SUMMARY:
A flagship luxury safari lodge in the Zambezi National Park, near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, is seeking an experienced HEAD GUIDE to set the standard for guiding excellence across its operation.
POSITION INFO:
This is a hands-on leadership role for a seasoned guide who takes pride in the details, brings energy to every guest interaction, and genuinely cares about the experience their team delivers. You'll be both a mentor to your guiding team and a custodian of the lodge's safety, conservation, and service standards. Core Criteria: Zimbabwean nationality required Minimum 5 years' proven experience as a Professional Guide, including at least 2 years in a leadership or senior guiding role Experience guiding within a 5-star luxury safari environment Valid Zimbabwe Professional Guides Licence issued by National Parks and Wildlife Zimbabwe Coxswains Licence, or willingness to obtain one Own a licensed rifle meeting National Parks minimum calibre requirements Valid Advanced First Aid Certificate Public Service Vehicle Driver's Licence and current Defensive Driving Certificate Current PSV medical certificate Member of the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association (ZPHGA) 5 O-Levels including English Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building ability Sound understanding of lodge administration and operations Specialist skills such as photographic guiding, birding, or astronomy would be an advantage Core Responsibilities: Lead and personally conduct guided activities, setting the standard for quality, interpretation, and storytelling Develop unique guest experiences, including specialist birding, photographic safaris, and stargazing Manage, mentor, and train the guiding team, including learner and trainee guides Create and oversee the guiding roster and vehicle allocation Conduct daily briefings, performance reviews, and ongoing skills development Hold ultimate responsibility for guest and staff safety on all safari activities Maintain vehicles, boats, firearms, and safari equipment to a high standard Manage departmental inventory and reporting, including fuel and vehicle logs Uphold conservation ethos, National Parks regulations, and off-road driving protocols Liaise with local conservation authorities on anti-poaching and related initiatives Ensure the guiding team's professional credentials remain valid and up to date On Offer: Salary: $3,500 USD gross per month Full medical aid cover for the member Live-in position: accommodation and meals provided on-site Rotational schedule of 24 days on-site followed by 6 consecutive days off 30 working days' annual leave per 12-month cycle Discretionary performance bonus post-probation
