Professional Hunters & Guides Qualification: What’s involved?

The process of getting a Professional Hunter or Professional Safari Guide qualification in Zimbabwe is extremely demanding and the qualification is justifiably highly respected internationally.

The Professional certification can only be undertaken a minimum of two years after obtaining the Learner Hunters and Guides qualification, during which time you have to be an apprentice under the supervision of a registered Professional Hunter or Safari Guide.

For the details of what is involved in becoming a Professional Hunter or Safari Guide look at the Z.P.G.A. site (http://zpga.org) *.

In general you have to:

• Have been involved in the full range of hunter/ safari guide/hospitality activities;
• Taken part in a number of successful dangerous game hunts;
• Have a detailed logbook recording all relevant activities that you have been engage with;
• Have a letter of recommendation from your supervising Professional to the Examining Board stating that s/he supports the apprentice’s application;
• Have an Advanced 1st Aid certificate;
• Attend a Shooting Exam held by National Parks and the Zimbabwe Shooting Federation, in Bulawayo and Harare;
• Attend an interview in Harare or Bulawayo, held by National Parks/ZPHGA;
• Be invited to the SEVEN day extremely demanding practical Proficiency Exam process.

* Take note, The Z.P.G.A. used to be called the Z.P.H.G.A. (Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association) but elected to drop the “Hunters” part from their name because of the increasingly negative perceptions of hunting internationally.