Become a Safari Guide

Step out of the ratrace and into African nature during your EcoTraining course!

Do you love nature and are you looking for a meaningful gapyear, sabbatical or carreer switch? Consider becoming a safari guide with EcoTraining. During the course of one year, you are fully immersed in the wilderness, you learn about African nature and on top of that you receive professional qualification. 

 

✅ Learning by living in the wild

✅ Real connections

✅ Adventure with purpose

✅ Find stillness, focus and clarity

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  • 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

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. This prepares 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?

  • Greater Kruger – Timbavati & Balule Pridelands (South Africa)

  • Kruger National Park – Makuleke

  • Mashatu – Land of the Giants (Botswana)

  • Okavango Delta – Selinda Spillway

  • Masai Mara – Wild Bandas (Kenya)

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Walking safari during EcoTraining course
Life at one of the EcoTraining Camps

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:

  • 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)

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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

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“ 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

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Need some independent advice 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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