There are two bodies in South Africa that undertake to standardise training and guiding services.

The Mountaineering Developent and Training Trust (MDT) is responsible for defining training standards relevant to a number of outdoor activities in South Africa, but focussing on climbing and hiking.

The South African Mountain Guides Association (SAMGA) is a voluntary association of mountain guides and mountaineering instructors who ensure that the growing number of both overseas and local clients are guided professionally in South Africa's mountain areas. The consolidation and formalisation of the mountain-guiding profession in Southern Africa and the need for training in this industry are the motivators of this organisation. Their goal is to raise the quality of service and safety standards in the mountain-guiding industry.