Why Get IFGA Certified?
As an existing field guide or nature guide, you can be assessed to become an IFGA-certified guide through a recognition of prior learning (RPL).
IFGA helps you stand out, with 92% of lodges preferring IFGA-certified guides, boosting your employability – all without the annual fees of other guiding associations. This certification can open doors to more prestigious opportunities and broaden your career prospects internationally.
*Should your experience as a guide not match enough of the requirements below, you can also join a certified course to become an IFGA guide. Click here to find out how to get certified.
Types of Certification
IFGA Certification comes in three levels: IFGA Guide, IFGA Advanced Guide, and IFGA Ambassador. The type of certification a guide is awarded depends on the cumulative grade they receive from a series of assessments covering guided experience, knowledge and technique. Certifications are also specific to a specialisation, such as Vehicle Guide or Trails Guide.
Specialisations
IFGA Vehicle Guide
This specialisation allows a guide to take guests in a game viewer or other vehicle on a safari or wildlife-based tour. It demonstrates their knowledge and skills in areas such as botany, track & sign, mammals, birding, reptiles, arthropods and more.
IFGA Trails Guide
A Trails Guide can lead short nature walks without actively trailing or approaching dangerous game. In dangerous game areas they are still trainees, and can only lead guests with the supervision of an Advanced Trails Guide.
IFGA Advanced Trails Guide (Dangerous Game)
The Advanced Trails Guide can legally walk as the first rifle (country dependent) to conduct extended trails walks in dangerous game areas, and to actively follow and view potentially dangerous animals.
IFGA specialisations allow a guide to demonstrate their world-class knowledge and skills in a specific guiding area. These specialisations include vehicle, trail and dangerous game. Additional specialisations will be added in the future.
IFGA RPL Assessment
Theory Assessment
For candidates undergoing the RPL process, theoretical knowledge is assessed based on a minimum of one year of demonstrated guiding experience.
Practical Assessment
The IFGA practical assessment is divided into three categories: Guided Experience, Technique, and Knowledge, with each assessed separately. This structure ensures a comprehensive evaluation of a guide's skills and abilities across all key areas.
*There are additional requirements to become certified depending on the specialisation you choose, such as a driving assessment. These are detailed below.
Grade: 40-59
IFGA Trainee Guide
Grade: 60-75
IFGA Guide
Grade: 76-85
IFGA Advanced Guide
Grade: 86-100
IFGA Ambassador
Requirements: IFGA Vehicle Guide RPL
During the application process, IFGA will determine if the listed requirements have been met in order to proceed to the RPL Assessment stage. Should any of the requirements be outstanding, IFGA will communicate further with the applicant.
Application form: Complete with CV and references
Active guiding: Minimum 1 year
IFGA Driving Assessment: Minimum 3 drives
National Guiding Certificate: Required (country specific)
Age: 21+
First Aid Certificate: Required
Requirements: IFGA Advanced Trails Guide (Dangerous Game) RPL
Lead walks in areas with dangerous game. IFGA will determine if the listed requirements have been met in order to proceed to the RPL Assessment stage. Should any of the requirements be outstanding, IFGA will communicate further with the applicant.
IFGA Advanced Rifle Handling: Required
IFGA Graded Assessment: Required
CyberTracker Tracker: Level 3 Required
Dangerous Game Encounters: 200* Required
Age: 21+
First Aid Certificate: Required
National Guiding Certificate (Walking): Required (country specific)
*In South Africa this includes elephant, rhino, buffalo and lion
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are an existing guide who is interested in getting IFGA certified, the first step is to reach out to an IFGA assessor in your geographic area to get evaluated. Contact us using the form below for us to put you in touch with an assesord. Our assessors will determine whether you have met the listed requirements to proceed to the RPL assessment stage.
How can I get a recognition of prior learning (RPL) to become an IFGA-certified guide?
IFGA itself does not charge any fees to join. Fees for assessments are determined by your assessor, and differ between countries. Reach out to us using the contact form below to get an accurate estimate and to speak with an IFGA representative.
How much does an IFGA RPL Assessment cost?
Depending on your level of experience and qualification, as well as the number of specialisation requirements you have completed, an RPL in-person assessment should take approximately 2-3 full days per candidate.
How long does it take to be assessed for IFGA RPL?
There is no expiration date on your IFGA certification, there are also no annual fees to join IFGA. Becoming IFGFA-certified boosts your employability – all without the annual fees and membership renewals of other guiding associations.
How long does an IFGA certification last?
IFGA offers three RPL 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.
What are the different levels of IFGA certification?
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. Specialisation-specific assessments are also required, with the score for each specialisation appearing on the issued certificate.
How are IFGA RPL assessments structured?
How to Get Certified
Please fill in the form to enquire about recognition of prior learning to become an IFGA-certified guide.
