Campfire Academy

Call Directions Contact the organization

Campfire Academy We facilitate experiences between you & Mother Nature through education, training and research 🌱

Campfire Academy promotes ecotourism, nature conservation, sustainability, and environmental custodianship. Tinus Cronjé founded Tehillah Eco Village in 1999 to create opportunities for students and nature lovers to participate in conservation action. His daughter, Laetitia Cronjé, continues this mission as the current Chairperson and Principal Trainer of Campfire Academy, based at the Village in Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of the larger Balule Nature Reserve and Greater Kruger National Park. We offer several courses, training programmes and experiences:

- FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 Courses (70-days)
- FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 and Nature Site Guide NQF4 Practical Prep & Assessments
- FGASA Apprentice Trails Guide NQF2 Courses (35-days)
- FGASA Trails Hours & Encounters
- FGASA Advanced R***e Handling
- FGASA Nature Enthusiast Experience
- Campfire Online Tutorial Tribe (online theory programme for FGASA Nature Site Guide and FGASA Nature Enthusiast students)
- FGASA tutoring (on-site & online)
- Wildlife Bush Experience
- Research Internships

We can also assist with other FGASA qualifications, skills workshops and special training upon request. Embark on a profound personal and professional journey with Mother Nature. At Campfire Academy, you'll have the unique opportunity to share in her wisdom, empower your passion, and pursue what you were born to do. This is a training program and a life-changing experience that will inspire and motivate you.

02/10/2026

Student Graduation... and that's a wrap!

Congratulations to Malebu, Max, , Megan and Tream on successfully becoming FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guides after attending Campfire Academy's first Combined Course.

The next course at camp will be held in May 2027 so if you register now you will have plenty of time to study with the online tutorials!

For more information e mail [email protected] or send a WhatsApp to 082 372 8751

The unedited Graduation will be posted in the comments.

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

01/10/2026

Our final student on assesment, Tream Marimane... 🤠

Since he was young,Tream loved nature, especially animals, and as he got older, he dreamed of being a nature guide

In life, you never know who may cross your path; and one day, Tream's path crossed with a man called Charles... and Tream's life changed forever!

Charles offered him a sponsorship for his FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide course, Tream began self-studying with Campfire Academy's online tutorials before the course started in September.

The guests on his assessment drive complimented Tream on his driving and very much appreciated the holistic experience he delivered as he encouraged them to use their senses throughout the drive.

Well done, Tream 🤠

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

30/09/2026

Next up for their NQF2 Nature Site Guide practical assessment... Megan Kimberly Lombard!

From a young age, Megan always asked for one thing: National Geographic magazines! A love for nataure was nurtued as she devoured the magazines from cover to cover.

Life's direction took a turn and Megan gained a teaching qualification; but the nature bug never left her.

She contacted Campfire Academy and joined the online Tribe and self-studied in her spare time for her FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide theory exam before joining us at Campfire Academy for help with exam revision and thereafter prep for her practical assessment.

Now she can combine her two passions: nature & teaching.

Megan's guests complimented her on her driving and gave special mention to her being able to provide interesting information and keep their interests in mind throughout the guided experience.

Well done, Megan 🤠

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

29/09/2026

Our next student on assesment, Malebu Chiloane... 🤠

Malebu, affectionately known as Shorts, was given an opportunity to join a full week at a Big 5 camp with Wild Shots Outreach to learn about wildlife photography: "I was there to learn about wildlife photography but while I was learning the camera, I was exposed to nature, and my love for nature started and it grew stronger and deeper."

Securing a sponsorship for her FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide course, Shorts began self-studying with Campfire Academy's online tutorials before the course started in September.

After passing her theory exam, Shorts began prepping for her practical assessment, which she undertook with an assisted driver as she is still learning to master 4x4 driving.

"Now I have finished my course and I am a qualifued guide I am so happy; and I am glad, and grateful to everyone who supported me - to the Wildshots Outreach programme and to my family.

"For me, being a guide is not just about driving a car around in the bush. For me, being a guide is about understanding how nature works and being able to share this knowledge with other people."

Well done, Shorts 🤠

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

28/09/2026

Next up for their NQF2 Nature Site Guide assessment was ...

An accomplished overland guide with , Ravi ws looking to attain a formal guiding qualification.

As with all our students on this Short Combined Course, Ravi joined our online Tribe and self-studied for his exam before joining us at Campfire Academy for help with exam revision and thereafter prep for his practical assessment.

On his practical drive, Ravi's experience showed through with his attention to his guests as he shared knowledge and engaged them in a holistic experience, all commented upon and appreciated by his guests.

Well done, Ravi 🤠

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

27/09/2026

Our first student on assesment, Max Pepels 🤠

Max first came to Campfire Academy last year on a trip with his school, Yuverta mbo Helmond in The Netherlands; and that's when his passion for nature ignited!

Max then spent the next months self-studying with our online tutorial: full & unlimited access to Laetitia's lectures and an online Tribe where our self-study students the world over can chat and ask questions.

With a vehicle full of unknown guests, Max deftly navigated his way through a comprehensive and informative guided experience, presenting his guests with the opportunity to use their senses and, under the eye of his assessor, invite his guests off the vehicle to appreciate the smaller sights of nature close-up.

Feedback from Max's guests included their appreciation of his care for his guests, stopping for the little things in the Bush, and his honesty in saying when he didn't know the answer to a question where his intrigue and passion for nature will lead him to find the answer...

Well done, Max 🤠

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

24/09/2026

Ke Nako...it is time!

In the blink of an eye our first ever 30-day Combined Course has gone by and our students are busy with final preparations for their FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide practical assessment... good luck to Tream, Megan, Malebu, Max, baria you've got this!

Out in Nature, there is no better classroom!

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

23/09/2026

Prepping our FGASA NQF2 Nature Site Guide students for their practical assessment... stepping into Module 7 in the FGASA manual, Laetitia delves into Botany and explains the difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons and, more importantly, how to explain & demonstrate this to your guests!

Out in Nature, there is no better classroom!

🎥

guides.association.of.sa

21/09/2026

The art of interpretation to bring the lifeless to life... here Laetitia demonstrates to our FGASA NQF2 students the art of bringing tracks to life for guests 🐾

🎥

Address

Balule Nature Reserve
Hoedspruit
1380

Telephone

+27823728751

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Campfire Academy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Campfire Academy:

Shortcuts

Share

Category