How To Train To Become A Safari Guide

Safari guide opportunities are rare, even though the African travel industry is buoyant. This is because of the extreme competition for places. There are a great many people who want to work as safari guides, and only a handful of places by comparison. The role is a hands on one, where you will be dealing directly with people who have paid a lot of money for what in many cases will be the vacation of a lifetime. It is an awesome responsibility, and one which requires a lot of genuine sensitivity and dedication. A good guide can earn respect for a long time, and be instrumental in the operator winning a lot of repeat business.

The role of safari guide is one which demands dedication, as you will be working long hours in often unpredictable circumstances. You will need to train for the role by learning from experienced guides who have been working in your region for many years. Although formal qualifications are always helpful, this is a role where genuine hands on experience is what makes the difference between an ordinary guide and a really good one.

The very best safari guides are the ones who have been safari enthusiasts from a young age, and who have taken the trouble to learn as much as they can about Africa and its wildlife. They will be the ones who had their heads buried in animal books even when they were young. A genuine enthusiasm for the subject will shine through in everything they say and do. If you want to reach this level, there is no substitute for genuine book learning and deep understanding.

It can seem like an impossible uphill struggle to actually get an opportunity to become a safari guide. There are, however, people who have made it from all kinds of backgrounds, and many of them were not born or brought up in Africa. The best advice anyone can give is to continue to learn as much as you can about Africa and the animal kingdom at every opportunity, and also to make as many contacts as possible within the industry.

Taking the right college course and getting a formal education can also help you in your quest to become a safari guide. Now that the industry is a firmly established part of the huge travel sector, there are many related degrees you can obtain. If you are a mature student, you can study for these while you still keep your current job. This is possible through online learning, which is offered by many brick and mortar colleges, as well as by colleges which operate purely online. Having this paperwork to show a potential employer can definitely help you become a safari guide.

 







 

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PlanetWildlife Itineraries Promote Awareness of Endangered Species - Albany Times Union

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Albany Times Union
Priced at US$2150/1327 per person, the eight-day tailor-made Kenyan Safari (http://www.planetwildlife.com/uk/travel/itineraries/kenyan-safari and Explore Kenya (for small groups) http://www.planetwildlife.com/uk/travel/itineraries/explore-kenya-0 .

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How to determine if a 'volunteer' vacation is right for you - Fox News

How to determine if a 'volunteer' vacation is right for you
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