To become a legally registered Field Guide in South Africa, it is necessary to register with The National Department of Tourism (NDT).

To register with NDT, the following is required:
  1. You must be 21 or older.
    • Technically you cannot register and work as a legal field guide until aged 21.

      (It's in the Act, so technically the law. However, it's also unconstitutional in that it unfairly deprives an individual of gaining employment on the basis of prejudice (age) and we've been waiting for it to be legally challenged.

      However, we've also not received any reports of individuals denied registration on the basis of being under 21.

      DEAT are currently processing registrations as long as the applicants are 18)      .



  2. A relevant CATHSSETA Accredited Qualification or Skills Programme
    • CATHSSETA (Cultural Activities, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports) are the Sector Education and Training Authority's (SETA) appointed body that regulates and administers qualifications for the Field Guiding industry. They set the standards and the curriculum, they were formerly known as THETA.

    • Qualifications or Skills Programmes (shortened version of the full qualifications) can be gained from most of the reputable Training Providers OR from FGASA directly. Ensure that your Training Provider offers a CATHSSETA Accredited Assessment as part of their programme and issues successful graduates with a CATHSSETA Accredited Qualification or Skills Programme Certificate.

    • See the section on QUALIFICATIONS for more information on the Qualifications and Skills Programmes available.


  3. A valid First Aid certificate
    • Some Training Providers offer the First Aid Certificate as part of their programmes, but most don't.
    • When selecting a First Aid Training Provider ensure that their qualification is accepted by DEAT.


  4. A Public Drivers Permit


    • This document is obtainable from any Police Station. To gain this permit you simply require a valid South African driver's license that has not been endorsed in anyway.
    • Note that it may take between 3 and 6 months to obtain this document, so plan ahead.
    • PDP's will only be issued to persons aged 21 and older.
    • While not an immediate DEAT requirement, so those guides who go on to drive larger vehicles (more than 8 people) a Code 10 Licence is also required.


  5. Proof of identification
    • A notarised copy of your Identity Document


  6. The relevant registration forms
    • Available from DEAT, local provincial authorities or from FGASA


  7. Passport-type Photographs

Guiding Illegally

Legislation is currently in force that guides who guide without being registered are liable to heavy fines of:
  • R 5,000 / day for the guide and
  • R 10,000 / day for the guides employer