New FGASA requirements for Level 1 Nature Guiding Course

From July 2011, the minimum duration for a Level 1 Field Guiding (nature guiding) course to be endorsed by FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) is two months. This more than doubles the duration which is currently 3 weeks.

There are pros and cons with this change, depending on who you are. Trainers will have more time to work through the syllabus and expose their students more thoroughly to the practical aspects of nature guiding. Students will also have more time to get to grips with all aspects of the national qualifications. The downside for the average student is that prices will sky-rocket as training providers are forced to more than double their rates for a basic nature guiding training course.

This change can be debated at length and it remains to be seen wether or not there will be any real change to the quality of nature guide that is developed in 2 months rather than 3 or 4 weeks. It is well known throughout the game lodge industry that field guides only really develop their skills once in the workplace, under the mentorship of senior guides who help them through the day to day challenges of being a safari guide in the wild areas of Southern Africa and other regions of the African continent. Hence the demand in the industry for guides with experience, especially FGASA Level 2 and 3.

Limpopo Field Guiding Academy (LFGA) is happy to report that we will be offering students the opportunity to comply with the minimum requirements for a FGASA endorsed Level 1 Field Guiding course, and will thus offer a two month option from July 2011 onwards. We will however, still offer 3 or 4 week options for training courses (these are our current flagship courses). These shorter courses cover the theoretical and practical aspects of FGASA Level 1 Nature Guiding (Field Guiding) and also include Cybertracker Track and Sign Interpretation training. These shorter format courses are endorsed by Cybertracker ( the global leader in tracker training and assessment) and also by the African Field Guides Association (AFGA). The 4 week option also includes the basic training week for Dangerous Animal guiding - this is the first mentorship week towards becoming a FGASA Trails Guide - the guide who approached dangerous animals by foot in the African bush.

Limpopo Field Guiding Academy, managed by parent company Limpopo Rangers cc, continues to provide training options for all who are passionate about the African bush and all the secrets it holds. Our trainers are highly qualified and have a wealth of experience which has been built up over many years in all regions of Africa, including Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa. Courses offered range from basic nature guiding through to more advanced levels and specialist courses such as Advanced Rifle Handling, Tracking and Birding. We are also involved in FGASA SKS levels, which may only be achieved after several years of nature guiding and with a minimum requirement of FGASA Level 3 as the entry requirement.

For more information about our courses and how to make a booking, please contact us at info@limpopotraining.co.za or +27(0)72 625 4709 or +27(0)14 736 4757.