FGASA

Posted by robertwell on June 13th, 2013

The Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA) endorses lots of different educational courses and training providers. It was founded in 1990 to set standards for nature guiding. It has become an accredited provider with CATHSSETA. The standards set by the field association have always been high and they continue to set high guiding standards today. The association has many aims and amongst them are to provide educational opportunities to promote the conservation and rehabilitation of the natural heritage and culture of South Africa.

If you are looking for a way to get qualified to become a guide or tracker then there is no better way than through FGASA. You will find that there are a number of qualifications under the nature guide category for a local guide from level 1 to level 3.The syllabus for all of these courses are very in-depth meaning that at the end of the course when you are qualified you will have all the essential knowledge needed for you to guide in a save and professional manner. All practical assessments are carried out by a registered FGASA assessor.

Level 1-3 are even more in-depth and give the student a vast knowledge of the natural environment they operate in including history, geology, plants and animals. You will have a clear understanding of what a guide does in terms of job functions and where all this fits into the greater scheme of tourism in the area. When qualified as a guide you will also have an understanding of the legal requirements that appertain to guide tourism along with knowing what all the aims of a nature guide are.

Perhaps you already have all your guiding qualifications and are looking to gain knowledge, experience and qualifications in another area of South African tourism such as dangerous game or birding qualifications. You will find that there are lots of different modules and levels of both the aforementioned qualifications. When being assessed on the practical element of the qualification you will need to take an assessor out into an area of your choice and give them a guided experience as you would a paying group of clients.