The Call!
When I founded Pugu Hills Eco Cultural Tourism, it wasn’t simply about starting a business—it was about answering a calling. A calling to protect nature, uplift local communities, and create meaningful travel experiences that go far beyond sightseeing. Growing up around the Pugu Hills Forest Reserve and Kisarawe District, I witnessed firsthand both the beauty of our natural and cultural heritage and the challenges facing our people—youth unemployment, gender inequality, and increasing environmental degradation.
I realized that tourism, when designed responsibly, could be a powerful solution. It could generate income, preserve culture, protect the environment, and inspire travelers to become part of something transformative.
And so, Pugu Hills Eco Cultural Tourism was born—a female-led, community-driven enterprise dedicated to creating immersive journeys that blend nature, culture, and responsible travel.
From Pugu Hills to the Rest of Tanzania: Expanding Our Horizon
What started as a homegrown initiative in the Pugu Hills Forest Reserve has now grown into a national movement. As travelers increasingly seek authentic, impactful, and sustainable experiences, we embraced the opportunity to expand our offerings.
Expanding to the Southern, Northern & Western Circuits
Today, we proudly offer:
- Southern Circuit Safaris – exploring the raw wilderness of Nyerere National Park, Ruaha, and Mikumi
- Northern Circuit Adventures – from the iconic Serengeti to majestic Kilimanjaro and the cultural richness of Maasai communities
- Western Circuit Experiences – connecting travelers with the untouched beauty of Gombe and Mahale Mountains
Each expansion is guided by our values: sustainability, cultural respect, and community empowerment.
Beach Escapes to Zanzibar & Mafia
We now curate meaningful beach holidays to:
- Zanzibar – blending spice tours, heritage, and pristine beaches
- Mafia Island – offering marine conservation experiences, whale shark encounters, and quiet eco-retreats
These beach experiences complement our eco-cultural journeys, allowing travelers to explore Tanzania from mountains to oceans.
🤝 Joining Forces: Founding the Tanzania Association for Sustainable Cultural Tourism (TASUCT)
As part of our growth, we recognized that no enterprise can drive nationwide impact alone. To strengthen the cultural tourism ecosystem, we united with other passionate operators to establish the Tanzania Association for Sustainable Cultural Tourism (TASUCT).
Through this collective, we work to:
- Advocate for fair opportunities for small and women-led cultural tourism enterprises
- Promote responsible and sustainable tourism principles
- Strengthen standards, ethics, and community benefit
- Amplify the voice of cultural tourism at national and global levels
This partnership allows us to share knowledge, collaborate on product development, and jointly promote Tanzania’s cultural richness—ensuring that cultural tourism becomes a major contributor to local livelihoods.
A Vision Rooted in Sustainability and Community Impact
We believe in tourism that uplifts people and protects the planet.
Our impacts so far:
- Empowering over 200 youth and women through guiding, homestays, crafts, and conservation work
- Conducting environmental awareness campaigns and tree-planting initiatives
- Supporting local schools and orphanages
- Introducing permaculture, butterfly gardens, and eco-lodge development to diversify community income
This is only the beginning.
Our vision is to create a model for eco-cultural tourism in Tanzania, where local communities are shareholders in their own stories and conservation becomes a lifestyle.
In Closing: Why I Continue This Journey
I started Pugu Hills Eco Cultural Tourism because I wanted to create travel that matters—travel that heals communities, protects nature, and transforms lives.
Today, seeing travelers connect deeply with our culture, watching youth gain employment with dignity, and witnessing communities embrace conservation reminds me why I began.
And as we grow beyond the Pugu Hills to the rest of Tanzania, we carry with us the same mission:
To provide meaningful, sustainable, and culturally rich travel experiences—while empowering the communities that make these destinations extraordinary.
Beyond Travel