In January 1990, four visionaries — Clive Walker, Marilyn Dougall, Laurie Wright, and Frances Gamble — gathered with a shared purpose: to bring structure, credibility, and professional standards to a field that had, until then, relied purely on passion and bush intuition. With a modest fund of R1,000, the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) was born.

  At that time, there was no formal qualification or regulation for guiding in Big 5 areas — no benchmark of competence or professionalism. What began as a grassroots effort to establish standards in environmental interpretation and wildlife guiding has, over 35 years, evolved into one of Southern Africa’s most respected professional organisations.

A Legacy of Leadership

 A meeting was held by the Committee for Co-operation in Informal Environmental Education on the 15th of January 1990 and was attended by (4 people) Clive Walker, Marilyn Dougall, Laurie Wright, and Frances Gamble with an apology from John Ledger. This committee allocated R1,000 from available funds to launch the Association.

  Their aim was to set up an association that could implement and regulate standards for Field Guides working in Big 5 areas given that there was no formal qualification, registration, standard or regulation for the job function as a field guide.

   The first formal FGASA meeting of 8 people, took place on the 4th of August 1990 and included members Steve Johnson, Neil Harmse and Drummond Densham. The first Annual General Meeting of the Association took place on the 24th of July 1991 attended by 70 people. On the 3rd of August 1991 the first formal committee meeting took place. The members of the first committee consisted of: Clive Walker (Chairman), Laurie Wright (Vice-Chair), Drummond Densham, Johan Fourie, Murray MacGregor, Bruce Thackwell, Barrie Walker, Alan Wedderburn, Ria Milburn, and Ben Vermeulen. At the AGM on the 21st of August 1993, the membership stood at 226 (not all paid-up).

  Over the decades, leaders such as Clive Walker, Ria Milburn, Douwe van der Zee, Grant Hine, Nicolette van Brakel, Brian Serrao (acting CEO) and Michelle du Plessis have played pivotal roles in shaping FGASA into what it is today — a credible, professional body that sets the bar for guiding standards not just in South Africa, but across the African continent and beyond.

Setting Standards Across Southern Africa

 From the outset, FGASA has been at the forefront of professionalising the guiding industry. Through the development of nationally benchmarked certifications, rigorous assessments, and ethical guidelines, FGASA has given the profession a recognised framework — transforming guiding from a passion-driven pursuit into a credible and structured professional career.

  Today, FGASA’s influence extends well beyond South Africa’s borders, with members assessors and delivery partners operating across Southern and East Africa. The Association’s standards form the foundation for many regional training programmes, ensuring that guides share a consistent set of skills and understanding of ethical guiding, ecological literacy, safety and the guest experience. This contribution has helped to elevate the reputation of African guiding globally, supporting the tourism industry by ensuring that guests experience knowledgeable, responsible, and professional interpretation of the natural world.

The Recognised Voice of the Guiding Profession

 As a Professional Body, FGASA maintains and advances guiding standards, and also serves as the collective voice of professional guides. The Association represents the interests of its members in national dialogues on training, policy, and professional recognition — ensuring that guides are acknowledged as skilled practitioners who play an essential role in conservation and sustainable tourism. Through collaboration with government, training institutions, and industry stakeholders, FGASA continues to advocate for the recognition of guiding as a professional career path — one that deserves respect, opportunity, and continuous professional development.

Looking Ahead

As FGASA celebrates this remarkable milestone, it does so with an eye firmly on the future.

  The organisation continues to innovate its training programmes, expanding mentorship and RPL pathways, and strengthening its partnerships across the continent to ensure that guides remain at the forefront of sustainable ecotourism.

FGASA’s vision for the next chapter is clear

“To continuously set the bar for professionalism, ethics, and excellence in guiding.”

From four people and R1,000 to a professional body representing over 5000 guides across southern Africa and beyond, FGASA’s 35-year journey is a testament to passion, purpose, and perseverance — and a proud celebration of the profession it continues to shape and champion.

And now, it’s time to celebrate!

FGASA invites all members, guide employers, stakeholders, and supporters to join this  regions 35th Birthday Bash on 22 November 2025 — a day of fun, friendly competition, and connection at the Hoedspruit Padel courts.

So, get your guiding team together, bring your competitive spirit, and be part of the FGASA Padel Bash as we celebrate 35 years of guiding excellence in true FGASA style! Please RSVP at

marketing@fgasa.org.za