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Introducing Maggie’s Tour Company
The National Geographic Traveler – The Adventure Issue 2019 October-November publication – lists Maggie’s Tour Company as a “Sustainable Africa Safari Company.”
The NGT article calls out the new generation of adventurers and the future of African safaris as women-led expeditions emerge. In a country where all guides and owners have been male only, Maggie and her company are truly part of the 21st century Tanzania.
Maggie is quoted in the article “My goal as a guide is to make every safari unique, educational, and fun.”
Maggie Duncan Simbeye first began working for a local safari company in 2008 where her “classroom” training moved from Tourism Training School to hands-on experiences in the bush. She was one of the very first women guides in Tanzania. As of 2018, Maggie is the only Tanzanian woman owning and operating her own Tour Company. Tanzanian women in business are very unusual in her country.
Her own love of learning and experiencing nature on all levels motivates her to make every safari trip special for her clients! She has a belief that we all learn from each other, so she invites all questions and asks plenty herself! Her extensive knowledge of flora and fauna is delivered with much enthusiasm. She has an incredible understanding of animals and their behaviors which adds so much when clients observe them in their natural surroundings.
Maggie’s Tour Company operates out of Arusha, Tanzania.
Your safari begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport, (JRO), located in the middle of the Kilimanjaro/Arusha Region. This makes Arusha an excellent and convenient place to begin the Northern Circuit of Tanzanian tourism.
Included in this circuit are well known National Parks such as the Arusha, Serengeti, Tarangire (which has the most elephants per square kilometer), and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in which the famous Ngorongoro Caldera (which many people still call Ngorongoro Crater) is located plus numerous others.
You can combine a Cultural Tour with a Wildlife Safari for a richer experience of Africa. There are more than 120 tribes in Tanzania each having their own unique traditions. Maggie can include in your safari, should you choose, time to meet and get to know some of these diverse communities. Many of our clients have found life changing experiences in these connections.
These diverse adventures can include meaningful connecting and education by visiting and touring Chagga village and their caves where the Chagga tribe hid themselves during civil war, visiting waterfalls at Marangu village, visiting Maasai tribes and enjoy their unique dancing and learn more about their customs,
Traveling with Maggie offers women-to-women exchanges with local women and women living in the bush. Not only will your friendships deepen with fellow travelers thru this shared experience, but in exchanging stories, experiences and everyday life with African women, a very special heart connection happens. It is an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of another, to develop more empathy and compassion for one another and bring that experience in to your world. In the end, we find out how very much alike we are with our sisters around the world!
Felt so welcomed by and connected to a group of friends
What began as a safari vacation eventually became an unforgettable experience, in large part to Maggie and Dare Women’s Foundation. During this time I had the opportunity to tag along with Maggie and other members of Dare from Arusha to Tanga, as they collaborated with different groups that all shared a goal of making positive changes in their local community, eventually leading to great changes for the welfare of the country at large. Despite all the challenges that come with being somewhere new, I never felt so welcomed by and connected to a group of friends. While I know that the road ahead is long and there is much more work still to be done, I will always carry the memories of dance, laughter, and smiles that I shared with DWF.
Our Safari with Maggie in the National Parks of Tanzania was a highlight in our lives. Maggie is so very personable, knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor. She carries the whole picture on Safari – the Animals, The People, and the Environment. She was always conscious of our needs and our safety. Time with Maggie was a true African experience and it was so much fun! We would love to travel with her again.
Our ten days with Maggie and our knowledgeable and intrepid driver Richard were an experience that will be with us for the rest of our lives. By the end of the first day, we felt that they were not just guides, but dear friends.
Not only did we see and identify over 125 species of birds and animals (including cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhino, elephants and giraffes), but — even more memorably — our interactions with Tanzanians were enlightening and authentic.
I appreciated the variety and uniqueness of the accommodations as well, from spa resorts to bush camps to park lodging. A fantastic experience!
Welcome
KARIBU RAFIKIS! “Welcome Friends” (in Swahili)
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