Discover Your Path to Becoming a Certified Guide in the Wild
Our accredited training program equips you with the skills needed to excel in guiding and life. Learn from industry experts who bring decades of experience to our “in nature” classrooms. Gain confidence and knowledge to lead unforgettable wilderness adventures.
Learn from the Best with Our Expert Instructors
Our instructors are seasoned professionals dedicated to your success.
Experience Real-World Training with Hands-On Opportunities
Engage in practical experiences that prepare you for real guiding challenges.
Join Our Community of Passionate Nature Enthusiasts and Guides
Connect with like-minded individuals and grow your network in the field.
Learn. Experience. Conserve.
Explore Our Safari Courses
Train with Okavango Bushlife Academy and get professionally certified as a safari guide in the heart of Botswana’s iconic Okavango Delta. Choose your course below to start your adventure.
Course
Become a certified Nature Guide
Our foundational Nature Guide Course covers everything you need to professionally guide safaris. Earn your BQA Level 2 certification and start your journey as a nature guide.
Course contents:
Guiding Principles & Ethics
Professional conduct and responsibilities, Code of ethics for guiding in Botswana, Cultural sensitivity and guest interaction.
Legislation & Regulations
Botswana Tourism Regulations, Wildlife and National Parks Acts, Conservation policies.
Environmental Knowledge
Ecology (ecosystems, biomes, food chains, succession), Botany (major plant species, uses, adaptations), Zoology (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates), Geology & Soils (rock types, formation, soil profiles), Weather & Climate (seasonal patterns, clouds, rainfall, and implications for wildlife).
Interpretation Skills
Storytelling and theme development for guests, Conservation messages, Linking natural and cultural heritage.
Safety & Risk Management
Basic first aid, Safety in non-dangerous game areas, Emergency procedures.
Tracking & Observation
Animal signs (tracks, droppings, feeding signs), Bird calls and behavior cues.
Guest Care & Communication
Welcoming, hosting, and briefing guests, Conflict management, Tour planning and logistics.
Assessment includes:
Theory exam, Practical assessment, Field logbook of practical experience.
Course
Become a certified Trails Guide
For more experienced guides we offer our specialist add-on Trails Guide Course which covers nature guiding on foot, weapons theory and approaching Potentially Dangerous Animals (PDA). Earn your BQA Level 2 Trails Guide Certification.
Course contents:
Core walking guide principles, including safe and effective guiding on foot.
Practical Foot-Based Guiding Skills; navigation, tracking, bush survival, and interpretive guiding while walking.
In depth understanding of Potentially Dangerous Animals (PDAs) approaching PDA, recognizing warning behaviors, estimating charge speeds, and knowing shot placement protocols.
Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) safe weapon checking, blindfold drills, Quick Kill exercises, malfunction recovery, and time-sensitive shooting drills.
Assessment includes:
Theory exam, Practical assessment, Field logbook of practical experience.
Course
Become Specialized in Birding
Our Specialized Birding Course is an in-depth content rich and fun course covering deep insights on birding characteristics, classification, behavior, feeding and more.
Course contents:
Practical Bird Handling & Research Skills
Gain knowledge on use of mist nets to safely capture birds for study. Gain hands-on experience in handling, measuring, and ringing birds before release. Develop observational skills for recording plumage, size, and other identifying features.
Field-Based Birding Activities
Participate in guided bird walks to practice identification in different habitats. Join vehicle-based game drives to spot bird species associated with larger wildlife areas. Explore riverine and wetland environments via mokoro or motorboat to observe aquatic and migratory birds.
Supporting Theory Sessions
Attend interactive lessons on bird ecology, behavior, and seasonal patterns. Learn how to use field guides, optics, and recording equipment effectively.
Immersive Birding Excursions
Take part in extended day trips to biodiversity-rich locations, such as seasonal lakes or floodplains, to expand your species list and practice skills in varied conditions.
Students will earn a certificate of participation, but not a formal BQA guiding qualification.
Course
Gain critical basics about operating in the African Bush
Our Bush Skills course is an entry course for those wanting to learn more about nature and covers topics like basic survival skills, tracking, walking through wilderness, animals, geology, etc.
Course contents:
Navigate and live in remote bush settings, including night-time wilderness sleep-out experiences.
Learn essential survival skills: tracking, orientation, and self-reliance in the wild.
Gain practical experience in river environments via mokoro (dugout canoe) and motorboat trips, depending on water levels.
Perform game walks and drives, developing situational awareness and guest interaction skills.
Deepen understanding of local flora and fauna, including mammal and bird identification.
Observe seasonal patterns, stargaze, and learn astronomy under the African night sky.
Practice navigation and tracking using bush signs and natural cues.
Sharpen emergency preparedness and risk-awareness during extended stays in the bush.
Conduct early-morning and late-afternoon excursions to maximize wildlife interaction opportunities.
Learn through a structured mix of on-foot exploration and indoor instruction sessions.
Students will earn a certificate of participation, but not a formal BQA guiding qualification.
Course
Flexible tailored solutions
We offer flexible tailored courses too which we can co-design together with you, like for example refresher courses on a specific topic or specialized deepdives.
We also offer the opportunity to make use of our eco-system of conservation knowledge to facilitate tailor made co-designed leadership journeys.
More on demand (co-creation is possible).
Accredited by:
