Join us for the adventure of your life while getting qualified! Unique to Kariega Nature College, is a student's  engagement with at least five of South Africa's nine terrestrial biomes and the beautiful coastline of the Eastern Cape. 

Students will be learning within a “Big Five” conservancy where they can expect spectacular wildlife sightings and memorable encounters. The bird count in the region is impressive, including some rare species the most noatble of which is the Narina Trogon found in our indigenous forest areas.  

The Kariega Nature College team is passionate, well-qualified and experienced. We are eager  to take you through our comprehensive training courses and give you the confidence and experience needed to start your career in this exciting industry!

The Kariega Nature College proudly facilitates the opportunity for students and guides to reach their goals in achieving accredited nature guiding and tracking qualifications. Set to open its doors in July 2018, nature enthusiasts and students will be able to immerse themselves in the African bush as they gain knowledge and experience while learning the skills necessary to enter the safari world professionally.

The team at the Kariega Nature College adopts a unique approach to nature guide and tracker training, with great focus on the development process and mentorship from student to professional guide and tracker.

While training at the Kariega Nature College, students will be exposed to at least five of South Africa’s nine terrestrial biomes or ecoregions, in addition to our coastal environment. Students will be learning and operating on a Kariega Game Reserve in which “Big Five” sightings are often enjoyed with a view of the Indian Ocean as a backdrop. The bird count in the region is impressive, including much sought after bird species such as the Narina Trogon found in our indigenous forest areas.

The Kariega Nature College team is passionate about the intricacies of the natural environment, and sharing their knowledge of Kariega’s diverse ecosystem. Your trainers are well-qualified with years of experience in the Eastern Cape and other regions of southern Africa. Personalised attention is guaranteed as we only accept ten students at a time per course.

The Kariega Nature College programme will take you on a comprehensive training journey structured in a way to give you that extra advantage when starting your career in this exciting industry!

We offer the following core courses:

  • One year field guide development programme (includes 6 month practical internship)
  • Half year advanced field guide course
  • 3 month field guide course

Shorter courses:

  • 1 week Track and Sign identification course
  • 3 week Tracker course
  • 3 week Birding course
  • 1 week Biome guiding course
  • 10 day Trails Guide theory and Advanced Rifle Handling

All our courses are endorsed by CyberTracker (tracking courses) and FGASA (guiding courses). Upon successful completion of our 3 month field guide course, students will achieve a FGASA Field Guide qualification, accredited in South Africa. 

What's included? 

3 month course includes: 

  • FGASA Study material for Field Guide and FGASA Trails Guide syllabi
  • FGASA Field Guide Theoretical training
  • FGASA Field Guide Practical Training
  • FGASA Field Guide Theory exam
  • FGASA Field Practical assessment
  • First aid training, accredited by Department of Labour in South Africa 
  • 4X4 training course, TETA-accredited (Transport Education Training Authority)
  • Hospitality training
  • Snake handling course (with African Snakebite Institute)
  • Rifle proficiency, PFTC accredited (Professional Firearm Training Council)
  • Excursion: Overnight hiking trail in Woody Cape, coastal section of the Addo Elephant National Park
  • Track and Sign course, including CyberTracker evaluation 
  • Wildlife Photography workshop

Half-year course includes everything in the 3 month course, plus:

  • FGASA Trails Guide Theory workshop
  • FGASA Trails Guide Theory exam 
  • ARH rifle training and assessment (Advanced Rifle Handling)
  • FGASA Tracker course, including:
  • Track and sign training 
  • CyberTracker Track and Sign Evaluation
  • Trailing (tracking) training
  • CyberTracker Trailing Evaluation 
  • *A Tracker Level 2 (minimum) certificate will count towards your Trails Guide qualification as your career progresses
  • FGASA Specialist Bird Guide course, including:
  • Theoretical training for workbook completion 
  • Practical training in the field
  • Slide and sound training
  • FGASA Regional Bird Guide assessment 
  • *The FGASA Regional Bird Guide certificate will count towards your FGASA Advanced Field Guide qualification as your career progresses
  • FGASA Biome Guide course, including:
  • Theoretical training for workbook completion 
  • Practical training in the field 
  • *The FGASA Biome Guide certificate will count towards your FGASA Advanced Field Guide qualification as your career progresses

One year course includes everything in the half-year course, plus:

  • Placement at Kariega Game Reserve, including:
  • Work-based guiding and lodge experience 
  • FGASA Back-up Trails Guide practical assessment
  • Opportunities to log guiding experience in your FGASA logbooks:
  • Game drives - The Guiding Logbook 
  • Back-up Trails Guide walks - Dangerous Game Logbook