The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has introduced a Safari Guide Code of Conduct and Ethics in an effort to raise the standards of safari guiding across the country.
The code outlines guidelines for professionalism, environmental responsibility, and wildlife conservation. Key elements include:
- Professionalism: guides must maintain professional behaviour, dress, and language at all times.
- Ethics: guides must comply with laws, protect client privacy, and avoid alcohol and drugs while on duty.
- Training: continuous development is encouraged, along with guidelines for emergency protocols and accurate information sharing.
- Vehicle safety: safe driving and adherence to speed limits are mandatory to protect wildlife and clients.
- Environmental responsibility: Waste management, reducing plastics, and educating clients on sustainability are key.
- Wildlife protection: guides must minimise disturbance to wildlife and respect animal habitats.
- Cultural respect: encouraging respectful interaction with local communities is essential.
“At all times, safari guides represent not only the company they are working for or contracted to but also act as ambassadors for Tanzania’s wild places and the Republic of Tanzania. All behaviour, both on and off duty while on safari, must reflect this responsibility,” the association says.
TATO has urged members and their guides to formally commit to the new code or their own company-specific guidelines, ensuring that all employees and contract guides uphold the standards.
