The founder of Tanzania’s first tour company in the Post East African Community (1977) era, Abbas Moledina is, unfortunately, no more.
The Philanthropist died at his retirement home in Vancouver, Canada last week.
Moledina who founded the Ranger Safaris in 1978 which grew to become one of the country’s leading tour firms and among the largest in East Africa, died on 11 May 2023.
The distinguished tour operator had already retired in Canada.
“Abbas was instrumental in building Ranger Safaris Tanzania to the exacting standards of service that the company is known for today. As a mentor and a pioneer in the industry Abbas guided the company to great heights during his tenure,” an official statement from the company in Arusha reads.
Abbas worked alongside his late brother and founder of ARP Africa Travel, Shakir Moledina, for decades and was well known and respected in East Africa’s travel industry.
The ARP Africa Travel Limited is the general sales agent for members of the ARP Travel Group including Ranger Safaris in Tanzania and Pollman’s Tours and Safaris which operates in Kenya.
Ranger Safaris is known for handling large prestigious tourist groups including the National Geographic entourages.
But the journey to the top wasn’t easy, Moledina once told The Arusha Times Weekly that he started the company with a single Volkswagen Combi vehicle.
Abbas Moledina’s contributions to the industry in Tanzania also includes his time as the Chairman of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO).
That is in addition to his extensive philanthropic efforts on a personal level and through the Rotary Club of Arusha.
Moledina used to be a patron and benefactor of the government-owned Tengeru Primary School in Arumeru as well as other public schools in Monduli District.
The jovial Moledina was known for his interesting anecdotes during the Rotary Club Meetings in Arusha.
Industry-wise he is succeeded by his son, Ali, who is now the current Director at Ranger Safaris alongside the Managing Director Sanjay Gajjar.
Ali Moledina and Gajjar both continue to lead the Arusha-based Ranger Safaris with the ethics and dedication to excellence, an ethos Abbas ingrained into Ranger Safaris.
Through the groundwork that he laid, the company continues to grow with the times to meet the ever changing and challenging needs of today’s travellers.
Ranger Safaris main base is located along Wachaga Road in Arusha City, inheriting the station of the former Northern Province Roadways, trucks company.
Though Moledina retired from the business and left Tanzania a few years ago, his influence and memory live on.