Our Team
What you want in a guide is someone who is a good driver, has excellent knowledge on local plants and animals, and is skilled at locating and spotting wildlife. With more than 80 years’ combined experience, our guides check all the boxes. On walking safaris, your guide will often be a young local Masaai. They have received guide training and know all the interesting aspects of the area, as well as the possible hazards. We are pleased to introduce our guides!
Elia
Elia holds a certificate in ornithology and has a degree in wildlife behavioural ecology. He has more than 20 years of experience in guiding and brings a consistent good eye for spotting wildlife in the bush. You will immediately feel the passion he has for the different birds of Tanzania, and his enthusiasm for them is absolutely contagious!
Ahmidiwe
There is truly no man like Ahmidiwe. He is both very pragmatic, yet very hospitable. He is also our guide for our walking safaris in Mkuru. We are sure you will enjoy the fascinating information he will share around the ecosystem and all its symbiotic relationships along with his fascinating stories on a few of the animals he knows quite well. He’s also a subtle entertainer, continually keeping you engaged!
Juma
Juma is an affable person who will be your guide when you visit Longido. He knows this district inside and out, as well as the Lake Natron area having taken numerous groups on treks there. Juma has a quiet and calm demeanor, a subtle sense of humour, and an ever-watchful eye for any wrong step you may take. All in all, we find Juma to be a cool and conscientious young man.
Sembeta
Sembeta is a young Maasai warrior and guide in West Kilimanjaro. He has a charming personality and moves and talks with ease. He possesses in-depth knowledge of the ecology of the area, and walks with him are thoroughly enjoyable. Learning about medicinal plants and how the Maasai use them is also very fascinating. He may need some encouragement, but we hope you get to hear him singing Maasai songs around the fire at night.
Sayanga
Sayanga, from the Maasai tribe, is one of our walking safari guides. He has extensive knowledge in animal behaviour and identification, as well as a deep understanding of Maasai culture. On bush walks, Sayanga is quick to notice subtle changes that signal wildlife movements, and where a certain animal can be spotted. Sayanga, having co-authored a book on herbal anthropology, will introduce you to the fascinating world of medicinal plants.
Jay Aggarwal
Jay grew up in Tanzania but later moved to Canada. He has followed his passion to come back home. He has worked for the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF) where he formed an alliance of tour operators that evaluated and improved their environmental and social impact standards. Jay's vision for Tarakwai is to build travel opportunities around authentic experiences while supporting local community advocacy and development.