We are FGASA

The Professional Body for Field Guides

Awarding professional designations.

Provide support and resources for continued professional development.

Provide career and mentorship support and opportunities and supporting the development of a national career advice system.

Developing and/or quality assuring qualification/s required for the awarding of professional designations.

Setting and assessing professional board examinations and practical assessments. 

Building networks for Members and industry professionals. 

Maintaining, developing, encouraging, and monitoring a high ethical standard of conduct amongst its Members, and issuing and enforcing a code of conduct to maintain professional behaviour, including disciplinary measures.

Promoting fair access to the profession for people from all backgrounds and encouraging the provision of alternative access routes into professional designations through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Dealing with such matters as may affect the common interests of the Members and encouraging best practices according to leading, global benchmarks.

Professional Designations

Field Guiding

The Certified Field Guide designation is the starting point for professional vehicle-based safari guides. These guides demonstrate a fundamental knowledge base of key guiding principles—ecology, wildlife behaviour, guest interaction, and basic conservation practices. Accountability at this level involves taking responsibility for personal actions under supervision, while abiding by professional ethical codes.  

The Certified Professional Field Guide exhibits an informed understanding of broader ecological, conservation, and tourism principles, as well as enhanced problem-solving and leadership abilities. These guides can address routine and new problems by drawing on established evidence, are accountable for their own actions, and may supervise junior guides. They plan and manage guest experiences more autonomously, ensuring in-depth interpretation of wildlife and environments. Ethical conduct remains paramount, and professional field guides often act as role models, furthering the mission of sustainable, responsible tourism within a lodge or reserve setting. 

Trails Guiding

The Certified Trails Guide focuses on on-foot wilderness experiences, building on the same broad foundational descriptors as field guiding,, but within a specialised context. Trails Guides learn firearm competency, safe approaches to dangerous game, and bushcraft skills such as basic tracking and navigation. Like vehicle-based guides, they solve problems in familiar contexts and operate mostly under mentorship. However, the emphasis on situational awareness, risk management, and ethics grows, given the inherent hazards of on-foot encounters. This certification is essential for guides aspiring to lead walking safaris in wildlife areas. 

Parallel to the vehicle-based professional level, the Certified Professional Trails Guide takes on advanced on-foot guiding responsibilities. These professionals not only master dangerous game approaches, tracking and bushcraft but also lead extended or multi-day walking safaris. They demonstrate autonomy in planning, managing, and adapting to evolving trail conditions, apply heightened situational awareness to both common and unpredictable scenarios, and are capable of mentoring Apprentice or Certified Trails Guides. Accountability extends to making critical decisions that can affect guest safety, wildlife welfare, and the broader ecological system.

The Certified Master Trails Guide embodies the pinnacle of trails guiding expertise. They command detailed knowledge of guiding, ecology, and advanced tracking or conservation practices, with the ability to apply this expertise in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. They solve complex problems by selecting and using appropriate methods grounded in research and extensive experience. Ethically, they grasp the ramifications of high-level decisions in sensitive ecosystems and model exemplary conduct. They also take accountability for supervising other guides, managing resources, and championing ethical practices that uphold the integrity of wilderness guiding. Master Trails Guides often contribute to training curricula, lodge management, or industry-wide standards, reflecting their leadership and commitment to conservation. 

FGASA’s Function

  1. Keep members informed on the elements and operational procedures of the best professional projects and strategies implemented locally and globally.
  2. Promote and encourage adherence to benchmarks for standards accepted as best practices by global industry leaders.
  3. Implementation and promotion of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiatives for its members.
  4. Develop, administer and facilitate a comprehensive code of ethical practices and procedures.
  5. Develop a range of benefits available to all members.
  6. Oversee the development of training programmes and the certification of professional qualifications.
  7. Protect public interest and trust in relation to the services provided by members and the associated risks.
  8. Promote the imperatives of the government, ensure legal compliance with relevant authorities and enforce legislation.
  9. Recognise and accredit suitable education and training providers to be involved in the curricula and facilitation of training to career professionals.

The code of conduct outlined below is signed by each member joining the Association and by this signature they undertake and commit to:

  1. Adhering to universal professional standards, norms and values.
  2. Adhering to South Africa’s laws, regulations and customs.
  3. Adhering to the code of conduct rules, etc of the specific area of operation, reserve, hospitality institution, and/or workplace.
  4. Being reliable and responsible at all times.
  5. Avoid the usage of any substance that could compromise their abilities in anyway, while in the public eye, and specifically while responsible for a guided experience.
  6. Caring for the safety of tourists, both local and international.
  7. Having the adequate skills and certifications to follow First Aid protocols.
  8. Having an attitude of respect towards people and the environment.
  9. Providing reliable information.
  10. Avoiding any discriminatory action.
  11. Adhering to professional dress code.
  12. Reject touting

Professional Body FAQ

A Professional Body in an organization the represents the interests and promotes standards for specific professions or professional career paths. They play a vital role in maintaining high standards, encourage continual professional development (CPD) and safeguard public, member and industry interests. Professional bodies are committed to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of the profession through developing, supporting, regulating and promoting professional standards of competence.

  1. Setting Standards: Establish and uphold ethical codes of conduct and regulations that ensure member adherence to high professional standards.
  2. Continuous Professional Development: Promote professional career development through learning opportunities, workshops and training programmes.
  3. Certification and Accreditation: Recognise qualified individuals and institutions by awarding professional designations, accreditations and certifications.
  4. Public Protection: Safeguard public interests by ensuring that recognised, qualified individuals or competent and ethical.
  5. Advocacy: Members’ interests are represented by the professional body that will lobby for favourable policies and regulations.
  6. Networking: Facilitating collaboration, knowledge and skills sharing among members.
  7. Regulation: In some cases, professional bodies have regulatory authority over the practice of a particular profession.

  1. Quality Assurance: Professional bodies play a vital role in quality assuring qualifications, experience and professional competence.
  2. Qualification Development: Professional bodies work with Quality Assurance agencies to develop new certifications ensuring high professional standards that meet industry needs.
  3. Contribution to the National Education and Training System: They also contribute to the development of a robust and effective national education and training system that supports the profession.
  4. Career Guidance: They engage with and provide members with sound career and career development advice and opportunities helping them make informed and supported decisions to advance in their professional careers.
  5. Promote International Best Practices: Encourage and promote internationally recognized practices and ethical standards.
  6. Enhancing Professional Reputation: Promote the profession by improving public perception.
  7. Social Responsibility: Promote social responsibility and accountability among represented professionals.
  8. Public Protection and Trust: Prioritise protection of the public and generate public trust by ensuring professionals meet and adhere to high standards of competence and ethics.