In this year of our 20th birthday, we invite you to feel closer to our people, the backbone and the lifeforce of Asilia. Through this series of short blogs, we’ll introduce a cross-section of our people for their reflections on Asilia over the years and their thoughts on things to come.
Grace Matemba
Over the years, Asilia has developed an extensive in-house guide training system that has become recognised for producing safari guides of exceptionally high quality. With a variety of levels, from “Trainee” to “Master”, progression requires patience, discipline, knowledge, and experience.
Grace started her guiding career in 2017, before joining Asilia in 2019. After the passing the foundation phase of the guiding program, she was stationed at Sayari Camp, in the northern Serengeti, as a Trainee Guide where she would be mentored by a more senior guide, learning about communication, field knowledge, daily planning, and vehicle handling. All new guides starting with Asilia go through this process, to ensure they have the same core base level knowledge on which to build. Grace quickly progressed, passing the next round of assessment to qualify as a Junior Guide, and was moved to Dunia Camp to join the team of women making waves in the safari industry. Here, surrounded by strong, pioneering women, she continued to push herself, setting her sights on becoming a walking guide.
Chasing the dream
From the start of Grace’s guiding career, it was always the dream to become a walking guide. “The experience you get on a walking safari is so different to a game drive. On foot, you see animal tracks, insects, and flowers. You can touch and smell and feel nature close by.” However, qualifying as a walking guide is no easy feat, and nor should it be. Training around the understanding of animal behaviour is a key element, especially given the change in scenario where the safety of a safari vehicle is no longer applicable. Being able to read the body language of potentially dangerous animals and knowing how to react in the various situations is crucial for the safety of both people and wildlife.
“I remember the first time, that rifle was heavy, and it was very tough just to get my stance right.”
Rifle handling is another important element, and potential walking guides need to go through many hours of both theoretical and practical instruction before being ready for final evaluation. While training is underway, candidates are simultaneously collecting walking hours – requiring a minimum of 100 hours spent as a back-up walking guide where they are observing the lead guide, learning about communication and how to manage a walking party.
“Grace’s dedication, commitment, and passion for wildlife conservation and guiding have been truly inspiring. Her accomplishment not only reflects her individual capabilities but also highlights Asilia’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within our team.” – Francois Theron, Asilia Guide Trainer
Leading the way
In March 2024, Grace completed her Advanced Rifle Handling and Lead Walking Guide assessment, passing the trials with flying colours to become Asilia’s first female walking guide. “I can’t even explain how I feel, I am so proud of myself for being unique.” For many years, the safari industry has been a male dominated arena. Since 2013, Asilia has been at the forefront of creating equal opportunity by inviting women to train as safari guides, and through the establishment of Dunia as a women run safari camp. However, stereotypes remain and need to be challenged.
“Being a female guide, we face some challenges as some people still have the mentality that women can’t do this and that, so they do not appreciate what we are doing, and sometimes they even discourage us, saying that we should look for another job instead of guiding. I really appreciate Asilia for being one of the few companies that empower women, and for being a good example to others.” Today, Grace is stationed in Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park, one of the best wilderness environments for a walking safari in northern Tanzania.
Grace knows her achievement is something that can inspire others to do the same, and she hopes it will provide the encouragement to other women to follow their own dreams. She didn’t give up, because she knew what she wanted. “If you want it, you will focus on it, and you can do it. I am sure after me there will be a lot of female walking guides.”
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