Company Details

Founded in 2004, Duma Explorer operates safaris and mountain climbs in Tanzania. Additional excursions to Zanzibar, Selous Game Reserve, Mahale Mountains National Park or Rwanda can also be arranged. In 2008, Duma Explorer operated 18 Kilimanjaro climbs and 145 safaris.

Duma Explorer was founded by Stacy Readal, an American, and Hezron Mbise, a Tanzanian. Both owners are actively involved in the company's management and have three decades of combined experience leading trips in Africa. Duma Explorer was first founded as a Kilimanjaro operator and then added safaris to its operations in 2005.

Duma Explorer is licensed to operate both safaris and mountain climbs in Tanzania under the Tourist Agents Licensing Act (TALA). Our 2008 registration numbers are 00012634 for mountain climbing and 00012633 for safari. We are also members of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators. View Duma Explorer's TATO membership on the TATO website at http://www.tatotz.org.

Duma Explorer is a proud Partner for Responsible Travel with International Mountain Explorers Connection. Duma must adhere to strict porter treatment guidelines in order to maintain its membership. You can read more about the organization at http://www.mountainexplorers.org.

Duma owner Stacy Readal is a founding member of Shinda Tanzania!, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education in Northern Tanzania. Funds are used to sponsor students, build schools and provide grants.

Whenever possible, Duma uses local suppliers and renewable products, ensuring that the economy and environment of Tanzania benefit from Tanzania. Duma Explorer believes in the protection of wildlife and all staff members are trained to follow laws set by the Tanzania National Park Association regarding park maintenance.

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Office Staff

Co-founder and President, US Branch: Stacy Readal
Stacy is the president of the US company Duma Explorer, Inc. She co-founded Duma Explorer with Hezron Mbise in Tanzania, and has been involved with company planning and strategy since 2004. She is responsible for business development, marketing, financial planning, and acts as a liaison between the US and Tanzania offices.

Prior to starting Duma, Stacy worked for an NGO dealing with sustainable agriculture and HIV/AIDS prevention in Northern Tanzania. She is fluent in Swahili and spends her time between the United States and Tanzania. Stacy completed an MBA at UCLA's Anderson School of Management and her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. Contact her at stacy_readal@dumaexplorer.com.

Co-founder and President: Hezron Mbise
Hezron co-founded the Tanzanian branch of Duma Explorer in 2004 with Stacy Readal. He is responsible for the Tanzanian administration of Duma Explorer, and manages a staff of over sixty administrators, guides, cooks, and mountain porters. Hezron has spent twenty years working in the East African travel industry and is a native of Arusha, Tanzania. He speaks Meru, Swahili, and English.

Read more about Hezron...

Office Manager: Saada Omar
Saada Omar started with Duma in August of 2008. She runs Duma's Arusha office and liaises with our local suppliers.
Saada has several years of experience in the safari industry in Northern Tanzania and comes to Duma after four years at Asilia Lodges and Camps.
She also worked at Nomad's Arusha office and completed her advanced education in Tanzania. Saada brings years of experience and valuable contacts to Duma Explorer.

photo of Amani

Administrative Assistant: Amani Nnko
Amani Nnko has been working with Duma since 2008 and performs many administrative tasks for the office. He also meets clients at the airport and occasionally goes on safari. Amani has a background in accounting and completed one year of tour guide school in 2006. Amani is from the Arusha area and speaks Swahili, Meru and English.

Equipment Manager: Godson Kishongo
Godson Kishongo is Duma's equipment manager. His responsibilities include checking equipment out to Duma's mountain and safari staff and ensuring that it is returned in good condition. He also repairs broken equipment and reports new equipment needs to the office.
Godson started working with Duma as a mountain porter and still occasionally climbs the mountain during the low season. He is also Duma's gardener and oversees the company's flower and vegetable gardens.

Webmaster: Mana Tominaga
Mana visited Tanzania in August, 2000 and has since managed content and design for this site. Her favorite safari destination is Ngorongoro Crater, and her favorite animal to view on safari is the warthog. Mana has worked for technology publications such as Web Techniques; she now works as a public librarian in east San Jose, California. Contact her at mana@dumaexplorer.com.