About IFGA
The International Field Guide Association (IFGA) is an international association registered in the UK.
It exists to recognise exceptional guiding against globally transferable standards. It focuses on the soft skills, communication, guiding ethics, and guest experience that lodges value most in skilled, professional guides.
IFGA provides access to an online app, a unified platform for guides, assessors, and lodges, alongside membership at no additional cost. Membership and affiliation with IFGA do not carry ongoing fees, and certification is awarded for life, remaining with guides throughout their career journey.
IFGA’s tiered certification system uses a clear 1 to 100 scale to assess each soft skill area, providing a transparent view of a guide’s capabilities, strengths, and experience. This helps guides stand out in a competitive industry and gives lodges confidence that they are hiring guest-focused professionals. The result is a globally recognisable certification that offers a clear and respected measure of guide quality.IFGA certification is available to all individuals and assessors across various stages of their guiding profession.
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This includes aspiring field guides pursuing student certification, qualified and practising guides seeking to validate their expertise, and experienced professionals looking to become IFGA-certified assessors.
IFGA was established in 2023 by a group of industry professionals who identified a critical gap in the guiding industry. Their extensive expertise guides the association's rigorous standards and strategic direction. Their collective experience ensures that IFGA's certification remains a trusted benchmark for excellence within the field.
​While joining IFGA and using the app is completely free, practical assessment fees are set independently by our accredited assessors. Because these costs vary depending on the assessor and your location, please contact us to speak with an IFGA representative for an accurate estimate in your region.
Yes. You can be affiliated with, or be a member of, one or more associations.
Yes. You can be affiliated with, or be a member of, one or more associations.
Guiding in South Africa
CATHSSETA is the statutory body that sets the legal requirements for guiding in South Africa. All accredited training providers must deliver qualifications aligned to these standards for guides to be legally qualified to work in the industry.
IFGA is not a training provider or part of the statutory qualification process. Instead, it builds on this foundation by recognising the additional skills that define exceptional guiding. While CATHSSETA focuses on technical competence and core field knowledge, IFGA assesses the soft skills that shape the guest experience, including communication, professionalism, guiding ethics, and guest engagement.
As an additional layer of professional recognition, IFGA helps highlight a guide’s strengths beyond the minimum CATHSSETA requirements. This gives lodges greater confidence in hiring professionals who are not only qualified but consistently capable of delivering outstanding, guest-focused experiences in the field.
For more information about the guiding industry in South Africa, and how the qualifications and certifications relate to each other, please see here.Over recent years, Bushwise has witnessed the need for guides to have the ability to differentiate themselves in the industry. In 2023, it played a foundational role in the establishment of the International Field Guide Association (IFGA). Drawing on its experience and commitment to excellence, Bushwise helped shape the certification framework.
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Following this, IFGA was more formally established by professionals from across the safari and hospitality industry and operates as an independent body, separate from any single organisation.
To legally work as a professional field guide in South Africa, the only mandatory qualification required by law is the CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2. Once earned, you must register with the National Department of Tourism (NDT) and hold a valid first aid certificate and Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). While some lodges may mention voluntary industry associations in their job postings, a CATHSSETA qualification is the strict legal baseline required to operate.
For more information about the guiding industry in South Africa, and how the qualifications and certifications relate to each other, please see here.No. FGASA is a voluntary, independent industry association, not a government regulatory body. You do not need to be a member of FGASA to work legally as a safari guide. The only strict legal requirements are holding your national CATHSSETA qualification and registering with the National Department of Tourism (NDT).
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For more information about the guiding industry in South Africa, and how the qualifications and certifications relate to each other, please see here.
Alongside your mandatory CATHSSETA qualification, you will need a valid first aid certificate, a valid driver's license, a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) and an active registration badge from the NDT (National Department of Tourism).
IFGA certification provides a clear, structured measure of your guiding ability based on globally transferable standards. It assesses the soft skills that define exceptional guiding, including communication, guest engagement, professionalism, and ethical practice, giving a transparent view of your strengths and areas of expertise.
This helps you stand out in a competitive job market by clearly demonstrating the value you bring to a lodge or guiding team. It removes ambiguity around skill level and gives employers confidence in your ability to deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences.
Because IFGA is based on globally transferable skill sets, your certification can travel with you throughout your career, across regions and roles. It also encourages ongoing development, allowing you to continuously build, refine, and benchmark your guiding skills over time.
Student certification
Anyone training toward a field guiding career can work toward an IFGA certification through an accredited training provider. Right now, IFGA has certified training providers in South Africa.
To be fully certified, you need to meet the following criteria:
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Foundational qualification: You must first complete your entry-level legal qualification (such as the CATHSSETA Nature Site Guide NQF2 in South Africa) through an accredited training provider.
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Practical assessment: You must successfully pass a practical evaluation proving your mastery of IFGA's soft skills, communication, storytelling, and ethical standards.
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Age requirement: While you can begin training and earn your legal CATHSSETA qualification at 18, in South Africa, full IFGA certification is only awarded from the age of 21. This aligns directly with essential hospitality and industry requirements, such as holding a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). Anyone younger than 21 will still receive a statement of results and their IFGA score, but will only receive their certification once they turn 21.
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Our certified training providers, such as Bushwise in South Africa, host in-person training courses to give students the necessary skills and experience to take the IFGA Assessments. These assessments are then held by qualified assessors to determine your level of proficiency.
Existing guides can also get IFGA certified by completing an IFGA assessment with any IFGA Assessor. Anyone can familiarise themselves with the IFGA Assessment criteria by completing the IFGA Assessment course on the IFGA App.
On average, field guide courses take between two and six months to complete, plus an optional additional six months' work placement. These courses are designed to provide you with essential training, theory, soft skills, and knowledge to excel as an IFGA guide.
Existing guides in the industry don’t have to do an additional IFGA-certified training program, as they are already qualified guides. Existing guides wanting IFGA Certification simply have to book an Assessment with an IFGA Assessor.
IFGA offers three certification levels for IFGA Vehicle-based guiding based on your graded performance: IFGA Guide (60-75%), IFGA Advanced Guide (76-85%), and IFGA Ambassador (86+). Each level is awarded based on the candidate’s performance in their assessment, which covers areas such as guided experience, technique, and knowledge.
IFGA offers 3 certification levels for IFGA Trails Guides, which are not a score-based certification: IFGA Foundational Trails Guide (guides starting their trails guide journey as students/trainees), IFGA Trails Guides (for guides that have met the IFGA Trails Guide Requirements), and IFGA Wilderness Trails Guide (for existing guides conducting multiday backpack trails through dangerous game areas).
IFGA certification allows you to specialise in areas like Vehicle Guide, where you lead wildlife tours in vehicles, or Trails Guide, where you can conduct nature walks. Advanced specialisations, such as the IFGA Wilderness Trails Guide, enable you to lead extended backpacking trails in dangerous game areas.
Vehicle-Based Assessments:
IFGA assessments evaluate guides across three key areas: guided experience, technique, and knowledge. Each guide is graded on these areas, and their certification status is based on the overall score for vehicle-based guiding.​
Trails Guide Assessments:
Assessments for IFGA Trails Guide and Wilderness Trails Guide are also required, and guides are evaluated on two broad categories: Safety and guided experience. IFGA Trails Guide and Wilderness Trails Guide are not scored-based assessments but rather assessed on competency.
Guide certification
Existing, qualified guides can easily transition into the IFGA ecosystem through an IFGA assessment. The first step is to contact us using the form below so we can connect you with an accredited IFGA assessor in your region. Your assessor will verify that you meet the necessary baseline requirements, including age and national guiding credentials, before guiding you through the practical, in-person field evaluation. You will gain full access to the platform and your digital portfolio with zero ongoing annual fees.
While joining IFGA and using the digital platform is completely free, practical assessment fees are set independently by our accredited assessors. Because these costs vary depending on your geographic region and the nature of the multi-day field evaluation, please use the contact form below to get an accurate estimate from a local IFGA representative.
Depending on your level of experience and qualification, as well as the number of specialisation requirements you have completed, an in-person assessment should take approximately 2-3 full days per candidate.
Your IFGA certification is valid for life - it never expires. Furthermore, because we are committed to keeping the industry genuinely accessible, you will never have to worry about annual renewal or membership fees to keep your credentials active. Once earned, your qualification and IFGA score remain permanent assets on your profile to continuously back your career.
Vehicle-Based Guiding:
IFGA offers three vehicle-based guiding certification levels based on your graded performance: IFGA Guide (60-75%), IFGA Advanced Guide (76-85%), and IFGA Ambassador (86+). Each level is awarded based on the cumulative scores from assessments in areas such as guided experience, technique, and knowledge.
Trails Guiding:
IFGA offers 2 distinct Trails Guide certifications: IFGA Trails Guide and Wilderness Trails Guide. IFGA Trails Guide and Wilderness Trails Guide are not scored-based assessments but rather assessed on competency.
Vehicle-Based Assessments:
IFGA assessments evaluate guides across three key areas: guided experience, technique, and knowledge. Each guide is graded on these areas, and their certification status is based on the overall score for vehicle-based guiding.
Trails Guide Assessments:
Assessments for IFGA Trails Guide and Wilderness Trails Guide are also required, and guides are evaluated on two broad categories: Safety and guided experience. IFGA Trails Guide and IFGA Wilderness Trails Guide are not scored-based assessments but rather assessed on competency.
Assessor certification
The time frame depends on meeting the requirements, attending the assessor workshops, and completing two supervised assessments. On average, the process can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your experience and availability.
First, you need to submit your application with the required documents, including your CV and certifications. After your application is reviewed and approved, you'll attend monthly assessor workshops to familiarise yourself with assessment standards. Then, you will conduct five supervised assessments before receiving full certification.
IFGA doesn’t charge anything to become certified. There are costs associated with assessments, including assessor fees and the costs of meeting each requirement. This will also change depending on your location, experience, and chosen certification type. Please contact IFGA directly to get more detailed cost information.
The assessor workshops, held via Zoom and in person, are designed to ensure consistency in assessments and maintain high standards. They provide candidates with the opportunity to meet IFGA assessors, familiarise themselves with the assessment process, and ask any questions they may have.
Vehicle Guide Assessors focus on assessing IFGA Vehicle Guides, which are vehicle-based guides.
IFGA Trails Guide Assessors assess IFGA Trails Guides that are guides conducting walking-based guiding in Dangerous Game Areas.
IFGA Wilderness Trails guide Assessors assess IFGA Wilderness Trails Guides that conduct multiday backpack trails in dangerous game areas.