Wildwatch - Biography - Aziza Mbwana

Name: Aziza Mbwana

Country: Tanzania, United Republic Of

Profile:

I was born and raised in Pangani, Tanga. This is the beautiful region found on the northern coast of Tanzania. Due to nature of my parents' work, I had a lot of opportunities to travel around Tanzania since very young age and this made me aware of the abundance of natural attractions found in Tanzania and as I grew up I decided to become a guide so that I continue being close to nature.

I attained a Certificate in Tour Guiding, Tourism and Travel agency management from The Professional Tour Guiding School in Arusha and started working as a guide at Pangani Cultural Tourism program. We were doing town tours, river cruising as well as snorkeling and diving trips in Maziwe Marine Reserve in the Indian Ocean. I later joined Mwewe Ranging School in Klein's Camp and I succeeded in becoming the first female to graduate out of that school and I became the first female ranger in East Africa.

I was posted at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge and I worked there for 2 ½ years before moving to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in May 2007. This transfer was aimed at giving me exposure to different parks and expanding my knowledge base. I am a level 2 ranger and I am working towards my level 3 qualifications now. I have also have had an opportunity to guide at Klein's Camp as well as Kichwa Tembo Camp in Masai Mara.

I love watching big animals especially the Lions and birding also interest me quite a lot. On my free time I like traveling and visiting new places and also watching movies.