Trails Guide Training in South Africa

In this course, practical guiding skills are honed and the FGASA field guide syllabus is expanded. Most of the training is on foot, exploring the wilderness as you learn how to guide bush walks in big game territory. It’s certainly thrilling with the emphasis on dangerous game encounters – and the necessary safety requirements.

Trails Guide training courses are run by EcoTraining in a number of Greater Kruger reserves and in Molema Camp in Tuli block in the Kalahari fringe-lands of Botswana. Guests are based at camps that are comfortable and functional, sharing spacious 2-bed tents.

Note: 

• Participants who join the Trails Guide course out of interest will follow the same syllabus and daily activities as those working towards FGASA qualification. One prerequisite for Trails Guide qualification is attaining FGASA Apprentice Field Guide qualification first - and these courses are also open to general interest participants, both online and in the field. Send a query to find out more.

Modules covered on the 28-day course are:

• Weapon Handling (incl. ARH Assessment)
• Conducting Guided Walks
• Incident Management
• Role of Apprentice Trails Guide
• Approaching Animals on Foot
• 1 to 2 Night Wilderness Experience
• Trials Guide Equipment
• Dangerous Animal Knowledge

In camp, days start before dawn so that the main field activity can take advantage of the morning conditions. Back at camp, brunch is followed by some classroom work, and there's also plenty of time to relax before the afternoon outing. 

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Tea, coffee and cordials
• Instructors and training
• Rifles and rifle handling equipment
• Walks
• Other activities (Sleep Out etc.)

• Beverages (beers, ciders, soft drinks). Filtered water is provided at camps.
• Entry into Kruger Park (for Makuleke Courses); Botswana border crossing (cable car)