One of Africa’s Leading Safari Guide Trainers
Pietro was entrusted to lead the training for the Tanzania National Park Authority on behalf of the United Nations Development Project and since then, he has trained more than 100 TANAPA National Park rangers in the skills needed for walking safaris.
He spent 6 years as Asilia Tanzania Head Guide and Head Guide Trainer, working throughout the entire country from North to South managing a team of over 90 guides and creating the first formal walking training program for Tanzanian guides in the company. He trained for Saruni as well, both in the Mara region and Samburu National Park. Amongst many other training sessions, it is also worth to mention that he also trained NRT (Northern Rangelands Trust) rangers and Saruni guides in how to approach black rhinos on foot in Sera Conservancy in Northern Kenya.
“Training has been a natural progression and a way of giving back to a profession that has given me so much. I have trained hundreds of guides and rangers. Nothing compares to it. Nothing compares to the joy of giving people the tools to excel. As trainers, we cannot open doors but we can give keys and give the guides the capacity to use them. Once they open the first few doors they will keep finding keys by themselves, to open the next door and the next again. It is a hard journey made of crying and laughter, disappointment and joy but in the end, only one thing ferries you through: the passion.
Training is something I will never give up. It is part of me, part of the philosophy I want to live by, part of my effort for a better world and for spreading a conscience of conservation. Seeing people start trusting me and trusting themselves, understanding that they can, standing tall in front of challenges, putting all their effort in what they are doing and being proud of what they achieved, is the bigger reward I can ask for.”
