Over the past 30 years of operating safari camps in Tanzania’s untouched south, we’ve built up a rich library of camp-fire stories. A story we’re very fond of is the incredible tale of Siwandu’s Three Musketeers and their journey with the Selous Safari Company.
Mpoto:
Born: 1965, Nyiakisiku (a small village on the banks of the Rufiji River)
Favourite Animal: Elephant
Favourite Guiding Lingo: Precocial & Altricial.
Position: Senior Guide, Walking Guide.
In 1988, when Charles Dobie started a photographic safari business in the Selous Game Reserve, Mpoto got a job as a camp-hand. In 1990 he became a boatman and so his career as a safari guide took off. Today Mpoto is a guide-of-all-trades. Walking Safaris, Driving Safaris, Boating Safaris, he can lead them all. His old-school style and sixth sense for the bush puts him apart from many other safari guides.
Mohammed:
Born: 1964, Zombé(a small village on the banks of the Rufiji River)
Favourite Animal: Giraffe
Favourite Guiding Lingo: Kleptoparasitism
Position: Senior Guide, Assistant Head-Guide
Mohammed joined Siwandu in 1993 and was soon promoted to housekeeping, where he worked for a decade. In 2004 he asked to become a groundsman, giving him more time to study the bush. By 2006 he knew enough to do airstrip transfers with guests, honing his skills during those 20-minute mini-safaris. A year later he was a guide. Mohammed’s animated way of making the bush come alive has guests returning on a yearly basis to safari with him.
Allen:
Born: 1975 (Marangu, in the shadows of Kilimanjaro)
Favourite Animal: Warthog
Favourite Guiding Lingo: Obligatory Mutualism
Position: Head-Guide, Walking Guide.
Allen joined Siwandu in 2000 as a barman. He soon realized that the post-lunch lull in a safari camp gave him time to study, a self-imposed task he took on with lots of energy. By the year 2005 he was ready to guide and became an instant favourite among guests. His knowledge and his unmatched skill of making complex ecological concepts sound simple make him a great guide – it’s no wonder his ratings last season was 98,61%.
Mpoto, Mohammed & Allen all learned their craft right here in the Selous Game Reserve, putting in countless long hours to reach their goal of becoming guides. Having lived and worked together for so long, the three musketeers enjoy a brotherly bond. Their passion is palpable and they are living legends in the feel-good stories the Selous Safari Company has created over the past 30 years. We happily put our reputation and our guest’s lives in their hands… But never trust them to give you advice on your diet;-)
