Safari
Field Challenge
The Safari Guides Field Challenge
Series is a prestigious event that showcases the talents of finalists in the tourism industry. As the competition grows in popularity each year, it has become an established facet of Tanzania’s tourism and hospitality culture, with eight successful seasons under our belt.
Our series continues to present major safari guide winners and the very best of a wide range of reality TV documentaries filmed during the competition. The primary objective of the Field Challenge is to demonstrate to the world how tour guides in Tanzania operate professionally on a daily basis in the field. The competition is specifically aimed at showcasing the competency, educating and entertaining the public, as well as promoting the tourism industry.
Judging Process
Our Tanzania Tour Guide Awards judging process upholds integrity and is overseen by a panel of 6 experts from various hospitality disciplines and tour guiding. The Chief Judge supervises the panel, while a Chair of Judges is chosen for a 3-year term based on their experience and leadership qualities.
The Best Tour Guide Awards process.
How does it work?
The Best Tour Guide Awards process begins with nominations from tour operators, tour guide
associations, peers, and tourists. Nominees are assessed based on criteria such as education, client
feedback, and communication skills.
“A Chair of Judges is selected for a 3 year term, after meeting rigorous criteria – based on experience and leadership qualities.”
Round: 1 First Interview and Screening
In Round 1 of the Best Tour Guide Awards, the judges’ panel conducts interviews and background check
based on the submitted names and documents. The selected nominees, who can include both newcomers
and previous participants, proceed to the next round based on their evaluations.
Round 2: Judges Panel Interviews
In Round 2 of the Best Tour Guide Awards, the judges panel conducts interviews based on specific criteria including knowledge, skills, conservation, customer feedback, peers recognition, and communication. The shortlist of 9 finalists is announced at least one month prior to the final round, the Field Challenge. The Field Challenge is a 14-day competition where the participants from the shortlist demonstrate their skills and talents before the judges, ultimately selecting the Top 3.
Round 3: Field Final Challenge
The Field Final Challenge of the Best Tour Guide Awards, the 9 finalists are evaluated by a panel of 6
judges based on criteria such as tour delivery creativity, interpretation of natural and physical resources,
tour guiding skills and attitudes, awareness of tour guide roles, ethics and regulations, hospitality and
selling skills, and storytelling skills. The Field Challenge aim to showcase the competitors’ exceptional
guiding abilities. The winner is determined by the judges’ majority score, and the judging panel consists
of expert professionals from the tourism and hospitality industry, including trainers, lecturers, travel
agents, tour operators, and experienced individuals with extensive knowledge in the field.
Round 4: Winners Announcements
The announcement of the winners will take place at the dinner gala event on June 3rd during the Kilifair Exhibition. All winners will be presented with certificates and trophies as recognition of their achievements. Even the runner-ups will receive a certificate of pride for their outstanding performance.