Nature Guiding / Ranger

The term “nature guide”/ "field guide" is often confused with ranger (game ranger) and "tourist guide".

A game ranger manages a specific area where wild animals roam in a protected area.

The tourist guide profession embraces a vast complexity of specific areas of the entire country, guiding tourists in cities, museums , battlefields and many places of interest, placing the accent essentially on the man-made environment and cultural-historical aspects.

The Nature Guide leads people into the natural areas of the environment. This form of guiding is not necessarily confined to walking trails. It could also include vehicle drives, horseback safaris, canoeing and other outdoor activities. The nature guide's interests relate to Ecology and Nature, but the name Ranger is so embedded into the Tourism Guiding Industry that it will never change... so by achieving this Qualification and Register as a Nature Guide you will be employed as a Ranger at Game Reserves... entertaining tourist to see leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino... the Big 5 of Africa!

 NQF 2 - 4 of SAQA (South African Qualification Authority) accredited 

National Certificate is the ONLY Course according to Law (Tourism Act 70 of 2000)

that’s legal to register as a Tourist-Guide with DEAT (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism).

No other rating or qualification is necessary – such as a Field Guide... Qualification.

However, you are free to register with FGASA additionally.

FGASA examination can be done at their Exam venues.