We chatted with Hamza Visram, Elewana’s new Assistant Guide Trainer, about what he’s most excited about sharing in his new role.
How long have you been a guide and what initially inspired you to become a guide?
I have been guiding for over 14 years. It was something that I had dreamed about since I was young. My late cousin was a guide and he used to bring us to the bush during school holidays. He would share memorable stories that left an impact on me. From that point on, I knew it was what I wanted to do in life. I studied at the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania for three years, graduated and started my first position as a guide in Tanzania. Today, I continue to study and train, as there is always new information to uncover. Guiding is my life passion, and I am very grateful that it has provided me with so many opportunities. I look forward to sharing my learnings and passing on the legacy to new guides, whilst also supporting those who have been guiding for some time.
What continues to inspire you?
I love to meet different people from different cultures and interact with them. Guiding allows me to constantly get to know new people and learn from them every day, helping me to grow. I also love being in the wild as the animals are great teachers. I learn more and more from them each time I observe them. The wild is a never-ending learning experience! Teaching guides is also very inspirational, as I am able to impart my knowledge and share ideas, as well as learn more about them. I also enjoy seeing the excitement from guides who are just beginning their careers, it’s very inspiring.
What is it about Tanzania that makes it unique amongst other safari destinations?
The country’s stunning natural beauty is what first comes to mind. There are so many beautiful places, from Lake Manyara to Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, the ecosystem is so diverse. The parks and conservancies are teeming with wildlife, from giraffes to elephants to prides of lions. It is also full of cultural significance thanks to important communities such as the Maasai people.
The Serengeti is also very special because its ecosystem is one of the oldest and home to a vast amount of wildlife, including the Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, as well as having the big five – rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant. I’ll be based at the new Serengeti Explorer property, where I’ll have the chance to share my knowledge of the area with those based there, and then will travel throughout Tanzania to the different camps.
What are you most excited about sharing with other guides?
I look forward to sharing my knowledge about animal behaviours and what I’ve experienced in the bush in the many years guiding people. My aim is to offer them help and guidance so that they feel comfortable and open with me. I hope that they will not be afraid to ask for help when they need it and I also look forward to listening to their interpretation of wildlife encounters, so that we can all learn more about the beautiful natural world that surrounds us.
What is one of the most memorable guiding moments for you?
This is a tough question, as I have been very lucky in having many exciting and memorable moments on safari! I would say the most memorable today is the time I had lion cubs at my feet. It was a very surreal experience as we were with a pride of lions with baby cubs for a long time, they were very relaxed and didn’t mind our presence. The cubs came over to sit at the very foot of the vehicle door on my side. Though I was still in the car, they were so close to me, we all stayed very calm and quiet, observing their behaviour. It was thrilling and I felt very lucky to be able to share that experience with the guests.