Amanda grew up just outside of Tanzania’s national park and knows every corner of the country. Alongside her sister, she is the co-founder of Still Waters Safaris, an award-winning, 100% locally owned, women-led safari company in Tanzania.

“I grew up in the Arusha region, one of Tanzania’s main gateways to its national parks and safari destinations. My family is originally from the Chaga community in the Kilimanjaro region, at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Wildlife and the wilderness were simply part of daily life. After studying business in India and interning at the UN tribunal, I spent a decade rising through the corporate banking ranks. But I wanted to build something that was mine and that gave back to our community.
I co-founded Still Waters Safaris with my younger sister, Asnath to do exactly that—creating a space in an industry where very few people look like us, and ensuring the benefits of tourism actually stay in Tanzania. We are an award-winning, 100% locally owned and women-led safari company specializing in meaningful and customized journeys across Tanzania and East Africa.
Most travelers arrive to Tanzania with just three names in mind: Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. While those places are absolutely spectacular, there is so much more to see and do in Tanzania. From cultural and community experiences, to coffee and farm tours, food experiences, photography centered safaris, walking holidays, wellness escapes, conservation activities, beaches and so much more.
The biggest mistake I see people make is copying an itinerary off the internet and completely misjudging the real logistics. I know the actual drive times between gates, which routes will leave you exhausted, where the Great Migration is moving in any given month, and why April’s heavy rains are wrong for the Big Five but a paradise for birders. My lived experience saves you from those blind spots so you can experience the true, unmapped layer of the country.
A conversation with me is practical, direct, and deeply reassuring. I am here to give you an unfiltered, honest reality check on what is actually worth your time and money versus what is just a tourist trap. Whether you are navigating first-time nerves about traveling to Africa with your family or looking for the safest, most authentic ways to travel as a solo woman, I provide the grounded human judgment you can only get from someone who lives here and loves this land wholeheartedly.”

Book with Amanda to start planning your next trip

Amanda offers advice on safari and seasonal wildlife planning, Kilimanjaro climbs, Zanzibar and beach experiences, cultural and culinary experiences, photography tours, honeymoons, family and multi-generational travel, solo women’s travel, luxury accommodation, transportation, domestic flights, packing, safety, and other travel logistics.

Destination Deep Dive — 30 minutes, $30

Get personalized travel advice for traveling to Tanzania, whether you’re visiting the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or beyond. Discover the best local food, get logistical planning support, and a download on different regions. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, families and groups who want to plan a trip that gets at the best of the region.

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Custom Trip Planning — 60 minutes, $60

Build your bespoke Tanzania trip with deep planning on the best spots for safari and hiking, beaches, cultural experiences, itinerary support, travel logistics, and more to make it all happen. Perfect for travelers who want more hands-on guidance; multi-destination trips around Tanzania from the main sites like Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park to less traveled regions full of smaller villages, local music and beaches.

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