Date: 16 April 2025

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IFGA Certification Standards set to Revolutionise Field Guiding

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The International Field Guide Association (IFGA) has launched its new field guide certification, designed to help guides and lodges stand out in a competitive industry by demonstrating their ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Established in 2023, IFGA is focused on raising the standard for field guiding globally, setting higher expectations for guides and moving the industry toward a more professional and guest-centric future.

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Bridging a gap in the industry

 

Following a comprehensive analysis of the guiding industry, IFGA identified a critical need for a certification framework that recognises not only technical proficiency and theoretical knowledge, but also the interpersonal and soft skills essential to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

 

In response, IFGA developed a robust, tiered certification system based on a 1-100 score, designed to provide clear insights into a guide's level of competence and professionalism. This structure enables lodges to easily determine a guide’s level of competence and professionalism when recruiting, offering clarity on the standard of service they can expect. It also allows standout candidates to distinguish themselves in a competitive job market by demonstrating both their expertise and their ability to create meaningful, memorable guest interactions.

 

This clarity is what makes IFGA a respected certification, providing a transparent measure of a guide's skills and experience.

 

“This is not just about ticking boxes,” says Nico Brits, IFGA Council Member. “It’s about understanding the world around you and interpreting that knowledge to match your guest’s expectations and emotions, creating experiences that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impact.” He adds, “IFGA has created a professional benchmark that celebrates what guiding should be – ethical, skilled, and wholeheartedly guest-focused.”

 

Built in partnership with the top lodges

 

Ahead of its launch, leading safari lodges in Africa were surveyed, with 92% expressing a clear preference for a new standard of guiding – one that IFGA was built on. The industry’s feedback was unmistakable: the existing system was not meeting the level of professionalism that today’s guests expect, and a change was long overdue.

 

What sets IFGA apart?

 

The IFGA’s standards are not only more rigorous than existing industry benchmarks, but they are also more holistic. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, they go beyond assessing technical skills and theoretical knowledge to include critical areas such as ethics, communication, safety, environmental understanding, proactive guiding, and the overall guest experience. These soft skills are evaluated through a defined set of standards, and have set IFGA apart, as it fully centers the guest experience in assessing a guide’s performance.

 

While the CATHSSETA NQF 2 qualification remains the only statutory requirement for legally guiding in South Africa, it primarily verifies a guide’s foundational competence. IFGA certification serves as a complementary credential, offering an additional standard of excellence. It builds on the technical base provided by CATHSSETA by assessing key areas such as guest experience, ethical conduct, and interpersonal skills. Together, these qualifications provide a more comprehensive and nuanced evaluation of a guide’s professional capabilities.

 

Raised standards at every level

 

IFGA’s certification is open to and supports a wide range of professionals at different stages of their guiding careers. It includes student certification, providing a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills, guide certification, allowing experienced professionals to demonstrate their expertise through assessment, assessor certification for seasoned guides with the required standards and experience who wish to mentor others, and training provider certification.

Driven by experts

 

IFGA’s council is composed of industry professionals who play an active role in developing the certification standards, overseeing assessments, and maintaining the integrity of the certification process. Their collective expertise ensures IFGA remains a benchmark for excellence and continues to meet the needs of both guides and lodges across an ever evolving industry.

 

Byron Ross, Chairman – 30+ years of guiding experience
 

Tessa Bolt – A trailblazing female guide with over 35 years in the field
 

Nico Brits – Bushwise Training Manager, bringing 15 years of industry experience
 

Rod Wyndham – Managing Director of Sabi Sabi, with 35 years in the hospitality industry

 

As the industry embraces this new standard, IFGA certification is poised to become the gold standard for guides and a mark of trust for lodges, travel agencies, and guests alike. 

 

For further details, please visit the IFGA FAQ page. 

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