From Corporate to Chasing Zebras: Amanda’s Leap into Tourism During Maternity Leave

If you ask any woman what it’s like to take the leap of faith and start a business, you’ll likely get a long sigh or a nervous laugh. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you’re not just the captain of your entrepreneurial ship, but also the pilot, co-pilot, snack distributor, and emergency nurse in your household.

Society glamorises entrepreneurship… cue the Instagram quotes, pretty flatlays, and LinkedIn success stories, but what they don’t show you is the late nights, the anxiety, the con artists disguised as “service providers,” and the reality of trying to build an empire while breastfeeding a newborn.

Now imagine doing all that in the tourism industry. Meet Amanda.

After having her second child, Amanda did something many of us dreamed about mid-email thread on a Monday morning: she quit her high-paying job.

“I made the decision when I was on maternity leave,” she laughs. “I didn’t space out my births, because you know some employers say two years between children, so I didn’t qualify for full leave. I dreaded leaving my young baby, and that’s when I decided to finally start my passion project.”

Amanda called up her sister, and the two co-founded Still Waters Safaris, a name inspired by Psalm 23 in the Bible. “Still waters are a place of calm,” Amanda explains. “And trust me, the tourism industry is the opposite of calm, so we needed a name that would always remind us to work and make decisions from a place of calm.”

What started as a humble idea soon became a high-end travel company offering luxury safaris, beach escapes in Zanzibar and beyond, and Mt. Kilimanjaro treks for both domestic and international tourists. But Still Waters isn’t just about plush lodges and champagne sundowners; the sisters are fierce believers in sustainable and inclusive tourism.

“Tourism isn’t just about tourists and tour operators, it’s about communities too. We work closely with local communities to support their needs and aspirations.”

And yet, starting wasn’t a walk in a national park. From getting conned by photographers who ghosted them, to graphic designers who promised “tomorrow” like it was a sacred ritual, Amanda says the beginning tested everything, especially their patience. “I don’t want to believe it’s because we’re women, but sometimes… it feels that way.”

Their biggest challenge? The patriarchy. (Surprise!)

“A lot of our male colleagues didn’t believe we could survive, let alone thrive in this industry. But we’re here. And we’re doing the thing,” Amanda says confidently.

The breakthrough came when Still Waters secured one client. Just one. “That’s all it takes in this industry, one good break,” Amanda says. “From there, things started rolling.”

To gain traction and avoid working in isolation, Amanda and her sister did something smart, something many overlook: They joined industry associations. “Associations like the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) were lifesaving for our business. They opened up networks, trade shows, and platforms we wouldn’t have accessed on our own.”

This isn’t just Amanda’s story; it’s a reflection of a broader issue. While tourism is one of Tanzania’s top GDP contributors, employing more than 1.5 million people, according to Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Ltd (TICGL), women still face a steep uphill battle. According to the Tanzania Women Guides Association, women make up less than 1% of licensed tour guides. And even fewer are owners or decision-makers in the sector.

Amanda wants to change that.

Her advice for women dreaming of a tourism empire? “Do your research! Find your niche. And for heaven’s sake, join associations. They open doors.”

On work-life balance (because let’s not pretend this isn’t a juggling act): “Delegate. You cannot do everything by yourself. It’s not sustainable, and burnout is real.”

As for the future of Still Waters Safaris? Amanda sees them going global, not just bringing tourists into Tanzania but sending Tanzanians out into the world. “Right now, most Tanzanians think of Dubai, China, or South Africa when they plan international trips. But what about Bali? Or Morocco? We’re partnering with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) around the world to offer Tanzanians luxury experiences abroad too.”

Because travel isn’t just for some of us, it’s for all of us. And Amanda is making sure Tanzanians get their passports stamped with more than just visa rejections and airport layovers.

Moral of the story? Whether you’re running a home or a tour company or both, purpose, passion, focus, and an iron stomach for disappointments can take you far. Just ask Amanda.