On World Female Ranger Day, we shine a light on women who have defied odds, challenged norms, and opened paths for others in wildlife conservation. Today, we celebrate Flo, a pioneering woman whose journey from a young girl navigating the wilds of Botswana to a successful safari company owner is nothing short of inspiring.
“I have been a guide for almost 21 years,” Flo begins, reflecting on a career rooted in the untamed beauty of her childhood home. Raised in Gumare, a village nestled near Botswana’s remote wilderness, she was no stranger to wildlife. “We used to go to our farms and would come across wild animals heading into our farming area. I had experienced wildlife and nature firsthand,” she says. These early interactions with nature planted a seed of passion, but it wasn’t until she enrolled at the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) that she found her true calling.
Flo’s journey into guiding wasn’t easy. In a male-dominated profession, she faced skepticism and outright discouragement. “I was told guiding was not for women,” she recalls. But with quiet strength and determination, she pushed forward. Her secret weapon? The resilience instilled in her by her mother—a respected farmer in their village who defied societal expectations herself. “My mother taught me how to survive any situation. Even though she was not educated, men came to her for farming advice.”
Flo took these lessons into the field. She trained hard, mastered the terrain, and developed a guiding style that reflected both her technical skills and natural empathy. “Women are so gentle, and we read situations beforehand. That helped me rub shoulders with my male counterparts,” she explains.
After years of building her expertise—culminating in her role as Head Guide at Chobe Game Lodge—Flo took a bold step. In 2012, she registered her own company: Zanazi Mobile Safari. Though it officially launched under her full-time leadership just seven months ago, it’s the culmination of decades of experience, passion, and preparation.
“Running Zanazi is just a continuation of what I’ve always done,” she says. But now, she leads with an even broader mission—one focused on empowering other women and creating opportunities within the community. “We aim to employ more women because of their vulnerability as members of the community,” she says. “We also want to visit schools and talk with the girl child—to show her that she can reach her dreams.”
A Role Model for Future Rangers
Flo embodies the spirit of World Female Ranger Day: strength, perseverance, and a deep love for nature. Through Zanazi Safari, she is not just guiding guests across Botswana’s breathtaking landscapes—she is guiding a new generation of young women toward empowerment, education, and equality.
Her story is proof that with passion, purpose, and resilience, anything is possible.
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Follow @ZanaziSafari to support Flo’s mission and journey.
