Safari: working at a safari lodge

Safari parks - that's where you drive around looking at elephants, right?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Depends on where you are - but yes, safari parks offer tourist the opportunity to get close to protected wildlife species. Usually, trained drivers and trackers take tourists out in Land Rover-style vehicles, but on some private conservation parks you are allowed to take walking tours - with an armed guard.

Sounds great, when do I go?

The days of inexperienced expats falling into a job in Africa are gone. Today you need to be experienced to at least senior assistant manager or general manager level before any recruitment agent or company will send you to Africa. So if you're interested in this life, you'll have to work your way up the ladder a bit before you plan your days in the bush.

How big is the market?

There are probably 20 well-known local and international companies operating in Africa. However, there are lots of private game parks and lodges that may require staffing too - this is where most of the recruitment in the expat market falls.

Where will I end up?

The main areas for safari in the traditional sense are all in Africa. Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia are the key destinations.

What's the weather like?

In April to June eastern Africa experiences its rainy season, known locally as the long rains. In November and December there are short rains. In either case it means there may be a downpour for an hour or so, but then it usually clears up.

Altitude plays a role in keeping the heat at bay, and it's often how close you are to the coast, rather than the equator, that dictates the heat. Nairobi in Kenya is 6,000ft above sea level and stays relatively cool in the summer, while Mombassa, on the coast, can be very humid and unpleasantly hot.

How much can I expect to earn?

On average a safari lodge manager will clear £25,000 a year.

That's not very much - are there other benefits?

Remember that figure is after local tax has been deducted and as an overseas resident you won't pay tax on your earnings in the UK. And you are living in: all food is paid for, your car is provided, as is private healthcare. You're also usually miles from anywhere with not much to spend your salary on, so you'll easily end up with more in your pocket than if you earned that as a gross salary in the UK.

What's the downside?

You're miles from anywhere and if something goes wrong, be it the road is washed away and needs to be repaired, or the electricity generator breaks down, or you run out of food, as general manager the team will look to you for leadership and often a spare set of hands. So be prepared to muck in.

Job descriptions

Lodge manager:This is the main job for an expat worker at the safari camp. You're not just the general manager of the hotel, but the head of a community that may include 200 staff as well as 50-100 guests. And all will look to you in a time of crisis.

Most of these crises will be outside your control, and yet you will be expected to sort them out. Whether it's a disagreement among the staff or an argument with the park rangers, a bush fire, animals in the compound or no rain and therefore no water, you'll be expected to come up with solutions and answers.

Training manager:This could be as executive housekeeper, food and beverage manager or executive chef. In these cases expats are brought out for their expertise to teach the local people how to improve on their own skills. In these instances your experience in the job and ability to teach others will be most important.

Main players

• Lonrho Hotels has a chain of hotels and safari lodges in Kenya and Mauritius. www.lonrhohotels.com](http://www.lonrhohotels.com)
• Sarova Hotels has a chain of hotels and safari lodges in Kenya. [www.sarovahotels.com](http://www.sarovahotels.com)
• Block hotel has a chain of safari lodges in Kenya.
• Serena Hotels and Lodges has a chain of hotels and lodges in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
• Sopa Lodges has a chain of safari lodges in Kenya and Tanzania. [www.sopalodges.com](http://www.sopalodges.com)
• Protea has a chain of hotels and lodges in South Africa and East Africa.
• Conservation Corporation Africa is a luxury safari lodge chain that has properties in South Africa and East Africa. [www.ccafrica.com
• Sheraton, (Kampala and Addis Ababa) Inter-Continental, (Nairobi and South Africa) Hilton (Nairobi) and Holiday Inns (South Africa, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam) also have facilities in Africa.

With thanks to George Crossland, managing director of marketing representation company Africa Reps. www.africa-reps.com