From Struggling Graduate to Thriving Tour Company Owner: Fidel Semba's Journey in Mozambique's Chimanimani National Park

Mozambique: One of Western Mozambique's best-known attractions is the Chimanimani National Park, which is situated near the Zimbabwean border in the picturesque and breathtaking Manica Province, writes Naome Chisala.

It is inconceivable that this attraction wasn't a well-known tourist destination before the recent boom in tourism given its diverse ecosystem, rock landscapes, distinctive flora and fauna, historic, ancient cave paintings, reserves, and most famous attraction (Mount Binga).

However, this narrative was altered by one aspiring businessperson. From Chimoio, a city 50 kilometres away from Sussundenga District, comes Fidel Semba, 32.

A tourist boom occurred in this previously unexplored region in 2021 after Semba founded his own tour company, Binga Adventures Moz, in Sussundenga.

But he overcame adversity on the way to reaching this significant milestone.

In 2019, Semba earned his Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. Despite having this qualification, he faced difficulty finding a job.

"I tried applying to various tourism companies, but I was always turned down," he recalls.

However, a stroke of good luck was about to bring positive change to his career prospects.

Semba says, "While I was frequenting the Chimanimani Mountains, I saw the potential of tourism because no one was engaged in tourism at that time and many international tourists were eager to climb these mountains and visit other attractions in Manica Province, but had no tour guides to guide them."

He recalls, "One day in 2021, 6 Italian tourists from an Italian corporation, including the Italian Ambassador, approached me and asked me to guide them to the mountains."

And he adds, "I gladly accepted, and after we had concluded our expedition, they gave me 10,000 Metical which was a lot of money at that time, and I used that money to purchase tents to accommodate upcoming tourists.”

Semba's exceptional tour guiding skills soon became known among tourists, and he was highly recommended for expeditions. As more tourists came, he earned more money, which he used to buy additional equipment and eventually establish his own company.

Binga Adventures Moz is a thriving tour company offering tour guiding services, hotel and airport transfers, accommodation, trekking, hiking, and adventure tourism.

The company mainly receives seasonal tourists, with peak seasons from August to November and an average of 340 tourists per year, or 5–10 tourists per day.

Some of the profits are distributed to the local community, and some local community members work as part-time tour guides and make arts, crafts, and souvenirs to sell to tourists.

Semba says, "In the past, the local communities were involved in farming, cultivation, and illegal mining, which resulted in deforestation and the destruction of forests. However, since starting my company, the local community is now employed and participating in reforestation and coffee plantation programs, preserving the park and protecting the environment, making sustainable tourism the norm here."

Despite the success, the company faces challenges, such as limited finances, which make it difficult to provide enough equipment for tourists, such as tents and climbing and trekking gear.

The company also uses its finances to provide accommodation for tourists on expeditions and rents vehicles for transport, as it cannot afford to purchase its own vehicles.

Semba notes, "As a company, we struggle to provide enough equipment to tourists and to provide transport to tourists."

Despite these challenges, Semba remains dedicated to his business. He previously turned down a job opportunity in Tanzania, one of Africa's leading tourism destinations, as he wanted to use his skills and talents to benefit his country and community and increase exposure for Mozambique as a tourist destination.

In addition to owning his own company, Semba also works as a tourism officer for the Mozambican government, promoting his business and training upcoming tourism companies and restaurant businesses.

Finally, I ask Semba for advice for university students who are struggling to find employment, much like he did a few years ago.

"University students should utilize their education, discover their strengths, and believe in themselves," he says.

"They should start a business while searching for a job. One does not need a lot of money to start a business, as I started with nothing. But through hard work and self-belief, I have achieved success."