The Nature College

Nature Guide Training

We are an accredited CATHSSETA and SASSETA training provider, with FGASA endorsement.  Our Introductory Field Guide courses are offered in the Western Cape and Phalaborwa, preparing candidates for  the CATHSSETA Skills Programme Nature Site Guide Level 2.

Johan Fourie (National Nature Guide Dangerous Animals Level 4; FGASA Level 3 Field Guide SKS Dangerous Game, Track & Sign Specialist, ETDP & CATTHSSETA registered Assessor, Moderator and Advanced Trainer) and Kobus Lubbe are in charge of the training programme, which is based on the publications An Introduction to Nature Guiding, The Nature Guide and Animal Alert! – you and the big ones.  They have been training Field Guides in the National Parks and surrounding communities since 1993. The training programme is strengthened by the inputs of a variety of experts, such as Dr Izak Rust & Dr John Almond (geology and palaeontology), Trevor Dearlove (Wilderness Trails), Phillip Coetzee (Birding Expert) and JJ Minye (Master Tracker).

Our full-time Introductory Field Guide courses will be run in January, March, May and Sept of every year.  The course fee includes rustic accommodation and meals, as well as the prescribed handbook.  The course prepares you and assesses you for the CATHSSETA National Qualification 0040, Site Guide (Nature) Level 2

Date of the next course:

• Introductory Nature Guide Course 12-26 March 2012 - offered in the Little Karoo (W-Cape)

 The course fees do not include the cost of a First Aid Course or  DEAT registration fees.

We also run Short Courses for Corporate Clients (e.g. Game Lodges and Tour Operators).  Please contact us for more information.

Our Biome Guide Course is aimed at guides wanting to graduate to the higher levels of guiding, and students will be assessed for the CATHSSETA Skills Programme Nature Site Guide Level 4.   The course content will be based on the latest publication The Nature Guide, plus the publications The vegetation of SA.

Obtain your registration form here.

Date of the next course:

• Biome Guide Course 5-17 Feb 2012

Our Local Field Guide Training Programme is based on the CATHSSETA Unit Standard 8440, Conduct a Guided Nature Experience in a Limited Geographical Area, and students will be assessed for the Skills Programme Nature Site Guide Level 2 (Local).  The programme consists of a 9-day training session.  It focuses on spending as much time in the field as possible with candidates.  Each candidate's growth and development is monitored personally, to facilitate optimal progress.  

Field Guide courses can also be run in situ, on request of a corporate client.  In such cases the course content and presentation can be tailored to suit the client.