Guide Course South Africa: Profes­sional Safari Guide

To join this course, you need to be 18 years or older and have sufficient English skills to participate in the course.  Furthermore, you should be physically fit; therefore, we need a doctor’s certificate about your state of health and your vaccination record. You might need a visa for your journey. Depending on the duration of your stay and your destination, the requirements might vary. You should check out the foreign department’s website for the visa standards or ask the Natucate team directly.

Before your departure, we’ll assist you with your preparation, including helping you secure travel insurance, find a flight, and navigate your visa application if needed. Throughout your course, professional instructors will provide ongoing support and training. Transportation within the course, including airport pick-up, is also offered. Additionally, we provide accommodation, meals, and a uniform package (two sets of uniforms, fleece jacket, cap, and beanie), with continuous support available during your stay.

Accommodation consists of shared rooms in bungalows, safari tents, or lodge-style housing, each equipped with a desk, cupboard, and fan. In some camps, you’ll have access to a pool, boma, and braai area, exercise space, and a social area. Free Wi-Fi and a library of field guiding books are available, and bathrooms are shared or communal, with en-suite options. Limited laundry services are also provided.

Please note that the following are not included in the course fees: flights, transfers to the campus on arrival and departure, medical and travel insurance, costs for professional driver’s permits and licensing (for those 21 and older), police clearance or background check fees, and personal workwear such as hiking shoes and jackets. Additional costs include international and domestic airport taxes, extra drinks and gratuities, compulsory and recommended reference books, and transport to the work placement. Any extra local excursions, as well as meals, laundry, and transport during free-time weeks, are also not included. Accommodation, electricity, internet, and meals during off-weeks or the work placement portion of the program are also your responsibility.

You need to talk to your doctor and check what vaccinations he/she suggests. It is advised to be vaccinated against Diphtheria, Morbilli, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).  In case of injuries, vaccinating against Tetanus is also advised. For current information and warnings regarding your destination, you should check out the homepage of your country’s foreign department. Moreover, we recommend taking a small “travel” pharmacy with you, which includes items like painkillers, plasters, and antihistamines. You must get travel insurance to start your wilderness adventure with Natucate. We can help you find something for you. Let us know if you have any allergies, so we can inform our partner.

Since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, packing suitable clothing is essential. Bring durable hiking boots, lightweight long pants for daily wear, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Choose clothes in neutral colours that blend with the environment, such as grey, khaki, brown, or green. It’s also a good idea to pack warmer layers for cooler evenings or temperature changes.

In addition, don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, a power bank, and a sketch pad to capture the beauty of your surroundings. Avoid unnecessary items that could take up valuable space or be impractical in the field.

In order to get well prepared for your course, we recommend taking a closer look at the following books (in English):

• Emmet, Megan; Patrick, Sean: Game Ranger in your Backpack
• Sinclair, Ian; Hockey, Phil; Tarboton, Warwick: Sasol Birds of Southern Africa
• Estes, Richard: The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals
• van Wyk, Braam; van Wyk, Piet: Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
• Liebenberg, Louis: Photographic guide to Tracks and Tracking of Southern Africa

Please remind us to share our learner support with you.

We advise you to book travel cancellation insurance, in case you can’t attend the course. There are also options for insurance if you have to quit your stay earlier or will join later than expected.

A PFTC certificate (the Professional Firearms Trainers Council) is only offered on the 6-month course. This can be obtained during the course and is completed with an external provider.

We will support you during your organization and planning process, but you need to book your flight on you own. You will fly to Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport). From there you will be picked up on the day your course starts and make your way to the camp with your fellow participants.

Your day typically starts between 5:30 and 6:00 am, with a mix of classroom learning and practical activities. Expect early wake-up calls with coffee or tea, followed by a rewarding day in the bush, campfire meals, leadership tasks, and camp chores. A typical schedule might look like this:

• 5:00 - 5:30 am: Wake-up, light breakfast
• 6:00 - 10:00 am: Morning activity (game drive, bush walk, lecture, etc.)
• 11:00 am: Brunch at camp
• Midday: Free time to relax, study, or exercise
• 3:00 pm: Afternoon activity
• 6:00 pm: Evening meal (communal braai or dining area)

You’ll also have plenty of free time to explore the campus and its surroundings.

After you've spent the first six months of your Professional Safari Guide course learning in the bush, you are going to spend the following months gaining practical experience in a lodge. This internship placement will be arranged with you, and there are different opportunities like being a Field Guide or diving deeper into conservation.

Each campus typically has between 10 and 30 students, ensuring personalised training and ample support. This allows for a student-to-trainer ratio of approximately ten students per instructor.

Accommodation is in shared rooms in your destined camp. Each room is equipped with a desk, cupboard, and fan. Most campuses offer a pool, social areas, free Wi-Fi, and access to communal or shared en-suite bathrooms.

Yes, every camp allows a travel partner with whom you can share accommodation; make sure to inform us on time.

Meals are provided daily, with two hot meals served in the communal dining area. Breakfast and lunch are hearty and varied, and dinner may be served in the dining area or as a communal braai around the campfire. Snacks, fruit, cereal, coffee, tea, and water are available throughout the day.

Note: During off weeks, accommodation, meals, and transport are not provided.

The food is quite balanced, which is why a vegetarian diet is very well possible. We need more preparation for a vegan or gluten-free diet. Please let us know your dietary preferences beforehand.

Work time and free time are balanced throughout the course. You’ll have structured days with classroom learning, practical sessions, and field activities, typically starting early in the morning.

In the afternoons, you’ll have some free time to relax, study, or explore the campus and the surrounding area. The course is divided into 5 semesters, each lasting 4 weeks, with one week off between semesters. These off-weeks run from Sunday to Sunday.

During off times or those one-week breaks, you’ll have more free time to enjoy the surroundings, rest, study or engage in personal activities. You can always ask us for the current timetable for your course, as the free times you have will be strictly based on the current course schedule.

You can explore the campus and its beautiful surroundings during your free time, with activities like bush walks, birdwatching, and running along the trails. If you're passionate about wildlife, you might spot various animals and bird species near the water features.

There’s also plenty of time for studying, whether reviewing your course material, preparing for upcoming lessons, or deepening your understanding of the natural world. You can do this in the peaceful environment of the campus, in the library, or in the social areas, where you can also relax and interact with fellow students.

The team on site will always help you and can answer your questions. They will be responsible for you and help you with any kind of problem. Moreover, you can always contact the Natucate team.

Most of your expenses will be covered during the course, including food, accommodation, and transport. However, you may need extra money for things like external transfers, snacks, beverages, or souvenirs. Cash can be easily withdrawn at the airport or from ATMs in most cities. Before arriving in Southern Africa, it's a good idea to check if your bank card works internationally. While bringing some cash for emergencies is advisable, we recommend not carrying large amounts of money, especially in urban areas.

You can stay in touch with family and friends through Wi-Fi, which is available in selected areas of the campus. Local cell phone service is also available, depending on your provider. Additionally, you can use internet cafes on your weeks off or mobile data if necessary.

For detailed information about the weather conditions of your chosen location check out our country information page. The weather varies depending on the season and location. Generally, the climate in Southern Africa is warm and sunny, with hot summers and mild winters.

During the summer (November to February), temperatures can range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), with occasional rainfall. Winter (June to August) is cooler, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), but nights can get chilly, sometimes dropping to around 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F). Be prepared for temperature fluctuations, especially in the early mornings and evenings.

Staying alert and aware of potential risks is crucial in the wilderness. Your group instructors will provide guidance on when to exercise extra caution, always prioritising your safety. While dangerous or venomous animals generally avoid humans and only act aggressively when threatened, it’s vital to follow safety instructions and abide by the rules for a secure and enjoyable experience.

Rest assured, game fences enclose the campuses to keep out dangerous animals, and we have 24/7 staff support with access to nearby emergency services. Your instructors are dedicated to ensuring your safety and guiding you throughout your time in the bush.

Yes, upon completing the course, you will receive several certificates that are essential for working as a professional safari guide. The core certification is the CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide (NQF2), which is required by most lodges and safari providers in South Africa. You will also receive additional certifications that enhance your qualifications and employability, including IFGA Guide, Track & Sign, First Aid, Reptile Handling, and more. These qualifications ensure you’re well-prepared to work as a professional guide, both locally and internationally.

It is possible to take part in the courses without completing the exam or receiving a certificate; however, it is not generally offered in the 6-month course.

The International Field Guides Association (IFGA) is a global organisation dedicated to defining and upholding the standards that make guided experiences exceptional. With a focus on the soft skills that elevate the guest experience, such as communication excellence, personalised interactions, environmental sensitivity, and storytelling. Earning IFGA certification not only builds your skills but also strengthens your CV and opens doors in the competitive world of wildlife guiding.

CATHSSETA stands for the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority. It is a South African government body responsible for overseeing skills development and setting standards in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including field guiding.

As a recognised authority, CATHSSETA ensures that field guides are trained and certified according to the national standards, with the qualification being the Nature Site Guide (NQF Level 2). This certification is essential for legally working as a field guide in South Africa. CATHSSETA also offers other related qualifications and training programs to boost professionalism and skills within the tourism and hospitality industries.

The Professional Safari Guide course offers comprehensive training in wildlife identification, conservation, and guiding techniques, preparing you for a career in the safari industry. You can earn internationally recognised certifications, including the CATHSSETA qualification and IFGA certification, and gain hands-on experience in iconic reserves.

This course opens job opportunities at top safari lodges, reserves, and wildlife organisations, both in Southern Africa and internationally. Whether starting a new career, embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, or taking a break from everyday life, this course is perfect for those passionate about nature and conservation.

While the IFGA certificate significantly enhances your chances of securing a job in the safari guiding and wildlife conservation industries, it’s important to note that the job market can be competitive, and ensuring a position depends on several factors such as work permits, availability of roles, and the high demand for local guides in certain regions like Southern Africa.

While many graduates successfully find employment at top safari lodges, reserves, and conservation organizations, there are no guarantees for job placement. The region's unemployment rate can impact opportunities, as locals are often prioritized for certain positions. However, international guides are still needed, especially in areas with a shortage of skilled workers.

That said, the training offers valuable experience, internationally recognised certifications, and the chance to network within the industry, which can significantly improve your career prospects. Whether you are looking for a long-term career or just a life-changing adventure, this course provides the skills and knowledge to pursue exciting opportunities in wildlife conservation and guiding.