Guides – Matembezi

OUR GUIDES

LOREM ISPUM

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ZEPHANIA MOFULU

Zepha has always been a passionate naturalist. He started his formal training in 2000 and his first posting was as a walking guide and safari boat handler in Nyerere National Park, then Selous Game Reserve. Through the years, he participated in many training programs, from walking safaris guiding in Zimbabwe to human adaptive behaviour and client care workshops. In 2006 he moved to Arusha and joined Matembezi. To this day he is one of the most passionate and dedicated guides in our team.

LENGANASA TOMBOI LAZER

When Lenganasa became finalist in Tanzania’s Best Guide of Year 2023 Award, it was the culmination of many years of working hard towards his life-long dream of being a safari guide. Building on a lifetime spent out on the plains, observing and interacting with animals and nature, Lenganasa attended a wildlife management course in Arusha and excelled, adding photography and gun handling to his resume. He loves spending time with his guests and sharing his passion and knowledge.

SEBASTIAN MUSHI

Seba was born in Tanzanian’s southern highlands, and came to Arusha in pursuit of his wildlife passion. He enrolled at Mt. Meru College in 2000, attaining an advanced diploma in tour guiding. He joined Matembezi in 2005. Seba is our linguistic wiz-kid, speaking no less than 6 languages, and guiding in Italian, Spanish, French and English, apart from his native Kiswahili. He is easy going and fun and has an uncanny ability for figuring out his guests’ expectations and fulfilling their every wish.

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NJANO MBILINYI

In his teenage years Njano developed a passion for birding and joined Tanzania Bird Atlas Team. He has since worked with many researchers, roaming from Northern Tanzanias remote montane forests and extinct volcanoes, to the lowland forests on the shores of Lake Victoria. He joined our Matembezi team in 2009 and his easy way with people coupled with vast in depth knowledge and experience quickly led him to become one of the foremost Tanzanian guides in northern Tanzania. He is fluent in English and Kiswahili.

EMMANUEL KYUNGAI

Emmanuel learned to love nature while herding his family’s livestock as a young child. He thrived in primary school and went on to complete secondary school. Following his heart, he then attended Tourism College and studied French at l’Alliance Franco Tanzanienne, working as a French teacher for over two years before becoming a freelance driver guide for various tourist companies. In between safaris he attended short courses on Human Adaptive Behaviour, client care and psychology. He became a great addition to the Matembezi team in 2017.

JULIUS SWAI

Julius was born in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and attended the Mt. Meru College in 1998 where he was awarded an advanced diploma in tour guiding. Julius joined Matembezi in 2006 and has been a part of our family ever since, becoming one of the backbones of our operation. Warm, welcoming and experienced, Julius loves sharing his vast knowledge and has built a following of dedicated repeat guests who will only travel with him. Julius is fluent in French, English, Chagga and Kiswahili.

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JEREMIAH MSUYA

Jeremiah Msuya grew up on the Southern slopes of Kilimanjaro, surrounded by wildlife that he was taught by his elders to observe and respect. In Secondary school he developed an interest in biology and environmental sciences and discovered that he enjoyed teaching others. This led him to attend a tourism college after completing high school, and deepen his knowledge of natural history, geology, anthropology and wildlife. Guiding photographic safaris allows Jeremiah to combine his desire to teach with his passion for nature and wildlife.

TONY ZEPHANIA

Tony was raised in the shadow of Mount Meru. Keen to share his passion for nature and wildlife, he attended a Tour Guide and International Language college, obtaining an advanced diploma in wildlife studies and participating in hospitality courses. He spent many years guiding in the most challenging remote areas, and volunteering as a teacher in his old college when in town. He has been guiding for 12 years and his passion for learning and teaching has only increased over time.

NJANO MBILINYI

Maxi, as he is fondly called by all, left a successful career as a manager in a flower farm and joined Matembezi in 2008, working his way through different areas, from mechanics to reservations and operations, participating in various training sessions and workshops until finally becoming a professional safari guide. Warm, intelligent and caring, Maxi brings to every safari an unyielding commitment, his passion for wildlife and his love for Tanzania. He is fluent in English, French, Kiswahili and Kimeru.

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ALEX MARUMA

Alex was born in the town of Moshi, but despite this urban and academic upbringing, he felt happiest when he sneaked out at dawn to stalk scrub hares and birds. He initially studied Business Administration and Information Technology, but his love of nature and the outdoors would not be denied. He attended FGASA, Botswana Trails Guide, IGS and Horse Safari trainings, attended First Aid courses and joined the Interpretative Guides Society. He found his true calling guiding walking safaris and training fledgling guides.

ETHAN KINSEY

Ethan Kinsey was born and raised in a small village near Arusha. He completed a guiding course in South Africa, is a certified First Aid Wilderness Responder, and holds a post grad degree in Biodiversity Conservation & Management through the University of London. A passionate conservationist and activist, Ethan was a driving force behind the forming of the Tanzanian Interpretive Guides Society. He is one of the most respected private guides in Tanzania as well as one of the best guide-trainers in East Africa.

HAGAI ZVULUN

Hagai, the founder and co-owner of Matembezi, was born in Ethiopia and spent his early years there. An avid naturalist he returned to Africa in 1992, and soon began guiding wildlife safaris and natural history tours. In 2001 Hagai made the choice to start his own safari operation in Tanzania, his personal Eden. He spends his free time exploring, birding and scuba diving in Africa and the Western Indian Ocean basin. Hagai holds B.F.A. in photography from the Bezalel academy of arts in Jerusalem, and is a member of the Interpretive Guides Society.