The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) provides educational opportunities to promote the conservation and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage of Southern Africa.  To this end FGASA maintains and serves a professional association of highly-trained nature guides, tour operators and hospitality institutions who share the vision and are committed to the FGASA Code of Conduct and Responsible Tourism Guidelines.

FGASA aims to promote a culture of professional guiding based on a strong ethical well-informed, safety conscious approach that provides the visitor to Southern Africa with a pleasant and memorable experience.

FGASA is fully committed to the development and implementation of the National qualifications, promoting the development of all tourist guides including previously disadvantaged individuals as guides, trackers, trainers and assessors as part of the South African transformation process.

FGASA promotes the development of guides throught the use of training programmes that conform to high standards of learner development.  The Association promotes the highest standards of guide assessment appointing and registering fully qualified and experienced assessors.

The philosophy of FGASA is one of promoting a high standard of tourist guiding, skills development and job creation within the tourism industry.