Elevate your professional guiding career with Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy

The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy will no longer be running courses for external students, as the focus from May 2024 is on in-house guide training and development. Short Forest Bathing Ecotherapy Facilitator courses will also be offered.

The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy

Advance your professional guiding qualification

The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy offers an in-house guide training program to existing qualified guides to advance their guiding career by adding Coastal-Marine and Fynbos Biome knowledge and skills to their portfolio of guiding professionalism.

If you are already a qualified nature guide and want to learn more about the Coastal-Marine and Fynbos Biome environment, then join us at Grootbos Private Nature Reserves for our in-house guide training program.

Included in the training is the Forest Bathing Ecotherapy specialist guide certification providing the skills and knowledge to facilitate nature connection experiences.

The Grootbos Professional Guide Programme

To join the Grootbos guiding team and go through the training program, please contact us via email: grant@grootbos.co.za and provide your CV with proof of existing guiding qualifications.

To apply for a Forest Bathing Ecotherapy Facilitator short course please send an email to grant@grootbos.co.za for more information.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Grootbos is a 5-star, multi-award-winning, luxury lodge situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Offering unparalleled luxury and transformative experiences that will bring guests closer to nature while fostering a true connection to harmonious living.

As a devoted custodian of the Cape Floral Kingdom, Grootbos goes beyond simply conserving this pristine wilderness. We are constantly researching, innovating and pioneering new conservation and sustainability initiatives, while also cultivating social transformation in surrounding communities.

A natural Haven for Nature Guides

3500-hectares of pristine wilderness

An area of rich cultural history

A botanists dream with 907 plant species (7 new to science)

Ancient milkwood forests

Home to the Marine Big 5

Unique coastal birding hotspot

Testimonials

My time at the Grootbos Professional Guiding Academy was one of the best experiences of my life. The small number of students attending the course made it extremely interactive, specialised and the perfect learning environment to allow for individual growth and development.

Tammy

Grant Hine is a wealth of information. He was a guide in more ways than one. He taught us the ins and outs of being a nature guide, but also guided us in strengthening our personal relationship with the nature around us. As a bunch of amateur nature-enthusiasts, we genuinely saw each other grow and mature as guides in the time we spent together with Grant.

Daniel

A Pristine Natural Environment

The 3500-hectare Grootbos reserve is situated in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is home to over 900 species of fynbos, three ancient milkwood forests and an incredible variety of bird and animal life. Students will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in this pristine natural haven while at the same gain experience in the operations of an award-winning luxury lodge.

Learn from the Best in the Industry

Grootbos is a world leader in progressive luxury tourism and has a team of highly experienced conservationists, guide trainers, nature guides and lodge employees that will mentor and train students to become professional nature guides.

Gain Additional Hospitality and Guiding Experience

In addition to becoming an accredited FGASA guide, students at the Grootbos Professional Guide Academy will also broaden their knowledge, skills and experience in the hospitality and lodge environment.

The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy offers you the opportunity to follow your passion, learn from the best and be part of a leading conservation and sustainability brand.

A Message from Guide Training Manager Grant Hine

“The Grootbos Professional Guide Academy not only provides knowledge and guiding skills but instils a philosophy of nature connection, developing a better understanding of one's own true nature to provide others with a life-changing experience for a more peaceful and healthy existence within the broader ecosystem”. Grant Hine

Meet the Course Facilitator

A professional guide-trainer, experienced nature guide and leading conservationist who has worked with Grootbos for many years, Grant has accomplished exceptional status in the eco-tourism industry. Students will benefit from being taught by one of the best in the industry.

Grant Hine

A professional guide-trainer, experienced nature guide and leading Forest Bathing Ecotherapy guide, who has worked with Grootbos for many years, Grant has accomplished exceptional status in the eco-tourism industry.

The Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA) was run by Grant Hine for 17 years. He has been involved in the nature guiding industry for over 34 years during this time he has written several guiding learner manuals and Forest Bathing Ecotherapy manuals.

Grant works with a new approach to re-connecting people with nature. This includes nature therapy, forest bathing, zen safaris, nature-based life coaching, reiki, meditation, and mindfulness training.

Grootbos Foundation and global recognition

Grootbos is a world leader in sustainable tourism and has been awarded some of the highest international accolades possible, making us one of only a handful of lodges to achieve this.