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About ASI

Welcome to the African Snakebite Institute!

We are the leading training provider of Snake Awareness, First Aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling courses in Africa.

Our courses are presented by Johan Marais, one of Africa’s leading herpetologists, with over 40 years of experience.

Johan is the most prominent author of snake books in Africa and has written the best sellers A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, Snakes and Snakebite and First Aid for Snakebite.

He is also the snake expert for the Tygerberg Poison Centre and the Red Cross poison centre, as well as advisor to various hospitals and clinics throughout Africa.

ASI conducts on-site training to corporate clients throughout Africa, including mines, construction companies, government departments and game lodges.

We also offer public courses for snake enthusiasts. Our courses are accredited by the International Society of Zoological Science (ISZS), Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA) endorsed and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for CPD points. Read more about the courses we offer here.

We are also the largest distributor of quality snake handling equipment in Africa. There is no compromise when it comes to safety, and we’ve developed an extensive range of equipment for every possible requirement. Check out our online shop here.

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Reviews

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Johan Marais has an amazing way to teach a class. It was very informative, and at times great fun. He worked at the pace of the slowest student making sure we all understood. From spiders to scorpions to snakes. Fun and informative. He is clearly an expert.
In the same breath credit needs to go to all involved in this course. From Ashley who books the course to all the helpers and everyone on the day.
This truly was money well spend! A highly recommended course.

Hannes BronkhorstASI Course Participant

I did the Snake awareness, first aid for snakebite and venomous handling course with Johan Marais a few days ago. It was a fantastic day and I learnt so much. Johan is exceptionally knowledgeable, and presented all of the material in an engaging, enjoyable way. A few of my friends did the course as well, including one who is quite afraid of snakes. Everyone who helped out on the day with the handling was very supportive, friendly and gave us lots of advice and encouragement. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who would like to learn more about snakes, and I am definitely planning on doing more ASI courses in the near future!

Hannah EdwardsASI Course Participant

I completed both the Awareness and Bootcamp courses .
So professionally done , well worth every minute.
A MUST for everyone interested or involved in nature and the outdoor..
Well done ASI team.

Rudi BritzASI Course Participant

Johan has a unique flair to share his knowledge and passion for snakes, scorpions and spiders and makes the audience feel comfortable. Both Johan and his team are highly professional in the organising, communication and supervision of the courses and practical snake handling sessions.
The ASI's efforts for conservation and education is commendable and they should be the first choice for companies or private individuals that want to learn more about snakes, snake handling, scorpions, spiders and the first aid surrounding bites and stings.

Johan Delport ASI Course Participant

I attended the Basic course with the snake handling and was really impressed with the standard of lectures Johan delivered and the professional approach to the course. The handling of the snakes afterwards was a highlight and yes I really thought we would handle some less dangerous snakes but was pleased to get the chance to safely handle a Cape Cobra and puffadder (with the tongs of course). I already have three friends keen to attend the next course.

Duane MolASI Course Participant

Johan Marais and his team are noted experts in their field. All three snake handling courses we attended were presented in a relaxed yet professional manner. Johan has the ability to take the bite out of a very scary (for some) subject by using his unique humor at the right time, while always taking care not to scare people away.

Willie BritzASI Course Participant

Absolutely incredible facility! Such friendly and very knowledgeable staff. I had an absolute blast going to one of their courses! Definitely a place to go visit to learn more about snakes, scorpions and spiders!

Beth Barry-TaylorASI Course Participant

I want to thank Ashley and Johan for their fantastic presentation Saturday! The feedback from Abraham, Anel and other delegates were all very positive and they commended you both for your professionalism on conducting the course and sharing of valuable and useful information. We look forward to the next one early next year.....

Patrick FourieTrekpad Safaris

I’m pleased to say that the snake handling course held on the 4th of November 2015 exceeded our expectations. I can confirm that the course was very educational and all our people learnt a lot from it. A special thanks to Lucia’s training budget and Johan Marais for conducting the training. I can recommend Johan @ the African Snakebite Institute for any of our other sites.

JG Bester ASI Course Participant

I did the snake awareness and venomous snake handling course as well as the advanced handling course with Johan Marais and his colleagues. It was an incredible experience and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about the amazing snakes we have in southern Africa as well as safe and proper ways to handle them.

Frans Reynecke ASI Course Participant

I ordered a scorpion torch, excellent service and a fantastic product.

Neil VannettASI Customer

I did the Advanced course with Johan Marais and the ASI team and wow it was awesome and the team are just informative and helpful all the way… Any snake lover I would highly recommend to go do the Snake id, handling and first aid course, followed up with the Advanced Snake handling… Thank you for helping me make a childhood dream come true Johan, Ashley, Shawn and Teacher - you guys rock!!!

Deon JonckASI Course Participant

Finished the awareness and venomous snake handling course today at Cradle Moon - was blown away with the professional presentation, course notes and practical session in the afternoon. Thank you Johan and Team - I will recommend this to anybody with an interest in snakes. Your sections on scorpions, spiders and marine animals was a really nice touch as well!

Gerald DraperASI Course Participant

We did the full course (handling venomous snakes too) and it was great! Very informative and fun too! We didn't want to stop handling the snakes, hopefully won't need to anytime soon!

Andrea Annie HowellASI Course Participant

I did the Venomous Snake Awareness and handling Course at Cradle Moon and I thought the course was great. Informative, informal, but professional. The venue was good. I was worried that the lecture/theory was going to be boring as I have quite a good knowledge of spiders, scorpions and snakes, but it was well presented and engaging. It's also great to be able to ask someone of Johan's reputation questions directly and he is only too happy to share his knowledge and experience. I loved the whole course.

John McPhersonASI Course Participant

Been on the course Saturday... Amazing experience. Wonderful personal. I recommend this for everybody. Thank you Ashley and Johan. You are a great team.

Karin Bouillon PretoriusASI Course Participant

I did the Venomous Snake Handling course with Johan Marais and can highly recommend it. The informational content that ASI puts out is first-class, and I suggest that anyone with an interest in snakes sign up for their newsletter and get Johan's books.

Willem Van ZylASI Course Participant

Great day spent at the German Club, Port Elizabeth last Saturday. Many thanks Johan. Learnt a hell of a lot.

Stephen HardcastleASI Course Participant

I have always had a fascination with snakes and through this page I have learned so much. Keep it up guys.

Zelda BothaASI Enthusiast

Wonderful information. I've learned a lot by reading African Snakebite Institute Facebook and Website. The poster downloads available from the website for different provinces and cities are wonderful with good descriptions.

Willie Janse Van RensburgASI Enthusiast

I attended the Snake Awareness, First Aid For Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling course over the weekend at Butterfly World. The presentation, methodology of teaching, notes and snake booklet were the best I have ever received – I was a high school teacher so its no mean praise! I have done many different types of short courses.

Kindest regards and thank you.

Mark VogesASI Course Participant

I attended the course on 24 March 2018. I was totally impressed. Of ALL the Nature type course I have attended over the years this one is by far the best. Thank you Johan. Very knowledgeable and a great sense of humour. Thank you Ashley for your superfast response via email and Facebook. I can recommend this course to anyone. It is a real eye opener!

Piet BothaASI Course Participant

One of the most valuable courses ever attended and expertly presented by a true subject matter expert Johan Marais and team!!!

Johann De MeyerASI Course Participant

What a great day, I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful day. A must for any bush lover, Johan and Ashley are a wealth of information and experience. I have already recommended the coarse to family members.

Mark WalshawASI Course Participant

Awesome day well spent with an amazing team of professionals from ASI not forgetting each and every one that attended the course that made it even more epic fun and enjoyable thank you to the ASI team and to everyone for making my the day a great one and to meeting new friends and enthusiasts that love reptiles hope to hear and see everyone soon again thanks again To Johan, Ashley and Teacher for the amazing experience

Amesh RamjeeASI Course Participant

Michelle Bertschinger-WatsonASI Course Participant

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Accreditations

Johan Marais is a well-known African herpetologist with over 40 years’ experience and author of several books on reptiles. The African Snakebite Institute provides a variety of snake awareness, first aid for snakebite and venomous snake handling courses that are accredited by the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS), Field Guides of Southern Africa (FGASA) endorsed and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for CPD points. The course contents and handling methods has been developed over many years and after visits to snake parks and reptile research facilities in various countries throughout the world.

Reviews

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Patrick FourieTrekpad Safaris

JG Bester ASI Course Participant

Frans Reynecke ASI Course Participant

I ordered a scorpion torch, excellent service and a fantastic product.

Neil VannettASI Customer

Deon JonckASI Course Participant

Gerald DraperASI Course Participant

We did the full course (handling venomous snakes too) and it was great! Very informative and fun too! We didn't want to stop handling the snakes, hopefully won't need to anytime soon!

Andrea Annie HowellASI Course Participant

John McPhersonASI Course Participant

Been on the course Saturday... Amazing experience. Wonderful personal. I recommend this for everybody. Thank you Ashley and Johan. You are a great team.

Karin Bouillon PretoriusASI Course Participant

Willem Van ZylASI Course Participant

Great day spent at the German Club, Port Elizabeth last Saturday. Many thanks Johan. Learnt a hell of a lot.

Stephen HardcastleASI Course Participant

I have always had a fascination with snakes and through this page I have learned so much. Keep it up guys.

Zelda BothaASI Enthusiast

Willie Janse Van RensburgASI Enthusiast

Kindest regards and thank you.

Mark VogesASI Course Participant

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About ASI

Welcome to the African Snakebite Institute!

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