Female Guides of the Future
Supporting women to become safari guides
Across Africa, women represent 70% of the travel industry yet face the most barriers, holding lower-paid and often informal roles. Without meaningful change this disparity will continue.
At Jacada, we believe we have a role to play in driving forward positive change, supporting and inspiring a new generation of female leaders.
While our dedication to positive impact is central to every aspect of the trips we plan, we also seek opportunities to make a greater impact through targeted projects that deepen the connection with the places we visit.
Be part of the change
If you would like to support the Female Guides of the Future, we welcome any contribution. Donations are collected through our partner Empowers Africa who ensure that they go straight to the project, with funds overseen by the Wilderness Trust.
Empowering the female guides of the future
More than almost anyone else, guides breathe life into our travels. They bridge the gap between us and our destination, forging a connection to the experience on a deeper level.
By sharing a piece of themselves and their expertise they make our trips truly meaningful. Guiding, and safari guiding in particular, is a greatly respected profession and one that can allow people to support themselves and their families.
While women make up the majority of the tourism workforce in Africa, they tend to be concentrated across the lower-paid roles and disproportionately on temporary contracts. It is estimated that across Africa, less than 10% of safari guides are women.
Many factors contribute to that statistic. From systemic barriers to social attitudes and lifestyle factors, there are numerous hurdles facing potential female guides.
The narrative that guiding isn’t suitable for women is still prevalent in some countries. It’s a narrative that needs to change.
Supporting more women into prestigious roles such as those of guides has a hugely positive impact. Improved equality benefits women across the industry, regardless of their role. When women’ s interests are better represented by decision makers, there is increased respect and advocacy.
Better earning potential means that women are able to support their families and dependents, reducing reliance on male family members and providing security regardless of family structure.
Female guides are also able to relate to their communities in a unique way and act as powerful role models for young women and girls.
The benefits of travelling with a female guide are far-reaching. The different perspectives offered by female guides allow guests to experience wildlife and landscapes in a whole new way, deepening the connection to the destination – sometimes through shared experience.
About the project
Through Female Guides of the Future, via the Wilderness Trust, Jacada supports women looking to gain entry into the safari guiding profession. They will receive assistance throughout their training and as they enter the workforce.
One of the first obstacles is the lack of appropriate in-camp accommodation for female training guides. Without this, female guides are not realistically able to pursue the career. We are tackling this by funding the construction of purpose-built in-camp housing. The accommodation is being built at Linkwasha, in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
Alongside the construction of in-camp accommodation, the first cohort of female guiding candidates will begin their training.
The initial four selected candidates are united in their passion for guiding and for the area, yet all face challenges that would prevent them from pursuing a guiding career. Whether these challenges come through familial financial pressure, as single parents, from relying on subsistence farming or through being unable to access further education, this project means they can be overcome.
Throughout their training, at guiding school and beyond, the Jacada team will provide support and mentorship to the candidates.
Any additional challenges will be identified and addressed with an aim to create a robust and uplifting pathway to be built on for years to come.
We're so excited to be supporting this incredible project. Our hope is that it will break down barriers, empower women and ultimately inspire a whole new generation of female guides in Zimbabwe.
Alex Malcolm
Founder
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
