
Assistant Jungle Guide
Master the knowledge required to lead expeditions in Jungle regions, around the globe!
Step into the world of professional expedition leadership.
Duration: 2 weeks full time | 6 weeks part time
Schedule: Work at your own pace
Certification: Assistant Jungle Guide, endorsed by the IAJG
Price: $425
Cellphone compatible. Learn from anywhere!
The Assistant Jungle Guide is the foundational international qualification for those ready to take their jungle expertise to the next level. Whether you’re guiding film crews, leading adventure tourists, supporting research teams, or preparing for remote logistics operations, this course gives you the skills, confidence, and credibility to lead safely, responsibly, and professionally in the world’s most demanding rainforest environments.
Developed by experienced expedition leaders and aligned with international best practices, by the end of this course, you’ll not only earn a Certification through International Association of Jungle Guides—you’ll join a growing global community of respected, skilled professionals trusted to operate on some of the planet’s most sensitive and spectacular terrain.
Get certified. Get respected. Lead with confidence
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Lesson 1 - Welcome
In this lesson we introduce you to the course, and provide resources required to complete the course.
In this lesson we introduce you to the course, and provide resources required to complete the course.
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Learn the basic principles of Jungle Guiding
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Lesson 3 - Understanding the Jungle Environment
In this lesson, we explore what defines a tropical rainforest and examine the unique climate conditions that make jungles both challenging and rewarding environments to guide in.
In this lesson, we explore what defines a tropical rainforest and examine the unique climate conditions that make jungles both challenging and rewarding environments to guide in.
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Lesson 4 - Ethical & Sustainable Guiding
This lesson focuses on the importance of minimizing the ecological footprint when guiding expeditions in jungle environments.
This lesson focuses on the importance of minimizing the ecological footprint when guiding expeditions in jungle environments.
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Quiz summarizing the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Foreign Work Permits & Legal Principles
This lesson focuses on the administrative and legal frameworks that a jungle adventure guide must navigate before leading expeditions abroad.
This lesson focuses on the administrative and legal frameworks that a jungle adventure guide must navigate before leading expeditions abroad.
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Lesson 2 - Land Use & Permissions
In this lesson, we focus on securing authorization to enter or traverse jungle territories. Different levels of governance—from federal agencies to tribal or community-based leaders—often hold authority over land use.
In this lesson, we focus on securing authorization to enter or traverse jungle territories. Different levels of governance—from federal agencies to tribal or community-based leaders—often hold authority over land use.
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Lesson 3 - Logistics and Resupply
This lesson focuses on the practicalities of acquiring and transporting the essential supplies needed for a successful jungle expedition.
This lesson focuses on the practicalities of acquiring and transporting the essential supplies needed for a successful jungle expedition.
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Knowledge Check of material covered in the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Risk Assessment Principles
Risk management lies at the heart of successful jungle expeditions. This lesson provides a more in-depth look at key risk assessment principles, using a Basic Risk Management Matrix as a practical tool.
Risk management lies at the heart of successful jungle expeditions. This lesson provides a more in-depth look at key risk assessment principles, using a Basic Risk Management Matrix as a practical tool.
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Lesson 2 - Key Hazards & Mitigation
This lesson provides an in-depth look at common hazards faced in jungle environments and the methods to reduce their impact.
This lesson provides an in-depth look at common hazards faced in jungle environments and the methods to reduce their impact.
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Lesson 3 - Emergency Plans & Medevac
This lesson covers essential evacuation planning elements, spanning a range of methods—on foot, by 4x4 vehicle, motorbike, boat, animal, and via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft.
This lesson covers essential evacuation planning elements, spanning a range of methods—on foot, by 4x4 vehicle, motorbike, boat, animal, and via helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft.
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Lesson 4 - Case Study
This lesson introduces a real-world case study illustrating the importance of meticulous planning, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness in a jungle environment.
This lesson introduces a real-world case study illustrating the importance of meticulous planning, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness in a jungle environment.
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Knowledge Check of material covered in the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Working with Indigenous Populations
This lesson explores the complexities of guiding and traveling in regions inhabited by indigenous communities. You will learn how to build mutually respectful relationships by honoring local customs, hierarchies, and cultural beliefs.
This lesson explores the complexities of guiding and traveling in regions inhabited by indigenous communities. You will learn how to build mutually respectful relationships by honoring local customs, hierarchies, and cultural beliefs.
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Lesson 2 - Communication & Mutual Benefit
In this lesson, we explore how to establish genuine trust and long-term relationships with community leaders when operating in indigenous or rural areas.
In this lesson, we explore how to establish genuine trust and long-term relationships with community leaders when operating in indigenous or rural areas.
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Knowledge Check of material covered in the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Movement by Vehicle & Boat
This lesson covers the basics of navigating muddy or flooded roads with a 4x4 vehicle, using local boats or canoes for river travel, and exploring the role of motorbikes in remote jungle environments.
This lesson covers the basics of navigating muddy or flooded roads with a 4x4 vehicle, using local boats or canoes for river travel, and exploring the role of motorbikes in remote jungle environments.
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Lesson 2 - Foot Travel & Navigation
In this lesson, we examine the unique characteristics of jungle trails—including winding pathways, swampy areas, and river crossings—and explore navigation methods suited for thick canopy environments.
In this lesson, we examine the unique characteristics of jungle trails—including winding pathways, swampy areas, and river crossings—and explore navigation methods suited for thick canopy environments.
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Lesson 3 - Night Operations
This lesson covers practical techniques for safe night navigation—such as using reflective markers—and offers strategies for maintaining group morale and cohesion when nighttime travel is unavoidable.
This lesson covers practical techniques for safe night navigation—such as using reflective markers—and offers strategies for maintaining group morale and cohesion when nighttime travel is unavoidable.
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Lesson 4 - Interactive Map Reading
This exercise challenges you to apply the skills discussed in Chapter 5
This exercise challenges you to apply the skills discussed in Chapter 5
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Knowledge Check of material covered in the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Personal Equipment for the Jungle
This lesson focuses on recommended footwear with proper drainage and traction, insect-proof clothing, and essential accessories like dry bags and trekking poles.
This lesson focuses on recommended footwear with proper drainage and traction, insect-proof clothing, and essential accessories like dry bags and trekking poles.
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Lesson 2 - Camp Setup & Safety
This lesson covers fundamental site selection criteria—such as avoiding flood-prone zones and falling debris—along with shelter preferences like hammocks under tarps or tents.
This lesson covers fundamental site selection criteria—such as avoiding flood-prone zones and falling debris—along with shelter preferences like hammocks under tarps or tents.
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Lesson 3 - Maintenance & Repairs
This lesson focuses on preventing mold, mildew, and rust caused by high humidity, performing quick fixes on items like zippers and fabric tears, and implementing best practices for protecting sensitive electronics.
This lesson focuses on preventing mold, mildew, and rust caused by high humidity, performing quick fixes on items like zippers and fabric tears, and implementing best practices for protecting sensitive electronics.
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Knowledge Check of material covered in the course so far.
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Lesson 1 - Jungle-Specific First Aid
This lesson focuses on some of the most common ailments—such as fungal infections, immersion foot (trench foot), and venomous bites or stings—and outlines practical first aid responses.
This lesson focuses on some of the most common ailments—such as fungal infections, immersion foot (trench foot), and venomous bites or stings—and outlines practical first aid responses.
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Lesson 2 - Extended Care & Evacuation Timeline
This lesson covers strategies for multi-day patient care, including improvising stretchers or hammock-litters and stocking a medical kit appropriate for your group’s size, activities, and the remoteness of your expedition.
This lesson covers strategies for multi-day patient care, including improvising stretchers or hammock-litters and stocking a medical kit appropriate for your group’s size, activities, and the remoteness of your expedition.
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Lesson 3 - Participant Screening
This lesson covers how to obtain accurate medical disclosures, communicate with participants about prophylaxis and immunizations, and manage emergencies involving chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma.
This lesson covers how to obtain accurate medical disclosures, communicate with participants about prophylaxis and immunizations, and manage emergencies involving chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma.
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Lesson 4 - Venomous Bite Scenario
A participant on a jungle trek is crossing a small stream when they suddenly feel a sharp pain on their lower leg…
A participant on a jungle trek is crossing a small stream when they suddenly feel a sharp pain on their lower leg…
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Knowledge Check on course material so far
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Lesson 1 - Communication Systems in the Jungle
This lesson examines commonly used devices—satellite phones and messengers (e.g., Garmin inReach), radio systems (UHF/VHF), and HF/SSB—and explains how each is affected by canopy delays, line-of-sight constraints, and environmental factors.
This lesson examines commonly used devices—satellite phones and messengers (e.g., Garmin inReach), radio systems (UHF/VHF), and HF/SSB—and explains how each is affected by canopy delays, line-of-sight constraints, and environmental factors.
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Lesson 2 - Signal Methods & Troubleshooting
This lesson explores low-tech auditory and visual signals (e.g., whistles, whooping calls, flashlights, flares) that can help maintain contact within your group or alert rescuers to your location.
This lesson explores low-tech auditory and visual signals (e.g., whistles, whooping calls, flashlights, flares) that can help maintain contact within your group or alert rescuers to your location.
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Lesson 3 - Final Coordination Tips
This lesson focuses on the importance of maintaining consistent radio or satellite-device check-ins, safeguarding security and privacy when transmitting data, and ensuring smooth post-expedition communication.
This lesson focuses on the importance of maintaining consistent radio or satellite-device check-ins, safeguarding security and privacy when transmitting data, and ensuring smooth post-expedition communication.
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Knowledge Check on course material so far
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FAQs
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Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive an Assistant Jungle Guide Certificate. This does not Certify you as a Jungle Guide. It can however credit towards guiding certification in conjunction with the mentorship program. Contact us for more information.
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Yes. Upon registration for this course, let us know your intent to join the Jungle Guides Mentorship program and we will get the ball rolling with the registration process. Kindly note that the final decision for participation lies with the guide or instructor leading the expedition(s) you are registering for, so there are no guarantees that you will join an expedition upon successful completion of this course. This course helps the expedition leader ensure that you are coming with the base knowledge required them to trust in your ability to help them as required, have a foundation for them to mentor your skills and ability, and show that you are not just trying to get a free expedition out of their hard work. Contact us for more information if your not sure.