A NEW doorway into Zimbabwe’s safari and conservation industry has opened for young people in Bulawayo, as Ingugama Safaris officially introduced its six-month Learner Professional Hunter Guide Course at Sterling Plaza.
The programme is designed to remove academic barriers and create direct pathways into employment within the wildlife sector.
Open to both men and women, the initiative reinforces the organisation’s emphasis on inclusivity and equal opportunity. Enrolment for the February intake is underway and will run until mid-March.
The course blends classroom learning with hands-on field exposure. Students visit national parks and established safari institutions, gaining practical insight into wildlife conservation, guiding techniques, industry ethics and professional standards.
For many young people facing limited employment opportunities, the programme represents more than training — it offers direction.
Field guide tutor London Sibanda said the initiative was aimed at building a new generation of skilled conservation professionals.
“We want to develop strong, capable guides and hunters who can serve in our national parks and private estates,” Sibanda said.
A distinctive feature of the Learner Professional Hunter Guide Course is its employment-focused model.
Ingugama Safaris not only provides training but also facilitates structured attachments and referrals to safari and conservation companies.
“Conservation is about protecting wildlife for present and future generations. At the same time, this programme gives young people access to employment because after they complete the course, we connect them with hiring companies,” Sibanda said.
The launch comes at a time when many communities are grappling with rising drug and substance abuse, crime and persistent poverty. The organisation views skills training as a practical intervention that redirects young people to structured, purpose-driven careers.
Unlike many professional programmes, the course requires no formal qualification. Young people aged 17 and above — with or without O-Level certificates — are eligible for enrolment.
The programme also encourages cultural exchange by bringing together students from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
The goal is not only to produce professional guides, but responsible ambassadors of conservation.
To strengthen community outreach, Sibanda has partnered acclaimed literary artist Zwelani Ndebele, an international award winner recognised as United World of Literature Writer of the Month for October.
Ndebele, known for his mentorship in schools and communities, has taken on the role of amplifying the initiative’s message across the country. Having risen from personal adversity to international literary recognition, he brings credibility and relatability
to the campaign.
Through school tours and dialogues, Ndebele emphasises discipline, resilience and the power of structured opportunity themes that mirror the programme’s mission.
“This direct link between education and industry positions the course as both a skills-development initiative and a gateway to Zimbabwe’s tourism and wildlife economy,” Ndebele said.