Gold-Level Certification Guidelines 

Overview

The KPSGA Gold Accreditation is aimed at assessing the credibility and ability of a safari guide as a consummate professional. As part of the process, your peers will expect you to articulate your guiding skills and knowledge in writing and orally. The tests will include a comprehensive array of topics and scenarios pertinent to the profession and industry at large.

You will be examined on fundamental and specialised aspects of safari guiding. Candidates must be prepared to address a wide range of topics including how they would brief and debrief clients before, during, and after a game drive or a walking safari. You are also expected to exhibit effective interpersonal skills and hosting etiquette. Other topics you may be evaluated on include driving skills, client safety, and First Aid preparedness. KPSGA also encourages guides to be involved with community and/or philanthropic service (unpaid, donation, volunteer) in our industry that goes beyond just leading tours. 

Attaining the KPSGA Gold Accreditation is an affirmation by a committee of your peers that you possess the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, integrity, and community service to continue guiding at the highest level. 

Eligibility

A) The candidate must be a fully paid-up Silver-Level member for three (3) consecutive years. Please be aware if your silver membership lapses for 2 years or more, you will be required to re-sit the silver examination and wait a further 3 years before you become eligible for gold.

B) A payment of K.Shs 40,000/ must accompany the biography submission 

[submitted before the exam dates]. Thereafter if one has passed there will be an annual gold subscription of K.Shs 6,000/ per year

Gold-level Exam Topics: 

  • The History of Conservation in Kenya (Parks, Reserves, and Conservancies)
  • Conservation Debates
  • Professional Guiding Etiquette 
  • Briefing & Hosting of Clients
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Ornithology
  • Herpetology 
  • Geology 
  • Ecology
  • First Aid
  • Astronomy & Navigation
  • Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Arthropods
  • Archaeology, Human Evolution, & Paleontology
  • History, Geography, & Cultures of Kenya
  • Climate & Weather 
  • Botany
  • Binoculars use and basic photography.
  • General knowledge including the demographics of modern Kenya.

RECOMMENDED READING FOR KPSGA GUIDES

Gold

  • All natural history books recommended. See official KPSGA Gold Level Prerequisites and preparation guide (available from KPSGA Head office via email)

Exam Dates

*The dates for the Gold exam will be communicated depending on availability of candidates, examiners and venue.