Isack Msuya's Biography

photo of Isack Isack Msuya was hired in October, 2006, and is Duma's most knowledgeable wildlife guide.

In 1988 and 1989, Isack studied auto mechanics. After his studies, he worked as a driver/guide for two very small safari companies in Arusha that have since closed. In 1993, he began working at Shidolya Tours, where he remained until Duma hired him in 2006. During his time at Shidolya, Isack went on safari approximately four times a month. He guided for both camping and lodge safari and most of his safari companions at Shidolya were Europeans. In 1995, Isack completed a refresher one year tour guide course in Arusha.

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Isack enjoys camping and tented camp safaris the most because it is possible to hear the sounds of nature while eating dinner and relaxing around camp. He has visited all of the Northern Tanzania parks and also Selous, Ruaha, and Mikumi. He has also visited the Usambara Mountains and Amani Nature Reserve.

Isack's favorite park is Serengeti National Park because it is very big and has beautiful and diverse landscapes. His favorite animal is the cheetah because of the way it hunts. When it attacks, it doesn't eat immediately because it is very tired. Isack thinks this behavior is very interesting and enjoys watching the cheetah hunt.

Isack's favorite bird is the Narina Trogon, a very rare bird. He has seen this bird in Lake Manyara and on the way to Ngorongoro Crater.

One of the most interesting events Isack has seen on safari is when the wildebeest circle Lake Ndutu. They enter the lake, make a circle and then come back to the shore. This is done so they can cool off.

Advice to travelers: Visit Tanzania from February through August so that you can see the wildebeest migration. He also advises travelers to spend seven to ten days on safari.

Isack lives about 10 kilometers outside Arusha town. He is married and has three children, the youngest of whom was born in 1999.

Isack is originally from Mwanga, Kilimanjaro Region. Mwanga is a 1.5 hour drive from the town of Moshi at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. After completing primary school in Mwanga, Isack moved to Dar es Salaam. He completed secondary school in Dar es Salaam and then briefly enrolled in a technical school to learn how to be an electrician.

Isack enjoys working for Duma because its management cares about its workers. He also loves the cheetah, so he enjoys working for Duma, which means cheetah in Swahili.

In his spare time, Isack likes to read, tend to his garden, and repair his house.