GoAbroad

Take a year off and become a Safari Guide in Africa

by: AfriSavvy

Do you love nature and are you looking for a meaningful gap year, sabbatical or career switch? Consider becoming a safari guide with EcoTraining. During the course of one year, you are fully immersed in the wilderness, you learn about African nature, and on top of that, you receive a professional qualification. During your six months of training, you will live in the African bush, surrounded by wildlife day in and day out. You learn mostly through your daily experiences with the wildlife. The daily lectures and twice-daily safaris (on foot and by safari vehicle) will provide you with the knowledge to achieve your entry-level guide qualifications. The last 5-6 months are spent gaining valuable experience and additional mentorship at a safari lodge. During this exciting year, you will find adventure with purpose as you learn how you can contribute to conservation. You'll make meaningful connections with wildlife and people. You'll find stillness, focus, and clarity.

Program Highlights

Learning by living in the wild

Make real connections with the wildlife and with people

This is adventure with purpose. While encounters on foot and in open safari vehicles with iconic African animals is thrilling, you also learn how you can conserve our planet's wildlife.

Time in the wild provides one with a stillness like no other environment and thus a clarity of thought so difficult to achieve in our everyday connected lives.

The EcoTraining student groups are a maximum size of 20. During your training you will be with the same group of like-minded people, from diverse cultures leading to growth & lifelong friendships.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Maasai Mara, Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Botswana
Starts At: $300-600
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year Round
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Eco Tours
  • Ecology
  • Nature Tours
  • Off Road Driving
  • Safari
  • Student Tours
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Maasai Mara, Kenya
  • South Africa
  • Botswana

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Birdwatching
  • Camping
  • Eco Tours
  • Ecology
  • Nature Tours
  • Off Road Driving
  • Safari
  • Student Tours

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

Starts At

$300-600

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • In-Country Transportation To & From Project
  • Some Equipment
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Training
  • Laundry
  • Micro-Credential(s) / Certification(s)
  • Textbooks / Reading Materials
  • Course Materials
  • Internship Placement

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Resume

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