Wildplaces Africa / The Uganda Safari Company

Placement organization

Name of organization: Wildplaces Africa / The Uganda Safari Company
Town/city: Kampala
Country: Uganda
Website: http://www.wildplacesafrica.com

Student

Name of student: Iris Iris Lambrechts

Specialist area: ITTI
Placement period: 2015-2016

Information about placement organization

Type of organization: Tour operator / Accommodation / DMC
Organization’s activities: Wildplaces Africa has 4 high-end/luxury accommodations.
The Uganda Safari Company is a DMC, organizing high-end luxury trips through Uganda – accommodating people in both Wildpaces as other properties. The company mainly works with tour operators, however also handles direct clients.
Target group of the organization: High-end
Company culture: There is some hierarchy visible between lower- and higher-level management, however the atmosphere is good and between colleagues there is no hierarchy or rivalry, whatsoever.
Number of employees: +- 15
Dress code: formal
Did the organization meet the agreements you made beforehand? yes

Information about your placement

In which department(s) are you working? Marketing & Sales
Brief description of your daily activities: Database, content writing, social media, sales-related tasks.
Brief description of your company assignment: I made a social media guideline for the company including all the basis steps that have to be taken in order to keep the company’s social media pages in line. Written from the perspective of someone who never followed any marketing courses nor is well-known with social media.
Comment briefly on your supervision by the organization: The supervision within the organization is there for you when you need it, but ask for help! They will not sit you down and ask you if all is going well, be independent and dare to ask; it is appreciated!

Requirements for students on placement

What kind of personal skills are required for this placement? Stress-proof (!), flexible, team player, independent worker, durable,
Additional company requirements for this placement? 1992
English: Advanced
Spanish:
French:
German:
Italian:
Other languages:

The trip

Mode of transport to reach your destination: Airplane

Accommodation

How did you arrange your accommodation? My supervisor at the time helped me set-up a place to stay. It isn’t hard finding a place, but I am certain the company will be willing to help you out.
How did you go to work every day? Boda (motobike-ride)

Visa / work permit / vaccinations

Do you need a visa? Yes – a tourist visa is fine.
Do you need a work permit? No
How did you arrange the necessary documents: N.A.
How much time did it take to arrange the necessary documents?
Did you need certain vaccinations? Yes
How long in advance? N.A. (I was already vaccinated)

Language course

Did you take a language course before you started your placement? No
Would you recommend to have a language course prior to this placement? No

The costs in euros

Travelling expenses (e.g. return ticket): € 500-700
Accommodation (monthly): € 250
Local transport (monthly): € 20
General costs of living (monthly): € 100
Costs of visa: € 80
Costs of work permit: €
What did the company pay for/to you? The company paid for my visa, my transport on arrival and departure, and gave me a monthly allowance of $450.

Culture

How did you prepare for the country’s culture?
I read a little. Most of all, just be open for differences. I do not recommend anyone who hasn’t traveled further than Europe to go here for a first time cross-continental experience. However if you find yourself well travelled and ready for a little more – it is a lovey country with amazing people!
Did the culture of the country influence your performance during the placement in any way? No.

Future students on placement

Future students are free to contact me for further information: Yes
My e-mail address: iris.brechts@gmail.com

Other information

Recommendations on what to do and what not to do: Please contact me.
Leisure possibilities in the city/surroundings of where the placement took place: Please contact me.

Media

Youtube link Youtube placement video link