There’s wise and then there’s Bushwise
Conservation Careers has teamed up with Bushwise to provide professional Field Guide Training in South Africa. With over 10 years’ experience in training field guides for the lodge, safari and conservation industry in South Africa, Bushwise is a leading Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) field guide training provider. “95% of Bushwise students are being offered permanent positions within a month of graduation”, said Dr Nick Askew from Conservation Careers. “If you’re interested in a career working as a field guide, field research and eco-tourism sector then read on and register your interest here“.
About Bushwise
South Africa, with it’s abundant and unsurpassed flora and fauna is driving the demand for local and international natural sciences students in the field of zoology, botany, ecology and conservation looking to compliment their studies with strong practical experience in a real-world environment.
Bushwise is leading the herd with it’s admission of a number of these students having continuously demonstrated that its training program provides an in-depth understanding of the forces that shape ecosystems and behavior, a vital requirement for students seeking a career in conservation or field research.
Bushwise is the country’s leading Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) training service provider.
Students train in wildlife tracking
“Through our various FGASA training programs we provide students the opportunity to study animals and their habits, which are not only diverse but continually evolve and are at the core of the future of conservation, not just within Southern Africa but worldwide’ says Sophie Niemann, founder and Bushwise Director.
Close encounters with African Wildlife
“These real world experiences reflect the evolutionary relationships of the animals, identifying and understanding the requirements of studies in anatomy, physiology, reproduction, behavior, community ecology and molecular genetics and how they contribute to ensuring a high-standard of knowledge students take with them into their future careers.”
Bushwises Professional Field Guide courses are not just for students seeking to gain practical field experience, they also offer in-depth theoretical and practical training for students looking to seek careers in the eco-tourism and / or conservation industries, including internships at various top safari lodges and conservation organizations in the country. This intensive course underpins the belief of why so many South African trainers field guides are in such high demand, not just within Africa but abroad as well.
Led by head trainer Ben Coley and supported by a team of three trainers, who work directly with students to negotiate and construct new understandings of their environment and develop life-long learning skills, grounded in genuine situations of practice in which a high degree of collaboration is essential for a successful outcome.
Students hard at work in the field classroom.
“The zoology major requirements of integrating theory with real-world practical (both field and laboratory) studies are best explored at the Bushwise campus, purposefully designed to showcase interactions and exploration of animals and fragile eco-systems found within southern Africa.
Ben Coley leading students on a walk through a ‘Big 5’ game reserve
Bushwise have seen their students go on to work in various lodges and conservation programs both in South Africa and internationally, including students who are now involved in chimp rehabilitation, anti-poaching, research programs in Malawi and training of guides in Patagonia to name a few.