Thomson Guides
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Arthur Dallas
Guide
Arthur Dallas
Guide
Arthur launched his guiding career on the rocky slopes of Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru in 1996. Three years as an assistant mountain guide led to a decade of wildlife guiding. He teamed up with Rick and Judi in 2012, and the rest is history. When he’s not out in the bush, you can find him playing soccer, reading or swimming.
Babu Ramadhani Lembariti
Guide
Babu Ramadhani Lembariti
Guide
Babu is Swahili for “grandparent,” but don’t let his name fool you. Babu is a young man and a fun-loving guide who loves talking with guests and meeting new people. His interest in wildlife introduced him to the world of guiding, where he worked for 10 years before joining Rick and Judi’s team.
Frederick Mushi
Head Guide
Frederick Mushi
Head Guide
Freddy’s easygoing nature, extensive knowledge, and great sense of humor make him an excellent travel partner. He’s happy to answer any questions—so don’t be afraid to tell him what’s on your mind.
“Freddy was the BEST – ever. We were so happy to have him. He is knowledgeable, courteous, polite, mannerly, always willing to go the extra step and mile. He made the trip so pleasant! He has to be one of your number one guides! He never let up – he worked every minute with us.”
—Barbara & John M., Indiana, PA
Harrison Mremi
Assistant/Head Guide
Harrison Mremi
Assistant/Head Guide
Harrison worked as a Land Rover mechanic for years before graduating to the position of head guide. He has been a guide now for 13 years. His willingness to teach and enthusiasm for Tanzania enriches our travelers’ safaris from start to finish.
“Harrison Mremi did an outstanding job on our safari. He is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful spirit and works very hard to make everything the best. I have learned so much from him.”
—Pat L., Birmingham, AL
Hashim Kindu
Head Guide
Hashim Kindu
Head Guide
Hashim has worked for Rick and Judi in various positions since 1998. His outgoing personality makes travelers feel comfortable right from the start. He loves Tanzanian geology, botany, and wildlife, and he’s happy to share this love with everyone.
“Hashim is well spoken, knowledgeable, professional and has a good sense of humor. He made our experience unforgettable. I felt safe at all times and trusted him completely. I want to thank him for showing me the soul of Northern Tanzania. He is wonderful to talk to about cultural, historical, social and economic issues. Fascinating.”
—Cherise A., Prince Albert, SK, Canada
James Alfayo
Head Guide
James Alfayo
Head Guide
James was born and raised in Arusha and worked for Rick and Judi in various roles for more than 10 years. His uncle was a safari guide, which inspired James to learn about local wildlife and improve his English at a young age. He loves exploring the bush with travelers, especially on foot.
“James absolutely MADE our safari! He sees so much and has great instincts about when to stop and give us time to take photos or just enjoy the animals. He gives us excellent education about animals, birds, trees and even Tanzania as a country! We have all grown very fond of him and will really miss him. I would hire him in a minute if I was in the market for his skills. He is an absolute credit to Thomson!”
—William & Margaret M., Raleigh, NC
Kumbi Salim
Head Guide
Kumbi Salim
Head Guide
Kumbi started as a mechanic over 25 years ago and has since worked his way up to a Head Guide. His bright smile and love for Tanzania are contagious. He’s enthusiastic about sharing his homeland with travelers.
“Kumbi was magnificent. His knowledge of the wildlife and landscape enhanced my trip immeasurably. And his eagle eyes ensured that we didn’t miss a single thing, no matter how well camoflauged. All I can say is wow, this guy knows his stuff -animals, birds, bugs, plants, weather, terrain, history – you name it. A really nice guy with the vision of an eagle! A+++ for Kumbi. I hope I get him next time, too.”
—Bob D., Melrose, MA
Leonard Temba
Head Guide
Leonard Temba
Head Guide
Leonard has worked for Rick and Judi in various roles for over 15 years. He is passionate about Tanzania’s history and its people, and has a keen eye for spotting elusive wildlife. Leonard believes that no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn. His charm and wit capture travelers right from the start.
“We were very impressed with Leonard’s deep respect for the people of Tanzania and for all the animals in this beautiful country. He shared his knowledge and insights and was so able and willing to anticipate where to position our vehicle for the best viewing. Our thanks for his leadership and daily scheduling! We enjoyed being with him – always so nice and polite.”
—Judy A., West Chester, PA
Mustapha Juma
Head Guide
Mustapha Juma
Head Guide
Mustapha’s laidback, fun-loving personality makes traveling with him a delight. He loves talking to travelers and sharing his knowledge on his country’s history and wildlife.
“We have been fortunate to be able to travel to 67 different countries and take dozens of guided tours. We can honestly say that Mustafa is without question the finest tour guide we have ever had! In the 6 days we spent with Mustafa, our appreciation of his unique skills and characteristics increased every day.”
—Robert I., Tampa, FL
Nasibu Shoo
Guide
Nasibu Shoo
Guide
Nasibu’s fun-loving personality is infectious. He is great with kids, teens and adults, and you can often find him playing a game of soccer while at a camp. He started working with Rick and Judi in 2013, having worked previously as a head guide and with four other safari companies.
Ojukwu Sirikwa
Head Guide
Ojukwu Sirikwa
Head Guide
Ojukwu, born and raised in Arusha, descends from the Maasai people. He is knowledgeable about the oral history of the Maasai people and delights in sharing his knowledge with travelers. His gregarious nature makes him a fun travel partner. And, he’s easy to pick out of a crowd—he’s so tall!
“There were only 7 of us, and we couldn’t have been more different. I know it had to be a challenge to manage us. Ojukwu was incredible! He is so professional and patient! He is very good at handling all types of people and situations. He also made this safari very fun and a great learning experience! I know much more than I would have imagined. Asante sana!”
—Mimi A., Philadelphia, PA
Onesmo Lukumay
Guide
Onesmo Lukumay
Guide
Onesmo began working with Rick and Judi in various positions in 2004. His roots in the Maasai culture mean his knowledge of wildlife is matched with a keen understanding of the oral history of the region’s people and how they came to settle in Arusha. Guests like his great sense of humor as well!
Robert Chama
Head Guide
Robert Chama
Head Guide
Robert has been guiding since 1998 – first as an Assistant Guide, and then as a Head Guide. He’s been in the travel industry for years, making him a seasoned traveler and exceptional leader. And his laugh is unforgettable.
“Our new friend, Robert, is a gem. Courteous, organized, flexible and fun, very knowledgeable, willing to listen, tireless, curious and responsive. After a week we feel like we’ve known Robert for a long time. Robert was extraordinary. He was good-humored, knowledgeable, sensitive to our needs, and not in the slightest overbearing. He was a pleasure.”
—Shippen P. & Anne S., Cambridge, MA
Samson Maspana
Head Guide
Samson Maspana
Head Guide
Samson started out as a camp assistant in 1990 before becoming a driver, then eventually a guide. Samson offers a wealth of information to travelers on everything from wildlife to Tanzanian cultures. He believes every safari is a grand adventure and an opportunity to observe the evolving behavior of wildlife. Ask him to speak the African “click” language!
“I love Samson – he was one of my guides 12 years ago, so it was so much fun to see him again at the airport. He is always a pleasure to ride with, has a 6th sense where animals are concerned and is a wonderful asset to Thomson.”
—Maureen G., Santa Rosa, CA
Simon Sige
Guide
Simon Sige
Guide
Outgoing, dedicated conversational – those are just a few words people use to describe Simon. He’s a pleasure to travel with and speaks remarkable English. He has worked with Rick and Judi and other safari companies as a support guide for several years. Simon claims he can connect with anyone because he can always find some common ground to bond over.
Ethical Employment
Rick and Judi have always believed in treating employees with respect; it’s the right thing to do, and their fantastic staff passes that respect on to guests.
We were the first US-based company to insist on Tanzanian head guides. Today, nearly all of the staff in Tanzania is Tanzanian-born.
Tanzanian employees ﹘ from porters, to serving staff, to mechanics, to head guides, to logistical coordinators ﹘ earn some of the highest wages in the industry.
Full-time employees are eligible for excellent benefits, including health care, retirement funds and loan packages.
As a company, we’re always trying to improve, and Rick and Judi want all employees to pursue excellence, too.
Employees are offered professional workshops, life skills classes on pertinent health issues, advanced safety certification training, and more; the staff is always learning, and always growing.
