Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Pompele. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

I’ve created a guide training program that suits Tanzanian Guides, with different levels of education, based on Natural Sciences and oriented on Ecology, the study of the ecosystems, giving them a broad perspective and deep knowledge of their surroundings so they can become great safari guides, recognized in the Industry for their level of professionalism, experience and knowledge. I structured it in 3 levels which when they are achieved are corresponding to different level of remuneration, to get the spark going and acknowledge the hard work guides in training have put on.
I’ve customized the walking safaris for the guests expectations and developed them for the Company, I’m still in an evolution process in which I will perfect the experience, by offering something that will be different, a slow pace more immersive nature experience that will reconnect people with the wilderness instead of being spectators of the wildlife show.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a biologist specialized in Ethology (the study of the Behavior of animals) and Ecology, I’ve been guiding for the past 9 years in the African continent and I traveled through 14 African countries, exploring the wilderness areas and National Parks. I’ve been extensively gaining experience on field and lived in some of the most intact and unique ecosystems of the continent. I do walking safaris in the Serengeti and I train extensively the guides of the Company, coaching them to reach their maximum potential, I do private guiding as well. What sets me apart is the deep scientific and practical knowledge I have accumulated so far and the passion that drives me to learn new things everyday, I have the deep necessity to explore and I can’t wait to share my passion with my guests. I speak fluently six languages (Italian, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and KiSwahili). I’m most proud of my guide training program and on my project on developing walking safaris customized for the guests in the African wilderness, I’m passionate about offering an unforgettable experience while walking with a slow pace in the African bush. In a hyper connected an stressful society, taking the time to appreciate nature is a rewarding and game changing experience: the true luxury is the privacy, a full immersion in the wilderness that reflects the inner wild side we often forget to have and changes the perspective
I’m a Wildlife Photographer

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Hard work, serious approach, patience and determination to succeed. Nothing happens overnight, it’s instead a long process, like climbing a mountain, it is made of small steps one by one, one at the time, but put forward with a constant effort, rushing to it will leave you breathless with no energy and little chances to get to the top, instead going at a constant pace, perhaps slow but continuous will get you up there where the summit waits for you.
Patience is hard to practice, frustrations are multiples and frequent, but seeing the goal and use the imagination to visualize it it’s a good method to keep calm. Human beings are not patients, we want everything now, like little kids, but Nature teaches us how to get there, wherever we are going at the right time, with the right pace.

Also I know what I’m talking about, and this is definitely what people recognize, I’m professional and prepared, you can’t fool me.

I always give my best form the beginning to the end

Any advice for managing a team?

Delegate, supervise, in case of mistakes correct them and credit the good results, initiatives and progressions Ultimately the team is working smoothly and nicely because you teached them how to and you encouraged them to get there,
Admit a mistake, everybody can make one, but always lead the way by finding the solution, at the end of the day, every problem has a solution, otherwise it wouldn’t be a problem, it would be a fact.
People get inspired and they will do their best by following the example

Contact Info:

• Instagram: andrea_pompele_wildlife
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/andrea.pompele.5

Image Credits
Andrea Pompele Rebecca Anne Phillips