Ikuka's support for Guide School reaps major rewards for all

Located in Iringa just outside Ruaha National Park, Mkuyu Guide School  was founded in 2013 to create new opportunities for Tanzanian youth to pursue careers in nature-based tourism. The school employs an immersive education model to rigorously prepare graduates for rewarding employment. Students live and learn on the edge of Ruaha National Park before launching into impactful careers across Eastern Africa.

Ikuka has supported the school for the past 8 years with both financial support and by offering long term training and employment opportunities for the students employing 27% of the top trainees we’ve had come though on placement.

Most recently we have provided financial support for the construction of new toilet facilities for their female trainees. The project has now been completed, giving female students the proper, dignified facilities they need as they train.

Meet Torres - the newest member of our Guide Team

 Torres has been part of the Ikuka family for many years, and we’re incredibly proud to now welcome him to our guiding team as a Junior Guide.

His journey with us began as a student from Mkuyu Guide School, when he joined Ikuka for work experience and spent time learning the ropes across our different departments. He later became a waiter, then combined this role with working as a transfer driver but whenever the opportunity arose, you could usually find him out in the bush, joining our guides and soaking up as much knowledge and experience as he could.

This season, Torres officially joined our guide training programme. Since June, he has been out almost daily, shadowing our experienced guides, developing his skills and putting years of knowledge and observation into practice. He’s now ready to start taking guests out himself a milestone we’re very proud to see him reach.

Growing up in the bush, Torres developed a deep love for the peace and tranquillity of the African wilderness. As a young Maasai, he spent his days walking through the bush with his cattle, observing and learning the rhythms and nuances of this unique environment.

With eyes like an eagle, patience like an elephant and an instinctive understanding of the wilderness, Torres notices the things others might miss. Safari with him and you’re experiencing the bush alongside someone whose connection to it has been shaped over a lifetime.

"We couldn’t be happier to see Torres take this next step, and we’re very excited for our guests to get to know him out on safari."