The Safari industry, once a predominantly male domain, is undergoing a refreshing transformation. Women are increasingly making their mark in every facet of this field, from leading game drives and managing lodges to conservation initiatives and helping travelers plan their own bespoke Safari adventures [that’s me :)].
We recognize these women’s remarkable achievements and praise the way they’re fearlessly reshaping the Safari landscape.
Lucy on the left hand side - she guided Alisa and I in Republic of the Congo in Odzala National Park.
Trailblazers in the Safari industry.
Just last year, Kimberlee le Hanie from Lion Sands made history as the first woman to win the Safari Guide of the Year award. Lucy Stofberg, a Safari guide at Singita Lodges, is another shining example of female excellence. Like most women in the Safari world, Lucy has a deep connection to nature, honed through growing up on her family’s farm in South Africa and going on epic family road trips to iconic national parks like Chobe, Hwange, Etosha, and Kruger.
Her message to other women is clear: “If you love the bush, you belong there.”
Candice - representing Alex Walker Serian’s Camps.
Empowering leadership.
Many lodges and camps are now also led by women, delivering great hospitality and personalized guest experiences.
Candice Mortimer, the marketing visionary behind Alex Walker's Serian Camps, one of our favorite places-to-stay in Tanzania and Kenya, is one such leader. Candice celebrates the increasing presence of women in management positions, noting, “There are more female guides, more female camp managers, more female advisors, and most of Alex Walker Serian’s clients are female buyers!”
This growing representation of women in leadership roles is slowly but surely creating a more inclusive and dynamic industry – and it’s inspiring a new generation of girls and young women to pursue careers that, just 10 years ago, they might never have even considered due to gender bias.
Here’s to these women’s stories – thank you for the way you’re ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for women, wildlife, and Africa as a whole.