ABOUT OGS
OUR TRAINERS
ABOUT OGS
// GUIDE COURSES
NATURE GUIDE COURSE
This nature guide course is a wonderful mix of gaining a deep theoretical insight to the ecology of this fascinating wilderness and learning the skills of guiding. While most of our excursions are game drives, we also head out on foot, and on mokoro when water levels allow. The 4-week practical component is modular, allowing you to do 2 separate visits to complete the required 28 days of practical instruction required for assessment.
A unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience...
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This is what awaits you in the unforgettable Okavango wilderness when you become a FGASA or BQA-registered field guide through our value-for-money nature guiding courses.
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Come and enjoy life-changing experiences with us. Tracking buffalo herds or prides of lion from island to island. Motorboating or poling dug-out conoes through wild delta channels. Navigating deep water crossings and heavy sand by 4×4. Swapping campfire stories under the African stars.
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We do all this and more on our FGASA or BQA field guide training courses. These courses cater not only experienced and aspiring nature/safari/field guides, but also adventure souls seeking a unique, life-changing bush experience in a remote African wilderness.
Nature Guide Course
Students
Our students range from international people wishiung to come and learn more about the wilderness and ecology to guides who are starting out in the industry and wanting to qualify through to experienced guides who are wanting to enhance their knowledge and guiding skills. ​
Some of our students prefer the organic learning without following the formal structures of the qualification. However, most of our students that attend are doing the Botswana Qualification Authrority (BQA) Nature Guide and/or the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) NQF2 Nature Guide qualification. Both of these qualifications can. be achieved simultaneously on the course.
Learn & Experience
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Conducting game-drives in 4-wheel drive vehicles.
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Mokoro (dug-out canoe) expeditions (dependent on water levels)
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Wilderness walks and sleep-outs
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Walking safaris
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Stargazing and astronomy
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Theory lectures and presentations from qualified and knowledgeable trainers on diverse topics ranging from local geology, ecology, and hydrology, to astronomy and weather and climate
OUR VALUE. DELIVERED.
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Through our pre-course study programme, we offer the FGASA Nature Guide course in just 28 days!
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We’re situated in a World heritage site throbbing with birdlife and Big 5 game.
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Our trainers are some of the most qualified guides in the industry.
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We offer both FGASA and BQA qualifications.
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We sponsor one local guide for every four-week course we conduct.
General
Course length:
14 or 28 days
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Qualifications:
no prior experience is required.
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There is no minimum group size. Maximum group size is 8 exclusive of the one sponsored local student.
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Access:
Maun Airport or self-drive into Maun
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Inclusive
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Tented accommodation
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All meals at Kwapa Camp
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Drinking water, tea and coffee
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All training and activities
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One scheduled transfer from Maun to Kwapa Camp and return
exclusive
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Unscheduled transfers to/from Kwapa Camp
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Travel Insurance
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All flights
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Personal effects, including toiletries
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Staff gratuities
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Drinks other than those mentioned above can be purchased in Maun before leaving for Kwapa Camp
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FGASA/ BQA registration and exam fees
Qualifications
AGA Certificate
This is for students seeking to do the course for personal enrichment rather than pursuing a formal qualification to become a guide. Upon course completion, they will receive an African Guide Academy certificate for participation in the course.
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However, for those seeking it, there are two formal qualifications available:
BQA-Level 2
This is the Botswana Training Authority exam which is the national guiding qualification for Botswana.
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FGASA NQF2 (Previously known as Level 1)
This is the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa exam and the national guiding qualification used in South Africa. However, to enter FGASA level 1, you must complete our pre-course workbooks and prepare the required lecture material. In addition, to qualify for the FGASA certificate you must do the full 28 days of training but this does not have to be done in one session, but rather when your leave permits.
For every four-week course we conduct, we sponsor one local guide
To preserve our unique habitat for future generations, we give something back to local communities by sponsoring one deserving local guide for every four-week course we run for international students. Last year we donated more than USD 50 000 in training to local communities who are ultimately the custodians of one of Africa’s last remaining true wilderness areas.
