Turn Your Passion Into a Profession: Train to Be an Adventure Guide If the outdoors is your calling and you dream of a life spent leading others through mountains, rivers, and remote wilderness, then Venture Forth International in South Africa offers the perfect launchpad. Their comprehensive adventure guide training courses are designed to transform passionate adventurers into professional, certified guides ready to work anywhere in the world. Located in Cape Town—South Africa’s adventure capital—Venture Forth International provides a hands-on, immersive learning experience that combines theory, practical skills, and real-world exposure.
The programme covers everything an aspiring guide needs to know: group leadership, rope work and abseiling, wilderness first aid, navigation, campcraft, safety and risk assessment, environmental awareness, and more. This is not just classroom learning. From day one, students are outdoors—trekking up rugged mountain trails, sleeping under the stars, managing groups in unpredictable conditions, and learning how to adapt and lead with confidence. Courses are aligned with South African and international standards, and successful graduates can go on to work in a variety of sectors including hiking, climbing, eco-tourism, outdoor education, and expedition guiding. Venture Forth is led by seasoned professionals who have guided expeditions on every continent. Their passion for the wilderness is infectious, and their experience ensures students get relevant, field-tested training. Beyond the technical skills, there’s also a strong focus on personal development—building resilience, decision-making ability, and leadership. Whether you’re planning a gap year, a career change, or simply want to level up your outdoor skills, this is your chance to start a meaningful, adventurous career. Learn in the heart of the Cape mountains, gain internationally respected qualifications, and become part of a global community of outdoor professionals.
What is the programme? This is an abbreviated programme and year-planner: Phase 1 starts: 8 January 2018 Introduction Training courses Personal experience In-house work experience with Venture Forth Work experience around Cape Town Easter Holiday Break: 27 March – 03 April 2018 Phase 2 starts: 04 April 2018 Training courses Personal experience Work experience Formative assessment Winter Holiday Break: 01 July – 11 July 2018 Phase 3 starts: 12 July 2018 Personal experience – Around SA Adventure Extravaganza trip! Work experience Summative training interventions Spring Holiday Break: 07 – 13 September 2018 Phase 4 starts: 14 September 2018 Final work experience with Venture Forth Summative assessments Training interventions if required Re-assessments if required Course ends: 07 December 2018 Off-days and breaks: There will be some week-days and weekends given off during each phase. A detailed final programme will be available by end of October 2017.
What will I learn and which short courses will I attend? Foundation course: Generic Adventure Site Guide – NQF Level 4 – 60 Credits SAQA Registered Unit standards included: 335803 – Research and design a guided experience at a prominent tourism site 335801 – Conduct a tourist guiding activity 262320 – Manage and organise groups 262317 – Lead participants through an outdoor recreation and adventure activity 262305 – Plan and implement minimum environmental impact practices 262246 – Set up and operate a camping site 255914 – Minimise and manage safety and emergency incidents 246740 – Care for customers 335816 – Conduct a guided adventure experience
Elective Adventure Guiding Skills and Unit Standards: MOUNTAIN GUIDING (CATHSSETA & MDT Accredited) Off-trail mountain walking guide Abseil Guide – Level 1 and 2 Single-Pitch Rock Climbing Guide Non-technical Canyoneering Guide Technical Single-Pitch Canyoneering Guide
OVERLAND AND 4x4 GUIDING SKILLS (TETA Accredited Unit Standards) 4x4 Operations – Basic and Advanced Defensive Driver Training Heavy duty drivers licence (optional extra at additional cost)
PADDLING & RIVER GUIDING (African Paddling Association & CATHSSETA accredited) Flat-water Paddling Guide Sea-Kayak Guide River Guide (Swift Water)
ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL GUIDING COURSES (CATHSSETA Accredited) Zip-line Guide High Ropes Challenge Course Guide Mountain Bike & Cycle Touring Guide
ADDITIONAL GUIDING SKILLS COURSES Nature interpretation for adventure guides Basic photography and adventure film making skills Basic camp construction and maintenance skills
FIREARM TRAINING COURSES (PFTC & ITA Accredited) Legal aspects of the Firearms Control Act Personal Firearms Competency for Handgun, Shotgun and Manual Rifle Business Purposes Competency for Handgun, Shotgun and Manual Rifle Year @ Guide School – Comprehensive accredited adventure guide training
Adventure Based Learning Skills ABL Facilitator Training Soft skills, group training and debriefing Whole Brain Leadership Water activities Archery Air rifle shooting Challenge courses Challenge games
First Aid and Survival DOL Level 1 First Aid (Department of Labour Accredited) Wilderness First Responder (Department of Labour & ECSI Accredited) Tactical First Aid (Department of Labour Accredited) Incident management Bush craft and survival Self-defence for adventure guides Urban and Travel Survival
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