Joackim Victor Minde
Founder
Joackim Victor Minde was born on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in a small Village called Msuni. His first experience in the tourism industry began as a young man when he got an opportunity to work part time as translator for a tour group. He later saved enough money, at times going days without food from his clerk job, to buy his first car – a Volkswagen that he would hire for airport transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and at times drive tourists to the then dense forest of Manyara National Park.
In 1979 he quit his job to establish Laitolya Tours & Safaris Limited with a small fleet of used cars. Joackim Minde went on to increase his fleet of cars, establish several hotels and lodges and be a part of several community development projects in his home town as well as in other parts of the country.
Joackim Victor Minde was best known for his love of wildlife, nature and the environment and received several awards, including the Kilimanjaro Regional manager’s environmental award for extensive tree-planting efforts.
Sadly in 2020, Joackim Victor Minde passed away, leaving his children to follow in his footsteps and continue the dream of showcasing the beauty and culture of Tanzania.
“Tanzania is my country. I love it most, I was born and brought up here. In 1979 I had a dream to share this beautiful and peaceful country with all folks of the world. Thus, I set out to establish Laitolya Tours and Safaris Ltd in 1979 as I felt it was my family and I’s noble duty to enable people of all walks of life to see what mother nature has endowed Tanzania with. Welcome and join us.” – Joackim Victor Minde