Tour Leader (CEO) - Southern & East Africa

Job description

About Us Let’s go on an adventure together! Hey there, we’re G Adventures. We’re one of the world’s leading small group travel companies, and we’ve always believed that travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how it changes you. For the last 35 years, we’ve set out to do things differently. No cookie-cutter tours. No giant buses or cruise ships. And not to mention, as few selfie sticks as possible. Just real humans, travelling your heart out across the world with open minds and a non-stop desire to make our planet better, simply by exploring it. At G Adventures, our DNA (or GNA, if you will) is built on belonging — where bringing your authentic self to work every day isn’t just accepted, it’s downright celebrated. For our office crew — you wanna rock a t-shirt with your dog’s face on it? We say go for it. For our Chief Experience Officers — you wanna hit the road and call some of the most epic places on Earth your home office? We love that — and we’ve got you. Wanna spend your days with people you genuinely like? Us too — and we’re pretty sure you’ll fit right in, wherever that is. Now about that career of yours — this is the kind of place where you can spread your wings and truly grow into your role. The best part? You get to do it all alongside a passionate, freakishly talented, one-of-a-kind bunch excited to produce top-notch work and spread a ridiculous amount of goodness at the same time. Feel like this could be the right fit? We think so too, and we’re already way too excited to meet you. About the Role Do you believe travel can change lives? Not just for travellers — but for the people and places they visit? Do you thrive in unpredictable days, long bus rides, spontaneous problem-solving, and conversations with strangers who quickly feel like friends? Then you might be exactly who we’re looking for. At G Adventures, we don’t call our tour leaders “tour leaders.” We call them Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) . Our founder gave up the title because he believes the true leaders of this company are the ones out in the world, face-to-face with our travellers every single day. You’re not just running a trip. You’re shaping an experience. You’re the reason a good tour becomes an unforgettable one. Before we go further, please ensure you are legally able to lead tours through the following countries: South Africa Zimbabwe Namibia Botswana Nairobi Zambia Kenya What You’ll Actually Be Doing This role lives at the intersection of logistics, leadership, storytelling, and heart. On any given day, you’ll be: Managing group dynamics Coordinating transport and suppliers Sharing the culture, history, and nuance of a place Supporting community partners Helping travellers feel like they truly belong You’re not just guiding people through a destination. You’re helping them understand it. What Makes a Great CEO You don’t just do the job — you live it. You: Believe in community tourism and responsible travel Champion G for Good and our Raise the World efforts on tour Communicate clearly with travellers, suppliers, and offices Bring calm, positivity, and energy to long, unpredictable days Handle the unexpected like it’s part of the plan Turn information into stories travellers will never forget Create a sense of safety, inclusion, and belonging within your group Stay endlessly curious about the places you guide in You Travel Your Heart Out — and it shows. The Practical Stuff On each departure, you’ll: Be the face of G Adventures in the field Manage day-to-day logistics and reservations Promote Planeterra and G for Good initiatives Support optional activities, meals, and traveller needs Handle incidents calmly and professionally Maintain budgets, receipts, and daily accounts Provide post-trip reports and updates Occasionally support the training of new CEOs What You’ll Need Valid First Aid/CPR Basic budgeting and accounting comfort A valid passport/visa and required vaccinations Comfort using Google Suite and mobile apps Experience in tourism, hospitality, or extensive travel Strong English language skills Willingness to undergo a background check if required A recognised local guiding / tour leader certification relevant to Southern Africa (e.g. FGASA, CATHSSETA, or equivalent)? Why This Role Is Different You won’t sit behind a desk. You won’t have two days that look the same. You won’t just be guiding tours. You’ll be creating moments travellers talk about for the rest of their lives — while helping the people and places you visit, too. If that sounds like the kind of work you want to do, we can’t wait to meet you. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support the administrative processing of applications, such as organizing and formatting applicant information. AI is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants. All hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team. G Adventures is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We consider all qualified applicants. If selected, G Adventures offers support via a variety of Team Resource Groups.