Launch your career in conservation by becoming a qualified safari guide, followed by a 6-month work placement with a conservation organisation. Earn valuable qualifications and get real-world wildlife conservation experience.
DURATIONS: 12 MONTHS
NEXT START DATE: 7 JAN 2026
FORMAT: ON-CAMPUS
ACCREDITATION: IFGA & CATHSSETA
AGE: 18+
If you’ve ever dreamed of guiding safaris in the African bush, working hands-on in wildlife conservation, or becoming a steward of nature, the International Field Guide Academy (IFGA) Safari Guide & Conservation Course offers a transformative 12-month journey. This course is designed for those who are serious about building a career in field guiding, conservation management, or eco-tourism.
Combining FGASA-aligned training with immersive bush living, this course is the gold standard for aspiring safari guides and conservationists looking to gain practical experience, certifications, and career exposure in southern Africa.
What Is the IFGA Safari Guide & Conservation Course?
The 12-month Safari Guide & Conservation Course is a comprehensive training program that blends professional field guide certification, advanced bushcraft skills, and conservation work.
This course takes place across biodiverse, big-five reserves in South Africa and Botswana, providing a real-world environment for deep learning, wildlife tracking, and understanding the day-to-day operations of a game reserve.
By the end of the year, students are equipped to work as:
- Professional safari guides
- Trails guides
- Conservation field workers
- Lodge or reserve managers
- Eco-tourism specialists
Key Features of the 12-Month Course
Here’s what sets this course apart from shorter bush training experiences:
✅ FGASA-Aligned Curriculum
Train toward the FGASA NQF2 (Apprentice Field Guide) qualification—one of the most respected certifications in South Africa’s guiding industry.
✅ Trails Guide & Advanced Tracking
Go beyond game drives and learn how to conduct walking safaris, rifle safety, bush orientation, and close wildlife encounters.
✅ Conservation Focus
You’ll participate in conservation projects, such as wildlife monitoring, alien plant removal, habitat restoration, and game counts.
✅ 1,000+ Hours of Field Time
Spend over a thousand hours in the bush across multiple camps, tracking animals, learning plant uses, and mastering guest interaction.
✅ Lodge Internship & Placement
Finish your training with a lodge-based internship, where you’ll put your skills into practice in a professional environment.
Who Should Apply?
This course is ideal for:
- School leavers or gap-year students passionate about wildlife
- Career changers looking for a long-term guiding or conservation role
- International students who want to work in eco-tourism or research
- South Africans seeking accredited training and job placement
- Wildlife photographers, trackers, or bush enthusiasts looking to level up
No formal academic qualifications are needed. A love for nature, the ability to work in a team, and good physical condition are the only real requirements.
What You’ll Learn: Course Curriculum Overview
The IFGA Safari Guide & Conservation Course covers a wide range of theory, practical skills, and real-world experiences.
1. Field Guiding Skills
- Game drive techniques
- Animal behaviour and ecology
- Plant identification and traditional uses
- Birding and calls
- Guest engagement and safety
2. Trails and Rifle Competency
- Rifle handling (PFTC certification)
- Walking safari safety protocols
- Encounter strategies for big game on foot
- Orientation, compass use, and bush navigation
3. Conservation Work
- Wildlife monitoring and data logging
- Anti-poaching patrols
- Alien plant control and bush clearing
- Habitat restoration and erosion prevention
4. Lodge Life and Hospitality
- Guest hosting and front-of-house training
- Safari vehicle management
- Conservation education and presentation skills
- Participation in lodge operations during placement
5. Life in the Bush
- Leadership and teamwork
- Emergency response and first aid
- Vehicle recovery and off-road driving
- Sustainable living and bush etiquette
This course transforms you into a skilled, confident, and conservation-minded professional ready for Africa’s wilderness industries.
Where You’ll Train: Camp Life in the Bush
Your 12 months will be spent across several remote training camps located in South Africa’s Lowveld and Greater Kruger Region, and sometimes Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Expect to live in rustic tented camps or chalets, surrounded by nature. You’ll wake up to lion calls, track rhino on foot, and spend evenings debriefing around a campfire under the stars.
Each camp is located in a Big 5 environment, ensuring you get realistic, intense exposure to African wildlife and ecosystems.
Certifications You’ll Earn
By the end of the course, you’ll graduate with a set of qualifications and endorsements that make you job-ready in the conservation and tourism sector. These include:
- FGASA Apprentice Field Guide (NQF2)
- FGASA Trails Guide Theory & Practical Exposure
- CyberTracker Track & Sign / Trailing certifications
- PFTC Rifle Handling Certificate (use of firearms in the bush)
- Wilderness First Aid (Level 1 & 2)
- 4×4 Driving Certificate
- Bush Survival and Orienteering endorsements
- Work experience certificate from lodge placement
These certifications are respected across Africa, and the combination of training + experience gives you a competitive edge.
Course Fees and Inclusions
Tuition fees typically cover:
- All field training and mentorship
- Accommodation at bush camps
- All meals during training
- Uniform, study guides, field manuals
- Internal transport between reserves
- Access to rifles, tracking tools, and vehicles
Not included: Flights, visas, travel insurance, personal items, and off days or excursions.
Contact IFGA directly for updated course pricing, application deadlines, and payment plans. Scholarships and sponsorships may also be available.
Related: Bushwise Practical Game Management Course – 6/12 Months of Hands-On Wildlife Reserve Training
Career Paths After Graduation
This course opens doors to a wide range of careers in the wildlife and eco-tourism sectors, including:
- Safari Guide (Game Drive & Trails)
- Reserve Manager or Assistant
- Wildlife Research Assistant
- Community Conservation Educator
- Anti-Poaching Support Officer
- Lodge Host or Operations Coordinator
- Nature Photographer or Documentary Guide
Alumni have gone on to work across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and even East Africa, in lodges, NGOs, and private reserves.
What Past Students Say
“This course changed my life. I went from zero experience to leading walking safaris and tracking rhino. The trainers are world-class.”
– Emily, UK
“I got hired right after my internship ended. IFGA gave me the skills and the confidence to work in the bush professionally.”
– Thabo, South Africa
Final Thoughts: Is This the Right Course for You?
If you’re ready for a year-long adventure in the African bush, and want to combine wildlife training, guiding qualifications, and real conservation work, the IFGA Safari Guide & Conservation Course is one of the most immersive, respected, and career-focused programs available.
It’s more than just a course—it’s a lifestyle, a career launchpad, and a journey of self-discovery.