Chris Chiparaushe

Chris is a fully licenced professional guide who has led safaris in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Chris has worked in several capacities in the tourism industry including running several lodges and camps in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe rising to positions of Chief Guide, Operations Manager, and Group General Manager. Chris has also run a Destination Management Company and a hospitality training company. Chris is currently a General Manager with a leading ecotourism and conservation company with several camps across Africa. He writes in his personal capacity.

‘We came to Africa looking for animals but fell in love with the people.’ This often-repeated remark is one of the major reasons why many guests return to Africa year after year and sometimes to the same parks, lodges/camps, and often using the same guides. Some of them make longlasting friendships and bring their families and friends when they return. True, Africa is endowed with spectacular landscapes and fascinating animals but it is often the people that make a safari memorable. Africans are generally warm and friendly and guests often build deep relationships with the people they encounter on safari.

Who are these people that guests encounter and share their love for the bush and stories with?

These people range from bush pilots, safari guides, lodge/camp managers, hosts, receptionists, chefs, cooks, trackers, drivers, waiters, porters, maintenance people, camp hands, researchers, reservation people, general managers, operations managers, directors, rangers, scouts, wardens and many more.

What qualifications and/ or experience is needed to fulfil such roles? How does one start in the safari industry? What characteristics does one need to succeed in this industry? Is one born for the industry or can one learn and succeed? Is there a safari school?

Join me as we tackle these questions in the next few editions. I will interview some of the tourism and safari industry’s gurus as well as the unsung heroes. Additionally, for your inspiration, I will share some of the most breath-taking safari areas in Zambia and Zimbabwe. I will also draw on the experiences I have garnered through working in this safari industry for more than 25 years as we shine the spotlight on the safari industry.