Building Careers in Wild Spaces
We started in 2019 because the hunting tourism industry needed something different. Not another recruitment agency making promises, but a group that actually understands what it takes to work in safari operations and wilderness tourism.
What We Actually Do
Here's the thing about safari and hunting tourism careers — they're not what most people think. You don't just love animals and walk into a job. There's safety training, client management, regulatory knowledge, logistics coordination, and about fifty other skills nobody tells you about.
We work with people who want to transition into this field. Some come from hospitality. Others from outdoor recreation or wildlife biology. A few have hunting backgrounds but zero professional tourism experience.
Our programs run between eight and fourteen months because that's how long it actually takes to build real competency. We connect you with working professionals, walk you through certifications that matter, and help you understand the business side of wilderness tourism.
How We Think About This Work
Honest Timelines
We won't tell you that you'll be leading safaris in three months. Career transitions take time. Most of our participants spend a year building skills before they're ready for field positions. That's normal and expected.
Real Industry Connections
We maintain relationships with outfitters, lodges, and conservation organizations across North America and Africa. Not for guaranteed placement — nobody can promise that — but for genuine introductions and opportunities to demonstrate your developing expertise.
Skills That Transfer
Even if you don't end up in hunting tourism, what you learn has value. Risk assessment, cross-cultural communication, emergency response, client relations — these apply across outdoor recreation and hospitality sectors.
Conservation Focus
Sustainable hunting tourism supports wildlife management when done right. We emphasize ethical practices, regulatory compliance, and the economic role of well-managed programs in habitat preservation. This isn't trophy hunting glorification — it's understanding complex conservation economics.
Our Development Framework
We've structured our programs around what actually prepares people for field work. This comes from talking to dozens of outfitters and lodge managers about what they need in new team members.
Foundational Knowledge Phase
First three months cover wildlife behavior, habitat types, basic firearms safety, and tourism industry structure. You'll learn from active professionals through recorded sessions and live discussions. Expect homework and assessments — this isn't passive watching.
Certification and Specialization
Months four through eight focus on required certifications — wilderness first aid, specific state or provincial hunting guide credentials, and specialized training based on your interests. We coordinate with approved training providers but you handle the actual certification costs and testing.
Practical Application Projects
Later months involve creating real planning documents — sample safari itineraries, risk management protocols, client communication materials. You'll present these to working professionals who provide feedback. Some participants arrange shadowing opportunities during this phase.
Professional Integration
Final months include resume development, portfolio assembly, and introductions to our industry contacts. We help you identify entry-level opportunities that match your skill level. Many start with seasonal assistant positions or lodge support roles before advancing.
Who's Behind This
Dagmar Wickham founded this after spending fifteen years as an outfitter in Montana and Alberta. She got tired of seeing talented people struggle to break into the industry because nobody would take time to mentor them properly.
Our instructors include active safari guides, lodge managers, and wildlife specialists. They teach specific modules based on their expertise. We don't employ full-time staff pretending to know everything — we bring in people who actually do the work.
"Most of our best participants weren't the ones with the most outdoor experience. They were the ones willing to learn systematically and accept that expertise develops slowly."
We're based in Maryland but work with people across the country. Programs launch twice yearly — typically in January and July. Our next cohort starts in July 2025, with applications opening in April.
Curious About What This Actually Involves?
We're happy to discuss whether this type of training makes sense for your situation. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest conversation about what the work requires and what our programs offer.
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