Women Empowerment in Africa: Women Making Waves in the Safari Industry

International Women’s Day is an annual day dedicated to the goal of a gender-equal world in which females are treated with equality and their achievements are celebrated. The first IWD was in 1911, and in the century since then, a lot has happened all over the world in advancing women’s rights and opportunities, including women’s empowerment in Africa. This IWD, we’re celebrating all-female teams making a positive difference in national parks and African safari destinations.

The Akashinga Rangers, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s environments are home to a diverse range of species, including the Big Five. However, the abundance of elephants has made the country a hotspot for poaching. These giants of the savannah are being illegally hunted for their ivory, and many efforts are underway to put a stop to it.

Significant strides have been made in battling wildlife crime in the country. This southern African nation is fast becoming one of the best safari destinations on the continent, partly due to the dedication of anti-poaching initiatives in the country’s game parks and reserves.

One such unit is the Akashinga Rangers, an all-female anti-poaching group. “Akashinga” means “the brave ones” in Shona, one of the main languages spoken in Zimbabwe. Brave is definitely the right word to describe these incredible women. Their intense training is to ensure they’re well-equipped to come face-to-face with dangerous poachers and save the lives of animals.

These women aren’t just protecting the environment and the wildlife that call it home; they’re also uplifting their local communities and promoting gender equality.

Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, South Africa

The Kruger National Park is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. A jewel in the crown of South Africa’s wilderness, it’s home to a plethora of species, including the Big Five. Unfortunately, wildlife is targeted for the illegal wildlife trade.

South Africa saw high levels of rhino poaching from 2013 to 2017, with thousands of rhinos being killed. Thankfully, over the last decade, significant strides have been made in reducing poaching numbers, with Kruger seeing a significant decline in illegal hunting activities.

One such response to poaching in Kruger was the formation of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, the world’s first officially formed, registered, and recognised all-female wildlife ranger unit.

Based in Balule Nature Reserve, a concession in the Greater Kruger, the Black Mambas patrol the region to safeguard the rhino population here. The unit plays a vital role in the early detection of poacher incursions and the removal of snares set by bushmeat poachers.

Since the Black Mambas was founded in 2013, there’s been an impressive 63% reduction in poaching.

This impressive group was awarded the Champions of the Earth Award in 2015 by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as a string of other international awards for their innovative approach to wildlife conservation.

Desert & Delta’s Female Guiding Team, Botswana

In one of Botswana’s premier safari lodges is Africa’s first all-women wilderness guiding team. Chobe Game Lodge identified a lack of female representation in the safari guiding industry in the early 2000s and decided to do something about it.

Chobe Game Lodge started employing female guides in 2004 when Florence Kagiso was appointed. Florence’s passion for wildlife led her to excel in her role and pave the way for more women to join the profession. This led to the all-female guiding team.

This team handles all aspects of safari guiding, from leading game drives to educating guests about wildlife conservation. Their resounding success is a testament to their professionalism, skill, and dedication and sets an example for other safari operators all over Africa.

African Bush Camps’ Female Guide Programme

African Bush Camps, a giant in the safari industry, has become a leader in women empowerment in Africa safaris. In 2021, they launched a programme with the aim of educating female guides through practical and theoretical in-class training as well as on-the-job training at various African Bush Camps.

The Female Guide Programme – through the African Bush Camps Foundation – began with the goal to have female nature and wildlife guides in all three countries in which the country operates (Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia).

Dunia Camp, Tanzania

In the woodlands of the central Serengeti is a luxury safari tented camp run entirely by women! From the chef to the wait staff to the safari guides, everybody involved in operating the camp is female.

The team’s goals include achieving economic independence for themselves and their families and ensuring all their visitors have a truly exceptional safari and wildlife experience.

Dunia’s pioneering initiative was created by Asilia Africa with the intention of promoting female participation in East Africa’s male-dominated safari industry.

Women Empowerment in Africa Beyond Safaris

“I can hardly support the child that I have. So when I heard that there was a programme accepting struggling women, I mustered all my strength to come,” said one of the Akashinga trainees on The Brave Ones National Geographic documentary (which you can watch on the Akashinga website).

Through these organisations promoting female training and employment, women are able to live better lives, become more independent, and invest in their children’s education. This has a ripple effect throughout local communities, challenging gender stereotypes and forcing a shift in what a “woman’s role” can look like.

These women-only guiding teams have also bolstered solo female travel in Africa. The continent still has a reputation for being “unsafe” for women travelling alone, but this focus on women’s empowerment in the safari space has put many female travellers more at ease with their choice of going on a solo safari.

“For the solo female traveller, it’s not an obvious choice to come to Africa, let’s be honest,” explained James Wilson of Desert & Delta Safaris to the Southern and East Africa Tourism Update. “But, when you arrive in our camps and lodges, it makes all the difference if there are women in senior positions running the camp.”

This new generation of female safari guides and the growth of women anti-poaching units are incredible to see and reiterate that the safari industry is changing lives and promoting equality while taking care of natural habitats and wildlife. We’re excited to see more female leaders in this space!