The course is structured to maximize the practical experience of our learners in the bush. Each day allows for

hours of time spent in the field interpreting the ecology and enjoying a wildlife experience. Activities alternate

between walks and driving. Lecture time follows after brunch, which involves topical instruction (lectures) and

discussion on the subject of the day (see list below). This is followed by time for self study for the learners.

Learner participation in the care of the camp, equipment and vehicle will be expected. Learners will be

expected to pay attention to the needs of fellow learners and to work in teams at times.

• Welcome and introduction

• Introduction to guiding in nature

• Creating a guided nature

experience

• Geology and soils

• Astronomy

• Weather and climate

• Ecology

• Taxonomy

• Introduction to the biomes of

southern Africa

• Botany and grasses

• Vegetation identification

• 4WD for Game Viewing

• Sleep out in the bush

• Fire Arm theory and practical

shooting

• Arthropods (Insects and relatives)

• Amphibians

• Reptiles

• Fish

• Birds

• Mammals

• Animal behaviour

• Tracks and tracking

• Radio procedures

• Conservation management and

historical human habitation

• Habitat management

• Bush camps

• 3 x Written tests

• 2 x Oral presentations

• 2 x Practical evaluations: Walk

evaluation & Game drive evaluation

Some learners attend our courses for the experience, while some do this for their careers in Field Guiding. All

learners have an option to register with FGASA or not to.

1. Registration with FGASA: If you register with FGASA you can write the FGASA exam and do the

assessment at the end of the course and receive a FGASA qualification in FGASA Field Guide Level 1.

This is a MUST for students that want to do this for a career.

• You need to send EcoTraining your FGASA application forms for Membership and for the Exam (as

sent to you on your booking confirmation email).

• Please send EcoTraining a photo of yourself (headshot, in JPEG format only).

directly to FGASA.

• You will receive your manuals upon arrival at camp.

• Also note that if you want to write the FGASA exam and do the assessment, we need 21 days

notification to arrange the necessary exams with FGASA, so please ensure we have your application

forms on time.

• On completion of the theory exam, it will be marked by the EcoTraining Instructor. If the participant has

passed the theory s/he will be allowed to undergo the FGASA practical assessment.

• After it has been marked at the EcoTraining camp, it is sent to FGASA for moderation, so the mark you

receive at camp is not the final mark until confirmed by FGASA!

• Your certificate will be issued by FGASA and sent to the address you indicted on your application form.

2. Non-registration: If you do not register with FGASA, you cannot write the FGASA exam and do the

assessment at the end of the course. You will write a basic EcoTraining test and receive an EcoTraining

Participation certificate at the end of the course. This option is only applicable for students that are not

planning on doing field guiding as a career.

EcoTraining is a FGASA endorsed training provider who is accredited by THETA. This means our courses

adhere to THETA standards. THETA is the Tourism and Hospitality and Sport Education Training Authority of

the South African government. These are the two bodies responsible for regulating standards within the guide

training industry in southern Africa. For this course only, we will assist you by registering you for FGASA,

THETA and eventually DEAT. (DEAT – Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism).

First aid course –this must preferably be done before coming on the course, but you can also do it after the

course. This can be done at any accredited institution in any country. First Aid is generic worldwide.

For more information regarding further FGASA membership, registration and certification, please contact us for

a separate detailed document that you will need.