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The Elephant Birth Doulas: Call for Sightings in the FGASA Member Community
Field guides and wildlife trackers working hours around the clock in the bush for decades often see the rarest of animal life events, that many academic researchers can only read about in journals, or hypothesise about. No event is so rare to witness, yet so fundamental to animal health and survival, [...]
Member webinar – Name Changes, Splits & Surprises: Updates in Bird Taxonomy for Field Guides
Bird names are changing, species are splitting, and taxonomy continues to evolve - so what does this mean for you as a professional guide? Join BirdLife South Africa’s John Kinghorn and Dr. Dave Ehlers-Smith for a timely and practical session unpacking the latest developments in bird taxonomy and listing. This webinar will [...]
Navigating the Transition: What the Shift to QCTO Means for South Africa’s Guiding Sector
South Africa’s guiding industry is currently undergoing one of the most significant qualification and policy transitions in its history. Over the past several years, the national skills development system has been moving away from the historic SETA and unit-standard model toward a new occupational qualification framework governed by the Quality Council [...]
Astro Tourism Unlocks a New Frontier for Guiding in South Africa
Astro tourism is rapidly emerging as one of South Africa’s most exciting niche tourism segments, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the country’s exceptional night skies through guided interpretation and storytelling. In the Western Cape, this growing sector is being actively developed through partnerships between government and industry bodies, with [...]
The Guide Who Notices: How Birding Transforms the Way We Guide
At first light, before the bush has fully stirred, there is a moment every guide knows well: that quiet threshold between night and day when the landscape seems to pause and take a breath. For those attuned to bird song, this is a time seldom filled by silence, but rather one [...]
The Stage is Set for Safari Guide of the Year 2026
The highly anticipated Safari Guide of the Year (SGOTY) 2026 is set to once again showcase the very best of Africa’s guiding talent, bringing together top professionals in a celebration of skill, knowledge, and passion for the natural world. Recognised as one of the leading events in the guiding industry, it [...]
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