Explore how women are shaping Tanzania’s safari industry — from guides and rangers to lodge managers and conservationists — and why female leadership in tourism matters.
For many years, the safari industry in Africa — like many others — was male-dominated. But that’s changing. In Tanzania, more and more women are stepping into powerful roles across the safari landscape, becoming guides, drivers, camp managers, rangers, chefs, and conservationists.
These trailblazing women are not only transforming tourism but also empowering communities and challenging traditional gender norms in one of the world’s most iconic industries.
Becoming a professional safari guide requires deep knowledge of wildlife, ecosystems, safety, and customer service. While it was once rare to see women behind the wheel on game drives, Tanzania is now home to a growing number of highly skilled female guides.
What They Bring:
Organizations like Tanzania Women Guides Foundation (TWGF) and Umoja Women Safari Guides are helping train and mentor young women in the field.
Inspiring Fact: Some all-female guiding teams now lead multi-day safaris across Northern Tanzania.
In places like Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks, women are also joining ranger patrols, protecting wildlife from poaching and illegal activities.
These female rangers, often referred to as “She-Rangers,” undergo intensive training in tracking, surveillance, and bush survival — proving that protection of Tanzania’s wildlife is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of gender.
Women also play key roles in the day-to-day operation of safari lodges and camps. You’ll find female chefs crafting gourmet bush meals, managers running eco-lodges, and entrepreneurs creating handcrafted décor for camps across the country.
Many luxury and eco-lodges prioritize the employment of local women, offering:
Some properties are even entirely female-run, offering unique safari experiences infused with community empowerment.
From studying lion populations to restoring degraded habitats, women in Tanzania are taking leadership roles in science and conservation.
Examples include:
These women are not only protecting Tanzania’s natural heritage but also building a future where both people and wildlife thrive.
When women participate in the safari industry, the benefits ripple outward:
As a traveler, you can make a difference by choosing experiences and companies that empower women. Here’s how:
Ask your safari operator about ways to interact respectfully and supportively with women in the communities you visit.
The role of women in Tanzania’s safari industry is growing stronger every year — and with it, the safari experience becomes more inclusive, diverse, and meaningful. These women are not just employees — they are leaders, educators, protectors, and change-makers.
Ready to travel with purpose? Ask us to pair you with women-led safaris, eco-lodges, and guides who are shaping the future of African tourism.
Let us tailor you dream safari!
There’s nothing better than exploring the true magic of Africa! Enjoy games drive in the wilderness, luxury lodges, amazing sceneries, fascinating cultures and life changing moments in the African bush.
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