Zakia Lashku—an O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader for our our Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure—is reshaping Tanzania's male-dominated tourism industry. In this video, she introduces you to her family at her home in Arusha, showing off the process of harvesting avocados from her backyard, and sharing a few of her favorite uses for the fruit, including its seeds and leaves.
In the sun-dappled savannas of Tanzania—where acacia trees dot the horizon, and the thunderous roars of lions echoes across the plains—an unexpected trailblazer emerges. Zakia Yunus Lashku, a 31-year-old O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader, stands proudly as a force of change in the traditionally male-dominated world of safari guiding.
Zakia Lashku: Trailblazer by day, solar juggler by sunset.
Born in the lush, southern region of Njombe, Zakia grew up in a traditional Tanzanian culture where women's roles were typically confined to the home and village. "Growing up in the village, I was helping with family duties like fetching water from the river, collecting firewood, helping to look after cows and poultry, and farming," she recalled.
Coming from a society where gender roles are deeply entrenched, Zakia's aspirations to become a safari guide were met with unsurprising skepticism and resistance. "Basically, no one from my village and family gave me their blessings when I officially wanted to work as a safari guide—it is seen as a male-dominated profession," she explained. The challenges Zakia faced were not merely professional, but also deeply personal and cultural: "Growing up as a Muslim girl, people would point fingers, curse my parents for not raising me according to the norms, and judge me for not taking the religion seriously," Zakia shared.
Despite these obstacles, Zakia's resolve remained unshaken, with a desire for adventure that was fueled by a combination of both personal passion and familial influence: "My eyes were already open by the age of ten years," she said. "The thrill of growing up in the wild, exploring the vast landscapes of Tanzania, encountering wildlife in its natural habitats... I had a thirst for being in the outdoors. My mother's dream job was to work in the tourism industry, although not as a guide," she explained. "Out of her six children, she had tried to convince all of us to take tourism studies. At last, she was successful when I accepted."
While Zakia's mother encouraged her to enter the tourism industry, she never envisioned her daughter becoming a safari guide—that was a role firmly reserved for men. "The career I chose was never approved by my parents, siblings, or the society surrounding me," she said. "It took two years for me to get blessings from my parents and be accepted as a safari guide."
Professional hurdles were equally daunting. "The experienced guides and safari companies found it hard to give time to training me since they didn't think I would be competent in this kind of field," Zakia revealed. Safety concerns and work-life balance issues added to her struggles, especially after becoming a mother.
Undeterred, Zakia pursued her education with vigor. After completing a diploma in wildlife tourism, she seized every opportunity to gain experience. Her breakthrough came when she was selected for an intensive training program. "We did an interview of 400 people, only 24 of us made it to the training, and only four managed to get a job with the company," she recounted proudly.
To overcome skepticism about her abilities, Zakia employed various strategies. "I do thorough training in all aspects of guiding—wildlife knowledge, navigation, vehicle mechanics, first aid, and safety procedures," she explained. She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new challenges.
Zakia's success has had a profound impact on her community. "Most women who are older than me are hoping to encourage their children not to shy away and to build their confidence from a young age," she noted. "The young girls are totally amazed to see me doing this kind of job. It's eye-opening for them and inspires them to become future guides."
A Tanzanian woman steers her future thanks to Zakia’s tuk-tuk business.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zakia even started a tuk-tuk business to support other women. "I started a project working with disabled women and gave them the opportunity to make a living," she explained. The project empowered a 58-year-old widow and a 16-year-old girl, proving that "age is nothing when it comes to qualifying their ability to work."
Looking to the future, Zakia dreams of establishing a driving and guiding school for women. "Many tourism universities do not give practical training, which means the girls lack qualifications after they finish their studies," she observed. "My plan is to work hand in hand with the government so we can add practical training for the future female safari guides."
For young women aspiring to enter male-dominated fields, Zakia offered powerful advice: "Confidence is the key. You should believe in your skills and potential," she urged. "Do not let challenges discourage you. Instead, use them as learning opportunities. If you cannot run, you can walk. If you cannot walk, you can crawl. And if you cannot crawl, just keep going—because the toughest roads will lead you to the most beautiful destinations."
Embark on a safari during our Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure—and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get Zakia as your guide!
