Beyond Driving delivers specialist British Off Road Driving Association courses with bespoke vehicle familiarisation for safari tour fleets
West Midlands Safari Park is known for its immersive drive-through animal encounters – but behind the scenes, it takes rigorous preparation and expert training to ensure guests enjoy the experience safely. That’s where Beyond Driving steps in. Over the past few weeks, our team has been on site at the renowned Worcestershire attraction delivering specialist off-road vehicle training for tour guides and technical staff alike.
Accredited Off-Road Operator Training
We’ve been proud to deliver the British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) Basic 4×4 Operator Course to new and existing staff at West Midlands Safari Park. This nationally recognised qualification equips drivers with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to safely handle 4×4 vehicles across a variety of off-road terrain. Delivered in accordance with the latest BORDA standards, the training also includes essential health and safety, vehicle checks, and risk assessments.
With terrain ranging from tarmac to trackless earth – and some curious wildlife often just inches away – the skills taught on our BORDA-certified courses are vital to ensuring smooth and safe visitor tours throughout the park.
Bespoke Vehicle Familiarisation
Alongside accredited operator courses, our trainers have been delivering bespoke vehicle familiarisation sessions, tailored to the unique fleet of safari trucks now entering service. The park has recently added a number of 4×4 DAF trucks to its tour fleet, and our role has been to ensure each driver is fully confident in handling these large, specialist vehicles under real-world conditions.
From understanding the vehicle’s weight distribution and handling characteristics to navigating tight spaces and operating safely among animals like rhinos, giraffes and lions, our vehicle-specific instruction goes beyond standard training to address the very particular needs of this operational environment.
Training Tour Guides and Technicians Alike
While many of our sessions have focused on training the safari tour guides, we’ve also delivered instruction to vehicle technicians responsible for maintaining and servicing the park’s expanding off-road fleet. These sessions ensure that support teams not only understand how the trucks operate in the field, but also gain valuable insight into driver behaviours, vehicle capabilities and stress points that can affect long-term maintenance and reliability.
A Watchful Audience
As ever at West Midlands Safari Park, there were some curious observers during our sessions – from rhinos blocking our route to giraffes peeking into the cab! It’s all part of the job when delivering 4×4 driver training in one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic animal environments.
Tailored Driver Training Across the UK
At Beyond Driving, we offer both bespoke courses and nationally accredited training for off-road, 4×4, trailer and utility vehicle operators. Whether it’s for a zoo, safari park, emergency response team, utility provider or private estate, our team can tailor instruction to suit your fleet, staff and terrain.
Looking to enhance your team’s 4×4 skills?
Contact us to discuss a tailored training programme or visit www.beyonddriving.co.uk to find out more.
