Apprentice Trails Guide Course

On the Lowveld Trails Co. Apprentice Trails Guide Course, candidates receive personal attention from experienced facilitators and gain as much hands-on experience as possible. While the main goal is to qualify for the Apprentice Trails Guide Program after 28 days, we place strong emphasis on the deeper values of Trails Guiding, essential bush skills for multi-day trails, and a holistic understanding of the environment.

What to Expect

The course is intense, yet practical, with an average of seven hours spent walking most days.

Our Tented Camp, set under giant Jackalberry trees along a dry riverbed, is basic, but comfortable, providing an authentic and interactive experience. You will log priceless walking hours and dangerous game encounters under experienced mentors who will guide you through the process of approaching and retreating from dangerous game on foot.

A typical day starts with a wake-up call prior to sunrise. As the birds announce the approaching day, we enjoy coffee, rusks and a light breakfast before heading out on a four to five hour walk, as soon as sufficient daylight allows.

We return to camp before midday for a well-earned brunch, before the daily debrief, a short lecture, or a few hours free to shower, read or study. At around 3pm we head out again for a two to three hour walk, with the intention of gaining more valuable hours and encounters.

Dinner and a crackling campfire await us back at camp, usually followed by an open air shower and an early night after the exertions of the day.

At times we will be walking for long periods in rugged conditions, so candidates should be prepared to get hot and dirty, all part of being a Trails Guide operating in Africa’s wild spaces.

The course is divided into three phases:

Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) & Trails Guide Theory

We spend the first eleven days at our rustic Tented Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Here we commence with the Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) theory, training and assessment components.

We also start with introductory walks during which candidates may begin logging walking hours and dangerous game encounters towards Apprentice Trails Guide. The majority of the Trails Guide theory will be covered during this phase of the course.

The 3-night 'Primitive Trail'

The next four days of the course will be spent out on a ‘Primitive Trail’ in the reserve, without support from a camp or vehicle.

Nights are spent sleeping in the open under the stars (no tents), with each participant taking turns at “watch duty”, ensuring the groups safety.

All food and equipment are carried in backpacks, and we obtain our water by digging in the riverbeds (seasonal rainfall dependant).

Walking Hours, Encounters, Trails Guide Theory & Exam

From day 16 we are based back at our Tented Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The focus here is to log well beyond the minimum requirement of 50 walking hours and 10 potentially dangerous game encounters.

Between walks we concentrate on the remaining Trails Guide theory modules. Once all the lectures have been completed, there will be a brief study period before the FGASA Trails Guide Theory Exam takes place.

Book your Spot

The 28-day FGASA-accredited Apprentice Trails Guide Course is limited to eight candidates, and run by the most experienced Trails Guide Course facilitator team in the industry.

2026 Scheduled Courses

01 – 28 March

01 – 28 July

01 – 28 November

2026 Course Rate

RSA Citizen Rate: ZAR 81 400 /candidate

International Rate: ZAR 97 680 /candidate

50% deposit secures your spot

What’s included:

ARH training & assessment (two opportunities)
Logging walking hours & dangerous game encounters with experienced mentors
Trails Guide theory presentations & discussions
Lowveld Trails Co. Lecture Guide
FGASA Trails Guide Workbook & Study Guide
FGASA Dangerous Game Logbook
FGASA Trails Guide Theory Exam
Dangerous Animals of Southern and Eastern Africa (Book by Jeff Williams and Patricia Goodwin)
CyberTracker Track & Sign Assessment
3-Night Primitive Trail
Additional Primitive Trail equipment (excluding backpack & sleeping bag)
Lowveld Trails Co. Cap
Lowveld Trails Co. Tracker Card & Notebook
All meals, juice, tea & coffee for the duration of the course
Conservation Levies

Meet our Mentors & Assessors

The Lowveld Trails Co. team of Wilderness Trails Guides are some of the most experienced and highly qualified in the field. They regularly lead Primitive Trails and are actively involved in training the next generation of Trails Guides. Most are also FGASA-accredited Assessors and Mentors.

Driven by curiosity, they’re constantly learning and growing through hands-on, experience-based education.

With a blend of technical expertise, deep knowledge, and the ‘soft skills’ gained from years in the field, our guides are well equipped to lead meaningful, personal, and educational Wilderness experiences.