All you need to know about the Trails Guide qualifications
- Gerhard van Niekerk
- Apr 17, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Imagine walking in Africa’s most iconic game reserves, tracking wildlife on foot, and immersing yourself in nature in its purest form. This is the life of a Trails Guide – a highly skilled guide trained to lead walking safaris in areas with dangerous game animals.
But how do you become one? Let’s break it down.
A Trails Guide differs from a Safari Guide (or Field Guide) in one key way – the ability to lead guests on foot in wildlife areas with potentially dangerous animals.
While a safari guide holds a CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualification and can conduct vehicle-based safaris, they are not permitted to lead walking or horseback safaris carrying a rifle. That’s where a Trails Guide comes in!
The Path to Becoming a Trails Guide
Becoming a qualified Trails Guide takes time, training, and plenty of experience. Here’s the step-by-step progression:
Qualify as a Safari Guide – Obtain the CATHSSETA NQF2 Nature Site Guide qualification.
Train as a Back-Up Trails Guide (Second Rifle) – Complete the required training and assessment walks.
Gain experience on foot – Walk the required hours, encounter wildlife, and build confidence.
Qualify as an Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle) – Pass all assessments to lead walking safaris independently.
But what exactly is the difference between a Back-Up Trails Guide and an Advanced Trails Guide?
A Back-Up Trails Guide (Second Rifle) supports the lead guide on walking safaris. Walking behind the Advanced Trails Guide, you act as the second rifle, ensuring guest safety. However, you cannot lead a walking safari alone—you must always accompany an Advanced Trails Guide.
An Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle), on the other hand, can lead walking safaris independently without needing a backup.
So how do you reach Advanced Trails Guide status? Let’s dive into the details.
Training to Become a Back-Up Trails Guide
If you're already a qualified safari guide and have First Aid Level 1, your next step is to enroll in the 35-day IFGA Trails Guide Course.
During this course, you must complete:
Theory Exam – Pass with at least 75%.
PFTC Firearm Proficiency – Meet the required firearm handling standards.
Bushwise Advanced Rifle Handling – Demonstrate safe and effective rifle use.
Practical Scenarios (100 hours), including:
Simulated walking scenarios
Incident management
Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)
Animal trailing techniques
Risk identification and approach and exit strategies
80 walking hours in dangerous game areas
Additionally, you must log wildlife encounters:
20 Rifled Encounters – Encounters where you carry a loaded rifle.
5 encounters per key species – Elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion/leopard (lion & leopard count as one category).
20 Observer Encounters – Encounters where you’re observing without a rifle.
Once you’ve completed these requirements, you must pass at least one guided assessment walk to qualify as a Back-Up Trails Guide.
Gaining Experience as a Back-Up Trails Guide & Advanced Trails Guide Assessment
With your Back-Up Trails Guide qualification, it’s time to log more hours and encounters – because in the world of trails guiding, experience is everything.
You can do this at your workplace or return to the IFGA Trails Guide Course to continue building experience in the Advanced Trails Guide (First Rifle) position.
To qualify for Advanced Trails Guide status, you need to:
Log 200 walking hours on foot in dangerous game areas.
Encounter wildlife as the First Rifle (lead guide):
80 rifled encounters in total
Minimum of 10 encounters per key species (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion/leopard).
These hours and encounters must be verified and signed off by an Advanced Trails Guide before your final assessment.
Additional Requirements:
Valid First Aid Level 2 certification
Valid Advanced Rifle Handling certification (expires every two years—keep it updated!)
Once you’ve met these requirements, you’ll undergo a minimum of two final assessment walks to qualify as an Advanced Trails Guide.
Becoming a fully qualified Trails Guide isn’t easy – but it’s essential for ensuring the safety of both guides and guests in the wild. This rigorous training prepares you for the incredible responsibility of leading guests on foot through Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.
If you’re ready to take the next step, apply today! Whether you dream of walking in Africa or even leading horseback safaris through a game reserve, this journey offers an adventure and a reward unlike any other. Published By: Bushwise Staff
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