Guide Course Tanzania: Safari Guide Serengeti

The most crucial requirement is your genuine interest in nature and a strong desire to explore and deepen your knowledge. Additionally, participants must be at least 18 years old and proficient in English. Physical fitness is essential as the unfamiliar climate and daily activities, especially extensive walking, can be quite demanding.

To enroll in the course, completion of the theory exam from FGASA ("Field Guide Association of Southern Africa") and/or our partner Wildlife Campus is mandatory. Depending on your length of stay, you might need a visa for the duration of the course. Please check with the Tanzanian Consulate in your home country or reach out to the Natucate team directly for assistance. Don't forget to obtain an international driver's license and travel health insurance as well. These prerequisites will ensure you have a smooth and fulfilling experience during the course.

We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless experience for you, starting with assisting with your placement and supporting you throughout the intensive preparation phase. Any questions you may have will be promptly addressed by our team. During your time on-site, English-speaking supervisors will be available to provide continuous assistance. You will benefit from the guidance of experienced instructors throughout the course. Rest assured, your accommodation in the camps and catering, featuring ample meals, water, coffee, and tea, will be taken care of. Additionally, all transfers between the camps as well as the entrance fee to Serengeti National Park, teaching materials, and additional activities are also covered in the overall price. With our comprehensive approach, we strive to ensure that you have an enriching and worry-free adventure in the Serengeti.

Before embarking on your trip, it is strongly recommended to update your standard vaccinations, including tetanus, diphtheria, MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella), hepatitis A and B, influenza, and pertussis. As Tanzania is a malaria-risk area, it is crucial to seek information about prophylactic measures and obtain standby medication. For your safety, avoid bathing in natural fresh water, as it may contain parasites and pose risks from crocodiles and hippos. While there are poisonous spiders, scorpions, and snakes in the region, incidents of bites or stings from these creatures are highly uncommon.

In this context, we strongly recommend seeking comprehensive vaccination advice from your GP or local institute before travelling.

In case of any medical emergencies or doubts, rest assured that a helicopter emergency service, known as the "Flying Doctors," is available and included in the total price.
It is required to have travel health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization, and additional transportation. Be sure to check the travel advice provided by your country’s foreign office for Tanzania, and carry a small personal first-aid kit with essentials like bandages, painkillers, and antihistamines. Additionally, consult your doctor for specific health advice related to Tanzania and stay informed about current travel advice before your departure. -> Claim “we cant give medical advice?”

Ensuring you have the right outdoor clothing is vital. Opt for hiking boots, lightweight and long attire, and a hat to shield yourself from insects and the sun. Choosing clothes in "bush colours" such as khaki, brown, grey, or green is essential for blending into the environment. As nights can get cooler, it's advisable to pack some warmer clothing too. Don't forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent, a refillable water bottle, a daypack, and binoculars. A flashlight or headlamp will also prove advantageous during your stay.

It is best to avoid carrying unnecessary valuables, as they may get damaged or pose a risk of theft, especially at the airport or in big cities.

We will send you a comprehensive packing list before the course begins, covering all the essentials you'll need for a safe and enjoyable experience.

• The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals - Jonathan Kingdon
• Behaviour Guide to African Mammals - Richard Despard Espes
• Game Ranger in Your Backpack - Megan Emmett & Sean Pattrick
• Stuart’s Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa - Chris & Mathilde Stuart
• A Photographic Guide to Snakes, other Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa - Bill Branch
• Beat About The Bush: Mammals and Birds - Trevor Carnaby
• Stuart’s Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central & East African Wildlife - Chris & Mathilde Stuart
• Field Guide to East African Reptiles - Stephen Spawls, Kim Howell, Harald Hinkel & Michele Menegon
• Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa - Najma Dharani
• Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi - Terry Stevenson & John Fanshawe
• Grasses of East Africa - Dino J. Martens

The payment process for the trip is as follows: a 20% deposit is required at the time of booking, and the remaining balance is due up to 6 weeks before the trip's start date.If you decide to withdraw from the trip up to 31 days before the start date, 50% of the total price will be due. For cancellations made up to 15 days before the trip, 75% of the tour price will be charged. After that (14 to 0 days before departure), the full 100% of the total price is due.To safeguard your investment and mitigate potential losses due to unforeseen circumstances, it is highly recommended to obtain travel cancellation insurance. This insurance will provide you with added peace of mind in case unexpected situations disrupt your travel plans.

The transfer from Arusha to the Academy Camp in the Serengeti and back is included in the total price. The overnight stay in Arusha before the start of the course and possibly after the end of the course must be booked at your own expense, as well as a transfer from the international airport Kilimanjaro to Arusha. We are happy to recommend a reputable travel company to assist you with any transport within Tanzania before or after the course, e.g. in Zanzibar or on the mainland (Kilimanjaro trek, safari on the mainland).

The Academy Camp works on a "duty guide" system. Two participants are selected per day to guide the course of the day under the guidance of the trainer. The guides share the morning and afternoon activities, which include the preparation and follow-up of the activities. During breaks, the trainer discusses the guides' performance and gives them and the entire group the opportunity to reflect and comment.

Example daily schedule:

• 6-10 a.m.: Morning activity/training session
• 10-11 a.m.: Tea/coffee break
• 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Review of the morning activity with the team
• 12-1 p.m.: Lunch
• 1-2 p.m.: Rest time
• 2-3 p.m.: Theory lecture by the trainer followed by discussion
• 3-6 p.m.: Afternoon activity / training session
• 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Review of the afternoon activity with the team
• 7:30-8:30 p.m.: Dinner and joint conclusion of the daily activities

There are 4-7 students and one trainer per group.

The accommodation is nestled on the banks of a river, right in the heart of the Serengeti's northern region, near the border with Kenya. Each tent is equipped with comfortable beds, fresh linen, towels, a private bathroom, solar-powered hot water, and battery-operated LED lamps. Surrounded by the untouched wilderness, the camp promises a truly immersive experience.

Yes, there are double tents. Please specify when booking!

Three meals a day will be provided, along with water, coffee and tea.

On the way to the camp, the driver will make a stop at a supermarket for any small purchases needed.

Yes, vegetarian as well as vegan meals can be arranged, but please let us know of any food preferences or intolerances when booking.

During the training, you will have free afternoons and weekends to unwind and recharge. However, since the training takes place at the Academy Camp and is not easily accessible by public transportation, you should expect to spend your free time at camp. You can use the time to study and prepare for the exam, write, read, or spend the time with your fellow participants.

Nestled in the heart of the Serengeti, far from bustling cities, the camp offers a truly immersive experience in the wilderness. Once you've received a comprehensive safety briefing, you can freely explore the camp area. As you are situated amidst the natural habitat of the revered BIG 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino) and other potentially dangerous animals, it's essential to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines. While encounters with these magnificent creatures are a possibility, our experienced guides will ensure that you observe them from a safe distance, preserving both your safety and the animals' well-being. Furthermore, swimming in the river is not permitted due to the presence of crocodiles and hippos.

Your trainer is your primary contact person on site, but both the German-speaking Academy team and the office in Tanzania can be reached by phone (the latter being reachable 24/7).

You can pay in the camp with Euro and Dollar and in the local currency (Tanzanian Shilling). However, you must pay in local currency while visiting local shops and supermarkets outside of camp. It is advisable to withdraw Shillings at the airport (with VISA or MasterCard) or exchange cash upon arrival.

There is excellent mobile reception in the Serengeti. It may be worthwhile to buy a local SIM card before the start of the course.

The dry season is June to October and brings temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). With clear skies and wildlife often gathering around water sources, the dry season offers incredible opportunities for game drives and witnessing the Great Migration.

From November to December, you have what is called the short rainy season: rainfall is light and sporadic, and as the landscape starts to turn green. This is a great time for birdwatching as migratory birds arrive in the region. From March to May, you will experience heavier and more consistent rainfall, and the air is warm and humid. The rain rejuvenates the landscape, and the grasslands flourish, attracting large herds of wildebeest and other herbivores.

Tanzania is located in a malaria risk area; therefore, we strongly advise consulting your doctor to discuss malaria prevention measures such as prophylaxis. For your safety, we recommend refraining from bathing in natural fresh water, as it may harbour parasites and pose risks due to the presence of crocodiles and hippos. Additionally, there are some poisonous spiders, scorpions, and snakes in the area, but it's essential to note that incidents of bites or stings from these animals are extremely rare.

In case of any medical emergencies or serious injuries, we have arranged access to a helicopter emergency service called "Flying Doctors," which is included in the total price of your visit. This service ensures prompt medical assistance and evacuation if needed. Your well-being is our priority, and we encourage you to take all necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines to have a safe and enjoyable experience in Tanzania.

Upon successful completion of the course and passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate by TANAPA (Tanzanian National Parks Authority), which opens up exciting opportunities for you to work as a safari guide in Tanzania.

Certainly, this is indeed possible. However, to ensure the safety of all participants on site, a successful completion of the theory exam conducted by FGASA and/or Wildlife Campus is a requirement.