Explore Tanzania celebrates its 23rd anniversary
Today it is exactly 23 years ago that I registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Alone at the dining table, armed with an old laptop, a head full of dreams and a passion for my second home Tanzania.
In 2002, Tanzania was a blank spot on the world map for many. People asked me where exactly it was, whether it was a nice travel destination. That feels almost unimaginable now. Because in 2025, Tanzania will have grown into one of the most popular destinations for adventurers and nature lovers.
And with that growth also come new challenges for me as an entrepreneur. The market is busier, the pond fuller. Large travel organizations dominate with large budgets. But Explore Tanzania has been about something different for 23 years. About real encounters. About trips that touch. About wanting to do good.
What remained unchanged? The beauty of Tanzania. The peace and space. And what grew was the impact. Because with tourism, the lives of the people there also changed. We saw guides from the very beginning slowly rebuild their lives. They bought a car, built a house for their family, and were able to send their children to school. Selling travel is one thing, changing lives is something else entirely. And that is what drives me every day.
What has changed: I no longer do it alone. First together with my sister Marloes and now with a wonderful team of seven colleagues. The dining table has been exchanged for an inspiring office in Apeldoorn. And Excel as a travel planner has been replaced by smart systems 😉
On this special day, I look back with pride and above all gratitude. For all the people who trusted us with their journey, for the team that helps Explore Tanzania grow every day, and for the people in Tanzania who have welcomed us as if we were coming home for 23 years.
Asante sana (thank you)! 💚
