Warren joins elite group after passing qualification

This is the final step in the FGASA field guiding qualification journey. The FGASA SKS: DG Professional Trails Guide certification is held exclusively by FGASA and provides knowledge and skills to the highest attainable level through its qualifications system. “This certification ensures that you have qualified to the highest possible standards of guiding excellence and professionalism. After attaining the FGASA Level 1, FGASA Level 2, the Professional Trails Guide, and Professional Field Guide qualifications, I went on to complete the SKS: DG shooting assessment, which is the most advanced shooting assessment available. “After attaining this, I completed the SKS: DG practical assessment.

This included spending almost six years as a full-time trails guide, hiking more than 4 500 hours across Kruger National Park’s (KNP) most pristine wilderness areas, and safely experiencing more than 770 dangerous encounters with the Big 5 on foot. After building this experience and completing all the assessments and requirements, set by FGASA, I was awarded the SKS: DG qualification,” said Warren. The final assessment was conducted by industry legends James Steyn, and Andrew Kearney.

Also read: Warren wins big at the Safari Guide Awards

The assessment was held at Thornybush Game Reserve during a 3-day backpack trail from October 27 to 29 last year. “During this assessment, I needed to demonstrate my advanced knowledge in the field of guiding. It was my objective to create the experience to demonstrate my special skills in leading a trail in dangerous game areas and utilise all available opportunities to do this. “James Steyn awarded me this prestigious qualification and explained that with only about ten people meeting all the current FGASA requirements to achieve their SKS: DG qualification, I now join an elite group of people in our industry,” Warren said.

“On our first day of the trail, we had phenomenal sightings and several dangerous encounters with some of the Big 5, on foot. We had incredibly close encounters with lions, elephants, and even rhinos. We stopped for a break under some beautiful apple-leaf trees. After a short water break, we loaded up our packs and continued to navigate the wilderness, aiming for the ideal lunch stop, somewhere in the remote wilderness of Thornybush. On the first day, we hiked a little over 11km, from Thornybush Game Lodge to our first night camp spot,” said Warren.

Also read: Amy helps to pay for pangolins’ medical bills

“From my experience, guiding backpack trails in the KNP, I knew, that after a hike like this, with temperatures close to 40°C, it was the ideal recipe to plan an early arrival at camp and to include a refreshing late afternoon bush shower for my guests. Afterward, we all felt so refreshed and ready for a good night’s rest after an incredibly beautiful day, well spent in the African bushveld, among the wild,” he said.

He said that after their bush showers, before sunset, they discussed survival methods in the wild, and their main discussion was to identify several ways in which to create fire in the wilderness. They went on to set up a fire in the riverbed, it was a little tributary of the Monwana River. “The next morning, we had an early wake-up, we deconstructed camp, prepared a morning coffee, and departed. “The hike was just short of 10km, which was filled with sightings of general game, elephants, and the tracking and trailing of white rhinos.

Also read: Lindsay is back in Lowveld following her passion

“I planned several well-shaded stops during the day, as we were still hiking under high temperatures. “ After a somewhat disturbed sleep, from heavy winds the night before, we had an early wake-up on our final morning. “We deconstructed camp and prepared some morning coffees, and as the morning progressed, it started to rain. “Luckily our trail ended, and our pick-up arrived before the rain got to us. All in all, my guest had a very knowledgeable and enriching experience, while the assessors thoroughly enjoyed a safe, well-planned, and well-thought-through trail. “This was the culmination of years and years of training and studying in the bush, all coming together to achieve the prestigious SKS: DG qualification,” he concluded.