Mokoro
Safety
Certification
Graduates receive DTA Short Course Certificate
Duration
1 day (8 hours)
Course Description
The Mokoro Safety course is a one-day theoretical training programme designed to equip polers and guides with the critical safety, communication, and emergency response skills necessary for safe operation of traditional mokoro excursions. The course emphasizes pre-launch risk management, guest briefing, dangerous game encounters, safe navigation, capsizing procedures, and basic mokoro maintenance.
Through guided simulations, briefings, and best practice protocols, learners are trained to maintain professionalism, reduce risk, and deliver memorable guest experiences while upholding wilderness ethics and safety responsibilities.
Course Outcome
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Deliver clear, structured safety briefings to guests before mokoro trips.
- Conduct effective pre-launch checks, including risk assessments and safety equipment verification.
- Communicate with guests professionally using body language, eye contact, storytelling, and clear verbal cues.
- Navigate with awareness of water hazards, weather, and animal behavior.
- Recognize and respond to dangerous game encounters, including hippos, elephants, and crocodiles.
- Apply correct emergency procedures for medical issues, breakdowns, and capsizing.
- Maintain and present a clean, safe, and guest-ready mokoro, with operational knowledge of paddles, radios, and first-aid kits.
- Manage comfort stops safely, privately, and with discretion for guest needs.
- Perform post-trip inspections and routine maintenance, including drying, cleaning, and basic repairs.
- Follow protocols for preserving traditional wooden and fiberglass mokoros.
Topics Covered
- Communication & Guide-Guest Interaction
- Pre-Launch Risk Assessment & Safety Equipment Checks
- Mokoro Presentation and Cleanliness Standards
- Safety Briefing Structure & Delivery (2-Minute Briefing)
- Dangerous Game Awareness: Elephant, Hippo, Crocodile Behaviour
- Comfort Stop Planning & Wilderness Etiquette
- Capsize Protocols & Water Safety Techniques
- Emergency Procedures: Medical, Breakdown, Radio Failure
- Post-Trip Inspection, Daily Maintenance & Cleaning
- Traditional Mokoro Preservation & Storage Best Practices
- Fiberglass Repair & Logbook Documentation
Accreditation
