overland tour guide jobs

Working Abroad as an Overland Tour Guide

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Joining the Overland Adventure Crew is the most challenging and rewarding job experience I have ever had. It has allowed me to travel to countries and experience activities that would have taken me a lifetime to save for in my previous jobs. It has also challenged me to work long hours in tough conditions, taking me very much out of my comfort zone . Working in this role is far from the holiday some of my friends seem to think it is, but if you’re willing to put the work in, the rewards are most definitely worth it.

For similar work/life balance with a job that gives you the freedom to explore, consider becoming a yacht stewardess , working on a cruise line or spending your summers working in national parks .

Requirements to work as a travel guide:

• A coach (PCV) or truck (LGV) driving license 
• Fluent in English. Basic Spanish, French or Portuguese
• Computer literacy
• Some relevant travel experience
• A resourceful attitude and able to take initiative 
• Be able to attend a training course in the UK
• Aged over 25 ( for insurance purposes) ‍

What are Overland Adventure Tours? ‍

Overland adventure tours are expeditions to off the beaten path destinations . The tours are run on overland expedition vehicles that usually hold around 20 passengers. The vehicles are self-sustainable so they carry tents, food, water and a kitchen set-up. A lot of the trips are camping oriented but will also use hostels, hotels, homestays and yurts.

I started my overland career with Dragoman Overland Adventures in 2013 and have run trips for them ever since. The work is allocated in contracts of varying lengths from a few months to over a year. When you finish a contract you are then technically unemployed and receive no income. You must plan for this accordingly.

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All overland companies work in this way, so you are not tied to any one company . I have also led several trips for Oasis Overland . Both companies are based in the UK. ‍

Dragoman runs trips in North, Central and South America, Africa, The Silk Road, Mongolia, South East Asia and India.

‍ Oasis is a smaller company and runs trips in South America, Africa, the Silk Road and South East Asia.

On an overland trip there are usually two crew members - a driver/mechanic and a tour leader.

Driver/mechanic or tour leader? ‍

Most overland companies split these roles into two separate jobs. As the driver/mechanic you will drive the tour group in the overland expedition vehicle (we call them trucks) between the various destinations. You will also be responsible for taking care of the truck and ensuring it runs smoothly. If there are any mechanical issues with the truck, it your job to get it fixed. 

As the tour leader it is your job to look after the group and ensure the smooth running of the trip. Great interpersonal skills are a must for this role. You plan and organize all parts of the trip which includes making hotel reservations, booking local guides, arranging/preparing meals and organizing and booking activities. You will also run the finances for the trips, so you must budget accordingly and keep accountancy records. ‍ ‍

Dragoman specific ‍

With Dragoman both crews will share the driving. Crew members are trained to do both roles but from trip to trip, one person will be the mechanic, and the other will be the leader. It’s natural that you will be more suited to one role or the other. ‍

Requirements for specific roles:

Driver/mechanic ‍.

• A coach driving license or truck driving license and some mechanical experience or qualifications
• Good interpersonal skills to interact with the group and support the tour leader in the running of a trip ‍ ‍ ‍

Tour leader

• Previous experience of leading groups is preferred, but if not, experience in customer service is a must
• You should be able to quickly adapt to changing conditions and have a strong sense of initiative
• Being organized is key, along with patience and level headedness

‍ Dragoman specific requirements

• Since you are required to do both roles with Dragoman, all crew are required to have a coach or truck driving license
• Mechanical experience is beneficial but not required
• All tour leader requirements as above

If you do not have the skills or desire to drive the bus and work as a mechanic but are looking for a job that will get you immersed in a country and off the tourist trail, read our article about volunteering with the Peace Corps . Although it is a volunteer role, you will make a monthly stipend to cover living expenses and get a bonus pay at the end of your 27 month commitment. ‍

How to Apply

Most overland companies will have their own websites through which you can apply. They usually involve an application form and cover letter in the first instance. This is followed up with an interview. The interview can take place in person or via Skype if you are not in the UK.

With Dragoman if you are successful in the interview, you are then required to take part in a one-week trial at their base in the UK. In this trial you will be put through your paces in the workshop, must design and cook a meal for 15-10 people and complete a 15 minute presentation. This trial is designed to see how you cope in environments and situations that you will encounter on the road.

Dragoman training consists of an intensive 6 week training program in the UK.

During this time there are classroom and workshop based lessons. In the workshop the focus is on basic mechanics and truck servicing. The classroom sessions cover a whole range of topics including leaderships styles, accountancy, crisis management, first aid and trip planning. Once this training is complete, you will head out on the road, usually as third crew, to continue your training.

Once you are deemed ready, you will then be paired off with another crew member to run your own trips.

For Oasis training , it is undertaken on the road. Once you have been accepted, you will join a trip as third crew. You will work with the crew, learning how to do the role, while at the same time learning about the route. ‍ ‍

‍ Life on the road ‍

The great thing about working as overland crew is that no two days are the same . You will be running trips that can last anything from 1 week to 6 months, covering several countries at a time. Challenges come from all angles and are seemingly infinite. They range from coping with changing political situations, managing complicated border crossings, fixing truck break-downs, solving visa issues and dealing with passengers on a day to day basis.

Whilst running a trip you are on call 24/7 so might work several months without an official day off. ‍

The pay varies from company to company but you certainly won’t get rich from being overland crew. The pay is very basic. However, whilst on the road most of your expenses are covered by the company, such as accommodation and ( most) food . You will often get activities for free or at a discounted rate so most of the money you earn you are able to save for the times when you aren’t working.

The benefits are that you will travel to places you have previously only dreamed about. Once you have completed your first overland contract - usually over a year - you will be able to choose which continent you would like to work in.

‍ Want to hike with gorillas? Then take a contract in Africa. ‍ Want to ice climb on glaciers? Then take a contract in Patagonia.

Once you have proven yourself as a solid overland crew member you can decide when, where and how often you would like work. There are not many jobs that can offer you that luxury.

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Careers – We would love to hear from you

We are looking for great people to work with us to make a dream team..

First things first, have a look at our values and see if they fit yours.

Our Values – What makes an AWESOME team member

Entrepreneurship:.

• Dedicated : I am devoted to the role I fulfil in the AOT team
• Passion : I am emotionally invested in my own and the companies success while inspiring others
• Enthusiasm : I am eager to share my thoughts, ideas and skills within the team
• Motivated : I believe in the business “WHY” and it aligns with my reason for being part of the team
• Resilience : I have the capacity to pick myself up when things get tough
• Questioning : I have an interest in learning new things and asking how? or why?
• Problem Solving : I actively find solutions to my challenges and help others when they face challenges
• Identify opportunities : I am always looking for ways/products we can include to best meet our client’s needs
• Risk Taker : I take smart risks and try new things while being open to learning through failure
• Drive Ideas : I follow through on my suggestions and solutions
• Accountable : I take responsibility for my actions and decisions

Achievement:

• Hardworking/Energetic/Proud : I believe in the talents I bring to the team and I am relentless in living up to my abilities
• Driven to do better : I am ambitious and compelled to accomplish my goals/ targets
• Knowledge : I want to expand on my skills through experience and education
• Curiosity : I am eager to know and learn new things daily
• Self-motivated : I can encourage myself to achieve and do great things while I strive for excellence
• Celebrate Success : I acknowledge my own and the team’s achievements
• Recognition : I value appreciation of my own success and show appreciation to others for theirs

Partnership:

• Helpful : I actively give support to my team members by taking the time to openly and deliberately share knowledge and support
• Team Player : I work well as part of the team by contributing, communicating and collaborating (3 C’s)
• Motivational : I desire to encourage others to achieve their goals
• Sense of Community : I have common interests and a similar attitude to the team and value inclusivity
• Honest/ Truthful: I am truthful with my knowledge and my actions
• Fair : I value equality within the team and with our clients
• Kind/Caring : I display kindness and concern for the team and our clients
• Compassionate : I feel and show concern for the team and our clients
• Self Control & Reflection : I do my best to control my emotions and reflect on difficult situations to learn how to overcome these in the future
• Respect : I admire and appreciate my fellow team members and suppliers as well as our client’s wishes
• Relationship building : I actively seek a connection with the team and our client’s
• Negotiation : I am able to discuss and find compromise and solutions which benefit all envolved

Responsibility:

• Integrity : I value honesty and strive to do the right thing with great judgement and authenticity Balance: I structure my workload and prioritise my day while being committed and reliable
• Thinking & doing differently : I am considered and strategic in my approach to my work and seek alternative perspectives
• Solution Orientated : I can problem solve and find ways to overcome my own challenges and stressful situations
• Creative : I use my imagination and am innovative in seeking ideas outside of my comfort zone
• Open-Minded : I am willing to consider others knowledge and ideas without discrimination in the search for great ideas
• Receptive to Change : I value constructive criticism so that I can learn and grow as an individual
• Leadership : I prioritise my responsibility within the team and am mindful of the impact I have on others
• Autonomy : I work well independently and am able to make independent decisions
• Empowering of People : I take my responsibilities seriously and am able to delegate where needed
• Create Opportunities : I take action to succeed in my work and the team’s goals
• Individual Ownership/Accountability : I accept my responsibility to my work/clients and admit mistakes freely and openly
• Open/ Honest : I am communicative and own up to struggles and challenges I am facing while being transparent

African Overland Travel Consultant

We are looking for an enthusiastic person with expert knowledge and loves helping others to join our African Overland team. We help adventurous clients find the best trips and are looking for someone who wants tell their story of travelling through Africa.

How do we do it?

• Email, live chat, phone calls.

What do we offer?

• You would be joining a passionate team with flexible arrangements.
• Monday to Friday (no weekends)
• Personal Development Training

What do you need to have?

• Share our values (above)
• Loves sharing their travel experience
• Travelled through Africa (Southern Africa or East Africa)
• 2 – 5 years experience in Africa travel sales
• Excellent verbal, fast typing and writing skills
• Computer literacy in MSWord, Excel and Outlook

If you have the wow factor, we look forward to meeting you.

• Excellent Basic salary + excellent commission incentives (no upper limits)
• + RA contribution
• Basic Salary upwards from ZAR 15,000 increasing based on experience

If you are looking to work with a passionate team, then please send your CV along with a covering letter to [email protected] .

The cover letter needs to include a story of our favourite place or experience you have had while travelling in Africa.

CV’s without a cover letter will be disregarded.

Online applications only.

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We provide incredible opportunities to grow and develop so you can achieve your personal and professional aspirations.

Be part of something 
greater than yourself

We are more than just a travel company. We combine innovative business ideas and social responsibility to transcend travel and ultimately change people’s lives, including yours.

We are a global company, located in all corners of our big beautiful planet. Your employee experience is at the heart of everything we do and we create opportunities for meaningful connections with our global community.

Our company culture is often celebrated, never duplicated. At the heart of all the fun are great people, celebrating one another and the lives we’re changing around the world. See for yourself what that looks like all over the globe.

Work in an office

Work as a tour leader.

We look for individuals that are passionate and purpose-driven. Our Core Values are at the heart of everything we do and what we look for in our talent. Read more about our Core Values  here .

Our talent comes from diverse backgrounds and speak different languages. As we do operate our business in English, we kindly ask you to submit your application in English.

• Application received and reviewed by hiring team We appreciate every application that we receive, however, only those that match the skills and experience that we are looking for will be contacted for next steps. We do contact candidates by email, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox!
• Interviews We have a series of different interviews in our process in order to help us understand who you are and to give you the opportunity to understand what G Adventures is all about.
• Video Interview The video interview has a set of questions that you record answers to in the comfort of your home and in your own time! The video interview will allow you to set yourself apart and share your passion and experience beyond your resume.
• In-person or virtual interview After reviewing video interviews, successful candidates are then invited to an in-person interview at one of our offices. As each role is different, there may be more than one interview required for you to meet the hiring team.  We understand you may be travelling or looking to relocate and may not be available to come into one of our offices. No worries, in this situation we can set up a virtual meeting!
• Final interview We encourage our staff — and our travellers — step off the beaten path and boldly embark down the road less travelled. At this stage, you are asked to embrace the bizarre and in turn, start to understand our culture and the values we are so strongly committed to. 

Please refer to our  Privacy Policy .

We are not in the position to sponsor visas for candidates. Candidates will need to have eligible documents to reside and work in the country where the role is based.

Yes, you’ll need to apply for each location you’re interested in as each location has different requirements.

We don’t often offer internships, but should we have one available, you can find it listed on our career page in the office section.

As we’re continuously growing and changing, the opportunities that we have available can quickly change. We don’t keep on file resumes for unadvertised roles, so it is encouraged that you keep an eye on our career site for when a role that suits you is posted.

100%! We invest in our talent and want them to become their best in any role. On top of the role specific training you will receive, we have a thorough onboarding program that’ll help you understand everything about G Adventures. In addition, we have a team dedicated to learning; they look after creating and facilitating programs to help our people grow and develop, professionally and personally.

Team Wanderlust | 31 July 2018

Get paid to travel: become a tour leader.

Do you have what it takes to become a travel guide? It can take you all over the world, but you'll need buckets of passion, endless knowledge and a big dose of patience...

Let’s get this straight: it is a ‘proper job’. Sure, you’ll lose your fear of Monday mornings. And yes, your ‘office’ may be a Kenyan national park, a Himalayan valley or a large area of Amazon jungle. Your friends will think you get paid to go on holiday again and again – a kind of Groundhog Holiday, if you will.

But don’t be deceived: tour leading for an adventure travel company is very much a proper job. The hours are long (when have you worked nine months without a day off?), you’re on call 24/7 and, while it may look easy, behind the scenes it’s a huge amount of work. Your job could be described as being like a swan on water - graceful and calm on the surface, with your legs frantically paddling underneath.

What jobs are there?

Tour leading is not a single job – there are many different kinds of tours, like driving overland trucks from London to Cape Town, or leading rambling groups around the vineyards of Tuscany. There are jobs touring the general sights of countries, sailing the Nile in a dhow, guiding safaris, mountain biking, doing European cultural tours, riding horses, carrying out conservation work, or leading family trips.

Some are more extreme than others – the skills needed for leading a centre-based holiday in the Pyrenees are very different from those required to climb a Himalayan peak or lead a jungle expedition.

What's in it for you?

A lot of travel, of course. You’ll find that leading gives your travel a new depth – when you're working alongside locals, they'll see you as an equal, not as a customer. What other job would let you build a deep friendship with a Vietnamese waitress or a Berber muleteer? Ask most leaders what they most like about the job and the answer won’t have anything to do with travel. You'll learn a lot about yourself, developing your interpersonal and leadership skills in ordinary and extraordinary situations. It's also a job with real autonomy – your boss may be 12,000 miles away!

What are the downsides?

All of these plus points have their down sides. You might repeat the same two-week itinerary ten times, yet you have to be as fresh on the tenth as you were on the first. Whatever goes wrong, you have to deal with it, whenever it happens. Your clients might be rude, your transport connections could be late, or not turn up at all. Yours and your clients' personal belongings can be stolen, or worse, your clients could get ill - and that's all your responsibility to deal with. As well as all of those negatives, it can also be lonely work - having to spend long periods away from your close friends and family.

How to get a job as a travel guide

• Don’t apply unless you are well travelled. Ideally you’ll have explored some unusual parts of the globe and been on some extended trips, such as a career break. But remember, the most important thing isn’t travel – it’s people.
• Stress your people and leadership skills. Anything you can do to prove that you have experience of a service industry, and of leading or teaching people, will be a great benefit.
• Get an understanding of what is required. Research the job thoroughly by checking out all the web-links listed, and getting to know the style of the company you are applying to.
• Visit travel shows and exhibitions. Prove that you’ve done your research and that you aren’t just acting on a whim. Companies will need to see that people are serious about the job.
• Go on a trip with the company you are applying to.  It'll give you a great insight into what it's like to be part of a group on holiday and see a real-life tour leader in action. While you're there, ask the tour leader exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis.
• Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. While they aren’t essential for all jobs, they are for some, and give you a great advantage. Knowledge of first aid, or specific country knowledge, is also good.
• Be ready to answer the question: “What would make you a good tour leader?” It’s an obvious question, and if you can’t answer it fluently, you shouldn’t be applying.

A word from a pro: Nick Nikolsky

Nick worked as a full-time tour leader over many years, covering everywhere from the faroe islands to cambodia. so how did he do it.

“In my gap year I worked abroad teaching English, then after uni as a diving instructor. I saw an advert for a tour leader in Wanderlust (honest) and applied for the job, expecting to do it for a short while. I ended up doing it full time for five years.

“My first trip was a walking tour in Slovakia. I had been trained in the UK and abroad on an actual walking trip and knew roughly how leading worked, but I was nervous at having to look after 16 people for two weeks all on my own. Needless to say I didn’t let the group know it was my first trip! By the end of the fortnight, I knew this was what I wanted to do as a job.

“You start getting a lot more than just travel experience when you’ve done the job for a year. You build up your people-handling skills, you encounter and solve strange new problems – all of which are great skills for whatever you do in life.”

Top tip: “Be yourself at the interview and if you are enthusiastic about travel and a people person, you should sell yourself without having to try.”

With thanks to Nick Nikolsky, Andrew Aitcheson, Matt Leggett and Debbie Crawford for their help with this guide.

Check out Wanderlust's job site for job opportunities in the travel industry.

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Tariq El Kashef is a writer, photographer, tour leader and all around travel aficionado.

Working Abroad Magazine

Work, Travel, and Live Abroad

Lead Tours and Excursions for Cruise Lines and Land Tour Companies

In our last blog we had the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the Coliseum out of the office window, but in this blog we continue our tour industry job search to the savannahs of Africa as well as around the world, and the sea on board cruise ships.

With elephants, hippos and lions as your closest colleagues, overland guiding in Africa is as much of an adventure as it sounds. There are many recruiters in the “overland” industry, seeking international guides with a certain sense of intrepidness.

There is plenty of competition for overland organizations out there, all looking for their next self-motivated, hardworking and reliable worker. Expectations are high, after a detailed application form, you will be taken through an unpaid training program before full employment is offered. This is not only to train you to be prepared for the varied demands of the job, but also to filter out those just looking for a short “working holiday” abroad to see the sights en-route. In fact most overland recruiters are looking for at least an 8 to 12 month commitment.

Here are some of the recruitment links we have plucked out for you so you can find your way to job openings for overland tour leaders and drivers:

www.tucantravel.com/

www.oasisoverland.co.uk/

www.intrepidtravel.com/

www.acacia-africa.com/

www.dragoman.com/

www.exodus.co.uk/

Job requirements range according to each of the companies. In general: you need to be at least 21+ to apply (for insurance purposes). Preferred candidates should have relevant travel experience, as well as experience with studying tourism or in previous relevant employment.

Become a Tour Leader

Overland tour drivers (and some leaders who will combine their driving skills) should have the ability to achieve a current LGV/PCV license to drive the large expedition trucks and be able to deal with any bumbling African potholes and the roads dancing with the mechanics.

It’s not just Africa that has vast amounts of land to guide on. Tour leaders and drivers are further sought in exotic and cultural routes such as the Inca trails of Central and South America (muy bueno), the silk routes in Asia and the dusty wheel-spinning deserts of Egypt and the Middle East. Additional languages here are a big bonus, especially Spanish for Latin America countries.

Sea-faring guides are also required for international cruise liners. Every cruise ship has a “tours” or “excursions” department for the guests, and tour escorts work in the office at sea, with the sales, administration and customer service of excursions. They also organize the correspondence between local guides at ports, and when docked, grab the paddle (tour tool called a paddle, not the sinking ship type!) and ‘escort’ groups from the back, rather than guiding from the front.

Not as much history and knowledge is required here, yet the ability to be of high appearance, act professionally and calmly under pressure is essential. Check out cruise jobs on WorkingAbroadMagazine and CruiseJobFinder.com for more in-depth information about working life onboard. Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises for example hire many tour escorts, in particular multi-lingual ones, with their mega ships docking at ports all over the world, including sun-drenched beaches in the Caribbean islands rum route.

The tour industry doesn’t end there. JobMonkey offers some great tour guide jobs , including many in the ‘land of the free,’ the United States. Americans and those from overseas with an appropriate J1H visa can work at fascinating environmental sites such as Yellowstone National Park or Alaska.

The inevitable question remains. What’s the money like? Most employees in the tour industry will tell you they certainly don’t do the job for the money, but for the priceless experiences and opportunity to travel. Nevertheless, there is always opportunity to save money. Tour guides and drivers can expect to be paid a daily rate (fixed) anything from US $30 to US $70 a day; although our best advice if not to work it out on an hourly rate as it won’t work out to much! Whilst it might not seem like a high-paying job; subject to performance, tour crew can also receive bonuses, and cannot forget that all accommodation and most food are covered whilst you are away. Coupled with no rent or utility bills to pay and a good proportion of your income can be put away (normally for a well deserved holiday after the season has ended). Some, but not all, also offer commission based bonuses, depending on excursion, souvenir and further tour sales. Add to that tips if the clients feel like you deserve them, and it can certainly be an affordable wage. Tour leading won’t make you rich, but there is an opportunity to save like never before.

Some in the tour industry go for a few seasons and retire early if they feel like they “burn out.” Some go for years as it beats any day left in a white collar behind a computer.

Moreover, all of the workers abroad we have encountered from the tour industry have never regretted doing it and described it as one of the best experiences of their lives. That’s including me too. Work abroad in tours and you’re bound to join us in our opinion. Follow the leader.

WORKING ABROAD MAGAZINE – “The TRUSTED guide to working abroad including thousands of amazing jobs in incredible places”. www.workingabroadmagazine.com

Work as a Tour Guide >>>

Seasonal Jobs Abroad

Tour Guide Jobs

Passionate about travel? Keen to explore the world? Want the ultimate job where you can work abroad and help other people enjoy the trip of a lifetime? Apply to work as a tour guide!

Latest Tour Guide Vacanices

These companies are recruiting tour guides to work around the world right now. For more positions browse our country guides.

TRAVEX TRAVEX is a travel agency on the beautiful island of Crete, Greece, who are hiring tour guides and drivers to work between April to October. If you are looking for a dream summer job apply today.

G Adventures G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 25 offices worldwide (and counting). G Adventures offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year. You could be part of an international team that’s passionate about changing lives. As a CEO, you’ll give our travellers memories to last a lifetime, and change people’s lives by connecting remote communities with the economic benefits of the global tourist chain.

Top Reasons to Work as a Tour Guide

• Live abroad and get paid to see the world • Challenge yourself  • More exciting than a normal 9-5 office job • Help people enjoy the most amazing trip of their life – be part of their incredible memories • Meet people from all over the world

What experience do I need to be a tour guide Being a tour guide is a different type of career and although there are no degree requirements there are some criteria for you to get employed. In the UK and some other countries you can take a certificate or diploma in travel and tourism which can enhance employment prospects. 

Personal skills are very important, you will need to be a passionate, positive, fun and an outgoing person who is healthy and has lots of confidence and energy. You must be able to work independently and with team and have good people skills. If you know any foreign languages this will increase your chances of getting hired and also if you have any first aid certifications or a driving licence.

Where can I work as a tour guide? You could work all over the world and it really depends on the specific employer. As a tour guide you could work for example in a variety of places like museums, historical landmarks, sporting areas, cities, and other areas that are of interest to tourists local to where you live. Some global travel operators offer positions all around the world where you can lead tours to individual countries, or go overland and explore whole continents.

What are tour guide responsibilities? As a tour guide you usually be responsible for making sure travellers enjoy the most amazing experience of their lives. You will usually need to coordinate with head office to research and plan tours, itineraries and places to go, prepare and give presentations, offer sightseeing advice, organise and lead excursions, problem solve, translate and interpret, organise transport and educate people on the culture and heritage of the topics on their tour. If you are keen to work for a travel company but aren’t yet ready to be a guide, you could apply for driving jobs .

How much do tour guides get paid Salaries for tour guides vary depending on the company, trip and your experience. You won’t make as much money as say a traditional career like business, law or finance, but there are so many other benefits including food and accommodation is usually free. Some city sightseeing tour guides also aren’t paid a salary, they make money just off tips.

If you have a passion for wildlife you might also like to view more about safari guide training courses or working as a safari guide .

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Join Our Team!

Welcome to the Incredible Adventures recruitment page!

We are currently no longer accepting applications for full-time, seasonal guiding positions for 2024. 

• Check out other openings on our office staff

Have questions about the job or the application? Please email [email protected] or call 415-642-7378 .

Incredible Adventures is an environmentally-conscious outdoor travel company based in San Francisco that offers small group tours in the Bay area and beyond – we specialize in Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, the California coast, and Lake Tahoe!

About our Team: We are an adventurous group that thrives on being in a casual and laid-back workplace that offsets our challenging and dynamic jobs. We love to travel and we are all huge advocates of preserving our natural resources through green business practices. Many of our vehicles run on petroleum-free biofuels and have a limited impact on the environment (Incredible Adventures is a certified SF Green Business).

Incredible Adventures is looking for reliable, safety-driven, organized individuals with a desire for adventure. Guides should have a customer-service oriented disposition, fun, and outgoing attitude, and enjoy interacting with people from all over the country and the world. Experience is a plus, but not required. Safe driving skills are a must. Tour Guides will need to acquire a California Commercial Drivers License with a Passenger Endorsement. Training for the CDL will be provided during a 3-week training course in the spring.

On single-day trips, Guides will pick up and drop off passengers at San Francisco hotels and provide an informational narrative during the entire tour. On multi-day adventures, Guides will arrange daily logistics, outdoor and evening activities, sightseeing excursions, and teach sustainable travel, camping etiquette, and cooking skills.

Compensation: Wages are per trip, with daily rates for experienced guides/drivers ranging from $175-$300, plus gratuity. Wages for overnight, multi-day tours are per trip and range from $275-$1350, plus gratuity. Our experienced guides can bring home more than $400 a day, including gratuity.

• Must be at least 23 years of age
• Must already possess or be willing to obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License, Class B or C with passenger endorsement of 16+ (CDL training and assistance provided during training)
• Great communication skills
• High energy and excellent people skills
• Must be a safe, courteous driver
• Required to participate in state and federally-regulated drug and alcohol program which includes a pre-employment drug screen
• Ability to obtain Basic First Aid/CPR certificate
• As the flow of tourism dictates our business, we ask that you are available to work weekends and holidays as needed
• Competitive pay and unlimited tips
• Become an expert guide in well-known destinations including Yosemite, Muir Woods, San Francisco, and Napa & Sonoma
• Spend time exploring the outdoors in some of the most scenic areas of the country
• Opportunity to work in top tourist destinations and national parks throughout the Southwest USA and beyond for Overland/Remote Guides
• Flexible scheduling for both roles plus the option for part-time work for SF-based guides
• Assistance with finding housing plus discounts on communal housing options for SF-based guides
• Housing stipend/contribution to defray cost-of-living expenses for all SF-based guides
• Meal stipends on overnight hotel-based tours; included meals on most camping trips
• San Francisco activity discounts on popular attractions
• Opportunities for career advancement in the Outdoor Adventure Travel Industry
• Hiring bonus for experienced guides with a current CDL – Class B or C with Passenger Endorsement

*We have a diverse team and highly encourage people from all ethnicities, backgrounds, social status, sexual orientations, and more to apply! If you’re interested but have questions or are unsure about anything, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.

Guiding for Incredible Adventures FAQ

What are the basic qualifications required to be a guide at incredible adventures.

In addition to being a safe driver, there are a number of qualifications required to guide for Incredible Adventures. Most of these requirements are mandated by federal and state laws, or by our insurance company. All guides are required to:

• be 23 years of age or older;
• have, or be able to obtain, a California class C commercial license with Passenger endorsements (we will train the right candidate);
• be a safe, courteous driver;
• have a ‘clean’ short form DMV record (this goes back at least three years; 10 if you already possess or have possessed a commercial license – Form H6 from the DMV);
• have a great personality, like working closely with people from all backgrounds and have the ability to drive long distances in a day;
• have a smile and patience;
• have the ability to act professionally at all times, especially under pressure;
• attend our guide training in San Francisco in the spring of 2024, and, if seasonal, work through October 31, 2024. Winter work may be possible for the right candidate.

How much will I get paid?

Incredible Adventures offers a top-tier compensation and benefits package, surpassing industry standards for active travel. Guides are hired as Incredible Adventures employees, granting them benefits unavailable to independent contractors. In addition to competitive base pay rates, leaders receive substantial gratuities from guests, often doubling or tripling a first-year leader’s per-trip income due to Incredible Adventures’ leading position in the industry and higher guest numbers per trip. More detailed information about compensation will be provided during the interview stage process.

Furthermore, numerous perks and benefits reduce out-of-pocket expenses, enabling leaders to save money. Full-time year-round guides are eligible for the following benefits:

• health insurance, dental and vision insurance, medical reimbursement accounts;
• 401(k) plan;
• long-term disability benefits;
• paid sick leave in accordance with San Francisco, CA applicable laws;
• commuter benefits package;
• guide incentive and safety bonus program

Is there staff housing?

There is no staff housing for Incredible Adventures. All of our guides live in or around the city in their own housing accommodations. We completely understand that searching for housing in San Francisco can be a daunting task but it is possible and there are always options. We will help you as best we can with resources for finding housing, but ultimately it is your responsibility to secure accommodation. Oftentimes, guides will team up during Guide Training to look for shared housing together. For Summer 2024, we are offering a housing reimbursement program that will help to partially offset rent costs in SF throughout the season.

I see there are multi-day trips; how many nights are you typically in the city?

Multi-day trips start in the spring and get very busy throughout the summer. Depending on the trips you’re scheduled for you could be in the city anywhere from 4-6 nights/week. In the early spring and late fall your trips will mainly be day tours which will bring you back to the city every night.

I’ve never been to the places we travel-- can I still work here?

Absolutely! Our guides are from all over. During training, you will learn a lot about the locations we travel to and also visit some of the places on your training trip. However, it is important to note that you will be expected to study these locations, their history, and information to share with passengers in order to best prepare yourself for the season ahead.

Sounds fun, but isn’t being a guide a lot of hard work?

Yeah, you bet it is! While we do think most people have what it takes to be a guide with Incredible Adventures, those applicants not willing to work hard, smile through adversity, and rise to unexpected challenges will not be a good fit.

What’s the difference in the different guide positions you are hiring for in 2024?

For 2024, we will be hiring for two different guiding roles: Incredible Adventures San Francisco-based guides, and Overland or Remote guides.

San Francisco-based guides will run the day tours and overnight trips out of San Francisco and will require housing in the Bay Area. Overland or remote guides will run tours throughout the country and will not need any housing in the San Francisco area. These tours will range in length from 1-3 weeks and will require guides to have prior guiding experience. These tours can either be camping or hotel trips and guides will also be driving with trailers.

How many days per week will I work?

Seasonal guides should prepare to be scheduled for four to six days per week. However, weather, seasonal patterns, park closures, and other issues can influence scheduling and demand.

What do you look for in an Incredible Adventures guide?

We employ guides from all walks of life and backgrounds. We look for people who are safe drivers, great communicators, motivated, and work well with others. Our guides are patient and compassionate people who strive to provide amazing trips every day on the road. More to the point, we look for hard working guides who challenge themselves and others, love showing our clients the beautiful destinations we visit throughout the western United States and beyond.

I notice you offer day and multi-day tours. What’s the difference?

In a typical day on a one-day tour, a guide will pick up clients at any number of San Francisco hotels, provide informational narrative during the trip and in-destination, conduct a guided tour, and offer suggestions and directions for clients. In addition, guides may collect payment, communicate with the office throughout the day as necessary, and drive back to San Francisco to drop clients off at hotels. The day trips offer our highest daily rate of pay and provide our first-year guides the opportunity to hone their leading skills with the advantage of shorter trips.

Incredible Adventures’ multi-day tours offer a different type of experience. Our guides love these trips because they provide more time in destination with our clients. This enables guides to gain a deeper appreciation of destinations we visit, build on the skills they’ve mastered on the day trips and to further engage with their group of travelers.

What might a typical day for a guide look like on a multi-day tour?

Here is an example of what one of your days on our Yosemite Escape 3 Day camping tour might look:

You wake up to the sound of the rushing Merced River and get coffee going for everyone. You’ll then review your plan for the day and take care of the pre-trip inspection on the vehicle while checking in with each of your guests. After a briefing with the group, you’ll load them up and head into the park for another beautiful day in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They can bike, hike, walk, swim, or float in the Valley before heading back to camp. Campfires, s’mores, and cocktails might be in order after dinner. Get a good night’s sleep, then wake up and repeat!

What time do you typically go into work?

This changes depending on your trips. Some trips require you to come into the office as early as 5:30am whereas other days you may not start till 7am. Typically, your mornings are always on the early side and your day could end anywhere between 6-10pm.

Driving is not my favorite, how much driving is involved?

Although bringing your passengers around new places and being a wealth of knowledge is one of the best parts of being a tour guide, you are first and foremost a commercial driver. Safe and skilled driving is the most important part of this job. Driving varies from trip to trip. On a Yosemite Day Tour you can expect about 9 hours of driving, whereas a Wine Country Tour may only require about 4 hours.

Do I need a car?

Some of our guides have their own vehicle and some do not. Although having a car can be helpful in certain situations it is not a necessity. There are many public transportation options to get around the city. Biking, electric scooters, and ride shares are also common modes of transportation in the city.

Safari Search

• Choose Your Safari
• Bookings & Payments
• African Overland Tours
• Pandemic Update

Overland Safaris

Truck equipment, what to expect, overland trucks, essential information, pre and post safari, responsible travel, travel insurance.

Absolute Africa has been specialising in overland tours in Africa for more than 30 years. We are always on the look-out for the right people to join us and particularly if you are keen to share your love and knowledge of the continent. If you have travelled in and have a strong attachment to Africa and it's people, and would like some adventure packed time on the road you might be someone we are looking for as a driver or tour leader.

Jobs are also available from time to time in our London office in accounts, sales and operations, as well as to assist with operations on a management level in Africa.

Applicants should be aware that these are tough & challenging jobs to which you need to bring bucket loads of enthusiasm, patience and common sense. In exchange the job can provide an exceptionally rewarding experience as well as memories and stories to enjoy and share for the rest of your life.

Tour Leaders

• A friendly outgoing disposition, a happy "people person"
• Passionate about Africa with a keen interest in Africa's wildlife, cultures and geography
• Highly organised & proactive with strong problem solving skills
• Energetic, hardworking & willing to work long hours
• An abundance of patience & a sense of humour
• A willingness to "have a go" & try something new
• Valid First Aid Certificate
• A basic knowledge of accounting
• Basic Word & Excel Skills
• Record keeping skills in sometimes trying conditions
• Willing to commit to at least 2 years

To apply to join out dynamic team as a Tour Leader please complete the Tour leader application form and email to [email protected]

Tour leader application form to download

Overland Truck Driver

Attributes required -

• PSV Truck license including International Driving Permit
• A sound mechanical knowledge
• Decision making and organisational skills
• Ability to get along with people from all walks of life
• Willingness to work long hours
• Willingness to help with clients, in addition to normal driving duties.
• Proactive and practical
• Some travel experience and preferably in Africa
• Keen sense of professional responsibility including the maintenance of records as required

To be a successful overland driver you need to be committed to daily vehicle maintenance checks including regular checks of the tools and the trucks equipment, as well as the ongoing consideration of drive times, road conditions and refuelling options to never compromise passenger safety. Drivers need to always have a "can do" attitude and work well with their tour leader and our operational support team to seek positive outcomes and make things happen.

To apply to join out dynamic team as an Overland Truck Driver please complete the "Overland Truck Driver application form" and email to [email protected]

Driver application form to download

What we offer

If you are successful in your application we provide on the road training as well as training time in our Workshop and office in Tanzania.

Employment in the overland industry does not offer mega pay. For many it is simply a lifestyle choice.

A job in over landing provides the chance to be "on the road" with all the opportunities that provides to find out about new places in Africa and to meet new people.

Crew accommodation and meals are provided at the Workshop in Tanzania which becomes a base you can call "home". We cover all essential costs including visas and provide comprehensive emergency medical cover for your time in Africa.

Overland Safari

The absolute safari.

Nairobi - Cape Town

Gorillas to Cape Town

Kigali - Cape Town

Northern Trails

Cape Town - Nairobi

The Wildlife Journey

Jinja - Cape Town

The Classic Safari

African drums, wildlife wanderer.

Nairobi - Maun

Flight of the Flamingos

Johannesburg - Nairobi

The Big Six

Nairobi - The Victoria Falls

The Southern Safari

Rivers of africa.

Jinja - The Victoria Falls

Classic Safari, the Component

Tusker trails.

Kigali - The Victoria Falls

The Southern Cross

Wildlife and spice island.

Nairobi - Zanzibar

Gorillas to Zanzibar

Kigali - Zanzibar

Northern Star

Southern explorer.

Lusaka - Cape Town

African Adventurer

East africa encounter.

Nairobi - Nairobi

Simba Sounds

Taste of africa.

Jinja - Zanzibar

Namibia Nomad

Victoria Falls - Cape Town

Face of Africa

Kigali - Nairobi

The Gorilla Trek

Nairobi - Kigali

Kenya & Tanzania

African sky, zanzibar to gorillas.

Dar es Salaam - Kigali

Rainforests and Reefs

The garden route.

Cape Town - Johannesburg

Gorillas and Game Parks

Kampala - Arusha

Kenya and Tanzania, the Component

Kili trek and safari.

Kilimanjaro - Kilimanjaro

Wildlife Encounter (Reverse)

Wild dogs and victoria falls.

Johannesburg - Victoria Falls

Wildlife Encounter

Kigali - Arusha

Maasai and Migration

Wild wildebeest, maasai and migration (reverse).

Dar es Salaam - Nairobi

Vic Falls to Dar Es Salaam

Victoria Falls - Dar es Salaam

A Week In Kenya

A week in gorilla lands - reverse.

Kigali - Kampala

A Week In Gorilla Lands

Kampala - Kigali

Climb Kilimanjaro (8 day Lemosho Route)

8 day Lemosho Route -

Climb Kilimanjaro (7 day Machame Route)

7 days Machame Route -

Climb Kilimanjaro (7 day Lemosho Route)

7 day Lemosho Route -

Climb Kilimanjaro (7 day Rongai Route)

7 day Rongai Route -

Climb Mount Kenya Sirimon Chogoria Route

The gorilla stop.

Kigali - Kigali

Climb Kilimanjaro (6 day Marangu Route)

6 Day Marangu Route -

Climb Kilimanjaro (6 day Rongai Route)

6 day Rongai Route -

Climb Kilimanjaro (6 day Machame Route)

6 days Machame Route -

Botswana Safari

Victoria Falls - Maun

Short safari in Kenya, with game drives in the Masai Mara

Serengeti and ngorongoro crater, kruger national park.

Johannesburg - Johannesburg

Climb Mount Kenya Naro Moru Route

Other travel options.

• Climb Kilimanjaro
• Volunteering Projects
• Gorilla Trekking
• Zanzibar Island
• Pre and post safari
• Overland trucks
• Truck Features
• Responsible travel
• What to expect
• Overland safaris
• Essential information
• The migration
• Wildlife - what and where?
• Travellers Feedback
• The Absolute Blog
• More blogs & YouTubes

• Service + Language
• Compare Trips
• Student stories
• Parent stories
• Leader stories
• trip gallery
• Our Leadership Style
• Meet Our Leaders
• Apply To Lead
• Open Arms Fellowship
• Leader Portal
• Our Commitments
• Request A Catalog
• Attend A Presentation
• Request References
• Risk Management
• Expectations & Communication
• Food & Allergy
• Financial Aid & Scholarship
• Payment & Travel Protection

LEAD FOR US

The most impactful summer of your life

Apply to Lead

Imagine a summer of adventure,commitment, and community.

34 itineraries, 8 countries, 4 continents: that’s a lot of adventure. But leading at Overland isn’t really about where you go, and in some important ways, it’s not really about what you do . Instead, leading for Overland is about the people who surround you — the dynamic leaders you work with and the great kids you lead — and the many challenges, both big and small, that you tackle together.

An Overland leader’s commitments are many, but nothing is as important as your co-leader and your kids. No matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, your most important commitment is the health and well-being of those around you. This commitment drives and informs your leadership every moment of every day.

YOUR ROLE AT OVERLAND

COMPETENT & CHARISMATIC

Far more than counselors, Overland’s leaders are role models of the highest caliber. Our leaders focus on creating supportive and wholesome environments where each student can flourish.

MISSION-ORIENTED

Leading for Overland is far greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the chance to deepen and broaden your leadership skills while discovering – and showing your students – just how beautiful and exciting, how full of promise the world is.

COMMUNITY-MINDED

Leaders stay connected in a vibrant community that stretches far beyond the summer. For 40 years, leaders have stayed connected—as friends, colleagues, a professional network—and these relationships, which started in a single summer, have grown in countless ways.

info sessions

To learn more about Overland, check back here in October and RSVP for an Info Session

how to apply

The application process consists of a written application and resume, three references, and two rounds of interviews. Our Leader Hiring team aims to find a good fit between an applicant and a trip, as well as between co-leaders. We invite you to apply and look forward to getting to know you.

To learn or ask questions, email our Leader hiring team: [email protected]

Minimum Requirements & Expectations

• Passion for working with kids in an outdoor environment
• Be at least 18 years of age and have completed at least 1 semester of college/university
• While the majority of our trips require leaders to have had a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years, a select few trips do not have this requirement
• The ability to lift and carry 40 lbs or more of gear or equipment
• The ability to pass a swimming test and lifeguard certification course (offered at training)
• CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid certifications valid through August, 2024 (not necessary at time of applying, and Overland can help reimburse leaders for these certifications)
• A clean driving record, a positive local police check, CORI, SORI, and three written references
• A recent physical indicating excellent physical and mental health
• Some (but not all!) trips require specialized hiking and camping skills or foreign language skills

Dates of Employment

Our leaders arrive in mid-June for our 14-day Leader Training. At the end of the summer, the entire staff returns to Williamstown for Leader Closing. Leaders depart in early August.

Leader Compensation

Salaries for first year leaders range from  $2,500  to  $3,000  based on previous experience and the leader’s role and responsibilities at Overland. In addition, Overland pays:

• 50% of the leader’s travel expenses to-and-from Williamstown (up to $250)—Overland also organizes shuttles from Boston and Albany airports, or carpools from other locations (when possible)
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED certification expenses (up to $350)
• And, of course, all trip expenses while leading are provided: all flights, accommodations, meals, and activities (for example, rafting, kayaking, ice climbing, etc.). In the field between trips, leaders receive two nights of hotel accommodations and all meals.

Overland also provides access to pro deals and discounts on outdoor gear. And, all Overland leaders receive branded clothing and gear (Nike Dri-Fit T-shirts, Klean Kanteens, etc.).

To learn or ask questions, email our Leader Hiring team at  [email protected] .

Summer after summer, Overland students are the most thoughtful, strong, and fun people I know.

Seeing my groups bond and overcome challenges gives me so much hope; it’s the reason I lead for Overland.”

Lilly Bianchi

St. Lawrence University

One lesson I keep reflecting on is how kids are so powerful.

The students we worked with were 11-13 years old. They are at this amazing inflection point; they can do anything with their lives. It was a beautiful thing to facilitate that promise they had within them.”

Charlie Cox

University of Virginia

your questions, answered

With 40 years of experience, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t when crafting a great outdoor summer experience. Our team is just a phone call or email away.

Have more questions for the Overland team? Contact Us or call: (413) 458-9672

When does the leader application open?

Our application for the summer of 2025 will open in early October, 2024.

What do you look for in prospective leaders?

We look for college students and graduates with a strong desire to work with young people, extensive leadership experience, excellent judgment, superb problem solving skills, success working in team settings and leading with others, patience, humor, and the determination and stamina to succeed in a challenging environment. The Overland community is supportive, wholesome, and inclusive, and we seek individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives.

Who are Overland's students?

Our students are 9 to 18 years old and come from across the country and around the world. Every summer about half of our students are back for a second, third, fourth, or fifth summer. We are committed to broadening access to all of our trips through our scholarship and financial aid programs. In 2023, Overland gave approximately $340,000 in financial aid.

When can I expect to hear from Overland?

We notify applicants of their status within 2-3 weeks of applying. Finalists are invited to interview. After that, we extend offers for specific trips to our top candidates. Also, we ask a select group of strong candidates to be in our reserve pool for positions that may become available in the spring. Approximately 20 leaders are hired from the reserve pool each year.

How many applications do you receive?

We typically receive 1,000 applications and hire about 120 new leaders; roughly half of our staff each year is made up of returning leaders.

Where do college first-years lead?

We hire students finishing their first year of college to join our New England Field Staff. Field Staff is a dynamic role with a varying daily schedule that could include assisting with trips and in the office, organizing gear, shuttling groups in 15-passenger vans, meeting groups in the field, and filling in wherever necessary. Field Staff members live together in a house in Williamstown during the summer, form a tight-knit community through shared tasks and meals, and have no living expenses during the summer. Members of Field Staff typically lead one or more weeks of a New England-based introductory trip.

Where do college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduates lead?

First-year leaders for Overland who are sophomores or older lead trips across the U.S. and abroad.

How are trip placement decisions made?

We consider an applicant’s written application, previous leadership experience, references, and interviews. We look for a match between the new leader, their prospective co-leader, and a trip. Leaders of language trips must be fluent in French or Spanish.

What trips do you offer?

We offer trips in over 50 locations across the U.S. and abroad, including Switzerland, France, Spain, Iceland, Norway, and Tanzania. Our trips include hiking, service, and language; the trips range from one to six weeks in length; and they vary in difficulty from introductory experiences for our younger students to challenge trips for our older students.

What is an Overland summer like?

There are three parts to an Overland summer: Leader Training, leading, and Leader Closing.

The Overland summer begins in mid-June with Leader Training in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The entire staff camps and shares all meals during 10 days of seminars, hands-on workshops, and a multi-day hiking trip. Leader Training is a time to sharpen leadership skills, master the details of trip logistics, and build effective working relationships with co-leaders and the full-time staff.

Over the course of six weeks, Overland leaders co-lead a trip or a series of trips with one or two other leaders. Leaders are responsible for maintaining the health and well-being of their students, managing day-to-day logistics, transporting students in a 15-passenger van (on some trips towing a utility trailer), working within a budget, planning and organizing meals, completing required paperwork, communicating with the Overland office, and photographing the experience. Leaders manage risks in the field and serve as positive role models to students, working to bring every member of the group together as a team.

The Overland summer ends the first week of August with Leader Closing in Williamstown, during which leaders reconnect with the rest of our staff, debrief their leading experience, and follow up with their students via written communications.

What are meals like at Overland?

Good food (and plenty of it!), excellent nutrition, and fun are the goals of Overland’s meals. Each group buys, prepares, and eats all of its meals together. Our students, with their leaders’ supervision, prepare all meals. At Overland, meals are a group experience, an important way to foster connection with and consideration for other group members.

Allergies & Intolerances

We recognize there are many people with food allergies or intolerances. We welcome these people’s interest in joining us, and we ask prospective Overland leaders with an allergy/intolerance to please consider the following important information.

Most meals at Overland are prepared in basic kitchens (or outdoors), and groceries are typically purchased from small stores with limited choices. As a result, meals are prepared and served in what may be allergen-contaminated environments, and on some trips allergen-free/gluten-free foods are not readily available. If a prospective leader has an allergy/intolerance that constitutes a disability, we will engage in an interactive process with the prospective leader to determine whether there is a reasonable accommodation that would allow the prospective leader to perform the essential functions of the positions.

In all things, our top priority is to help maintain our students’ and leaders’ well-being; to this end, all Overland leaders are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, including administering antihistamines and epinephrine (both are carried in every trip’s first aid kit). Leaders also carry cell phones, and in some cases, satellite phones, so that should the need arise, emergency personnel can be contacted and their services requested. It is important for all prospective leaders to understand that many groups travel in remote areas where emergency services may not be easily or readily accessible.

Vegetarians

Every summer there are many vegetarians who join our groups and who enjoy meat-free meals. We are happy to welcome these students and leaders as long as they understand they will share in the group’s meals but will simply have the meat portion withheld. For example: sandwiches at lunch with hummus, lettuce, tomato, and cheese (while the rest of the group has sandwiches with sliced turkey or ham); pasta at dinner with a tomato sauce (while the rest of the group has pasta with a meat sauce).

Vegan & Specialized Diets

We sometimes have requests from student and leader applicants with specialized diets—vegans, for example—to provide separate, specialized meals. As much as we’d like to be able to accommodate these applicants, the limitations of our kitchens, the size of available grocery stores, and the importance of group meals make it impractical to provide separate, specialized meals.

What reimbursements do you offer for certifications and travel?

We reimburse for CPR/AED (up to $50) and Wilderness First Aid (up to $200). While you do not need any certifications to apply, if hired you will need to arrive at Leader Training with CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid (we offer a lifeguarding course during our leader training). Overland partially reimburses travel to and from Williamstown at the start and end of the summer. Please Note: Leaders are responsible for loss or damage to their personal gear. Overland provides workers’ compensation and general liability protection but does not provide health insurance for seasonal staff.

Is Overland an equal opportunity employer?

Yes. Overland Summer Camps, Inc., prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any employee or any applicant for employment, or any camper or any applicant to join one of our camps, because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, genetics, ancestry, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran or military status, military service or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. All personnel responsible for hiring and promoting employees, for admitting and enrolling campers, for leading and supporting campers, and for developing and implementing camp trips or activities are charged to support this effort and to respond promptly and appropriately to any concerns brought to their attention. Individuals who feel they have been treated in a way that violates this policy and/or federal, state or local employment laws are encouraged to notify one of Overland’s directors. Overland will not take any retaliatory action in response to an individual’s complaints.

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Tour Guide Jobs

Being a tour guide lets you guide people through a travel experience. You could lead adventure tours overseas, become a private tour guide or even work as a city tour guide in your native country. Tour guide jobs are popular and you will need to go through a thorough application process to assess if you are right for the role. Search and apply for tour guide job vacancies 

A Guide to Working as a Tour Guide

As a tour guide you will lead a group of people and act as a knowledable leader educating people about the places they visit. You will usually need to be very friendly, sociable, outgoing and be able to handle groups of people. If you know any foreign languages this will be of benefit.

One of the best things about being a tour guide is meeting people from all over the world, getting to see new places and also getting paid. When employers look to recruit new tour guides you will need to demonstrate good leadership qualities and be able to handle lots of different situations e.g. home sickness, emergencies and problematic travelers.

If you like to travel, are people friendly and are confident speaking in-front of groups then being a tour guide will appeal to you.

What to Expect

Some tour operators use coaches whilst others use overland trucks, group sizes can vary dramatically from a few people to 25+ depending on the company and options e.g. adventure tours, school holiday tours etc. You will usually not be working alone but with a driver and sometimes another guide and mechanic. Most companies offer fixed term contracts but some city tour providers do not pay a salary, instead you will make money via tips - this is usually the case with free walking city tours.

Requirements

Each tour company has different application criteria, usually you will need to be:

• enthusiastic
• have good leadership and organisation skills
• have been on a tour before
• be able to work under pressure

You will usually need to apply with a good CV then go to an interview. If you are successful you will usually go through a training program giving you will the skills and information required and also join a tour with an experienced guide to show you how to work to the best of your ability. 

Recommended Recruiters

• Oasis Overland
• G Adventures

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Career Opportunities

Should you be Ireland’s official Ambassador? Do you love Ireland? Do you know the high roads and byroads of Ireland like the back of your hand? Do you love sharing stories? Well we might have the dream job for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Overland Ireland Tours Ltd is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to uphold equal opportunities in employment. We prioritize selecting the most qualified individuals for each position, ensuring that all applicants are considered regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

No Vacancies Today, But Don't Let That Stop You!

No roles available now? No problem. Be part of an adventurous team and submit your CV anyway for future opportunities at Overland Ireland.

Get in touch today with your CV by filling out the form below

Meet your colleagues.

We might be a bit biased but we think we have the best team in the world at Overland. Every guide, trip organiser and partner we have at Team Overland adds enormously to the guest’s enjoyment of every tour! We are all passionate about what we do and absolutely LOVE IRELAND!