ABOUT US
SHARING THE TRAILS THAT SHAPED US
SMAZ stands for South Mountain Arizona, and it isn't just where I guide, it’s my home and my heart. I live within walking distance of South Mountain Park/Preserve, the largest municipal park in the United States, with my brother, Kamau, and fellow tour guide. For me, these trails have been more than just paths through the desert — they’ve been a lifeline. After being diagnosed as neurodivergent, I turned to South Mountain as a form of therapy. Here I practiced mind–body connection, resilience, and balance, and over the past 9 years, it has become my refuge, my gym, and my classroom. And I want to share it with you.
Jami Marlies
Founder, Expert Guide
I am a certified ISSA Master Trainer and Health Coach, combining wellness expertise with local insight to create safe, engaging hikes for tourists, families, and corporate teams. As both an Elite and Master Trainer, I hold credentials in transformation, personal training, nutrition, mindset, and health coaching.
Before launching SMAZ Tours, I was a Division I volleyball athlete, executive leader, and wellness consultant, specializing in resilience, mobility, and functional fitness. My passion is helping people connect with nature, discover Arizona’s desert beauty, and build balance in both body and mind.
Kamau Khary
Expert Guide
I’m a proud dad of 7-year-old twins, and when I’m not exploring the outdoors with them, I’m writing. With a degree in film and several screenplays currently in production, storytelling is my passion.
At SMAZ Tours, I bring that same creativity to the trails — blending history, nature, and desert culture into experiences that feel alive. Hiking South Mountain gives me the chance to connect people not just to Arizona’s landscape, but to the stories hidden in its rocks, plants, and wildlife. Whether guiding families, solo travelers, or groups, I love helping guests see the desert through both a factual and a creative lens.