Introduction

Welcome to the WildlifeCampus Certificate Qualification in Game Ranging / Field Guiding.

This is the most comprehensive course of its kind offered anywhere in the world. This course is the best possible preparation you can undertake to begin a career as a Field Guide.
How It Works / Registration

This course functions as a normal traditional distance learning or correspondence course. Students are sent their course material by courier (or may collect it) and assignments are exchanged through the post.

Go to www.WildlifeCampus.com to register.

Registration is free of both cost and obligation.
The Qualification

The qualification achieved by completing this course is an Accredited Certificate in Game Ranging / Field Guiding, co-conferred by FGASA. Successful graduates will have their certificates posted to them, there is no graduation ceremony.

Certificate will only be issued to students who have paid their course fees in full, irrespective of whether they have completed the academic requirements.

In addition to being a FGASA Accredited Training Provider, we've been providing courses since the year 2000. Our courses are well recognized and accepted throughout the industry and we have hundreds of past graduates working at lodges and reserves all through Sub-Saharan Africa. Our courses will certainly be of great benefit and enhancement to your C.V.
Forms of Assessment

You are required to complete and send in five assignments, one assignment per Guide Book.

These assignments constitute the full assessment and testing requirements for the course. There are no final exams to complete.

In order gain the qualification, all assignments must be successfully completed with a passmark of 65% required. Should you not achieve the 65% requirement, you will be request edto re-submit the assignment. Successfully completed assignments will be returned with a marking memorandum.

Should your account be arrears, assignments received will not be marked or returned.
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The Course Outline

Guide # 1 - Classification & Diversity Guide # 2 - Birds
Module # 1 - Classification
Component # 1 - Classification & Taxonomy
Component # 2 - Evolution

Module # 2 - Invertebrates
Component # 1 - Introduction to Arachnids
Component # 2 - Scorpions
Component # 3 - Ticks & Mites
Component # 4 - Spiders
Component # 5 - Centipedes & Millipedes
Component # 6 - Snails
Component # 7 - Introduction to insects
Component # 8 - Overview of Insect Orders

Module # 3 - Amphibia
Component # 1 - Introduction to Amphibia and Frogs

Module # 4 - Reptiles
Component # 1 - Introduction to Reptiles and Chelonia
Component # 2 - Lizards
Component # 3 - Snakes
Component # 4 - Crocodiles

Module # 5 - Fish
Component # 1 - Fish
Module # 6 - Birds
Component # 1 - Introduction to Birds and Flight
Component # 2 - General biology and Ecology
Component # 3 - Falcons and Kestrels
Component # 4 - Vultures
Component # 5 - Kites and Buzzards
Component # 6 - Eagles
Component # 7 - Sparrowhawks & Goshawks
Component # 8 - Owls
Guide # 3 - Mammals Guide # 4 - Ethology, Botany, Ecology
Module # 7 - Mammals
Component # 1 - Introduction to Mammals
Component # 2 - Small mammals
Component # 3 - Bats
Component # 4 - Carnivora
Component # 5 - Primates
Component # 6 - Aquatic Mammals
Component # 7 - Lion
Component # 8 - Leopard
Component # 9 - Elephant
Component # 10 - Rhino
Component # 11 - Buffalo
Component # 12 - Cheetah
Component # 13 - Hyaena
Component # 14 - Antelope & Warthog
Component # 15 - Wild dog
Component # 16 - Giraffe
Component # 17 - Zebra
Component # 18 - Hippo
Component # 19 - Suricate
Component # 20 - Aardvark & Pangolin
Module # 8 - Ethology, Animal Behaviour
Component # 1 - Introduction to Ethology
Component # 2 - Social Organisation
Component # 3 - Foraging and Predation
Component # 4 - Communication
Component # 5 - Grooming, Play and Sleeping
Component # 6 - Territorial and Anti-predation
Component # 7 - Sexual Behaviour & Parental care

Module # 9 - Botany
Component # 1 - General Overview of Plants
Component # 2 - Lower Plants
Component # 3 - Grasses
Component # 4 - Common Tree species
Component # 5 - Detailed account of Tree Species

Module 10 - Ecology
Component # 1 - Introduction to Ecology
Component # 2 - Biotic & Biotic Components
Component # 3 - Functional Components
Component # 4 - Climate and weather ⇒ General
Component # 5 - Climate and weather ⇒ S.Africa
Component # 6 - Geomorphology, Geology & Soil
Component # 7 - Savanna Ecology
Component # 8 - Ecosystem Dynamics
Guide # 5 - Field Guiding Skills The Course Workbook
Module 11 - Game Ranging Skills ⇒ Part A
Component # 1 - Anticipating animal behaviour
Component # 2 - Approaching dangerous game
Component # 3 - Basic bush navigation
Component # 4 - First aid for snake bite
Component # 5 - First aid for arthropods
Component # 6 - The Night Skies
Component # 7 - Principles of habitat management
Component # 8 - Environmental sensitivity
Component # 9 - Introduction to ecotourism
Component # 10 - Local communities Involvement
Component # 11 - Sustainable tourism & utilisation

Module 12 - Game Ranging Skills ⇒ Part B
Component # 1 - Dangerous Game Rifles
Component # 2 - Vehicle, Spotlight, Radio
Component # 3 - Vehicle mechanics
Component # 4 - Game drives and bush walks
Component # 5 - Dealing with guests
Component # 6 - Communication & Facilitation
Component # 7 - Working within the industry
Contents of the Workbook
Introduction
The Qualification
Duration of the course
Course outline
Forms of Assessment
The Practical Component
Contact Details
FGASA
Recommended Reading

Assignments
Instructions for completing the Assignments
Assignments # 1
Assignments # 2
Assignments # 3
Assignments # 4
Assignments # 5
Glossary of Scientific Terms
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The Practical Component

This course does not include any practical component. Completing a separate practical course is not a compulsory aspect of becoming a field guide, but is highly recommended, especially for the career oriented guide.

We recommend Eco Training, who offer a wide variety of course options from their three training camps in the Maluleke, Karongwe and Selati Game reserves. Their course basically follows the same course curriculum, but in practice.

Contact Eco Training directly for more information.


[Tel] 013 745 - 7777
enquiries@ecotraining.co.za
www.ecotraining.co.za

Should you wish to investigate alternative practical providers, please visit www.fieldguiding.com
FGASA / Accreditation

WildlifeCampus is a fully Endorsed and Accredited Trainer Provider through FGASA; we have enjoyed this status since 2001. This means that FGASA reviews our courses annually and are satisfied that graduates of our Field Guiding courses will have no problem in passing their theoretical assessments for FGASA Level 1, 2 and 3. However FGASA still require that applicants wanting to gain a FGASA qualification, join their association, write the theoretical examinations and be practically assessed.

FGASA is an accredited Training assessor with THETA (Tourism, Hospitality, Education and Sport Training Authority); however FGASA itself does not carry out training. This means that you can gain the required legal National qualification issued by THETA through FGASA.

The FGASA Level # 1 qualification has no barriers to entry. However in order to become eligible for their Level # 1 exams, you must hold Level # 1 and have one years' logged-guiding experience. You then have to have 2 additional years guiding experience in order to qualify for their Level # 3 exams.

The Certificate earned by completing the WildlifeCampus Field Guiding / Game Ranging Course does bear the FGASA logo, but does not provide the graduate with instant FGASA accreditation.

[Tel] (011) 782 - 8296
www.fgasa.org.za
new.members@fgasa.org.za
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Recommended Reading

While this course contains all the information you need to successfully complete the course and course exams, what follows is a list of recommended reading. These texts are primarily suggested to assist you with the identification of mammals, mammal tracks, birds, insects and trees. You'll also find them invaluable when guiding.

Mammal Guide: Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa - Chris and Tilde Stuart.

Mammal Tracks Guide: A photographic guide to Tracks and Tracking in S.Africa - Liebenberg

Birding Guide: Newman's Birds of South Africa - Sappi

Insects: Insectlopedia - Holm

Tree Guide: How to identify trees in SA - van Wyk

Click here for a full list of recommneded reading.
Duration of The Course

The course can easily be completed in twelve - eighteen months. The course consists of five Guide Books each with their own assignment.

Students who however have the opportunity to devote greater time and energy to the course are welcome to complete the course in as short a time as possible. Dedicated and motivated students will be able to complete the course withn three to six months. Note that all course fees must be paid.

The course must be completed within three years of commencing it. Should you find that you are unable to complete the course with the prescribed three years, your course duration may be extended at the descretion of WildlifeCampus, additional charges may apply.
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Academic Support

Full Academic Support is included in the course fees. Students are welcome to contact WildlifeCampus:

Telephonically ⇒ 011 656 1601
  • Monday - Friday
  • 08h00 - 17h00

    By E-mailinfo@wildlifecampus.com
  • Anytime

    A qualified tutor will gladly assist you.
  • Entrance Requiremnets

    None whatsoever, we have an open admission policy with no barriers to entry of any kind; anyone may register and begin any course at anytime irrespective of your age, prior qualifications or schooling.

    The course has been designed so that no prior learning is required or assumed. A good command of English will be a definate advantage, although we do have thousands of students who are not English-first-language speakers.

    Students under the age of 18 do require the consent of their parents or legal guardian.
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    Pricing / Cost Options

     

    DEPOSIT +
    Monthly Instalment
    Instalments Payable for
    TOTAL

    Cash Price

     R           -  

       

     R 4,500.00

    Paid over 6 months

     R      750.00

     R     930.00

    5 months

     R 5,400.00

    Paid over 12 months

     R      500.00

     R     460.00

    11 months

     R 5,560.00

    Paid over 18 months

     R      500.00

     R     310.00

    17 months

     R 5,770.00

    Paid over 24 months

     R      500.00

     R     235.00

    23 months

     R 5,905.00

    All prices are inclusive of VAT
    • For students paying off the course, your first month's installment consists of your Deposit Only. For example if you have chosen to pay for the course over 12 months, the payments required are R500 in the first month and R460 each month for the next 11 months.
      • Receipt of your deposit will allow us to send you your first Course Manual and Course Workbook.
      • Each additional deposit received will allow us to send you the next Course Manual.
      • Also note that your account must be up to date in order to have your assignments marked and returned.
    • For students who purchase the course for its cash price, the full course consisting of all the course material will be sent immediately.
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    How to Purchase

    Debit Order, Direct Deposit / EFT or Credit Card

    Go to www.WildlifeCampus.com to purchase the course.

    As soon as your payment has been processed your course material is immediately sent.
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    Terms & Conditions

    Assignments Policy
    • Students are liable for all postal costs when Assignments are sent to WildlifeCampus.
    • Should assignments be sent without sufficient postage attached the assignments will be returned unmarked.
    • Should assignments be received for marking, but the student account is in arrears, the assignment will be retained and will remain unmarked and unreturned until the student account is up to date.

    Certificates Policy
    • Certificates will only be issued to course graduates under the following conditions:
      • The course for which the Certificate has been earned will need to be completed in terms of all the academic requirements.
      • Certificates will only be issued for courses that have been fully paid for.

    Cancellation Policy
    • Students may elect to cancel their offline course(s) at any time.
    • A cancellation request must be submitted in writing, e-mail is acceptable if the e-mail is acknowledged by WildlifeCampus.

      Upon cancellation:
      • Students wille liable for all fees owing up to the date of cancellation, but be liable for and future course or tuition fees.
      • Students forfeit any course or tuition fees already paid. No refunds of any kind will be considered or returned.
      • Students will not receive any additional course material.
      • Students will no longer be eligible for any academic support.
      • Any course assignments received will neither be marked nor returned.