{"id":10648,"date":"2021-09-07T13:28:16","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T11:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/?p=10648"},"modified":"2021-11-02T15:17:46","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T13:17:46","slug":"what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya","title":{"rendered":"What it Takes to be Successful Safari Guide in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A safari guide is a person who leads you when on safari. Most safari guides are passionate about wildlife and nature, <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/personal-career-strengths\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making a career out of their passion<\/a>.<br>Knowledge of the local culture, natural elements, and attractive destinations are essential attributes of a successful safari guide. Besides this, a safari guide must know how to interpret animal behavior keeping the guests safe in the middle of the wild.<br>However, is that all it takes for one to be a <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/ajkenyasafaris.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">successful safari guide in Kenya<\/a>? Let\u2019s look at more additional skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69cec56cb242b\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69cec56cb242b\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#1_Be_Passionate_About_Nature\" >1. Be Passionate About Nature<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#2_Cultivate_Exceptional_Interpersonal_Skills\" >2. Cultivate Exceptional Interpersonal Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#3_Be_an_Excellent_Driver\" >3. Be an Excellent Driver<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#4_Know_your_Destinations_Well\" >4. Know your Destinations Well<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#5_Understand_Safety\" >5. Understand Safety<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/what-it-takes-to-be-successful-safari-guide-in-kenya\/#Take-home\" >Take-home<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-be-passionate-about-nature\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Be_Passionate_About_Nature\"><\/span>1. Be Passionate About Nature<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Safari guides are passionate about nature and respectful to the environment. They make it their ambition to help protect and preserve natural resources to keep the wildlife secure.<br>As much as it is a job, it must come from the heart. Safari guides relate closely with the guests and are committed to managing the client\u2019s expectations to avoid disappointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-cultivate-exceptional-interpersonal-skills\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Cultivate_Exceptional_Interpersonal_Skills\"><\/span>2. Cultivate Exceptional Interpersonal Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the formal training, you need to have outstanding interpersonal skills to work well with your workmates and clients.<br>Exceptional communication skills, teamwork, good listening, and negotiation skills are critical. Have the ability to handle guests and make them feel at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-be-an-excellent-driver\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Be_an_Excellent_Driver\"><\/span>3. Be an Excellent Driver<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Above all else, you must be an excellent driver because you will chauffeur your clients from one destination to another, including going for game drives in the wild.<br>The most commonly used vehicles in the Kenya safari industry include customized versions of Toyota land-cruiser, Toyota Hiace, or the <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.bestcarsforsaleinkenya.co.ke\/mazda\/bongo-for-sale-in-kenya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mazda Bongo<\/a>. Of course, these cars are customized to accommodate enough people.<br>These tough manual heavy cars require professional driving, especially in the wet season where you can quickly be stuck in the middle of nowhere.<br>You must be a pro to manage both the vehicle and your guests while delivering a fulfilling safari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-know-your-destinations-well\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Know_your_Destinations_Well\"><\/span>4. Know your Destinations Well<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A professional safari guide knows their way around all the game reserves and parks like the back of their hand. Not just the paths to drive through but flora and fauna available in different destinations.<br>You must distinguish each destination with what exactly makes it unique or sets it apart from the others. This knowledge is paramount when you are giving information or making itineraries for your clients on where to find a specific game or the ideal time of the year to visit.<br>A professional safari guide thinks and plans ahead in case of unexpected game eludes. Always plan for alternative fun activities nearby to make up for that.<br>In short, understand your client\u2019s needs and try as best as you can to meet them. Remember, do not overpromise, exaggerate, or oversell a destination; simply be honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-understand-safety\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Understand_Safety\"><\/span>5. Understand Safety<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if it\u2019s rare to hear of attacks in the wild, driving through these parks is a dangerous affair. You get to meet the world\u2019s most dangerous cats, elephants, rhinos, etc.<br>A safari guide understands the danger within and takes caution. Generally, wild animals do not attack tour vehicles, but that should not make you throw caution to the wind.<br>Remain vigilant and calm around animals and advise your clients on how to behave when around the same. Take them through the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts of the wild and the proper way to take pictures before starting a game drive.<br>Have some survival skills up your sleeve on how to ward off the animals. Overall, be able to sense when an animal is angry, hungry or in a foul mood and avoid a nasty encounter. Always have a well-stocked first aid kit and first aid skills that you can use in case of any accidents or injury in the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-take-home\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take-home\"><\/span>Take-home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Safari guides are the custodians of the natural environment, acting as a link between nature and the guests.<br>Want to become a successful safari guide in Kenya? Become the best version of yourself. This job requires you to deal with people all round the clock, and there is no way you can afford to give less than the best.<br>Develop excellent communication skills, know your safari destinations perfectly, and be vigilant when in the wild. Finally, aim at fulfilling the safari desires of all your clients, whether local or international<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About 30% of a Kenya safari guide job involves knowing how to keep guests safe in the wild. Here are tips on becoming a safari guide and excel in the field. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":10650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"content_author":[338],"class_list":["post-10648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-job-search-advice","content_author-test-author-01"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/151"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10648"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=10648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}