Online Wildlife Campus

Join our online learning community and choose from wildlife courses that are certified, diverse and interesting. Our online wildlife courses are perfect for anyone who is interested in nature, whether you enrol in a course in preparation for your conservation experience in the field, or as a stand-alone learning opportunity to boost your knowledge or even your CV. With course options ranging from Human-Wildlife Conflict to Capture, and Care and Management of Wildlife to Digital Wildlife Photography, we’ve got something for everyone.

  • Accredited courses – earn a certificate
  • Prepare for your conservation experience in the field
  • Complete a course as a stand-alone learning opportunity
  • Interesting non-accredited courses available
  • Complete courses in your own time
  • Prices range from Free to £300

Apply for our online wildlife courses here.

Course Options

The most comprehensive course of its kind offered anywhere in the world. This is the perfect course for those entering the industry and for those looking to fully prepare for their FGASA theory exams (including the Advanced and Specialist Field guiding levels).

Components: 82
Certificate: Yes
Price: £300.00

Our Wildlife Management Course is based on the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Wildlife Management’s Honours degree programme but has been re-written so that no prior learning is required. Written specifically for those who need to understand the ecological management of game farms and game reserves.

Components: 42
Certificate: Yes
Price: £200.00

Our Advanced Animal Behaviour Courses were written by the world-renowned ethologist, Professor Richard Estes. These are the most comprehensive courses of their kind. Featuring line drawings, photographs, tables, graphs, references and assessment questions. This is everything you ever wanted to know about the behaviour, biology and ecology of African carnivores, herbivores and primates.

Components: 73
Certificate: Yes
Price: £150.00

Our Advanced Animal Behaviour Courses were written by the world-renowned ethologist, Professor Richard Estes. These are the most comprehensive courses of their kind. Featuring line drawings, photographs, tables, graphs, references and assessment questions. This is everything you ever wanted to know about the behaviour, biology and ecology of African carnivores, herbivores and primates.

Components: 63
Certificate: Yes
Price: £130.00

Take an exciting virtual adventure with us, as we explore the Animal Tracks & Signs of Africa, written exclusively for WildlifeCampus by world renowned authors – Chris and Mathilde Stuart. Over 1800 pages, featuring hundreds of species; this course takes an in-depth look at tracks, prints, spoor, trails, droppings, feeding signs, kill sites, mud wallowing, rubbing posts, tree scratchings, scent marking, holes, bark-stripping, shed hair, skin & feathers, nests in & out of trees, mammal & invertebrate shelters and skulls. This course will enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the wild, even when no animals are to be seen.

Components: 36
Certificate: Yes
Price: £125.00

Our Game Capture, Care & Management of Wildlife Course, is the definitive guide and reference to African Game Capture, Translocation and the holding of Game in Temporary Captivity. Written by world renowned game capture expert, Mike la Grange, this is certainly one of the best-written and most interesting courses ever offered by WildlifeCampus.

Components: 27
Certificate: Yes
Price: £125.00

Written in collaboration with Wilderness Safaris and is the first true Game Lodge Management course to have been released to the public. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the creation and running of lodges, this offering is suitable for those seeking to enter this rewarding industry, or for safari companies that strive to emulate the accomplishments of one of the World’s most successful lodge groups. The Certificate in Game Lodge Management is widely recognised as the best and accepted throughout the industry. In terms of applications and permits, it also provides a lot of credibility that allows for motivation with local African governments.

Components: 23
Certificate: Yes
Price: £125.00

The growing need for more detailed knowledge on Intensive Production of Wildlife on small and large reserves, provided the stimulus for producing this course. It is based upon extensive practical experience and provides a detailed, theoretical insight into the requirements of setting up and running a successful intensive wildlife production facility on game reserves and conservancies. Covering: Elephant, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo, Eland, Roan, Sable, Kudu, Nyala, Impala, Bushbuck, Springbok, Duikers, Steenbok, Wild Dog, Crocodile and Ostrich.

Components: 18
Certificate: Yes
Price: £100.00

Our Marine Biology course, also known as Marine Field Guiding, is the benchmark course for those who wish to greatly enhance their marine-related activities for their clients as well as themselves. Whether you’re active along the coast, inter-tidal zone or submerged on a coral reef, this course provides you with an in-depth knowledge of the habitat, ecology and organisms you’re encountering. Irrespective of whether you’re a professional marine guide, recreational diver or ocean enthusiast – this course is for you. Endorsed by The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA); It consists of 39 comprehensive components.

Components: 39
Certificate: Yes
Price: £100.00

Lost in the African Bushveld with an injured companion. Hunted by terrorists or looking for survivors in Big 5 territory. Are you in trouble or what? Superbly written in a style that combines humour with indomitable spirit, our ex- Special Forces survival instructor turned author will keep you captivated.

Components: 44
Certificate: Yes
Price: £100.00

Our Anti-Poaching Course is based upon extensive direct counter-poaching experience and provides a theoretical and detailed background to the prevention of poaching, theft and mutilation of game animals from a game reserve perspective. We explore what Poaching and Anti-Poaching are and the 3 Levels of Poaching. We discuss the Anti-Poaching Unit, how to set one up and the two main options to counter poaching: Active & Passive Prevention. Examine Poaching methods and the Economics of Poaching, Anti-Poaching equipment and the various Anti-Poaching Action Plans together with the Legalities of Anti-Poaching. If you are a reserve owner, conservancy, wildlife or game farm manager; game ranger, game guide, game guard, trails guide or field guide or merely have an interest in this field, this course is for you.

Components: 18
Certificate: Yes
Price: £85.00

Our Advanced Animal Behaviour Courses were written by the world-renowned ethologist, Professor Richard Estes. These are the most comprehensive courses of their kind. Featuring line drawings, photographs, tables, graphs, references and assessment questions. This is everything you ever wanted to know about the behaviour, biology and ecology of African carnivores, herbivores and primates.

Components: 38
Certificate: Yes
Price: £80.00

Our Geology, Paleontology and Evolution Course was written by world renowned Professors, Bruce Rubidge and Terence McCarthy from the University of the Witwatersrand, coupled with contributions by an additional 16 content experts, this is certainly one of the best written courses ever offered by WildlifeCampus. This is the story of Earth and Life. Take a 13.7-billion-year journey to explore the parallel evolution of The Universe, Planet Earth and Life that developed upon it. From supercontinents to dinosaurs to meteor impacts to The Cradle of Humankind to mass extinctions and much more.

Components: 21
Certificate: Yes
Price: £75.00

The Front of House Lodge Operations Course was written by Hayley Cooper, of Wild Dreams Hospitality. Her passion for creating the best guest experience, as well as staff training and development, compelled her to write this course and share her enthusiasm for hospitality with others. In this course, we discuss every detail involved in running successful FOH operations. We learn about understanding other departments, presentation and etiquette, what to do before guests arrive, when they arrive and how to host the most memorable experiences at your lodge or venue. This course includes a component on Food and Beverage (F&B) which highlights the importance of knowing your guests diet requirements (and what they mean). This course is perfect for owners, managers and staff at lodges, hotels, restaurants, cafés, cruise ships/yachts, bars, airlines, catering/event venues, resorts or clubs. If you are looking to enter the hospitality industry, brush up your current and/or staff skills or merely have an interest in the subject, this course is for you!

Components: 10
Certificate: Yes
Price: £75.00

Our Digital Wildlife Photography Course concentrates primarily on upskilling you to produce consistent, high-quality wildlife photographs. This is not a complete beginner’s course in photography and assumes that you have the knowledge in place to use a digital camera in a mode other than “point-and-shoot” where the camera does everything for you. Applicable to the more advanced novice, dedicated enthusiast and semi-professional, this course is a MUST for those wanting to learn how to take that special shot; for those seeking to avoid the disappointment of mundane results by converting their ordinary photographs into extraordinary captures of that unique moment in time. Specifically commissioned and written for WildlifeCampus by Professional Wildlife Photographers, Andre Nel and Dan Myburg and, in our opinion, will be worth every cent for the enormous satisfaction you’ll gain by producing exceptional wildlife photos.

Components: 18
Certificate: Yes
Price: £65.00

In terms of the ecological knowledge required by guides, there are a multitude of available courses, but no other course covers the critical ‘soft skills’ explored in this course. What differentiates the competent from the truly exceptional and successful guide? This course has the answers and the skills you may be looking for. Whether you are an aspiring, practicing or professional guide; this course will remind you of why you chose this career to begin with, impart new skills and perspective and will leave you refreshed and re-motivated to provide guiding experiences at the very highest level. Written and revised by Garth Thompson, one of the world’s best guides, and illustrated with superb humour by Dov Fedler, this course is quite simply a must for every Field Guide and Game Lodge Manager. It is the best investment you can make in the wildlife industry.

Components: 16
Certificate: Yes
Price: £65.00

Our Trails Guide Course – the follow-on from our Game Ranging Course. Written by Lex Hes and Anton Lategan of Eco Training, one of the foremost practical guiding training organization in Southern Africa. This is a must for those field guides who want to take their guiding to the next level or for those who have enjoyed our Game Ranging Course and wish to explore Dangerous Animals from an in-depth perspective. This Trails Guide Course is endorsed by FGASA and co-conferred by Eco Training.

Components: 16
Certificate: Yes
Price: £60.00

Our Game Guard Management Course is based upon extensive practical experience and provides a detailed, theoretical insight into the requirements of setting up and running a successful Game Guard Unit on Reserves and Conservancies to counter poaching activities. In this course, we explore a brief history of game guarding in Southern Africa, the selection and training of Game Guards, their deployment and on-going management. If you are a reserve owner, conservancy, wildlife or game farm manager; game ranger, game guide, game guard, trails guide or field guide or merely have an interest in this field this course is a logical and pragmatic guide for you. The course was written in conjunction with the renowned conservationist, Ken Coetzee.

Components: 12
Certificate: Yes
Price: £45.00

Our FGASA Exam Preparation is not a course, but rather a database consisting of 1,170 exam questions (but not the answers). * This course in no way replaces our Field Guiding Course, but does complement it, as all the questions are derived from this course content.

Components: 30
Certificate: Yes
Price: £40.00

Our Human-Wildlife Conflict Course examines problem animals in the wildlife management context. An animal or bird becomes a Problem Animal when it competes at an unacceptable level for human resources or becomes a danger to human life. This course explores these Conflicts and Resolutions.

Components: 12
Certificate: Yes
Price: £40.00

This course examines the trends toward game ranching, the upfront costs, ongoing revenue & expenditure, infrastructural expenses, profitability trends and profit drivers of game ranching. Its concluding module investigates conservancies, game management and the ethics of running a successful, profitable and sustainable game ranch. Applicable to the dedicated wildlife enthusiast, prospective game farm investor and current game ranch owner, this course is a must for those seeking the realities of starting and running a game farm, game ranch or conservancy.

Components: 9
Certificate: Yes
Price: £40.00

Our Advanced Animal Behaviour Courses were written by the world-renowned ethologist, Professor Richard Estes. These are the most comprehensive courses of their kind. Featuring line drawings, photographs, tables, graphs, references and assessment questions. This is everything you ever wanted to know about the behaviour, biology and ecology of African carnivores, herbivores and primates.

Components: 14
Certificate: Yes
Price: £40.00

Our Wilderness Navigation Course is a practical navigation course for all hikers, trampers, mountaineers, orienteering enthusiasts, outdoor leaders, teachers, scouts, guides, adventure racers, rescue teams and anyone else who ventures “Anyplace Wild”. Written by master navigator, Andrew R Friedemann, this may be the most valuable course you will ever study. Navigation is a skill that can be learnt by anyone; developing a proficiency in this ability can save your life and will significantly enhance your experiences when venturing into the outdoors.

Components: 12
Certificate: Yes
Price: £35.00

Explore the Eastern Cape
Components: 16
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Free State Province
Components: 14
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Gauteng Province
Components: 17
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Kwazulu-Natal Province
Components: 20
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Limpopo Province
Components: 9
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Mpumalanga Province
Components: 13
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the North West Province
Components: 10
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Northern Cape Province
Components: 16
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

Explore the Western Cape Province
Components: 22
Certificates: Yes
Price: £90.00

This course is by Credo Mutwa, one of Africa’s most celebrated Sangomas. The content is not scientific but explores the natural world from a deeply cultural perspective. A wealth of myth and legend.

Components: 1
Certificate: None
Price: Free

14 billion years in the making, our Astronomy Course is a must for the dedicated enthusiast, causal stargazer or for anyone who ever looked up at the night sky in wonder or appreciation. Featuring over 750 spectacular images of galaxies, quasars, constellations, planets, moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, space craft and a wide variety of other fascinating objects. This course is the most comprehensive of its kind available, truly unique.

Components: 20
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

Our Snakes & Reptiles of the Lowveld Course was written by renowned expert and snake handler in this field, Ian Dewsbury, this Course covers the identification, classification, characterisation, reproduction, description and distribution of the 89 species of larger reptiles and snake’s endemic to the Highveld and Lowveld regions of South Africa. It has been designed for both those wishing to obtain a good overview of the subject as well as the serious student whose objective is a more in-depth knowledge.

Components: 16
Certificate: Yes
Price: Free

Birding by Habitat free course: Beginner, Enthusiast and Expert

Components: 8
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

The South African peoples addressed in the text are The Khoikhoi; The Lemba; The Ndebele; The Northern Sotho; The San; The Southern Sotho; The Swazi; The Tsonga; The Tswana; The Venda; The Xhosa; and The Zulu. This is not a course. There are no tests to complete or certificates to earn; rather WildlifeCampus has simply been able to procure this 400 page significant academic work for your review.

Components: 1
Certificate: None
Price: Free

Written by world-renowned elephant expert, Professor van Aarde; Director of the Conservation ecology Research Unit based at the University of Pretoria; critically examines the elephant management question. Explore the generalisations that dominate discussions on elephant management. Information presented here stems from more than a decade of intensive research in Southern African populations. There are no tests to complete for this course.

Components: 1
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

Our Mountain Guiding Course presents a distillation of the wisdom and experience gained from 100 years of mountaineering in South Africa and elsewhere. Respect for the mountains, both for their challenges and their hazards, can only be learnt by being exposed to them, preferably under the guidance of a competent leader. This course however, provides a valuable adjunct to experience; the novice will be assisted in learning about mountain leadership and how to behave in the mountains; the more experienced mountaineer or hiker will use it to consolidate his or her knowledge, fill in the gaps and learn new skills.

Components: 13
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

Our Predator Management on Livestock Farms Course, originally written for the Landmark Foundation, has been revised for the wildlife manager, landowner, wildlife enthusiast and of course, the livestock farmer. This is a most important, useful and practical course for all those who are on either side of the Predator / Livestock conflict. If you are seeking or merely interested in non-lethal, holistic, ecologically acceptable and ethical management strategies to deal with predator/livestock farming conflicts, this course is for you.

Components: 1
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

The Lion, Leopard, Elephant, African Buffalo and Rhinoceros are all closely examined in this short course. Each species is explored in terms of their classification, vital statistics, habitat, social structure, feeding behaviour, reproduction, general ecology and conservation status. These 6 components are derived directly from our Field Guiding/Game Ranging Course.

Components: 6
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

The Lion, Leopard, Elephant, African Buffalo and Rhinoceros are all closely examined in this short course. Each species is explored in terms of their classification, vital statistics, habitat, social structure, feeding behaviour, reproduction, general ecology and conservation status. These 6 components are derived directly from our Field Guiding/Game Ranging Course.

Components: 6
Certificate: Optional
Price: Free

For Juniors aged 10-15 years old, this course aims to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to help eradicate poaching, even at a young age. We explain poaching and anti-poaching, some of the different types of poaching and the ways we can help prevent it from happening. If you are a young conservationist who is keen to learn and make a difference, this course is for you! As a young person, you hold the key to positive conservation change, for future generations!

Components: 10
Certificate: Yes
Price: £20

Comprehensive Information Pack