informative walking safaris, including navigation, safety protocols, and advanced animal behavior understanding. Participants learn essential survival skills, first aid, and how to handle dangerous game encounters. The course includes scenario-based training to handle various situations you might encounter on foot in the wilderness. You can join the course for either 2 or 4 weeks for personal enrichment. To gain the FGASA qualification, the full 4-week course must be completed, including passing the exam.