Become a Safari Guide
Take one year to become a Professional Safari Guide!
A life-changing year of wilderness, purpose, and professional qualification. Study with EcoTraining — the world leader in safari guide education — and graduate ready to protect and interpret the wild.
- FGASA Certified
- CATHSSETA Accredited
- 30+ Years of Training Excellence
What is EcoTraining?
EcoTraining is Africa’s pioneering safari-guide training school, operating since 1993 and renowned for producing professionals who serve as guardians of nature. With a presence across multiple countries, EcoTraining offers fully immersive courses set in unfenced wilderness camps in South Africa, Botswana and Kenya. Their programs are accredited by leading industry bodies—including Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and CATHSSETA—ensuring learners receive recognised qualifications alongside hands-on experience in some of Africa’s most biodiverse game reserves.
A year of unparalleled immersion in Africa’s wild places
No classroom can compare to nature herself. Over the course of 12 months, you’ll live and learn in one of the 5 carefully selected nature areas in Africa, each chosen for its unique ecology and biodiversity. The one-year program combines classroom theory, field instruction, and professional mentoring — preparing you for a career in guiding, conservation, or eco-tourism. The first half year you will spend in various EcoTraining camps, gaining all theorethical knowledge and putting it into practice daily. After this, you start an internship as Field Guide with one of the industry partners.
What will you learn during this EcoTraining course?
Wilderness Medicine Level 1 & 2
FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF2, CATHSSETA)
FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide
Advanced Rifle Handling & Firearm Proficiency
EcoTracker: Track & Sign, Trailing & Tracker Certifications
Advanced Birding & Ecology
Where are the EcoTraining camps located?
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Greater Kruger – Timbavati & Balule Pridelands (South Africa)
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Kruger National Park – Makuleke
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Mashatu – Land of the Giants (Botswana)
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Okavango Delta – Selinda Spillway
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Masai Mara – Wild Bandas (Kenya)
Your journey begins here
If you feel called to protect and connect others with the natural world. This is where you begin.
Next Start Dates:
05 Jan 2026 – 15 Dec 2026
01 Feb 2026 – 22 Dec 2026
01 Aug 2026 – 18 Jul 2027
01 Oct 2026 – 06 Sep 2027
Entry Requirements
Must be 18+ years old
Communicate effectively in English
Fit enough to walk 2 km
Valid driver’s license (manual preferred)
What graduates say about EcoTraining
“ I really love waking up and seeing what animal tracks were left during the night. Waking up with an elephant standing at my tent was a bit scary, but also very cool. The whole experience here has been fantastic. A word of advice: If you know on the inside it’s for you, do it. Listen to your gut and trust it. Being here has given me peace of mind. It makes me happy and truly soothes my soul. ”
— Sam Bakel, Australia
“ It has been so refreshing to be somewhere where you live by the sun and weather and not your watch – to totally switch off from the world and not know what will happen next. I have had so many highlights – from seeing hyena on foot, having lions and rhino walk around our vehicle, hearing an elephant right outside my tent and even seeing incredible bush paintings. Every week gets better.”
— Bert Jansen, Belgium
Need some independent advise and information?
I am Dale and I have been the head instructor at EcoTraining camps in Selati, Karongwe, Makuleke and Mashatu (Botswana). I have taught all the modules in the 1 year Professional Field Guide Course. Therefore, I have a deep understanding of what the program entails. Who better to ask for independent advice when you are in doubt whether this course is for you or when you simply have any question about the program at all?
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