The type of training programme is constructed according to a thorough needs analysis of the lodge’s training requirements and EcoTraining expert guide instructors are sent to the venue to deliver the training. It is imperative that an exceptional level of guiding standards be maintained in order to ensure optimal guest safety and satisfaction as well as the fundamental protection of wildlife areas in Africa and abroad.
EcoTraining freelance instructor, Andreas Fox travelled to Tanzania from 5 to 17 March 2018 to conduct onsite training at the remarkable Four Seasons Safari Lodge located in the central region of the Serengeti National Park. This is what he had to say about it.
“I was recruited to provide a refresher course to the professional field guides of the Four Seasons Safari Lodge.
Topics we covered include ecology, geology and astronomy. I was also evaluating their briefing skills and walking safari products.
The usual March to May rainy season was just starting, but oddly heavy rainfall hit the whole of East Africa as a result of the Cyclones ‘Dumazile’ and ‘Eliakim’. The Serengeti region was flushed green within days. Mammal life was spreading out across the land and the bird and arthropod action was magnificent. With a number of Palearctic migrants around, we logged 150 species in a concerted ‘atlassing’ effort in the lodge grounds, with numerous ‘lifers’ for us all.
The Four Seasons is not a typical lodge. It’s enormous, with the capacity to host over 140 guests. The lodge has eight dedicated guides that take guests out on a range of activities, from short local game drives and walks to day trips to the Ngorogoro Crater; or to search for the great migration wildebeest herds. Another unique aspect of this lodge is the “Discovery Centre”. Part education centre and part cinema, guests can watch daily documentary screenings, access the excellent library or get a tour of the museum exhibits which detail the Serengeti’s ecology as well as its history and current conservation projects. A dedicated team of Maasai staff are made available to guests to help interpret the Discovery Centre and assist with its technology. The Maasai team joined the driving field guides for all the theory and practical sessions, ensuring good cross-communication, cultural exchange and fostering closer working relationships.”
Onsite training is a holistic solution to integrating good guiding practices with environmental education. Our friends at the Four Seasons kindly shared, “Thanks to the FSSL team and Ecotraining for facilitating the course.”
For more information about our onsite training programmes please phone the office at +27 (0)13 752 2532 or email Eugene Relling at [email protected]
