An excerpt from the NY Times -
The Wonder Women of Botswana Safari
At one of Africa’s most progressive safari destinations, all-female guides are a success with guests from around the world.
By HILLARY RICHARD
The decision to employ exclusively women grew organically out of something very practical: the bottom line. Back when the guide team was coed, the managers quickly noticed a pattern: Vehicles driven by women used less gas, required fewer repairs and lasted longer over time. Simply put, the women were better drivers. They were saving the company money.
It all started around 2004, when the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute, the government-regulated college that provides safari guide certification, asked Chobe Game Lodge whether it had room for two young women guides. Guiding in Botswana is a prestigious career. Applicants must complete a standardized course that includes a placement at a safari camp, plus tests to evaluate English skills and scholastic aptitude. When both women performed extremely well at Chobe, the managers asked the institute to send over future female graduates. At that time, there were fewer than 10 women guides in Botswana. Today, there are around 50. With 17 guides, Chobe employs roughly one-third. The others are spread across the country at various safari camps.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/travel/botswana-safari-women-chobe.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20170824&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=2&nlid=38867499&ref=img&te=1&_r=1
No comments:
Post a Comment