SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conduct a guided nature experience 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335799  Conduct a guided nature experience 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Guiding 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
8514  Conduct a guided nature experience  Level 4  NQF Level 04  20   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The unit standard is aimed at individuals operating at a provincial, regional or site guide level enabling nature-guiding specialisation within the guiding field.

Individuals found competent against this unit standard will be able to plan, develop and conduct a nature guiding experience. Such a nature guiding experience will be localised to a geographical area and the skills obtained within this unit standard can be taken as a fundamental building block within the entire complex structure of guiding qualifications within the nature guiding specialisation field.

In addition, this standard aims to enable some nature guiding exposure to individuals specialising in cultural guiding so as to address the interpretation of aspects of nature as encountered in their operational area.

On achievement of this unit standard the learner will understand and be able to:
  • Design a nature guiding experience.
  • Conduct a guided nature experience.
  • Review own guiding performance. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication Literacy at NQF Level 2.
  • Numeracy or Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Design a nature guiding experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A focus for a guided nature experience is determined in accordance with the interests and expectations of a target group of tourists. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Focus includes but is not limited to:
  • Geographical area, time frames, group identities, specific natural environment in which an experience will take place, individual needs and interests.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A site for a guided nature experience is selected in accordance with identified needs and information on natural resources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Natural resources include but is not limited to:
  • Prominent animals and plants encountered in the area of operation, unusual plants such as mistletoe, marula, leadwood, grasses such as red grass.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The flagship species of South Africa is identified and classified in broad taxonomical categories as it applies to the geographical area. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flagship species include:
  • Mammals, national plants and animals of South Africa, birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as Arthropoda common to the area of operation.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information is gathered as it pertains to the fauna and flora of the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information include but is not limited to behaviour patterns of animals, typical sights and sounds in the natural environment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The basic principles of ecology as it is revealed in the area of operation are explained at an elementary scientific level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ecology includes but is not limited to predator versus prey organism numbers, energy flow in ecosystems, elementary understanding of the food chain as it occurs in nature and specifically in the area of operation, specific adaptations of animals to unfavourable conditions including migration and hibernation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The natural phenomena of the area of operation are explained at an elementary scientific level. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Basic night sky interpretation, basic geology, weather,climate and ocean tides]
  • A nature guide experience is designed in accordance with the organisation requirements and legal frame work.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct a guided nature experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An implementation plan is compiled to operationalise the designed guided nature experience. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    An implementation plan includes but is not limited to:
  • Logistic arrangements, objectives, cost analysis, arrangement with authorities and stakeholders.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Participants are briefed so as to enable understanding of the rules, conditions and safety requirements of the guided experience. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Participants includes but is not limited to:
  • Participating clients and support staff.

    Briefing includes but is not limited to:
  • Activity requirements, routes, emergency situations, communication, hazards and obstacles, buddy of sentinel systems and safety precautions as it applies to the planned activity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information is provided to clients on preventative measures against common injuries, wounds, conditions and complaints encountered whilst participation in activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A briefing is presented in the context of the guided nature experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Flora in the area are identified and classified in terms of their important features. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Important features include but is not limited to propagation, role in the ecology, medicinal or nutritional value to fauna and human beings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Fauna in the area of operation are identified, classified and an interpretation provided of interesting and unusual behaviour. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Behaviour includes but is not limited to:
  • Territorial behaviour, dominance, courtship and mating procedures, feeding nursing and training of young, gestation periods, size, speed, distinguishing features and calls.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Review own guiding performance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Impact of the guided experience is evaluated by means of feedback mechanisms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Feedback mechanisms includes but is not limited to:
  • Questionnaires or feedback forms, discussions with group members.

    For impact includes but is not limited to:
  • The meeting of expectations and needs of the group, value of information provided, arrangements and logistics as it applies to the experience.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Feedback is interpreted so as to identify areas and suggestions for future improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Own adherence and meeting of requirements is evaluated and recorded as it applies to the guiding code of conduct. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Code of conduct includes but is not limited to:
  • Professional conduct, values and ethics, respect for and consideration of natural resources and diversity, resources protection as it applies to the area in which guiding was conducted.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Elementary taxonomy of common (prominent, "flagship") mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians up to order level, arthropods up to class level (technical terminology of species is not required except where no common names exist.
  • Essential terminology of plants, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals; medicinal and other uses of, folklore about and edibility of plants and animals in the area of operation.
  • Use of field guides and library resources.
  • Relevant knowledge pertaining to dangerous (poisonous or venomous) South African plants and animals.
  • Appropriate knowledge pertaining to animal behaviour.
  • Basic ecological principles-energy flow (trophic pyramid), simple food chains, animal reactions to environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems:
  • Problem solving is supported through the addressing of itinerary adjustments where challenges require adjustments to initial planning. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and Manage own activities:
  • Own activities are managed and organised in the planning of and the conducting of a limited nature-guiding experience. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Gathering, evaluation and assessment of information:
  • A broad range of information is handled in the collecting (gathering), analysis and evaluation of information in the preparation and presentation of formal and informal interpretive presentations in a limited guiding environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Effective communication:
  • Effective communication skills are essential and are maintained in the preparation and conducting of a guided experiences in a limited geographical environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Seeing the world as a set of interrelated systems:
  • The inter-relatedness of systems is evident in the relationships observed between different species as well as humans in terms of conservation and natural relationships as it applies to the area of operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This Unit Standard replaces Unit Standard 8514, "Conduct a guided nature experience", NQF Level 4, 20 Credits.

    Values:

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Ecological and social rights and responsibilities.
  • Sustainable utilisation of the environments in which services are to be provided. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  71549   Further Education and Training Certificate: Tourist Guiding  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. DRUM BEAT SAFARIS 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.