From Kilimanjaro to CEO — How Agatha is breaking barriers in Safari Tourism.

Let’s give Agatha a thunderous round of applause for scooping the Young CEO Awards Africa in Travel and Tour Operator 2024! What??? Congrats, Lioness!!

Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering, who’s Agatha? Let me fill you in… This phenomenal woman is a powerhouse in the travel and tourism world, running an all-female tour company called Afro-Lioness Adventures. Fearless? Absolutely!

She’s got 14 accolades to her name including Leading Female Guide! Agatha is no ordinary woman; she’s a force of nature.

How did we meet?

I crossed paths with Agatha three years ago at the Safari Challenge hosted by the Tanzania Tour Guides Awards Foundation. She was one of the contestants, while I was busy documenting the entire adventure, narrating, and scriptwriting for the live broadcast. From the moment I met her, I was hooked… her charm, intelligence, and killer confidence were irresistible (I know, I sound like I’m about to propose. What can I say? Women crush every day!).

Fast forward to now, and after two years of shamelessly stalking her, I finally managed to pin her down for a quick coffee. Of course, nothing is ever simple. Enter “Will the Farmer,” a friendly stranger who couldn’t stop chatting and gave us a solid challenge as we tried to squeeze in this interview. He had good vibes though, so we forgive him!

The Lioness begins her roar…

From a young age, Agatha knew nature was her calling. A visit to what was then Momela National Park (now Arusha National Park) sealed the deal. After high school, she took a gap year, unsure of her next step. Then, she made a bold move: enrolling in a tour guide school, much to her parents’ dismay.

“Where I come from, being a woman and wanting to be a soldier or safari guide is just…unacceptable,” Agatha tells me.

But she had a dream and a plan. “I had to stand for my vision. I didn’t care what people thought. I knew I wanted to be a guide, and that’s what I set my heart on,” she adds.

Money was tight, and Agatha knew she needed cash for college and connections to break into the industry. Thanks to a friend, she scored her first job as a mountain porter on Mt Kilimanjaro.

“I wanted to prove the boys wrong,” she says, laughing. “My first day climbing Kilimanjaro? I almost cried and gave up, but a friend gave me some Konyagi and, uh, a bit of weed, and I was good to go.” That’s Agatha for you!

From porter to powerhouse…

After conquering Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak head-on 123 times, it was time to shift gears. “One person believed in me and gave me my shot. He paid for me to go to driving school and lined up interviews for me to become a driver-guide,” Agatha recalls.

“My first game drive? I nailed it. The reviews were great, and the rest, as they say, is history,” she adds.

In 2018, Agatha started Afro-Lioness Adventures, but like many of us, the pandemic hit her hard. It wasn’t until 2021 that the company truly got off the ground.

“The tourism industry here is very male-dominated,” Agatha explains. “I started Afro-Lioness because I wanted to give other women the chance to become safari guides.”

And she didn’t stop there. To her, guiding is more than a job. It’s a holiday every time she’s behind the wheel. “Taking my customers on game drives feels like a road trip with friends. It’s an adventure every single time.”

Challenges? Oh, she eats them for breakfast

When Agatha started, people doubted her just because she was a woman. That’s all she needed to prove them wrong. Now? She’s here to stay. There are only eight overland female guides that she knows of, and yes, they all slay the game like her.

What’s next for this trailblazer?

Agatha who always has a smile on her face, gets her drive from mentoring young women. “I love being a role model. I help young women who want to become safari guides by sending them to driving school. And when they’re done? They come work for Afro-Lioness Adventures.”

But her mission doesn’t stop there. Agatha also empowers widows and single mothers through a community project called Vitenge Vyetu. “We provide them with fabrics, and they make beautiful items that we sell in our shop. Every penny goes back to them,” she proudly explains.

At this point, Will the Farmer jumps in again (our coffee companion, remember?). He asks Agatha two important questions: Where does she see Afro-Lioness Adventures in the future, and how many tattoos does she have? (Tattoos? Will is so nosy!)

“Afro-Lioness will be the home for women living their dreams in the tourism industry,” Agatha replies with grace.

Agatha’s secret to success? Faith in God, belief in herself, and living her dreams. Her advice for young women?

“Confidence is the key. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll never achieve anything. Study hard, work hard, chase your dreams, and don’t forget to pray,” she says with a smile.

By the time this interview was over, I was fully inspired. Maybe it’s time I started that podcast I’ve been talking about for ages. What do you think?

…Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Agatha is rocking 10 tattoos.