Guide Willie Kissanga Retires

With his signature smile, bountiful knowledge, patience and masterful leadership, head guide Willie Kissanga, has led thousands of Thomson guests on safari over the past 20+ years.

Willie began his employment at Thomson Safaris as a mechanic, and with a thirst for knowledge, he quickly found himself in new roles leading up to the position of head guide. His background in mechanics proved to be a great pairing to his guiding skills; our guests often commented about his driving expertise and the care and pride he took in his Land Rover. More than that, Willie’s enthusiasm for his country and its wildlife is infectious, which is an invaluable asset to any safari experience.

Kumbi Salim, a fellow head guide and long-time friend of Willie’s, said “When I joined Thomson Safaris in 1987, Kissanga became like a teacher for me and so many others. He is a wonderful person, very friendly, and peaceful. He also happens to be an amazing mechanic and guide and he became a great mentor for us all.”

Willie’s dedication and longevity with Thomson Safaris was celebrated at a recent retirement party at our headquarters in Arusha.

We thank you for your dedication and wish you well, Willie!

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Posted at 11:38 pm in Safari | Permalink | Comments

24 responses to "Guide Willie Kissanga Retires"

Kristen Patterson March 14, 2011 at 9:42 am

Congratulations, Willie, on your retirement, and thank you for being such a wonderful guide for The Nature Conservancy’s Trustee trip to Tanzania last year! All the best to you and your family.
Perry & Chad Sheraw March 14, 2011 at 9:51 am

Willy,

Thanks to you and Ojuku, we had a trip of a lifetime. We talk about it almost weekly, even though our honeymoon in Tanzania was in 2005. We remember you fondly and as a fantastic guide!

Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for being such a great guide! All the best!

Perry & Chad
Mike Martin March 14, 2011 at 10:09 am

Willy,

You added a lot to our experience on The Nature Conservancy Trustee Field Camp in 2010. From helping us identify wildlife, to straightening a bent tie rod on the Land Rover, to changing flats and getting us to all activities on time — you did a super job. You will always be a part of our experience. Many thanks.
Ali Riley March 14, 2011 at 10:24 am

Willie, you were a huge part in making my trip so awesome. You knew how excited I was to be in Tanzania and seemed to match my excitement by answering all of my questions with so much enthusiasm. In fact, I think your energy and spunk outlasted mine!

Not only are you forever a part of my first fabulous safari memories, whenever I see a Lilac Breasted Roller, I will think of you rolling your R’s! (Lilac Brrrrrrreasted Rrrrrrroller)
Asante sana and congratulations!
Mark McMahon March 14, 2011 at 10:29 am

Willy,

Your wealth of knowledge made The Nature Conservancy Trustee Field trip a very special and rich experience. Your comments, on what we were seeing and as Mike mentioned, your work in saving us from disaster, will always be fondly remembered.
Rick & Judi March 14, 2011 at 10:32 am

Willie,
You’ve been one of the staff who has been the backbone of our company. You didn’t need to be loud or aggressive. You were gentle, kind, and always had that wonderful smile. You have helped make thousands of safari guests very happy.
Suzie & Alexandra Provo March 14, 2011 at 10:53 am

Willie,
Congratulations on your retirement! You made our Highlights of Tanzania safari last summer so special! You always had an answer and a smile no matter how many questions we asked:-). Your knowledge of the wildlife, geography and your many insights made our trip truly a trip of a lifetime! We hope you will enjoy your retirement and much deserved relaxation time!! We send you our warmest regards.
Kris vaccariello March 14, 2011 at 12:42 pm

Willie-congrats on your retirement. I’m so glad my brother steve and I had the pleasure of Sharing our African experience with you.
Andrea Holmes March 14, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Willie:

My Tanzanian Safari was a trip of a lifetime and I have you to thank for making it so memorable. Your warmth, grace, insight and expertise made you most suited for leading our group. I wish you great joy, peace and health as you transition into your new “life”. Here’s to observing another Lilac-Breasted Rollllllller !!!! Best wishes Willie.
Cheryl Chacka March 14, 2011 at 11:39 pm

Dear Willie,
I will never forget your wonderful smile and the enthusiasm you had for your job. You are a real gentleman with a great sense of humor.
Okey-Dokie, Arte-Chokie!! I hope you enjoy your much deserved retirement.
Caitlin March 15, 2011 at 11:11 am

Congrats, Willie. I remember meeting you in 2000 when I worked for TS and you were everyone’s benchmark for greatness. Well done, you should be so proud of representing your country and sharing your knowledge with so many guests. You’ve been a talented ambassador. Enjoy your retirement.
Debbie March 15, 2011 at 12:34 pm

Hey Willie,
Congratulations on your retirement! Peter and I have very fond memories of you from the early days in Tanzania — yes, a long time ago! Will always remember your warm smile, sweet personality, competence and gentleness. We wish you all the best. You will be missed!
Debbie Rosen & Peter Robertson
Jim Kackley March 15, 2011 at 5:02 pm

Willie

This is great news. You’ve earned your days in retirement. You will be missed by all of your friends at Thomson. I know my sister-in-law, Jayne will be happy to hear that you are now able to retire.

The first time I met you, you were driving that Chevy van and you took me to Karatu. Man that was a car to beat all cars. The roads sure have gotten a lot better since then.

Good luck my friend.

Jim Kackley
Philip March 15, 2011 at 5:37 pm

What an inspiration you have been to those of us presenting your country through Thomson Safaris to valued friends and clients here in the US. Your love of country, nature’s greatness and humanity will long outlive you, Willie…Thanks!
Jacque Randolph March 15, 2011 at 8:18 pm

Willie – I cannot tell you thank you enough for your leadership, your beautiful spirit and love of the Mother land warmed my spirit. I came on safari from Dayton, Ohio, the only sister:)You made the difference in my experience. I had planned to do it again in a couple of years and I can’t imagine you not being part of the experience. Enjoy you well deserved retirement, may God richly bless you and your family.

Jacque Randolph
David Heinsma March 15, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Willie,
Bonnie and I remember you well from our Harvard Museum of Natural History tour in 2008 with Farish Jenkins as the group leader. You may recall that a herd of elephants walked through our temporary camp in the middle of the night.
You helped make that trip special.
Enjoy your retirement.
Edward & Gail Thompson March 15, 2011 at 11:01 pm

It was great travelling with you Willie. You always had the answers and always kept us laughing. Congratulations on your retirement.
Mary Blackwell March 16, 2011 at 12:36 am

Willy,
My son Justin and I were lucky to have you as one of our guides during our trip to Tanzania January 2010. Your knowledge and stories you shared with us will always be apart of our wonderful memories. I wish you many happy,healthy years of retirement.

Asante Sana & Aloha,

Mary Blackwell
Maui Hawaii
Thomas March 16, 2011 at 7:18 am

Hongera sana Willie. You are talked about fondly by many people inside and outside of Thomson, and you are one of the great ones!
Thomas
Claire Swindell March 16, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Jambo Willie!
I am happy for you but sad for all the future safari goers in their cargo pants with “tourist pockets” who will not have the pleasure of riding in your truck! You taught us all a very important lesson once we saw the elusive leopard…..”patiency pays”.

ALSO, I saw the comment above about the Lilac Brrrrrrreasted Rrrrrrroller and I remember those R’s as well! You were so humorous and funny in your own Willie, unassuming way!

Our safari in Tanzania will always remain one of the best experiences of my life and I have you and Leonard to thank for making it so special.

You will be missed! Wishing you all the best in your retirement!
Claire
Lise Lapointe March 16, 2011 at 4:25 pm

Hi Willie,
Melissa and I want to thank you for a wonderful trip. You have put a smile on our faces everyday. You have such a good sens of humor. Don’t forget, monkeys do climb into jeeps
Tanzania has been the best trip of all times.
Have a great time in your retirement!
Lise & Melissa
HEATHER RAMSAY March 19, 2011 at 5:06 pm

WIIIILLIEEEE!!! It’s HEEEATHERRRR! I had a blast with you in November 2009 on SAFARI. You are all the notes above say. I am so glad I met you on SAFARI as you showed me the beautiful wildlife of your country. Take care, enjoy your retirement. Heather from Canada
O'HAGANS March 27, 2011 at 10:11 am

Dear Willie,

Your sunshine smile and happy disposition added so much warmth to our safari. We wish you many years of joy and relaxation with your family. The elephants, lions and zebra’s will miss you.

Best wishes

Malcolm and Virginia O’Hagan
Margaret MacKenzie April 26, 2012 at 8:23 pm

A little late finding this post, but we, too, had Willie as a guide and he made our trip so memorable, even when we got lost on Christmas Day and couldn’t find the kopje were the group was having lunch (we did eventually, and we got to see so much more wildlife in the process)! Thank you, Willie, for sharing your beautiful, amazing country with the MacKenzie Family in December 2003!