I developed my interest in nature in childhood. I would follow my father, who was a forest officer, when he was going to the forest adjacent to our village to collect plant seeds for their office research. I would accompany him to the forest with our family dog. The forest was rich with wildlife: many plant species and wild animals such us dik-diks, duikers, bushbucks, impalas, and even some leopards. I fell in love with nature and thought I could work for the wildlife department someday. This childhood experience also motivated me to learn about wildlife so I can teach it to other people. After finishing secondary school, I met with Nigel Perk (the former owner of Gibbs farm lodge) at Karatu village where I developed a friendship with him. Eventually, I mentioned being interested in becoming a guide – he was overjoyed to hear, as they were planning to start a tour company. He invited me to join their team at their lodge.

They immediately started training me in different areas: hotel and hospitality, office work, mechanics, and driving. Guiding itself was a huge subject: it comprises a wide variety of fields like walking safaris, mountain climbing, bird watching, mammal knowledge, trees, wildflowers, geology, archaeology, anthropology, and, of course, first aid. It took me several years but during this time I learned so much – with the incredible fortune of learning at the hands of and meeting many internationally renowned conservationists, anthropologists, and archaeologists. I consider myself very lucky to have passed through those hands. 

I also attended Mount Meru College in Wildlife Studies. After graduating, I gained my driver’s license and from there I officially became a tour guide! I love seeing the difference between meeting new clients at the airport and waving goodbye at the same place. In the beginning, they are total strangers. However, under my guidance they leave our country and leave a piece of their heart here by admitting that this country is one of their favorites.

I joined Easy Travel in July 1998. I sent my application to five different travel companies which all had welcomed me to join, but I chose to work with Easy Travel. They were a medium-size company, well-organized, and friendly. I immediately liked the boss’s sense of humour and found him to be very approachable. I also got the opportunity to learn Chinese through Easy Travel. People usually describe me as being very honest, easygoing, and caring. I have been married for the past 26 years and I have three children: two boys and one girl. My oldest son is 25, my second son is 23, and my youngest is a girl of 9. We live in the Muriet district which is about 6 kilometres south of Arusha.