How do I get started in the safari industry?

[Pirkan]

I will start with a bit of context. I am 18 years old and was born in Sweden where I still live. I have always loved hunting and has had a deep fascination with Africa ever since i visited Tanzania for a photo safari when I was 6. In June I will be finished with the equivalent of high school and I can either spend years to get an education so I can get a job to earn money that will just be spent on hunting which seems like a depressing and boring waste of time and my youth or I could try to get into the safari hunting industry which I belive would be much more fullfilling even if I will never become a rich man in doing so. This all leads to the question posed in the name of this thread, how do I get into this industry? My education is more oriented towards engineering so I have no formal education in the matter even if I have a lot of hunting experience for my age.

I get that this might come across as a naive dream from an unknowing kid which I might even agree on a bit but I do appreciate any help.

 

[spike.t]

Finish your education so you are qualified to be able to get a job.......then maybe try to get into the hunting industry...but to be blunt I would say its not the best idea....way things are going its going to be harder and harder to make a living at it. ...but if you want to give it a go....but make sure you have something you are qualified in to fall back on.....

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I commend you for considering from the get-go what might actually bring you happiness and satisfaction. I think there is nothing wrong with it, and sometimes a little bit of being naive isn't a bad thing, because it doesn't allow what some would consider reality to blind you to the pursuit of something grand or noble - IMHO.

That said (and I wish you well) I think Mike's advice is rock solid. Find something you could be happy with that has something of a more assured future, should you choose to follow it. Having options in life is always a good thing. Also, don't think of the time spent acquiring a degree or what have you as time wasted. It's putting in a good back up plan, and it's also giving you time to truly research the path you want to follow, so that when you get a chance to do that there won't be any surprises.

Being 18 is a wonderful thing. It allows you the time to follow and finish a back up plan, while also having a lifetime of doing what you want to do, after you've got a plan in place to achieve that.

 

[rifletuner]

Firstly a disclaimer. I have never worked in the industry. This is just based on my observations in multiple hunting camps as a client.

As you may already know, its going to be difficult to talk your way into the industry without having any contacts. Also, its difficult to know what you are expecting as you havent really touched on that. Be aware that with your back ground you would have to prove yourself to whoever takes you on, and work your way up the chain. So initially you would be taking on duties like running the camp staff, keeping the vehicles maintained, making sure the clients trophies are being prepared properly, and doing whatever is need to keep the guests and people higher put the tree like the PHs happy. You will be up first thing in the morning getting the camp organised for the day, and going to bed last at night after making sure everything is done for the day, and set ready to start the new day. And to get a start, you would probably do all that for little or no pay.

As part of your development, once you have proven yourself, you may get to tag along on occasional hunts with the PH accompanying clients. And you may even get the opportunity to hunt an animal. But starting out, you would have vary little direct involvement with "hunting". You role would be much more about customer service.

If you REALLY want to give this a go and you are prepared to take the risk that it may lead to nothing, I would start cold calling every safari operator you can find, and offering your services basically for food and board to gain some experience. If you get a start and learn, you can leverage that for a better role over time. If it doesnt pan out, you can always go home and go to collage and get a regular job. At least you will do so having some real world experience before you study.

 

[Nyati]

I fully endorse what Mike said.

Most young PH´s I´ve met in RSA have a formal education, you need a plan B.

Also, a formal education in Biology , Veterinary ..... would be a plus for you to get a job in the hunting industry.

 

[mdwest]

Consider ancillary industries that keep you close to hunting…

Position yourself to work for an archery company, an optics manufacturer, to work in forestry, etc.

Get an education and experience that makes you highly desirable to a segment of the market you find interesting…

Give being a PH a go… if it doesn’t work out, have a fall back position into a field related to hunting that you can equally enjoy..

 

[R.M.C.]

My PH had some kind of real estate job during the off season, not sure if that's the normal deal or not. Definitely a big dream and worth pursuing if you are a highly motivated guy, but I'd want something to fall back on like everyone else is saying. Just my two cents, I hope you make your dream a reality.

 

[MontanaPat]

Agree with the comments posted by others for having a backup plan for a degree that gets you into a related field or industry.

One suggestion you might try is reaching out PHASA in RSA or another professional hunters group in Namibia or Zimbabwe and see if they can assist you in connecting with an outfitter who is looking for or willing to take on someone in an internship type role similar to what @rifletuner suggested.

My first Safari in 2021 was with Pieter Potgeiter at Motsomi Safaris, he is the current president of PHASA. On that trip he had a young intern who was looking to go to school to become a PH working for him that year and he came along on our hunts to video and just assist the tracker and PH. I think he also did a lot of the chores around camp.
The professional groups may be able to point to an intern opportunity. Good luck, wish I was 18 again and looking at being a PH!