Kwetu means “our home, our pride, our heritage” in Swahili. We are local company based in Arusha, comprised almost entirely of local staff. Our goal is not only to give you an excellent wildlife tour, but to give you an opportunity to visit native cultures like the Chaga or Maasai peoples and, with our highly knowledgeable guides, we hope to give you a more complete experience of Tanzania. We feel these experiences can greatly enrich ones travels and are also an important part of raising awareness. Your support of Kwetu eco-tours will also help local schools and our native cultures, as a portion of our profits support these causes.

DIRECTOR: 

Dennis was born the oldest of nine children on the slopes of the highest volcanic mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. His traditional Chagga tribal name is Mřio, which means “someone who will support the family.” He was given this name because according to tribal custom, the first boy will have all responsibilities for taking care of the family.

Dennis completed the equivalent of US High School in Tanzania. His family could not afford to send him to university, so he set off looking for work that could help fund further education. He found it as a porter and cook on Kilimanjaro, working with IntoAfrica (a trekking and safari company based in the UK) in their early days - and made the ascent to the top over 200 times. After completing his guide training he was promoted to their chief mountain and safari guide.

In early 2006, Dennis led a safari with American travellers Erna Grasz and Mark Newton. He was part of the experience that inspired them to set up Asante Africa Foundation to help alleviate poverty and empower villagers through education. In 2007 he was invited to the States to help promote their cause. He shared their vision of how to help the communities in which he works, and is now a valuable in-country partner and advisor to the Foundation.

After returning from the USA in 2007, he decided to follow his dream for university. With the assistance of Asante and IntoAfrica he took a degree at College of African Wildlife Management and very quickly began to expand his knowledge of environmental and natural resources protection, wildlife management, and how humans and nature must learn to co-exist. In 2009-2010, he was elected by his peers as President of the Student Council. In this role he has represented 27 nationalities of the student population. He has travelled extensively within Tanzania representing the college to the Tanzanian president- Honourable Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, as well as other Ministry dignitaries, Tourism leaders, and International Political leaders. He has much to share about how village values and the gift of education  has moulded him to become the man he is today.

STAFF:

Mountain guide: Peter Chuwa

Cook: Makarius

Driver: Athman