About Kiroyera Tours and Consulting

Making a difference through tourism

"Kiroyera" means turn a dark day bright! Kiroyera Tours is a pioneering tourism company focused on showing to the world the previously unseen beauty of Kagera region in Tanzania. This includes stunning scenery, varied wildlife and remarkably hospitable people. Ultimately Kiroyera is committed to promoting the use of tourism as a means of alleviating poverty and of protecting the natural environment in the region.

How do we make a difference?

• We support women's groups and youth groups in the creation and marketing of curios and handicrafts from local materials.
• We founded a drum making workshop for disabled people from Bukoba named BUDAP (Bukoba Disabled Assistance Project).
• We support the orphan schools in Bukoba town financially and by connecting them with volunteers.
• We are members of Kagera Museum Trust and major players in initiating the first Museum in Kagera region.
• We have spearheaded the initiation of “Lake Victoria Botanical Garden of Traditional Medicinal Plants” located about 5 Km from Bukoba town.

Through promotion of community based tourist activities Kiroyera Tours hopes to preserve those areas of natural beauty, interest and importance; increase international understanding and cooperation; and provide opportunities for local people to generate income. Community based tourism can have a positive impact on the environment through the improvement of local economies and raising the value of marginal places. Kiroyera Tours strives to provide quality services to tourists to achieve these goals.

Kiroyera Tours is aware of the social, cultural, environmental and economic costs of tourism in terms of damage that tourism often causes. We are consious of environmental degradation on heavily visited sites, including litter, damage to archaeological sites (rock paintings etc.) the impact on local economies (agriculture and fishing) and displacement of local people to create protected areas.

Company Profile


Pioneers
Kiroyera Tours was created in 2000 and registered in 2001 to showcase
previously unknown attractions in the Kagera region. The abundance of these
attractions,in addtion to the pleasant tropical climate, provide a wealth of opportunity for tourism. Also, most people are unaware of the rich cultural heritage of the people in the region, which is evident when visiting the area. Many visitors consider Kagera one of the most beautiful destinations in Tanzania.


Our Mission
To widely promote Lake Victoria in particular Kagera Region as a Tourist Destination, focus on community based tourism and operate quality assured tourism services within the Lake Region and beyond.

Through our consultancy services, to contribute to capacity building and ensuring Kagera and other areas of Tanzania make the most of their natural assets now and for the future.


Our Vision
Kiroyera Tours will remain a leader in tourism development for the Lake Victoria Region by sustaining a high rank among the best companies and a preferred choice for tourists and other clients.


Managing Director: Mary C. Kalikawe
Managing Director Ms Mary Consolata Kalikawe is an adroit professional with 22 years of varied experience, including Ecotourism Development, an Educator, Environmentalist and former University lecturer.

Click here to View A full Curriculum Vitae/Resume of her credentials.


Recognition
The activities of Kiroyera Tours have won recognition internationally, nationally and locally:

• Kiroyera Tours was elected the best Cultural Tourism Company of 2006 by the Tanzanian Cultural Trust Fund Zeze Award.
• Kiroyera Tours has won the UN Habitat MILGAP award for East Africa in 2006
• Mary Kalikawe was nominated among the Top 10 African Business Women in the Pan African women Invent and Innovate (PAWII) awards ceremony held in Ghana 9 September 2005.
• The company received a 2004 international Tourism trophy in Madrid Spain.


• Mary Kalikawe was appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources & Tourism to be a member of the board of directors of Tanzania Tourist Board in 2004.