Serengeti Balloon Safaris host second year of pioneering Trailblazers Guide Apprenticeship Program supporting the next generation of safari guides in Tanzania
Serengeti Balloon Safaris is delighted to announce that they have just finished their second Balloon Trailblazers Guide Apprenticeship Programme – a pioneering training program to inspire and train the next generation of safari industry professionals.
Serengeti Balloon Safaris (SBS) are considered one of the most reputable trainers in the industry who ensure each and every staff member has gone through a rigorous training process before being allowed to work for the business. With over 35 years of experience at training the best, SBS formally developed their training into an intensive three-week training program in 2025 which has run for a second time this year welcoming 28 hopeful trainees this year as opposed to 22 last year. Testament to SBS’s gender inclusion policy, three of the participants this year are female as opposed to only one last year.
From mastering defensive and off-road driving, to tackling wilderness first aid, vehicle maintenance, safety protocols, TANAPA regulations, and the art of 5-star customer service — these future trailblazers are ready to redefine guiding in Tanzania.
Out of the 28 trainees SBS will recruit the leading 10 people who will then continue their intensive training with two years of apprenticeship within SBS as transfer drivers. But the journey for the remaining 18 people does not stop there, as as part of the scheme, SBS commit to supporting them all into future employment elsewhere.
This scheme is being run entirely at the cost of SBS but plans to benefit the lives of countless Tanzanians and their families for years to come, thus reflecting the long-term social impact policies of SBS.
John Corse, MD of Serengeti Balloon Safaris commented;
“We are thrilled to see our Trailblazers programme develop further this year as it represents more than training - it’s a commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the future of safari tourism.
We are incredibly proud of our second class of Balloon Trailblazers, all of whom have demonstrated growth, grit, and greatness. They are the future of responsible, unforgettable safaris.”