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Professional Rifle training for Safari Guides
To be issued a rifle in the workplace, any qualified guide must obtain the PFTC (Professional Firearm Training Council) rifle handling qualifications. This is what enables you to apply for Competency at the SAPS (South African Police Service).
Course Overview
PFTC Firearm Training
In order to legally be issued with a rifle in the workplace, any qualified guide must obtain the PFTC (Professional Firearm Training Council) rifle handling qualifications. This consists of the following three unit standards:
- US 117705 Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act.
- US 119651 Handle and use of a Manually Operated Rifle or Carbine.
- US 123519 Handle and use of a Manually Operated Rifle or Carbine for Business Purposes.
The PFTC Training is Certified by Zulu Rangers Firearm Training and the PFTC and covers all the fundamental skills required to competently handle a manually operated firearm.
Zulu Rangers (a sister company of Bhejane Nature Training) is a fully accredited PFTC Firearms Training Provider with accreditation number T1603001.
In addition to the Manually Operated Rifle unit standards, guides attending the PFTC and Rifle Handling Skills Courses can also book any of the other firearm categories for Handgun, Shotgun and/or Self-Loading Rifle or Carbine. Please keep in mind that you will need more days should you wish to complete additional PFTC Unit Standards.
Zulu Rangers Firearm Skills Training or FGASA Advance Rifle Handling
The FGASA Advanced Rifle Handling qualification is a pre-requisite for entry into the Apprentice Trails Guide Programme. After completing the required PFTC Training, guides are taken through an intensive training period to get familiar with all the aspects of handling heavy calibre rifles as used in the guiding industry in areas with dangerous game.
Students that do not wish to obtain the full FGASA qualification but would still like to complete a more advanced firearm training programme may choose to register only for the Zulu Rangers Firearm Skills Training, and will not be eligible for any FGASA assessment or certification.
International students completing this programme should also be aware that to apply for Firearm Competency (at the SAPS) you need a valid work permit or permanent residency in South Africa. You can complete all the training offered here, but in order to legally work as a Trails Guide in South Africa there are strict legal requirements which you should remain aware of.
The Course covers:
- Rifle selection and considerations for dangerous game.
- Fundamentals Training for heavy calibre firearms.
- Rifle Ballistics.
- Care and Maintenance.
- Legal Aspects.
- Supervised Training and simulations to develop good muscle memory.
- Drills and Dry Fire Simulation exercises.
- Range work and live fire exercises and assessments.
Course Duration
- ARH Renewal Workshop – 2 days
- PFTC Training 5 Days
Course Fees 2026
- Please contact us for available dates.
Course Dates
- Please contact us for available dates. You can also join the ARH Whatsapp Group to be notified of available ARH Renewal dates. Join ARH Whatsapp Group
PFTC Only
- Please contact us for available dates.
ARH Only
- Please contact us for available dates.
Included in the Course Fee
Full 10 Day Course
- All meals and accommodation.
- PFTC and ARH Training and Assessment.
- PFTC Training Manuals.
- FGASA Rifle Handling Training Manual.
- Rifle Hire and Ammunition.
PFTC Only
- All meals and accommodation.
- PFTC Training and Assessment for 1 x Firearm Category.
- PFTC Training Manuals.
ARH Only
- All meals and accommodation.
- FGASA ARH Training Materials.
- ARH Training and assessment.
- Rifle Hire and Ammunition.
Excluded in the Course Fee
- Personal Gear and Equipment.
- Reference Books.
- Excess ammunition if you exceed the allocated practice / assessment rounds.
Certification
Full 10 Day Course
- PFTC Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act.
- PFTC Handle and Use of Manually Operated Rifle for Personal Purposes.
- PFTC Handle and Use of Manually Operated Rifle for Business Purposes.
- Zulu Rangers Firearm Training Proficiency Certification.
- FGASA ARH (If all criteria were met).
Admission Requirements
- If doing FGASA Programme Fully paid up Member of FGASA, Qualified FGASA NQF 2 Nature Guide
- If Doing Zulu Rangers Programme Only, must be 18 or older.
- Have a reasonable level of personal and mental fitness.
- Improving upper body and core strength prior to a Firearm Training Course is highly recommended.
PFTC Only
- Have a reasonable level of personal and mental fitness.
- Improving upper body and core strength prior to a Firearm Training Course is highly recommended.
ARH Only
- Must have written and passed the FGASA Trails Guide Theory Exam.
- Must be a fully qualified.
- FGASA NQF 2 Nature Guide.
- Have a reasonable level of personal and mental fitness.
- Improving upper body and core strength prior to a Firearm Training Course is highly recommended.
