safari companies tanzania

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15+ Best Tanzania Safari Companies – For Every Safari Holiday

Planning your own safari can be time-consuming and stressful and it's difficult to know which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies. A quick internet search will bring up hundreds of operators that all promise you the holiday of your dreams. So, how do you know whom to trust?

Over the years, I've discovered some of the highest-rated and most trusted international and local safari companies in Tanzania during my East African travels and wildlife conservation work. 

In this article, I will review the Best Tanzania Safari Companies in greater detail and give you a better sense of which safari company pairs well with specific safaris.

Let's get started. 

Plan your Safari experience

Get a quote from our recommended local safari operator

Best Tanzania Safari Companies FAQs

Each safari company listed in this article has a good reputation and experience in helping you plan different types of safaris .

Now, let's discuss how you should go about choosing the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for your travel wants and needs.

How do I choose the Best Tanzania Safari Company?

An excellent question. I recommend that you choose the best Tanzania Safari Company according to three key criteria: 

• Read reviews about safari companies (the higher, the better).
• Check the safari company's website.
• Select a safari company based on style and your budget.

Read reviews

When deciding on a safari company, it is important that you choose an operator with good, recent reviews and high ratings on platforms such as TripAdvisor and TrustPilot .

Check the Company’s Website

Good travel companies usually have awards and acclimations displayed on their website. Also, find out how long they have been operating. The best way to check your local operator is to ask them how they accept payment.

Many local companies cannot accept payments other than via Western Union or cash on arrival. This doesn’t mean you have to be suspicious, but I’d recommend finding a company you can pay online instead.

On the other hand, many international companies have easy purchase frills, but might be coming with hefty price tags.

Select Based on Style and Budget

Each safari company specialises in a different type of trip, so be sure to compare Tanzanian safari prices and itineraries . You can also compare accommodation quotes with online lodge rates to see if you are getting a fair deal.

Which tour?  Here are 7 of my favourite Tanzanian safaris: 

• Gombe Chimpanzee Safari  (2 days)
• Nyerere (Selous) Budget Game Drive Safari  (3 days)
• Group Camping Safari (incl. Tarangire and Ngorongoro)  (4 days)
• Scenic Northern Tanzania Safari  (7 days)
• Epic Ruaha Adventure Safari (incl. Mikumi and Selous  (9 days)
• Family Luxury Serengeti Safari (starts and ends in Moshi)  (10 days)
• Best of Kenya and Tanzania (incl. 6 national parks)  (12 days)

See more  Tanzania and East Africa safari deals .

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies?

I'm so glad you asked. Overall, these are the 5 Best Tanzania Safari Companies based on their longstanding reputations as award-winners in the travel industry, with affordable tour packages and the highest customer ratings: 

• Roy Safaris
• Gosheni Safaris
• Nomad Tanzania
• Yellow Zebra Safaris
• National Geographic Expeditions

All of the Best Tanzania Safari Companies mentioned in this article are categorised into the following types of safaris below: group, private luxury, adventure, families, and conservation-focused.  

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for Group Safaris?

Altezza Travel, Roy Safaris, Suricata Safaris, Meru Slopes, and G-Adventures are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for group safaris. They offer small to medium group safaris which are  budget-friendly  and have fixed itineraries including  popular national parks and attractions in Tanzania. 

1. Altezza Travel

Specialists in mountain climbing, safari and beach holidays,  Altezza’s operations offices  are based near  Mount Kilimanjaro , so they are always close on hand to offer assistance. Altezza has its own vehicle fleet, two hotels and professional guides that undergo regular development courses.

2. Roy Safaris

Roy Safaris has 25 years in the travel industry and an impressive 70% of clients return or come from referrals. Their safari tours are aimed at small groups, also offering tailor-made packages, including photographic safaris. 

3. Suricata Safaris

Relatively new to the safari game,  Suricata Safaris  was started in 2016 but has hundreds of rave reviews for their knowledgeable and friendly guides and good food on camping trips. You can choose between 3-7 day  camping or lodge safaris.

4. Meru Slopes Tours and Safaris

A local company based in Arusha,  Meru Slopes  specialises in the budget to mid-range safaris as well as mountain climbing, trekking and  beach holidays . A lot of focus is on cultural experiences and supporting local communities.

 5. G-Adventures

As world leaders in small group travel,  G-Adventures  has finely tuned and well-tested itineraries led by expert teams. They offer multiple tour options across  Tanzania’s national parks  and  Zanzibar from 6-15 days.

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for Private And Luxury Safaris?

Gosheni Safaris, Micato Safaris and Lion King Adventures are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for private and luxury safaris . If you prefer more flexibility and exclusivity, these safari companies offer private safaris that allow you to custom-design your own experience. These three safari companies help you plan your dream holiday down to the finest detail.

1. Gosheni Safaris

One of the top locally owned tour companies,  Gosheni  has its own fleet of vehicles, drivers and guides who undergo regular training. Gosheni has received the  Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2015-2017 and prides itself on staying ahead of the trend in tailor-made safari experiences.

2. Micato Safaris

Micato Safaris  is family run with insightful Kenyan owners and round-the-clock support to clients. Their incredible attention to detail is why they have been named  #1 Best Safari Outfitters by Travel & Leisure Magazine  nine times .  They are best known for selecting decadent luxury lodges and their tips-included policy.

3. Lion King Adventures

A family-owned safari company in  Arusha ,  Lion King Adventures specialises in custom made safaris. Their small team of professional guides and travel advisors offer expert insights into your safari experience and a more personalised trip from start to finish.

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies For Adventure or Off-The-Beaten Track Safaris?

Nomad Tanzania, Shadows of Africa and Expert Africa are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for adventure safaris or safaris off the beaten track. Most safari routes are around Northern Tanzania, heading to the popular parks and attractions. However, these three safari companies offer return travellers to the region new adventures into lesser-known areas of the country.

1. Nomad Tanzania

Nomad Tanzania  has 14 of its own exclusive camps across Tanzania. Luxury Safari packages include fly-in safaris to the remote  Ruaha  and  Katavi National Park  as well as  Mahale Mountains to see chimpanzees. Nomad is dedicated to sustainable tourism through conservation and community projects.

2. Shadows of Africa

Tanzania Travel Award winner  and one of the top safari outfitters,  Shadows of Africa focuses on group and private safaris at competitive prices. Packages include a 9 day Tanzania Adventure safari with a daily dose of outdoor activities in the form of walking, horse-riding, cycling and kayaking.

3. Expert Africa

Established in 1994,  Expert Africa  is known for its carefully curated safaris in the less-visited Southern Tanzania national parks and chimpanzee trekking adventures in  Gombe and Mahale Mountains parks. The company prides itself on discovering new lodges and hidden gems. 

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for Family Safaris?

Easy Travel, Yellow Zebra and Rothschild are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for family-oriented safaris. These companies have special packages with family-friendly accommodation and itineraries to keep the whole family entertained.

1. Easy Travel and Tours

A Tanzanian safari company with a reputation for sustainable travel and personalised service.  Easy Travel  has been awarded  Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for four years running. The company focuses on creating unforgettable environmental and cultural experiences. Their well priced mid-range safaris include family-style options.

2. Yellow Zebra Safaris

Receiving the  World Travel Awards Winner   as Europe’s leading safari tour operator for six years running, this company offers in-depth expertise as their safaris are designed by professional guides and lodge managers.  Yellow Zebra curates special family packages by selecting child-friendly lodges and special family itineraries.

3. Rothschild Safaris

Boasting over 30 years of experience and  multiple awards  in the business of private travel,  Rothschild Safaris strives to source expert guides and eco-friendly accommodation. They offer a range of Family Safaris to East Africa and support local conservation and community projects.

Which are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for Conservation-Focused Safaris?

Overall, National Geographic Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures are the Best Tanzania Safari Companies for conservation-focused safaris. These safari companies offer exclusive safaris that include learning about conservation from local experts and through interactive experiences. In other words, these safaris are designed for the traveller that craves more insight - a safari experience with a difference.

1. National Geographic Expeditions

National Geographic Expeditions  offer an exclusive safari experience that combines  wildlife viewing and luxury accommodation with the chance to meet and learn from National Geographic’s network of local experts about wildlife conservation and cultural issues.

2. Natural Habitat Adventures

In partnership with the   World Wildlife Fund ,  Natural Habitat Adventures have been operating small group tours with once in a lifetime wildlife encounters and educational experiences since 1985. Tours are focused on sustainable tourism and encourage travellers to adventure and discover more about the natural world.

And that's a wrap on the Best Tanzania Safari Companies! Now that you know who to trust and who you can afford, you can begin planning an epic Tanzanian safari. 

Alison Macallister

With a degree in Nature Conservation and experience working with wildlife including the Big 5, Alison works as a guide for a 5-star reserve. She enjoys sharing her passion for all things nature-related. She enjoys hiking, horseriding, 4x4 driving and kayaking.

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We are planning a Safari in Tanzania between 28th of June and 13th of July. We can join existing groups, 2 adults. Quotations please. Thanks. Arul

Hi, Arul. You can send your queries to our safari quotation page using this link – https://www.climbkilimanjaroguide.com/safari/ . We'll be able to help you further from there, thanks for reading!

One of the nice article! Thanks for sharing

Thanks for reading our Safari Companies article, we’re glad you liked it, Mattis!

Hello! Me and my husband we are thinking about doing a safari in Tanzania. We have two weeks' holidays starting from September 2023, we are thinking of booking with this small company in Tanzania(Active Wonders Safaris). Do you have an idea of these company?

Hi Charlotte, I’m unfortunately not familiar with this company but if they have good online reviews, then you should be in good hands.

Get a quote from our recommended local Kilimanjaro operator

SELOUS SAFARI COMPANY BECOMES LABA LABA

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Magic of Wildlife Along the Lake

WHY LABA LABA ?

Laba Laba means butterfly in Yoruba (a West African language). Butterflies play an important role in nature, helping to increase biodiversity. When you see a butterfly, it generally means the area is thriving and healthy. This beautiful winged insect felt like the appropriate symbol to illustrate both our mission and purpose. We want to share spectacular locations of unspoilt nature with you. We make luxury feel effortless, yet accessible, whilst placing a strong accent on enjoying the simple pleasures. Today, East Africa, tomorrow, further afield. DISCOVER OUR NEW WEBSITE labalaba.com

Palm-fringed, powder-white sands; azure, shimmering waters; the call of birdsong; and a whole island to yourself… Fanjove Island is a peerless tropical island idyll.

Jongomero Bush Manor is a private exclusive-use villa positioned on the edge of main Jongomero Camp in the Ruaha National Park. The spacious four-bedroom villa, with inviting shared living areas and expansive open-plan kitchen bar create a luxuriously tranquil space for families and friends.

Escape the crowds, revel in the privacy of our remote corner of Ruaha National Park in the South of Tanzania and discover the pristine wilderness at Jongomero.

Enjoy the quintessential safari experience, with days viewing the abundant game by boat, vehicle and on foot, and evenings spent around the camp fire. Siwandu is located in the Nyerere National Park in the South of Tanzania.

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Tanzania Safaris Companies

Find the right tour company in tanzania.

Find the right Tanzanian safari company from our directory below. Tanzania is arguably one of the best countries for a safaris in Africa, and has a suitable number of good quality safari tour operators. The overseeing body of safari companies in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Association of Tour Operators (TATO). Below is a selection of recommended tour and safari tour companies in Tanzania listed in the order of the number of votes our website visitors have given them.

Search Tanzania’s best safari companies:

Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris

We’re a top-notch Tanzania safari tour operator based in Arusha. We specialize in Tanzania family safari packages, honeymoon safaris, Serengeti Great Migration safari, photography safaris, private small-group wildlife safari, and mountain trekking and hiking of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

We are passionate about Africa, and believe that our diverse cultures, landscapes, and wildlife are our greatest assets. We endeavor to introduce our clients to the natural wonders and beauty of Africa, as well as the more obvious tourist attractions. We’re proud of our personal service – not only for clients but also for our fellow domestic & international tour operators and travel agents.

Regardless of your budget, we deliver high-quality personal service to our customers at reasonable prices.

Baba Kilimanjaro Tours and Safaris

With Baba Kilimanjaro Tours and Safaris you can choose from some of our many safari packages for anything from 4 – 9 days through some of the most spectacular reserves in Africa. Almost 1/3 of Tanzania’s land surface is given over to game parks. You may also choose to add on a leisurely, relaxing holiday on Zanzibar from 2-5 days.

See Adventures

We are a full-service tour operator and tour guiding. We operate safaris in Tanzania and we are dedicated to active life-enriching tour in the most spectacular destinations.

African Spice Safaris

African Spice Safaris is one of the longest-established safari outfitters based in East Africa. We have been offering a diverse collection of African Safari Holidays in East Africa for almost two decades now. Our destinations include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. You book your international flight and we take care of everything else. We take care of your airport transfers, hotel bookings, internal domestic flights, and safaris to all the famous national parks and game reserves, with the option of following the safari with a stay at a beach resort.

The African Quest

We’re an upstart tour operator in Arusha, Tanzania. We have tour guides & Safari designers that have decades of experience in Tanzania safaris & treks of all kinds in Tanzania.

We have one singular mission, to promote Tanzania as the truly spectacular and affordable destination that it is to the world. We strive to achieve this goal by delighting our clients regardless of their budget, and we make sure that we take care of every ad-hoc need of our clients :)

Roam Serengeti Safari

We are a locally owned and operated safari company dedicated to sharing the incredible natural beauty and wonder of our home country with visitors from all over the world.

When you book with Roam, we'll arrange for pickup at your hotel. We offer private or group safaris, as well as options at multiple price points from luxury to economical. Choose from one of our preplanned safaris, or customize your trip by choosing from a variety of destinations. We also offer add-on cultural experiences.

Alpha Dean Tours & Safaris

We offer budget safaris to top national parks in Africa as well as the best East Africa tours and safaris for wildlife sightings. Experience value for money with our budget safaris package, midrange safari and luxury safari. Join in on the best safari trips in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda and Uganda .Welcome for the best African Safari adventure.

Other Tanzanian safari companies:

• Kiroyera : Tanzania Lake Victoria region. Specialize in Rubondo National Park on Lake Victoria.
• Fortes Safaris : Tanzania-wide safari specialists with offices in Mwanza, Dar es Salaam & Arusha.
• Africa Travel Resource : www.africatravelresource.com. Arusha based higher end safari operator.
• Duma Explorer : www.dumaexplorer.com, Arusha based company offering northern Tanzania safaris and Kilimanjaro and Meru treks.
• Julia Africa Safaris : A Tanzanian boutique safari specialist offering both cultural and wildlife safaris to all national parks and game reserves around Tanzania, Mt Kilimanjaro and Excursion to the Spice Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Unguja.
• Roy Safaris : www.roysafaris.com Budget to mid-range Tanzanian safaris from this family operator.
• Hoopoe Safaris : www.hoopoe.com  Good value luxury safaris with an emphasis on individualized itineraries.
• Nature Beauties : www.naturebeauties.com Northern circuit safaris for Tanzania, and Tanzania/Kenya combinations.
• Sunny Safaris : www.sunnysafaris.com
• Waresa Tours: Local Tanzanian company based in Moshi, offering tailor-made safari tours ranging from budget camping safaris to mid-range & luxury safaris.

Have a recommendation for a good safari tour operator in Tanzania? Let us know .

View  safari companies in other countries.

National Parks Guide

Known for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Africa’s national parks are the world’s premier safari destinations.

Safari Company Guide

Experienced, local knowledge of the area and wildlife is key. Browse our directory of safari tour companies by country .

Wildlife Spotting Guide

Read our  beginners guide to spotting wildlife to help you truly make the most of your time on safari.

African safari companies

Botswana safari companies

Kenya safari companies

Namibia safari companies

Rwanda safari companies

South Africa safari companies

Tanzania safari companies

Uganda safari companies

Flights To Tanzania

Search, track and book flights to Tanzania, from anywhere in the world >>

Tanzania Accommodation

Find safari accommodation in Tanzania – from budget campsites to luxury lodges >>

Tanzania Car Hire

Considering a self-drive safari? Research and book car hire in Tanzania >>

Activities in Tanzania

Search and book things to do in Tanzania – tours, excursions and events >>

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
• Namibia safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

Most read articles

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Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Kruger National Park, South Africa
• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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Tanzania Safari Packages

With the world-renowned Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater Tanzania is a magical place for a safari vacation. With 1394 safari packages from all major tour companies you're sure to find the perfect deal for you.

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Best tanzania safari tours based on 2,070 reviews.

• Christmas & New Year

Tanzania Camping Adventure

We had a great time. Mostly the animals were amazing, which Moses and our drivers either found for us or were directed too. While that was mostly out of their control, what was in their control was well done. The food was very well done and varied. Camp was set up for us and spacious. I was a little nervous concerning the lack of protection on the parks but we had no incidents. All in all well done if a bit pricey.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire (with Materuni waterfalls, coffee tour) - 6 Days

The safari to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area was excellent. The guide, Lewis, was quite knowledgeable, the accommodation better than other camp sites, and the meals very delicious. It also helped that we saw all five of the Big 5! In addition, we saw baby elephants rolling about in the mud, a pack of spotted hyena dealing with a carcass, and a male and female lion attempting to mate. Lake Manyara was a little disappointing because the heavy rains had stirred up the mud in the water and discouraged the birds from feeding there. I also felt that the guide was not as informative as Lewis. The visit to Materuni Falls was good although very muddy because of the wet weather. The food was excellent and the coffee tour very lively and entertaining.

Premium Tanzania

• Great Migration

Serengeti Safari - (PRIVATE TRIP)

After a Kili climb we went on Safari. The arrangements at the lodges and the experience of our guide, Peter, made the trip memorable and unforgettable. We recommend using Oneseed for Safari and letting them take care of all of the plans from a hot air balloon ride to birthday celebration. It was a wonderful experience all the way around. We so treasure the trip and seeing the animals in their natural environment.

Big Five Luxury Safari in Tanzania **Sustainable Approach to Travel

I had the most amazing experience! Willy, our guide, was wonderful and made sure to make every day special. Each day was a new and exciting adventure. I couldn't recommend this tour enough.

Tanzania Safari Experience National Geographic Journeys

I salute Tanzania for having managing national parks so well. Safari is done in a respectful manner to the environment and the animals. We saw all the animals and their babies. The trip was unforgettable.

7 Days Tanzania Classic Safari

I can only highly recommend Steppe Dogs Adventures. From the very beginning they were very professional and efficient. We were in touch via mail and any question I would ask was answered immediately. They also took care of all my suggestions and in the end we had a safari exactly like he hoped to have. My mom and I went on Safari for seven days. We had a very good car which we only shared with our lovely driver/guide/friend Godbless Marick. He was a perfect driver so we felt safe all of the time even though die to the weather it was sometimes quite hard to drive. He also knew everything about animals (especially birds) and nature as well as historical facts about the places. The lodges/ "tents" Steppe Dogs Adventures chose for us where almost more than we had expected. We felt very comfortable and could enjoy these great experiences even better. The food and drinks were also excellent there. In total it was worth every dollar and we can only highly recommend to go with them. Enjoy :)

6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Encounters

When you are in Australia and you want to plan a photo safari in Africa, you want a local person to talk to. You want this person to be knowledgeable, attentive to your wishes and needs, and reactive. Frank is all that. And when you are over there, you want the people taking care of you to be professional, ready to satisfy your specific demands (I'm an amateur photographer) and friendly. My driver/guide Donath was all that. So I'm completely satisfy with this agency and I strongly recommend it.

5 Days Tanzania Budget Safari

Absolutely recommendable, great organized and totally reliable! Our guide was simply outstanding, so accommodating and friendly and thanks to his skills the safari was a wonderful, unforgettable experience! The people of Safari Tours were perfectly organized, the communication was top notch and the helpfulness, no matter if transfer, hotel search,... simply exemplary! Thank you very much for this sensational vacation!

5 Days Big Five Tanzania Camping Safari ( Tarangire, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area ) (all accommodation and transport are included)

We spent the best 10 days of our lives in Tanzania, in the safari car of Spider tours and safaris with the amazing guide James. Everything worked perfectly. I highly attribute the success of our trip to our guide James. He proved to be highly skilled and prepared for the job. He would pick animals hidden and trace them, was very careful in driving and in following the parks rules, and was very attentive to our son, answering all questions and being sure we were enjoying our time. Also to note that James speaks English and Spanish fluently!

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Serengeti Safari & Zanzibar

The Safari itself is the Highlight of this tour. Zanzibar was an extra.

Join Our Best 5 Days Tanzania Group Tour with Affordable Price.

We had an amazing experience at Africa Natural Tours and Safaris during 5 days Serengeti safari. The safari guides at Africa Natural Tours and Safaris were very friendly during our safari. On behalf of my group, I recommend Africa Natural Tours and Safaris as the best tour operator in wildlife safaris with friendly driver guides.

Tanzania Private Safari

Simba Safari, Tanganyika Wilderness Camps

5-Days 4 Nights Lodge Safari Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara

Amazing time with a great guide. The best safari tour you can hope for. Well organized from pick up at airport to drop off one week later. Great hotels, good food and friendly staff all week long. We saw the big 5 with cheetah and rhinoceros seen on the very last day thanks to our great guide and also an amazing driver!

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Tanzania Safari Tour Reviews

Incredible adventure and organization. The staff, equipment, accommodation and food was spot on. Just exactly what was needed and wanted! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, ensures everyone’s needs were accommodated. Perfect trip.

Safari Tours

• Wildlife (533)
• Big Five (185)
• Great Migration (135)
• Honeymoon Safari (6)

National Park

• Tarangire National Park (124)
• Serengeti National Park (71)
• Ngorongoro National Park (58)
• Selous Game Reserve (32)
• Mikumi National Park (14)
• Ruaha National Park (11)

Regions in Tanzania

• Northern Circuit Tanzania (1087)
• Tarangire National Park (126)
• Serengeti National Park (83)
• Ngorongoro National Park (67)
• Southern Circuit Tanzania (40)
• Selous Game Reserve (33)
• Mount Kilimanjaro (24)
• Mikumi National Park (18)
• Mount Meru (15)
• Zanzibar (12)

Travel Styles

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• Tanzania Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best Time to Travel To Tanzania 2024/2025

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Leading Tanzania Safaris

Top-rated tanzania safari company, where safaris sparkle with top-rated excellence.

Welcome to JM Tours Ltd: Your Top-Rated Tanzania Safari Company Since 1985

At JM Tours Ltd, one of the top-rated Tanzania safari companies, we take pride in being a sustainable tour company based in Tanzania, dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences since 1985. With our extensive expertise, we specialize in organizing safari trips, tailor-made safari holidays, private travel, and mountain climbing adventures in East Africa, specifically in Tanzania and Zanzibar Island.

Immerse yourself in the thrill of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, venture on awe-inspiring safaris, unwind on pristine beaches, or explore the vibrant cultural excursions that Tanzania has to offer. Our team of specialists is here to guide you on a journey of a lifetime that you will cherish forever.

Unleash your spirit, and find peace of mind on our expert-guided safari adventure prioritizing your safety.

From start to finish, we offer exceptional support for a smooth, stress-free safari experience.

Epic Tanzanian Expedition

Unlock the secrets of tanzania.

Experience the majesty of Tanzania on an epic expedition with JM Tours. Discover breathtaking landscapes, encounter diverse wildlife, and immerse yourself in vibrant culture. Our carefully crafted itinerary promises unforgettable adventures and cherished memories. Join us for a remarkable journey through Tanzania, guided by JM Tours’ expertise. Prepare to be captivated by the wonders of this incredible destination on an expedition like no other. Whether witnessing the Great Migration or exploring the iconic Serengeti, every moment will leave you in awe. Let JM Tours create a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you discover the magic of Tanzania’s untamed beauty.

3 Days Tanzania Safari

3 Days Serengeti Safari

5 Days Tanzania Safari

2 Day Safari in Tanzania

2 day Affordable Tanzania Safari

5-Day Safari Package

Embrace tanzania's treasures, where adventure and wonder converge.

Welcome to JM TOURS, your gateway to extraordinary Tanzania experiences. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Africa’s wilderness as we guide you through diverse landscapes and vibrant cultures. Explore the iconic Serengeti plains and the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five roam freely. Our expert guides ensure unforgettable safaris, taking you up close to wildlife spectacles like the Great Migration. Beyond wildlife encounters, discover the rich tapestry of Tanzanian culture, engaging with local tribes and savoring authentic cuisine. From thrilling adventures to tranquil escapes, JM TOURS crafts every moment to perfection. Let us be your trusted companion on an unforgettable journey through Tanzania’s breathtaking beauty.

Luxury Adventures

Private safari, wildebeest migration safari, family safari, honeymoon safari, big five safari, exploring tanzania's safari gems, your safari dream, our guiding passion.

Experience the allure of Tanzania’s safari gems with JM Tours. Journey to the vast plains of the Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, where Africa’s iconic wildlife awaits. Our knowledgeable guides ensure thrilling game drives, offering unforgettable encounters with majestic lions, elephants, and more. Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant culture that define Tanzania. With JM Tours, enjoy a perfect blend of adventure, comfort, and personalized service. Unleash your inner explorer and create cherished memories as you explore Tanzania’s untamed beauty on our exceptional safari expeditions. Let us be your trusted guide to extraordinary discoveries.

Tarangire National Park

Selous game reserve

Mikumi National park

Kilimanjaro National park

Lake Manyara National park

Serengeti National Park

Destination and timing insights, immerse yourself in nature's wonders, zanzibar island, tropical paradise awaits.

Zanzibar Island with JM Tours: Embrace the Essence of Tropical Paradise. Experience the allure of Zanzibar Island, an enchanting destination off the coast of Tanzania. With JM Tours, uncover the island’s pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant culture. Delight in the aromatic spices, explore the labyrinthine streets of Stone Town and indulge in a variety of water sports and marine adventures. Our expertly crafted itineraries ensure you make the most of your Zanzibar getaway, offering seamless transfers, luxurious accommodations, and personalized experiences.

Nungwi beach

Prison island, jozan forest, journey to the roof of africa, conquer mount kilimanjaro's iconic routes, climb kilimanjaro via umbwe route – 6 days, climb kilimanjaro via shira route – 6 days, climb kilimanjaro via lemosho route – 8 days, climb kilimanjaro via rongai route – 6 days, 5 day climb kilimanjaro, 6 days machame route.

• Arusha / Tanzania

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Your Tanzania Safari Starts Here

Welcome! Let Tanzania Expeditions™ organize your safari in Tanzania

We are the Tanzania safari tours specialists. We are wild about wildlife, excited about the natural world, and extremely proud to call Tanzania our home. Your trip of a lifetime deserves the very best planning. We attend to all of the details of your Tanzania safari touring with professional care. You deserve to fulfill every desire on your safari bucket list. We offer a unique selection of itineraries that turn your dreams into realities. Our main specialties are Tanzania wildlife camping , lodging, and luxury safaris, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, treking Mt. Meru and Oldoinyo Lengai, Zanzibar beach holidays, cultural tours, cycling adventure tours and so much more!

Authentic Custom Tanzania Safari Tours Just for you

Tanzania Safari Specialists

As a local Tanzania safari company, our in-depth knowledge of the wild helps you get closer to the action. Traveling with local experts gives you an insider perspective on the famous destinations and seeks out Tanzania’s secret gems.

Professional Safari Driver Guides

On our tours, you will receive complete and focused attention by your professional guides, with the expert knowledge and skill required to make sure you have the trip of a lifetime.

Wildlife Viewing Maximized

All our tour itineraries are strategically designed on a monthly basis to take advantage of seasonal wildlife concentrations, and all safaris incorporate specific game drives to witness the great Wildebeest Migration and other major wildlife attractions

Tanzania Safari Tours - Top Recommendations: 2022- 2023

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip

8 days Tanzania luxury safari

The best 8 day safari you can have!...

8 days Tanzania lodging safari

4 days tanzania luxury safari.

Rongai Route 7 days

Lemosho Route 7 days

7 days Machame route climb

   ...

5 days Tanzania luxury safari

6 days Tanzania luxury safari

9 days Tanzania luxury safari

2 days Tanzania Camping safari

3 days Tanzania Camping safari

7 days Tanzania Camping safari

More reasons to book your tanzania safari with us.

Pay The Right Price

Our policy is that you don’t have to pay more to receive the best service! We believe that everyone has the right to get the best experience for their budget. Booking tours direct with us means no agent fees or middleman.

Trusted Sources Reviews

We are a top rated Tanzania safari tours company in Trusted Travel sources Like TripAdvisor, Fodor Travel, Lonely Planet etc. It is vital to us that you have a memorable experience in Tanzania. Customer feedback is essential for our company to continue improving.

Customer Service

Our office staff, certified Mountain guides and safaris guides are always proud to share with you there in-depth acquired knowledge from years of experience. We strive to meet our clients needs and tailor our tours based on their preferences!

Support Local Economy

We are a 100% a local Tanzanian Safari company. Booking with us means all your $$$ goes towards supporting the local economy. We are proud to employ local and qualified staff to provide an outstanding experience to our clients!

Clients reviews

Thank you for making my dream come.

Peter and Steve were our guides. They did a wonderful job. This was a gift to me from my son. He always promised to take me there when he was just 6 and 7 years old. This was my birthday gift for my 60th birthday. Thank you for making my dream come true – Loriann W – USA

Best Tanzania Safari Expereince

The tour was perfectly organized and still we are having all the flexibility during the trip. We had the spacious land cruiser 7 seats car for two of us. Our guide was nice, knowledgeable and has great passion. With everything included the price was very fair! – Mark S – UK

An Amazing African safari

An African safari was on my bucket list. Tanzania Expeditions fulfilled my expectations in all accounts. Our guide lodigud was always trying to find the big five which we did see and especially my favourite, lions. The accommodation was very good and also the food. – Sarnan – Hong Kong, China

Tanzania Lodge safari

We had a fantastic time – our guide, Lordlugard, was great and spotted animals where other jeeps had driven right past. We saw all the big five, lots of elephants and a highlight was seeing three leopard. – Bucky – Canada

Our Tanzania Safari

Thank you for making my dream come true. Peter and Steve were our guides. They did a wonderful job.  This was a gift to me from my son. He always promised to take me there when he was just 6 and 7 years old. –  Swypeterson – USA

Amazing experience..!! Highly recommended

We were group of 8 adults travelling to Tanzania and going for Safari for the first time. As an travel organizer, I was in touch with Justin and later with Alex for almost a year and exchanged over 50emails – Bhatakna – India

• [email protected]
• +255 746 367 809
• +255 746 779 139

Customize your safari experience effortlessly! If our itinerary doesn’t suit you perfectly, simply hit the tailor-made safari button and let us craft your dream adventure. Your journey, your way – start planning today

A Match Made in Heaven

Iconic destinations.

Experience an awe-inspiring adventure with our Tanzania Safari Expeditions. Journey through vast savannas, witness the legendary Great Migration, and come face to face with the majestic Big Five. From the majestic Serengeti to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and wildlife wonders of East Africa.

Serengeti National Park

Lake manyara national park, ngorongoro crater, tarangire national park, selous game reserve, mikumi national park, lake natron, pemba island, mafia island, saadani national park, ruaha national park, arusha national park, usambara mountains, oldoinyo lengai mountain, jozan chwaka bay national park, udzungwa mountains national park, gombe stream national park, katavi national park, game drives, honeymoon safari, serengeti great migration, tanzania big five safari, family safari, luxury safari, walking safaris, photography safaris, hot air balloon safari experience, bird watching, cultural tours experience.

Welcome to FiF Tours & Travel

Crafting memories, one journey at a time, tanzanian natural wonders..

FIF Tours & Travel invites you to embark on an unparalleled adventure through a curated selection of the globe’s most iconic untamed landscapes

The Fif Tours & Travel Promise

Your passport to unforgettable experiences.

Embark on a global expedition to the heart of Tanzania with FIF Tours, renowned as the ‘Best Tanzania Safaris and Tour Company.’ Nestled in the vibrant Tanzanian landscapes, we extend a warm welcome to adventurers from every corner of the world. Our mission is to bring your travel dreams to life, creating unforgettable realities. Whether you yearn for the thrill of a Serengeti safari, wish to immerse in local cultures, or simply relax on the tranquil shores of Zanzibar, FIF Tours stands as your trusted partner. Explore the enchantment of Tanzania with us, where each experience is a profound immersion into our country’s natural wonders and rich heritage.

Tailored Excellence

Tailored plans exclusively crafted for your needs.

Eco-Friendly Journeys

Preserving fauna and bolstering local societies.

African Experts

Over half a decade of expertise shapes each journey.

Trust Assurance

Your financial security through a Trust brings tranquility.

Time-Based Travel Ideas

Moments and maps, woven together.

Discover Tanzania’s captivating beauty with a journey timed to perfection. Experience the breathtaking drama of the Great Migration in the Serengeti from July to October. Delve into the Ngorongoro Crater’s wildlife paradise, open for exploration throughout the year. Reach the summit of Kilimanjaro during the dry months of January to March or June to October. Tanzania’s diverse landscapes and varied seasons offer enchanting experiences at every corner, ensuring memories that last a lifetime.

• High Season
• Migration Season
• Birding Season
• Big 5 Season

Top January Destinations to Beat the Chill (5 to 6)

Love in the air - top february getaways for couples (5 - 7), a springtime sojourn - march's best destinations (5 - 7), jewel of the indian ocean, where every moment is magic..

Nestled in the azure embrace of the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar Island is a tropical paradise where time seems to stand still. With its powdery white sands, vibrant coral reefs, and a rich cultural heritage, this idyllic island offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. Explore the bustling markets of Stone Town, where the scent of exotic spices lingers in the air, or unwind on palm-fringed beaches as the gentle waves lap the shore. Zanzibar is a haven for those seeking relaxation, adventure, and a taste of East Africa’s vibrant past. It’s a place where the spirit of ‘pole pole’ (slowly, slowly) invites you to savor every moment of your island escape.

Sandy Toes, Starry Skies

Discover tanzania's beach magic..

Explore Tanzania’s Hidden Beach Gems, where the coastline unveils secrets known only to the fortunate wanderer. These pristine shores, tucked away from the crowds, offer a tranquil escape to paradise. Sink your toes into powdery sands, immerse in crystal-clear waters, and embrace the serenity of secluded coves.

Zanzibar Beaches

Bagamoyo beach, must-see wonders, a kaleidoscope of landscapes.

Journey into the heart of Tanzania’s untamed wilderness and unlock a world of natural marvels. Witness the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti, where the Great Migration unfolds in all its dramatic glory. Stand in awe of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, and explore the unique ecosystem of Ngorongoro Crater, teeming with diverse wildlife. Traverse the enchanting terrain of Tarangire and uncover hidden gems in Ruaha. This is your opportunity to experience the iconic wonders that define a Tanzania safari, each moment etching memories of nature’s grand spectacle.

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Africa, is a wildlife paradise known for its vast savannahs, iconic migrations, and a diverse array of wildlife, including the Big Five.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Ngorongoro crater.

 A stunning Tanzanian caldera, home to diverse wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Explore this African gem for an unforgettable safari adventure amidst breathtaking natural beauty.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Explore Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, a sanctuary for diverse wildlife amid vast landscapes and iconic baobab trees. Immerse yourself in nature’s majesty and enjoy thrilling safaris

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Nestled by the Great Rift Valley, Tanzania’s Lake Manyara offers diverse landscapes, tree-climbing lions, and flamingos at its eponymous lake—an enchanting blend of nature and water.

Discover the beauty of Lake Eyasi in Tanzania. Witness mesmerizing sunsets and the vibrant life that thrives in and around its waters.

LAKE NATRON

Lake Natron, a unique soda lake in Tanzania, boasts vivid red waters due to mineral deposits. This remote, ethereal landscape is a haven for flamingos and stunning photography.

ZANZIBAR ISLAND

Zanzibar Island: Tropical gem adorned with white-sand beaches, rich culture, and the enchanting Stone Town. An idyllic blend of relaxation, history, and coastal beauty awaits curious travelers.

Embrace the Best in Tanzania Safaris

Let every step tell your tale..

Unlock the door to Tanzania’s breathtaking marvels with us. Our tailored tours offer an exclusive gateway to the heart of Africa’s treasures. Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the Serengeti, the cultural richness of local communities, and the pristine shores of Zanzibar. Each journey is crafted to resonate with your wanderlust, ensuring that every step you take in this enchanting land becomes a memory you’ll treasure forever.

Tours and Safaris

15-days kenya, tanzania safari & zanzibar beach holiday, $5 , 438 pp (usd), 7-day tanzania safari (sundowner & night game drive), $2 , 950pp (usd), 5-day zanzibar excursions(historical & beach holiday), $790 pp (usd), 8-day exclusive tanzania cultural and wildlife safari, $2 , 569 pp (usd), 10 day tanzania safari, serengeti, ngorongoro & zanzibar, $3 , 243 pp (usd), 3 day tanzania (ngorongoro crater & tarangire) safari, $824 pp (usd), 4-day tanzania nature safari, $1 , 046 pp (usd), 6-day wildlife safari in tanzania with lake eyasi visit, 6-day tanzania wildlife and lake natron visit, $1 , 683 pp (usd), 4-day tanzania (serengeti) safari, $1 , 491 pp (usd), 7-day exciting tanzania safari (wildebeest migration), $2 , 723 pp (usd), pathways to kilimanjaro's peak, leading you to the roof of africa.

Embark on an epic journey to the roof of Africa with our Kilimanjaro Routes. Choose your path, whether it’s the challenging Machame Route or the scenic Marangu Route. Each route offers a unique adventure, showcasing the diverse landscapes and captivating beauty of Kilimanjaro. Get ready to conquer this iconic peak, guided by experienced experts who will make your ascent an unforgettable experience.

7 Day Kilimanjaro Machame Route

6 day kilimanjaro rongai route, 8 day kilimanjaro lemosho route, 6 day kilimanjaro shira route, 5 day kilimanjaro marangu route, 6 day kilimanjaro umbwe route, gear up for wild adventures, equip for uncharted expeditions..

In celebration of our planet and its diverse inhabitants, we present a selection of eco-conscious attire. Wilderness & Sealand: From riding waves to embarking on safaris, scaling peaks to exploring wetlands. Enhance your experience in the urban wilderness with our exclusive range, available in multiple sizes and three distinct color schemes, catering to every type of adventure seeker.

Safari Magic Awaits

Your ticket to the wild side.

Tanzania Safari Experiences offer a thrilling immersion into the wild heart of Africa, where you can witness breathtaking wildlife, explore untamed landscapes, and create unforgettable memories in the heart of Tanzania’s pristine nature.

Experience the awe of the Tanzania Wildebeest Migration as millions traverse the Serengeti.

• Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, Lake Manyara

Embark on a memorable Family Safari adventure amidst nature’s wonders and wildlife.

Explore Tanzania’s wildlife on an exhilarating Safari Game Drive adventure.

Discover romance amidst Tanzania’s wildlife on an intimate Honeymoon Safari journey.

• Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar Island, Lake Manyara

Indulge in opulence on a Tanzania Luxury Safari, a lavish wildlife expedition.

• Serengeti , Zanzibar, Ngorongoro Crater, Selous Game Reserve, Lake Manyara

Big Five Safari

Encounter Africa’s iconic wildlife on a thrilling Tanzania Big Five Safari adventure.

GET IN TOUCH

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FIF TOURS & TRAVEL ©2024 - All Rights Reserved

Terms and conditions, travel guide, a roadmap to greatness, from dream to reality.

BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO L.T.D

THE BEST RATED TANZANIA SAFARI TOUR OPERATOR

Join Us for Unforgettable Great Adventures in Africa, Explore More On Tanzania Safaris, Great Serengeti Migration, Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Zanzibar Vacation Tours, Mount Meru Climbing along with Day Trips around Moshi and Arusha.

5 Star Rated Tour Company

Please fill up the form.

About Burigi Chato Safaris

Burigi Chato Safaris Co. L.T.D is a tour operational company which is locally owned and based in Tanzania. Burigi Chato Safaris deals with Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru Hiking, Tanzania Safaris (Tanzania Serengeti Migration & Tanzania Big-5 Safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara) Tanzania, Day/cultural Tours/Trips, Beach Holidays to places like Mafia, Zanzibar and other Islands on the shores of East Africa.

OUR SERVICES Tanzania Serengeti Safaris | Kilimanjaro Hiking | zanzibar Tours

Explore amazing destinations in Tanzania, experience different Tanzania Serengeti Safaris ,Kilimanjaro Hiking adventures, Zanzibar Tours , Tanzania Big 5 Safaris and discover beautiful culture. Make memories for a lifetime. Welcome to the best Tanzania Tour Company offering both private safari and sharing safari for small and large groups. Get ready for your ultimate tour in Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Hiking

We help our clients to summit peaks of Africa including Mount Kilimanjaro.

Serengeti Migration Safaris

Our service include a Tanzania serengeti migration safari tour experiences.

Tanzania Big-5 Safaris

Our service include a Tanzania serengeti big 5 safari tour experiences.

Zanzibar Tours

Our service include a Zanzibar beach holiday tour experiences.

TOP SELLING PACKAGES

4 days Tanzania Safari

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5 days Tanzania Safari

3 days tanzania safari, most popular kilimanjaro, tanzania safari & zanzibar tours.

Experience best Kilimanjaro Hiking tour packages When you join our hiking tour, you’ll meet the best professional team that will support and guide you well through out your adventure. Book with confidence and Climb Kilimanjaro using any route from machame route, lemosho route , marangu route,rongai route, Northern circuit route or even the believed most strenuous trail; umbwe route. Experience your adventure with the best Kilimanjaro climbers team.

8 DAYS LEMOSHO ROUTE

About lemosho route.

Lemosho route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant yet fairly flat hike. Until it joins the Machame route near Lava Tower its crowds are low. The route then traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on the Southern Circuit path before going to the summit from Barafu.

6 DAYS MACHAME ROUTE

About machame route.

Machame route, which is also known as the "Whiskey" route, is the most popular route on Kilimanjaro. The route makes its approach to the Sumit of Mount Kilimanjaro from the South. Beginning with a short drive from Moshi. Hikers start climbing from Machame Gate - going through the rain-forest to Shira Plateau then Summit.

Big 5 Safaris

• Manyara | Tarangire
• Serengeti N.park
• Ngorongoro Crater

SERENGETI MIGRATION

Serengeti migration safari packages.

• Mara River Crossing (JLY - OCT)
• East Green Season (NOV - JAN)
• Culving season (FEB - APRIL)
• West Green Season (MAY - JUN)

KILIMANJARO HIKING (CLIMBING) TOUR PACKAGES

Experience best Kilimanjaro Hiking tour packages When you join our hiking tour, you’ll meet the best professional team that will support and guide you well through out your adventure. Book with confidence and Climb Kilimanjaro using any route from machame route , lemosho route , marangu route , rongai route, Northern circuit route or even the believed most strenuous trail ; umbwe route. Experience your adventure with the best Kilimanjaro climbers team.

From 1450usd

Machame route.

Also Known as 'Whiskey' route, one of the most popular route on Kilimanjaro.

From 1500usd

Lemosho routes.

The Lemosho route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro

From 1200usd

Marangu route.

Also known as 'Cocacola' route, considered to be the easiest on Kilimanjaro.

Rongai Route Packages

This route approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border.

From 1900usd

North-circuit packages.

8 - 10 DAYS

The best routes on Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of beautiful scenery

Umbwe Route Packages

The route has a well-deserved reputation of being the most challenging route.

KILIMANJARO BIKE TREKKING ( CYCLING ) TOUR PACKAGES

There are many reasons to take a cycling tour to Kilimanjaro mountain, You’ll cover a lot of area and experience more than you would if you were walking. What’s more, you’ll take in plenty of stunning scenery, get great exercise, and have a lot of fun. Book our Kilimanjaro bike trekking tour packages. you may opt to ride up and ride down using the marangu kilema route , Climb up on Any route and ride down using marangu kilema route or use lemosho route. Our tours are for travelers of all fitness level.

RIDE UP-RIDE DOWN

The Bike trek is one of our product of trekking the Kilimanjaro Mountain, Kilema route is the only route that Bike trek to Kilimanjaro Mountain can reach to the top of the Mount Kilimanjaro by mountain bike.

CLIMB UP - RIDE DOWN

Trekking Kilimanjaro Mountain, with climb up – ride down option you will hike up via other routes to the peak, then ride down from the peak to Horombo then ride down via Kilema route

KILIMANJARO DAY BIKE

The trip starts with two hours transfer to the Londorossi gate. From there you will begin challenging bicycle ride upon the steep road that will take you through a rich green rainforest.

TANZANIA SERENGETI MIGRATION SAFARI PACKAGES

There’s more to most Tanzania trips than the iconic sights. On this Tanzania Serengeti migration safari packages you’ll have various options of doing your Migration tour to Tanzania. Choose your best Serengeti safari in Tanzania package from July – October where you’ll experience Mara river crossing in the northern Serengeti, November - January this is Green Season holiday in the Eastern part of Serengeti, February- April ; most recommended Migration tour where you’ll see the calving season in the southern part of serengeti (ndutu area ) and from April – June where there is Green Season also in the Western part of Serengeti .

JULY - OCTOBER Mara River Crossing

Northern serengeti migration safari.

Plan a northern Serengeti Safari to explore and witness the wildbeest........

NOVEMBER - JANUARY Holiday Green Season

Eastern serengeti migration safari.

Vacate | Explore the main heards lingering in Namiri Plains in south east of the central ........

FEBRUARY - APRIL Calving Season

Sourthen (ndutu) serengeti migration safari, read more...

Discover female wildbest dop their calves and the predators swoop into feast on the easy prey in Ndutu Area........

APRIL - MAY Green Season

Western serengeti migration safari.

Witness | Visit the best place to witness the big heards heading up the western corridor around the Grumeti river.........

Design your Own Tour

Tanzania big-5 private safari packages.

Discover the best of Tanzania Big 5 private safari with our most trusted and well planned packages. Enjoy different tours from us including; Serengeti drive in – drive out tours, Serengeti drive in- fly out safaris packages, Serengeti fly in – drive out packages, Serengeti fly in – fly out safaris, Serengeti camping/lodge safari, and Serengeti big five safaris. Enjoy best private guided visit to the famous national park with the best team.

Big-5 Private Safaris

Drive in drive out.

Private Safari.

Private Big-5 Safari.

Drive in fly out, big 5 private safaris., fly in drive out.

Private Safari

Big-5 Private Safari

Fly in fly out, tanzania joining (sharing) budget group-safari packages.

Expect only the best joining (sharing) budget group safari tours . A perfect way to enjoy safari while meeting new people and lowering your Tanzania safari cost. We offer best Tanzania sharing safari tours which include Tanzania Serengeti group joining safaris. Explore our best packages and choose your favorite sharing safari package to Tanzania

1 Day Sharing Safaris

A day in the jungle..

A one day opportunity to explore the jungles of Africa.

2 Days Budget Safaris

Visit two parks..

Travelers may opt to visit two parks as each offers a unique experience.

3 Days joining Safaris

Jungle experience..

The minimum recommended time in the bush to experience what Africa has to offer.

4 Days joining Safaris

Four days safari..

An opportunity to explore more parks with us.

5 Days joining Safaris

5 days in the jungle..

Spend a quality time to explore the jungles of Africa.

Six Days Tanzania Safaris

6 days in the jungle..

Six days packages to explore the jungles of Africa.

ZANZIBAR TOUR PACKAGES

A rare opportunity to see the extra ordinary beautiful Zanzibar island. Our best Zanzibar tour packages are self satisfactory with all the best options including a Zanzibar stone town tour, visit Zanzibar top beaches and all the other Zanzibar most famous destinations. Discover true beauty of this pristine island with us.

1 day Zanzibar Packages

One day package to explore Island exploration with which you will visit Prison Island, Jozani Forest, Mnemba Island, do Dolphin or Stone-town tour.

2 days Zanzibar Packages

Escape to paradise with our 2 days Zanzibar tour, exploring Stone Town's charm, Prison Island's history, and Safari Blue's breathtaking adventure.

3 days Zanzibar Packages

Three days package to explore Island exploration with which you will visit Prison Island, Jozani Forest, Mnemba Island, do Dolphin, Stone-town tour, spice tour or safari blue

4 days Zanzibar Package

Discover Zanzibar in 4 days! Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozan Forest await your unforgettable journey.

5 days Zanzibar Packages

Explore a 5-day Zanzibar journey! Explore Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozan Forest for unforgettable adventures.

6 days Zanzibar Packages

Discover Zanzibar's wonders in 6 days: Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozani Forest. Unforgettable adventures await!

7 days Zanzibar Packages

Discover Zanzibar's wonders in 7 days Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozani Forest. Unforgettable adventures awaits

8 days Zanzibar Packages

Discover Zanzibar's wonders in 8 days Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozani Forest. Join Us for the best experience ever

9 days Zanzibar Packages

Discover Zanzibar's wonders in 9 days Stone Town, Prison Island, Safari Blue, Mnemba Aquarium, Spice Tour, and Jozani Forest. Join Us for the best experience ever

MOUNT MERU HIKING TOUR PACKAGES

Your travel will reveal the astounding beauty of Mount meru. We offer you the best mount meru hiking tour packages Ranging from 3 days Mount meru hiking tour, 4 days Mount meru climbing tour, and 1 days Mount meru trekking tour. Learn more about the colorful history of the mountain with the best hiking team

1 Day Mount Meru hiking

Take a day hike to waterfalls and crater while listening to legendery stories about the people of Meru from your guide. This trip normally start from 9:00 A.M. You walk with your guide through the woods at the foot of Mt. Meru. This is a very nice walk with a view over Arusha city and the Maasai steppes.

3 Days Mount Meru hiking

On a 3-day Mount Meru climb you summit and descend completely on the 3rd (and final) day. It makes for a long arduous day of hiking, but you savor the downhill after your success reaching the summit. Contact SENE to plan your Mount Meru climb today.

4 Days Mount Meru hiking

Ascend Tanzania’s second-highest peak on this 4-day trekking tour of Mt. Get a glimpse of Tanzania’s diverse flora and fauna as you make your way up the mountain, stopping overnight in lodges along the way, and explore safely under the protective supervision.

POPULAR DAY TRIPS AROUND MOSHI AND ARUSHA

Join our popular day trips around the bustling towns of moshi and arusha. This trips are perfect for busy scheduled tourists or can be combined with our Tanzania multi days tours. These trips include marangu waterfall day tour, materuni waterfall and coffee tour, chemka hot spring tour, moshi/arusha day bike tour, maasai cultural tour, lake chala tour, moshi/arusha City tour, and snake park tour( there are many more options we haven’t listed) we are experts in customizing tours to suit your wishes , availability and schedule, we look forward to being of service to you .

Marangu Day Trip

10:00 A.M - 4:00 P.M

Get immersed with the history of Marangu & its people. Here, you get carried away by the landscape, chagga caves, local breaued coffee, kilimanjaro view point, and the water falls to which, you can swim in.

Moshi Day Bike Tour

This is a 20km bike tour, so it’s long enough to be an adventure. Though not exactly tour de France it is the best way to see Moshi as you ride through the bustling town of Moshi to the farmlands while enjoying the piseque view of Kilimanjaro.

10:00 A.M - 6:00 P.M

As a melting pot of cultures Tanzania has 126 different ethnic groups but, the Masai Tribe have proven to be distinctive. This trip will immerse you into their culture to see and experience their houses as well as trying on and their garments for a photo(s).

Materuni Day Trip

Produce your own cup of coffee from tree to cup. See and experience the 80m high water falls. While at Materuni you will enjoy and experience the best that the foot of Kilimanjaro has to offer.

Chemka Hot Spring

Chemka Hot Springs is an oasis in the hinterland of the Kilimanjaro region, situated 40 kilometers from Moshi. At these idyllic underground springs with the crystal clear, turquoise water, you can enjoy the perfect rest

Lake Chala Tour

The peace due to tranquility of Lake Chaka can m,ake one think that it is a place situated thousand lifetimes away from the bustle of Moshi town, but it’s actually only an hour’s drive. This is perfect for a day trip with a difference.

LAKE ZONE NATIONAL PARKS

Get first class tailor made tours to lake zone national parks. Visit Tanzania’s hidden gems by choosing one of our Lake zone safari packages. Get a chance to visit burigi chato national park, saanane national park, gombe national park, rubondo national park, ibanda kyerwa national park and Rumanyika national park. Discover the peculiar landscape history and culture in the lake zone national parks.

Burigi CHATO National Park

Burigi chato n.park.

Situated close to the border of lake Victoria and Rwanda, this park has a special feature about its wildlife and thus one of the world's largest antelopes - statuesque Cape eland.

Gombe N.park

Gombe Stream National Park, is located on the western border of Tanzania. This is where Jane Goodall, spent many years studying the behaviour of the endangered chimpanzees.

Rubondo Island National Park is one of two Tanzanian National Parks located on an island in Lake Victoria. It attracts a small number of visitors each year, mainly game fishermen, bird & hippo enthusiasts.

Ibanda Kyerwa

This is one of the new parks established in 2019, it is found in Kagera region. Three countries of Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda boarders' meet here. Wildlife, sunrise and sunset are easily seen.

Saanane Island is an ideal place for walking gameview and rock hiking. Mammals present here include Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys and Wild Cats. There are as well some reptiles.

This is also a new park established in 2019. It is located in Karagwe and Kyerwa districts Kagera region. The park boasts of natural forest that awards the beauty it deserves.

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Our clients have reviewed us on trip advisor. Our five star reviews have made us the top Tanzania leading tour operator and the number 1 ranking tour company in Moshi, Arusha and zanzibar. We offer the best tours that’s why we are the most trusted tour company in Tanzania.

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Tanzania Safari Agency and Kilimanjaro Hiking Tours

Ismani tours and safaris your gateway to tanzania's enchanting adventures discover the wonders of tanzania safari destinations.

Safe, Affordable, Unforgettable African Safaris

A LIFE TIME ADVENTURES

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TANZANIA SAFARI AND MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING TOURS

Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime and explore the untamed beauty of Tanzania destinations? Look no further than Ismani Tours and Safaris, a Tanzania Safari Tour Company | Best Tanzania Safari Agency, the most trusted and reputable local tour operator in Tanzania. With our extensive Kilimanjaro Trekking and Tanzania Safari experience, unrivaled expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence, we are your ultimate partner in creating unforgettable memories and life-changing experiences in Serengeti Safari Tour, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Mount Meru, Mkomazi National Park, Ruaha, Mahale, Usambara mountain, Sadaani, Burigi Chato, Nyerere National Park, and Other Tanzania cultural Tours.

WHY YOU CHOOSE US – BEST TANZANIA SAFARI TOUR COMPANY IN TANZANIA

Welcome to Ismani Tours and Safari, your gateway to unforgettable adventures in Tanzania! As the leading Tanzania safari tour company | Best Tanzania Safari Agency in the country, we take pride in offering a range of exciting and memorable experiences that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re yearning for a thrilling Tanzania safari, an exhilarating Mount Kilimanjaro climbing experience with the different best routes Machame Route, Lemosho route , Marangu Route and Rongai. A mesmerizing wildlife safari in Serengeti migration, Tarangire, Mahale, Mkomazi National Park, Mount Meru climbing expedition, Gombe National  park safari, Ruaha National Park, Lake Manyara, or Ngorongoro Crater, a relaxing Zanzibar beach holiday, or immersive cultural tours and day trips, we have the perfect package to suit your desires.

Choose Ismani Tours and Safaris as your trusted Kilimanjaro tour operator and unlock the wonders of Tanzania like never before. Let us be your companion as you explore the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania destinations, leaving you with unforgettable memories etched in your heart forever.

Travelers reviews and Recognition

We are proud to have received several recognitions from our esteemed travelers and tourists for our commitment to excellence in the tour and travel industry. These accolades are a testament to our dedication to providing exceptional services and memorable adventures.

Exceptional Tanzania Safari

“Offers exceptional Tanzania safari adventures in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. Additionally, they are experts in Kilimanjaro climbing. With a passion for excellence and safety, is one of the best Tanzania Tour operator company in Arusha”

Our Tanzania trip was unforgettable

“I recently had the privilege of embarking on a 5-day Tanzania safari adventure with Ismani Tours And Safaris, and I must say it was an absolute dream come true! Our trip to the Serengeti Migration, Ngorongoro and Tarangire was impressive…”

Incredible 3-day Tanzania safari

“I recently enjoyed an incredible 3-day Tanzania safari with Ismani Tours And Safaris, the top tour company in Kilimanjaro and Arusha. This adventure included a 1-day trip to Tarangire and a 2-day stay in Ngorongoro to witness the Big Five animals. I highly recommend them…”

Best choice for Kilimanjaro Hike

“Choosing Ismani Tours And Safaris for our Kilimanjaro climb via the Marangu Route over 6 days was the best decision ever! Our guide, Thomas, was incredibly knowledgeable; Chef Joseph’s meals were top-notch; the service was impeccable, like in a 5-star hotel.”

Romantic Kilimanjaro Guide

“My adventure with Ismani Tours And Safaris was truly extraordinary! Opting for them for my 6-day Kilimanjaro ascent via the Machame route was a decision I won’t forget. Victor, our guide, was not just highly skilled but also exceptionally charismatic.”

Travelers choice for African Safari

“Ismani Tours and Safaris deserves heartfelt gratitude for being the top pick among adventurous souls planning a 2-day Serengeti Safari and Ngorongoro Crater journey. Our expedition, Tanzanian Tour operator, turned into an exceptional Tanzania Safaris adventure.”

unforgettable wildlife adventure

“In july 2023, I booked a 4-day Tanzania Safari tour with Ismani Tours And Safaris, where I had the incredible opportunity to view the Big Five animals in the iconic Serengeti National Park. This unforgettable journey allowed me to witness the majesty.”

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing

Discover the Ultimate Adventure of a lifetime with us on your Kilimanjaro climb Tour . Choose from Kilimanjaro group joining or private treks. Through various Kilimanjaro routes your prefer like the scenic beauty of the Machame route, the pristine wilderness of the Lemosho route , the convenience of the Marangu route, the rugged challenges of the Northern Circuit route, the solitude of the Rongai route, or the ultimate test of the Umbwe route. As the top Kilimanjaro tour operator, we guarantee unforgettable safety journeys. Customize your trek with us and conquer Kilimanjaro, creating lasting memories.

Kilimanjaro Hiking Tour Packages

Mt kilimanjaro packages | kilimanjaro tour operator.

Lets Explore the best of Tanzania Safari Destinations

Explore the iconic Serengeti Migration , the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the wild beauty of Tarangire National Park, the enchanting Lake Manyara, and the diverse landscapes of Arusha National Park. Witness the untamed beauty of Ruaha National Park , and embark on Mikumi Safari’s wildlife spectacle. Discover the hidden gems of Nyerere National Park , immerse yourself in the unique landscapes of Mkomazi , and experience the coastal charm of Saadani and d elve into the mysteries of Mahale National Park with our Chimpanzee tours.

Let us guide you through an array of experiences that will leave you in awe. Whether you seek group-sharing, budget-friendly, midrange comfort, luxury indulgence, or camping accomodation. Ismani Tours And Safaris premier Tanzania Safari tour company has the perfect Tanzania safari destinations package for you to explore, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

TANZANIA SAFARI PACKAGES | SERENGETI MIGRATION SAFARI | BEST TANZANIA SAFARI AGENCY

Exclusive First minutes Tour offers

Seize this incredible chance to discover the marvels of African Safari with Ismani Tours And Safaris, Tanzania Safari Tour Company |Best Tanzania Safari Agency. Contact us now to secure your First Minutes tour Deal and embark on the adventure of a lifetime at Discount rate.

Lets Visit Zanzibar the best of Zanzibar Beach Holiday

Experience the best of Zanzibar with Ismani Tours And Safaris ! Enjoy a blissful Zanzibar beach holiday on the soft sands, under the warm sun, and in the inviting Indian Ocean. Immerse yourself in the unique fusion of African, Arab, and European influences through spice markets, ancient ruins, and delightful local cuisine. Ismani Tours And Safaris guarantees a Zanzibar beach vacation filled with relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable cultural experiences in Tanzania Safaris.

TANZANIA SAFARI-ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAY PACKAGES

Lets Hike Mount Meru

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Tanzania’s Mount Meru with ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS as your dedicated guides. Our outstanding reputation and extensive expertise guarantee an extraordinary trekking experience that will create lifelong memories.

Nestled within the Arusha National Park , Mount Meru is a prominent mountain and the fifth-highest peak on the African continent, soaring to an impressive elevation of 4,562 meters (14,968 feet). As you ascend this majestic mountain, you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring scenery and an invigorating challenge that makes it a sought-after alternative to the renowned Mount Kilimanjaro.

ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS offers an unforgettable Mount Meru trekking adventure, immersing you in Tanzania’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Our experienced guides ensure your safety and enrich your experience with insights on the challenging path to the summit. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or a nature enthusiast, join us for a tailored expedition to Mount Meru’s summit and create lasting memories.

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Tanzania is a beautiful country in East Africa known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant culture. If you’re interested in a Tanzania one day trip tour with “Ismani Tours And Safaris” in Tanzania.

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Focus East Africa Tours » Blog » Top 10+ best Tanzania Safari Companies

Top 10+ best Tanzania Safari Companies

Top 10+ best Tanzania Safari Companies—For Every Tanzania Safari Vacation in 2023-2024: The top 10+ safari companies in Tanzania for your 2023–2024 trip: The best Tanzania safari tour companies to work with for your next trip to Tanzania include: A Tanzania safari journey is usually great and full of incredible memories; however, everything depends on the tour operator/company you choose to travel with. It can be time-consuming and frustrating to plan your own safari, and it can be challenging to choose the best Tanzania safari companies . You may find hundreds of companies that all offer you the vacation of your dreams by conducting a fast internet search. So how do you decide who to believe?

The safari tour company/operator you select and rely on to plan and conduct your entire safari tour will determine the quality of your safari experience in Tanzania . In other words, the better the safari tour company/operator you select, the more exciting your safari experience will be, and the worse the safari tour operator you select, the less exciting your safari experience will be. How can you determine whether a particular company is a good choice to plan your safari vacation? And this is always the main issue that many people encounter when trying to find a reputable tour company to book with for their safari in Tanzania. However, there is no need to worry any longer because today in this article we will discuss t he top 10 tour company/operators to book with for your upcoming Tanzania safari tour .

There are a sufficient number of reputable safari trip operators in Tanzania, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest nations in Africa for safaris. The Tanzanian Association of Tour Operators (TATO) is the organization in charge of regulating safari businesses there. If you want to have a terrific and unforgettable Tanzania safari experience , check out the list of recommended tour and safari tour operators in Tanzania below before making your reservations for your upcoming Tanzania safari vacation. Let’s get going.

BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Every safari company included in this article has a solid reputation and experience assisting travelers with organizing various Tanzania safari types. Let’s now talk about how to select the best Tanzania safari companies for your vacation requirements.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANY?

An excellent question. I recommend that you choose the best Tanzania safari company according to the following three key criteria:

• Read reviews about safari companies (the higher the rating, the better).
• Check out the safari company’s website.
• Select a safari company based on style and your budget.

Read reviews: It’s crucial to pick a safari operator with positive, recent reviews and high ratings on websites like TripAdvisor and TrustPilot when making your decision.

Check the company’s website: Awards and certifications are typically made public on the websites of reputable travel agencies. Find out how long they have been in business as well. Asking your local operator about their payment methods is the best approach to verifying them.

Many local Tanzania tour operators only accept cash on arrival or payments sent via Western Union. Even if you don’t have to be wary, I’d suggest looking for a business that accepts payments online. On the other hand, many foreign businesses offer frills that are simple to buy but may come with high prices.

Select based on style and budget: Make sure to compare Tanzanian safari pricing and itineraries because each safari company specializes in a particular kind of tour. To determine if you are receiving a good price, you may also compare hotel quotes with internet lodge rates.

WHICH ARE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES?

Overall, recently these are the top 6 Tanzania safari companies based on their lengthy histories of offering wonderful Tanzania safari experiences, top-notch customer service, budget-friendly tour packages, and the best customer satisfaction ratings. These includes:

• Focus East Africa Tours
• Roy Safaris
• Gosheni Safaris
• Nomad Tanzania
• Yellow Zebra Safaris
• National Geographic Expeditions

The following categories of Tanzania safari companies are used to group all of the Best Tanzania Safari Companies listed in this article: group, private luxury, adventure, family, and conservation-focused safaris.

WHICH TANZANIAN SAFARI COMPANIES OFFER THE BEST GROUP SAFARIS?

The best Tanzanian safari companies for group safaris are Altezza Travel, Roy Safaris, Suricata Safaris, Meru Slopes, and G-Adventures. They provide low-cost, small-to-medium-sized group safaris with set itineraries that visit Tanzania’s most well-known national parks and tourist hotspots.

• Altezza Travel

The operational offices of Altezza, which specialize in mountain climbing, wildlife safaris , and beach vacations , are located close to Mount Kilimanjaro , so they are always available to help. Two hotels, a trained guide staff that regularly attends training sessions, and an in-house fleet of vehicles all belong to Altezza.

In the 25 years that Roy Safaris has been in the travel business, an astonishing 70% of customers have either returned or been referred. Small groups are the target audience for their safari vacations, which also provide custom options like photographic safaris.

• Suricata Safaris

Suricata Safaris, a relative newcomer to the safari scene, was founded in 2016, but has already garnered hundreds of positive reviews for their skilled and personable guides, as well as their delicious camping meals. Safaris at lodges or 3- to 7-day camping trips are options.

• Meru Slopes Tours and Safaris

Meru Slopes is a local business with headquarters in Arusha that specializes in low-cost to moderately priced safaris, as well as beach vacations, mountain climbing, and hiking . Local communities and cultural experiences are given a lot of attention.

• G-Adventures

G-Adventures, which is an expert in small group travel, offers carefully crafted and thoroughly examined itineraries that are guided by professional teams. They provide a variety of 6- to 15-day tours that visit Zanzibar and Tanzania’s national parks.

WHICH ARE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES FOR PRIVATE AND LUXURY SAFARIS?

The best Tanzania safari companies for exclusive and luxurious safaris include Focus East Africa Tours, Gosheni Safaris, Micato Safaris, and Lion King Adventures. These safari businesses provide private safaris that let you create your own itinerary if you’d prefer more freedom and exclusivity. Your fantasy vacation can be meticulously planned with the assistance of these four safari firms.

One of the top tour and travel companies in Tanzania Safaris, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, the Congo, and Zanzibar in Africa, but mostly specialized in Tanzania with headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania . For the best 2023–2024 East Africa safari experience in Tanzania safaris (Tanzania Tours), Kenya safaris, Rwanda safaris, and Uganda safaris, select Focus East Africa Tours. Focus East Africa Tours offers the greatest safari packages across all price ranges, from entry-level to deluxe, and in addition, it caters to all types of tourists from all financial backgrounds.

One of the best locally owned tour operators, Gosheni, has a fleet of its own cars as well as trained drivers and guides. Gosheni prides itself on staying on the cutting edge of customized safari experiences and has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2015–2017.

• Micato Safaris

Micato Safaris, which is family-owned and operated, provides guests with round-the-clock assistance and has astute Kenyan owners. They have been rated the top safari outfitter by Travel & Leisure Magazine nine times because of their extraordinary attention to detail. They are most renowned for their strategy of including tips and choosing opulent luxury resorts.

• The Lion King Adventures

Lion King Adventures is a family-run safari company in Arusha that specializes in creating personalized safaris. Their small group of experienced guides and travel consultants provides knowledgeable insights into your safari experience and a more individualized vacation from beginning to end.

WHICH ARE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES FOR ADVENTURE OR OFF-THE-BEATEN SAFARIS?

The best Tanzania safari companies for action-packed or off-the-beaten-path safaris are Nomad Tanzania, Shadows of Africa, and Expert Africa. The majority of safari routes in northern Tanzania travel to well-known parks and tourist destinations. These three safari companies, on the other hand, provide visitors who have already visited the area with unique experiences in less traveled parts of the country.

In Tanzania, Nomad Tanzania operates 14 of its own private camps. Fly-in safaris to the remote Ruaha, Katavi National Parks and the Mahale Mountains to observe chimpanzees are included in luxury safari packages. Nomad is committed to promoting environmentally and socially responsible tourism.

• Shadows of Africa

Winner of the Tanzania Travel Award and one of the best safari operators, Shadows of Africa specializes in affordable group and private safaris. A 9-day Tanzania adventure safari is included in some packages, along with daily doses of outdoor pursuits including walking, horseback riding , cycling, and kayaking.

• Expert Africa

Expert Africa was founded in 1994 and is renowned for its expertly planned safaris in the less popular southern Tanzanian national parks and chimpanzee trekking excursions in the Gombe and Mahale Mountains parks . The business takes great delight in finding new lodges and undiscovered treasures.

 WHICH ARE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES FOR FAMILY SAFARIS?

For family-friendly safaris, the best Tanzanian safari companies to choose from are Focus East Africa Tours, Easy Travel, Yellow Zebra, and Rothschild. These businesses offer specialized packages with itineraries and lodging that are suitable for families.

Focus East Africa Tours, one of the top tour and travel companies in Tanzania Safaris, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, the Congo, and Zanzibar in Africa, is based in Tanzania and has offices there. For the greatest Tanzania family safari experience in 2023–2024 , go with Focus East Africa Tours . The company has more experience with this type of safari tour and has knowledgeable, professional safari guides and travel professionals who will plan your safari adventure flawlessly from beginning to end.

• Easy Travel and Tours

A safari business in Tanzania with a solid track record for eco-friendly tourism and attentive service. Four years running, Easy Travel has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. The business specializes in producing extraordinary environmental and cultural experiences. Their affordable midrange safaris offer possibilities for families.

This firm, which has been named Europe’s top safari tour operator by World Travel Awards for six years running, provides in-depth expertise because its safaris are planned by qualified guides and lodge managers. By choosing family-friendly resorts and tailoring itineraries, Yellow Zebra creates special family packages.

• Rothschild Safaris

Rothschild Safaris, a private travel company with over 30 years of experience and numerous accolades, works to find knowledgeable guides and eco-friendly lodging. They assist with regional conservation and neighborhood projects and provide a variety of family safaris to East Africa .

WHICH ARE THE BEST TANZANIA SAFARI COMPANIES FOR CONSERVATION-FOCUSED SAFARIS?

Overall, the best Tanzania safari companies for safaris with a conservation focus are National Geographic Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures. These safari firms provide customized safaris that involve instruction on conservation from regional authorities and hands-on activities. In other words, these safaris are created for the traveler who yearns for deeper understanding—a safari experience like no other.

With the ability to interact with and learn from National Geographic’s network of local experts about animal conservation and cultural issues, National Geographic Expeditions offers a unique safari experience that combines wildlife viewing, opulent lodging, and wildlife viewing.

• Natural Habitat Adventures

Since 1985, Natural Habitat Adventures has provided small group excursions featuring once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters and educational activities in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund. Tours stimulate adventure and further exploration of the natural environment while focusing on sustainable tourism.

Conclusion: The Best Tanzania Safari Companies to Book with for Your Upcoming 2023-2024 Tanzania Safari Vacation are now complete! You can start making plans for an amazing Tanzanian safari now that you know who to trust and who you can afford. To guarantee you have a fantastic safari experience, do not hesitate to book with the aforementioned companies, as they provide great deals and ensure an unforgettable Tanzania safari experience . Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions regarding the best Tanzania safari companies to work with when planning your Tanzania safari trips. We are here to assist you in planning the safari of a lifetime.

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Safaris in Tanzania by Safari Avventura

Start discovering the wonders of Tanzania by entrusting yourself to a Tour Operator specialized in Safari in Tanzania, which organizes tours in Tanzania with a professional European and Tanzanian management team, as well as plan out your holidays to make them pleasant and unforgettable. We are the only place to book the best safaris in Tanzania. Get started now to begin exploring our different destinations and itineraries!

Experience a safari in Tanzania

We are a local Tour Operator specializing in safaris in Tanzania that will bring you to discover these magical and enchanting lands. We will charm you with the endless horizon of the Savannah, the great reserves, animals, northern and southern parks, postcard-like sunsets, primordial Africa; home to ancient tribes, and white beaches overlooking the beautiful sea in the Zanzibar archipelago. Safari Avventura offers you unforgettable photographic safaris in Tanzania, where you can enjoy truly poignant experiences, thanks to our experienced local guides.

TANZANIA SAFARIS

Leave now for a safari choosing from one of our many tours in Tanzania, itineraries made especially for you. Choose based on the type of trip and the parks you want to visit. You can also choose the sea extension, to push you to Zanzibar!

SAFARI DEALS & OFFERS

We have reserved some offers for you to leave immediately for Tanzania without thinking twice. Take advantage of our safaris on offer and go in groups at a lower price. An unforgettable journey awaits you!

Our mission is to make you experience an unforgettable adventure!

Book now your safari.

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Discover Itineraries and Prices of tours in Tanzania:

For more information about our safari tours in Tanzania or for any assistance or advice on travel packages or itineraries you have purchased, please contact us by email and call us on the number below. We always reply within 24 hours.

Phone: +25 576 451 4412 E-mail: [email protected]

Our most popular safaris

Among the most beautiful and exciting parks to visit there is certainly the Serengeti National Park, an essential stop on almost all of our tours. Here you will find the 4 most booked itineraries that include a visit to the Serengeti, along with many other parks, such as that of Arusha and Tarangire.

9-day safari in Tanzania

Arusha Park

Tarangire Park

Manyara Park

Serengeti Park

Starting from 2.445 USD

Luxury safari in Tanzania

Manyara Park with night safari

Balloon Safari

Ngorongoro Reservation

Request a quote

Great Migration Safari tour of 12 days

Ngorongoro Crater

Great migration in the Serengeti

Starting from 3.050 USD

7 days in Tanzania + 5 in Zanzibar

Starting from € 3,349

The prices of a safari in Tanzania

All our different safari itineraries in Tanzania include numerous services which are all already included in the displayed prices. The only expense not included is that of air travel to reach Tanzania.

However, the cost of a safari trip to Tanzania can depend on many factors. The prices, in fact, of the itineraries in the Rift Valley range from 700 to 3000 €, based on the number of days you book and the type of lifestyle you want to maintain. So if you have wondered how much a tour in Tanzania costs , the answer is: “around € 300 per day”.

With Safari Avventura payment is made following contact with our staff, with whom we will organize the trip, by bank transfer .

When to go on a tour in Tanzania?

Tanzania has a tropical climate . In the highlands, temperatures vary between 10 and 20 ° C during the cold and warm seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures that rarely drop below 20 ° C. The warmest period runs from November to February (25-31 ° C), while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15-20 ° C). The climate is cool in the high mountain regions.

In the north of Tanzania and on the north coast, there are two rainy seasons , respectively October-December (called the small rains or Vuli) and March.

We operate with a Class “A” Tour Operator license No. 125319 issued by the Ministry of Tourism of Tanzania.

We are members of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO).

We are members of the Tanzania Tourist Board

How to organize a safari in Tanzania:

To help you organize your trip to the beautiful lands of Tanzania, to experience an unforgettable safari tour, we have prepared a detailed guide you can read here . Below, however, we have reported a series of indications and advice that will allow you to experience the safari with more serenity.

If, on the other hand, you are interested in the parks of  Tanzania to visit, you can find them on this page.

How much does a safari cost?

What vaccinations and visas do you need?

tanzanialists.com

45 list of safari companies in tanzania.

Safari simply refers to a journey or expedition in which tourists or visitors embark on to observe animals in their natural habitat. This activity mostly takes place in East Africa which has led to the establishment of safari companies in Tanzania, one of the countries in East Africa. If you are in need of a safari company service, read through this list Safari Companies in Tanzania to make your choice.

There are quite a handful of Safari Companies in Tanzania which are responsible for arranging, and promoting holidays and travel options, as well as working with hotels, airlines, and other transport agencies for ground travel, so as to make arrangements for visitors and tourists.

Find below the List of Safari Companies in Tanzania.

List of Safari Companies In Tanzania

• Trust Tours and Safaris Company Tanzania
• African Legends Tanzania Safaris
• Seven Wonders Safaris Tanzania
• Tanzania Travel & Safari Company
• Selous Safari Company
• Africa Natural Tours Ltd.
• Masengota Safaris Company Limited
• Waterbuck Safaris
• Daigle Tours Tanzania
• Takims Holidays
• Pongo Safaris Tour Company Limited
• Let’s View Tanzania
• Tanzania on Foot
• Safari World East Africa
• The Insight Tanzania Safaris
• Back2Africa Tours and Safaris
• Wanderlust Africa Safaris
• Marangu Treks & Safaris
• Shujaa Tours
• Bantu Poi Journeys
• Bushwide Africa Safari
• Agama Tours and Safaris
• Open Africa Safaris
• Gombe Track Safaris and Tours
• Braventure Africa
• Congema Tours & Safaris
• Foot Slopes Tours & Safaris
• Usambara Trails Expedition
• Tours & Safaris Mafia Island
• Alaitol Safaris
• Tanzania Private Select Safaris Ltd
• Gazelle Safaris
• WS Safaris Ltd.
• Treasure Travels and Safaris
• Saafaris Tailor Made
• EA Holidays Ltd.
• Expect in Africa Safari
• Bee Eater & Honey Guide Safaris
• Sayari Tano Tours & Safaris
• Lamingo Tours and Safari
• Nyambabe Adventures
• Uisso Adventures and Safari
• Jumbo Tours and safaris
• Twende Africa Tours

Contacts of Safari Companies In Tanzania

Address: Indian Street New Safaris Hotel Trust Tours and Safaris Tanzania Arusha, 6111, Tanzania

Address: Sykes Building 1st Floor, Goliondoi Road, Off Sokoine Road Arusha, Tanzania 

Address: New Bondeni Plaza 2nd Floor, Box 1118, Arusha – Tanzania.

Address: East Africa Road, Faida street House No. 4, Arusha 10349, Tanzania

Address: Gerezani St, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Address: P.O.BOX 8011 Boma Moshi – Arusha Road Kilimanjaro Tanzania East Africa, Tanzania

Address: Along Old Dodoma Road, Moringa Area adjacent Tgts/Aman Restaurant Arusha, Tanzania 

Address: 55 Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Dar es Salaam TZ, 3272, Tanzania

Address: 50 Mji Mwema, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Address: Mtendeni Street, Kisutu Dar es Salaam TZ, 20350, Tanzania

Address: NIC Life House, Sokoine Dr, Dar es Salaam 11101, Tanzania

Address: Shanty Town Moshi TZ, 25000, Tanzania

Address: Arusha, Tanzania.

Address: 69, Kisembe Lane, Karen, Box 15159, Hardy, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya

Address: Arusha St, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Address: P.O.Box 713 USA-River, Arusha -Tanzania

Address: P. O. Box 13723, Nelson Mandela Road (Baraa street, House N0.90, 2nd floor, Room N0.03), Arusha, Tanzania.

Address: P.O. Box 10023 Moshi Rau – Uru Road Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Address: P.O.Box 8582, Moshi Town, Tanzania

Address: Longuo B, Moshi, Tanzania

Address: Uru Avenue, Orest Building, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Address: Karatu, Arusha – Tanzania

Address: Suite No. 1 Swahili Street P.O. Box 15097 Arusha, Tanzania

Address: P.O. Box 936, Old Moshi Road, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Address: P.O. Box 838 Kigoma, Tanzania

Address: Reczona Street, Makao Mapya Area, Arusha, Tanzania 

Address: P.O. Box 10872 Makongoro Road Arusha Tanzania

Address: Super Hongera Building, 1 st Floor, Room No. 6, opposite NMB Bank, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Address: P. O. Box 33 Mafia Island, Tanzania

Address: Njiro Block C1 P.O.BOX 2758 Arusha, Tanzania

Address: Plot No 50/E Joel Maeda Street Arusha, Tanzania

P.O. box 2240 Mbeya, Tanzania

Address: 2288 Arusha Tanzania, Tanzania

Address: PO BOX 3041 Zanzibar, Tanzania

• Safaris Tailor Made

Address: P. O. 1614 Arusha, Iliboru Arusha City, Tanzania

Address: P.O. Box 363 Chake Chake, Pemba, Tanzania 

Address: P. O. Box Po,Box 49 Arusha, Tanzania

Address: Plot No. 419, Block J, Njiro, Arusha Municipality, P. O. Box 10608, Arusha. Tanzania

Address: P. O. Box 1530 Arusha Tanzania

Address: Lamingo International Air Nyerere International Airport TB1, Dar es Salaam and Arusha Branch, Tanzania

Address: Near Sabena Pharmacy, Sabena, Martin Rd, Tanzania

Address: Msumbuji Street, Soweto, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Address: Pangani Street, Pride Building P.O. Box 14155 Arusha, Tanzania

Address: NSSF Building – Second Floor Old Moshi Rd Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

• List of Tour Companies In Tanzania
• List of Transportation Companies In Tanzania
• List of Insurance Companies In Tanzania
• List of Mining Companies In Tanzania

Conclusion 

Tanzania is undoubtedly one of the most visit countries because of the vast Safaris present in the country. So, there you have the list of Safari Companies in Tanzania that will be of immense help to you whenever you decide to visit the country for vacation purposes. 

Tag: List of Safari Companies in Tanzania.

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‘This Will Finish Us’

How Gulf princes, the safari industry, and conservation groups are displacing the Maasai from the last of their Serengeti homeland

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I t was high safari season in Tanzania, the long rains over, the grasses yellowing and dry. Land Cruisers were speeding toward the Serengeti Plain. Billionaires were flying into private hunting concessions. And at a crowded and dusty livestock market far away from all that, a man named Songoyo had decided not to hang himself, not today, and was instead pinching the skin of a sheep.

“Please!” he was saying to a potential buyer with thousands of animals to choose from on this morning. “You can see, he is so fat!”

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The buyer moved on. Songoyo rubbed his eyes. He was tired. He’d spent the whole night walking, herding another man’s sheep across miles of grass and scrub and pitted roads to reach this market by opening time. He hadn’t slept. He hadn’t eaten. He’d somehow fended off an elephant with a stick. What he needed to do was sell the sheep so their owner would pay him, so he could try to start a new life now that the old one was finished.

The old life: He’d had all the things that made a person such as him rich and respected. Three wives, 14 children, a large compound with 75 cows and enough land to graze them—“such sweet land,” he would say when he could bear to think of it—and that was how things had been going until recently.

The new life: no cows, because the Tanzanian government had seized every single one of them . No compound, because the government had bulldozed it, along with hundreds of others. No land, because more and more of the finest, lushest land in northern Tanzania was being set aside for conservation, which turned out to mean for trophy hunters, and tourists on “bespoke expeditions,” and cappuccino trucks in proximity to buffalo viewing—anything and anyone except the people who had lived there since the 17th century, the pastoralists known as the Maasai.

They were the ones tourists saw through their windshields selling beaded key chains at the gates of Serengeti National Park, or performing dances after dinner at safari lodges. They were famous for their red shawls and recycled-tire sandals. They grazed their cattle with zebras and giraffes, and built mud-and-dung houses encircled by stick fences barely distinguishable from the wild landscape. They were among the lightest-living people on the planet, and yet it was the Maasai who were being told that the biggest threat to conservation and national progress was them. Their whole way of life had to go.

From the April 2020 issue: Ed Yong on the last giraffes on Earth

And so Songoyo, after considering his alternatives, had devised a last-ditch plan for his own survival, one that had brought him to a town in Kenya called Aitong, where a cool wind was slapping sand and dung into his face as he scanned the market for buyers. He was far from home, roughly 65 miles north of the village in Tanzania where he had been tear-gassed and shot at for the first time in his life. He had seen elderly men beaten and guns fired at old women, and now it was down to this: He was a herder for hire, working for a distant relative, trying to make enough money to buy one single cow.

“Come!” he called to the buyers who kept passing his herd and weaving through the bleating mass. “You will not find any better!”

This was his plan: one cow, because that was the starting point of what it meant to be a Maasai man, which was what he still wanted to be.

The forces arrayed against Songoyo, whom I met in the course of two long trips to Tanzania late last year, include some of the world’s most powerful people and interests. (I have not used Songoyo’s last name out of concern for his safety.) What these people and interests want is what the Maasai are trying to keep: the land they live on.

Global leaders are seeking what they consider to be undeveloped land to meet a stated goal of conserving 30 percent of the planet’s surface by 2030 . Corporations want undisturbed forests in order to offset pollution. Western conservation groups, which refer to the Maasai as “stakeholders” on their own land, exert great influence, as does a booming safari industry that sells an old and destructive myth—casting the Serengeti as some primordial wilderness, with the Maasai as cultural relics obstructing a perfect view.

The reality is that the Maasai have been stewards, integral to creating that very ecosystem. The same can be said of Indigenous groups around the world, to whom conservation often feels like a land grab. In the past two decades, more than a quarter million Indigenous people have been evicted to make way for ecotourism, carbon-offset schemes, and other activities that fall under the banner of conservation. That figure is expected to soar.

For all its accomplishments, the cause of saving the planet has become a trillion-dollar business, a global scramble in which wealthy nations are looking to the developing world not just for natural resources, but for nature itself. The wealthy players include not only Europeans and Americans but Arabs and Chinese and others. On the African continent, political leaders are enthusiastic about what so-called green foreign investment might mean for their own economies (and, maybe, their bank accounts).

Such are the pressures being brought to bear on northern Tanzania, where the Maasai migrated with their cattle 400 years ago, settling in an area encompassing hundreds of thousands of square miles of grassy plains, acacia woodlands, rivers, lakes, snowcapped mountains, salt flats, forests, and some of the most spectacular wildlife on the planet. They called it Siringet, which in the Maa language means “the place where the land runs on forever.” The Maasai see their recent history as a struggle to save that land from those who claimed it needed saving.

First came the British colonial authorities, who established the 5,700-square-mile Serengeti National Park, pushing the Maasai to an adjacent zone called the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with its famous crater, where they were promised they could live. Then came UNESCO. It declared both Serengeti and Ngorongoro to be World Heritage Sites, which came with new restrictions. Western tourists began arriving, seeking an experience of Africa that a thousand movies promised—one of pristine beauty and big game, not people grazing cattle. Tanzanian authorities began leasing blocks of land to foreign hunting and safari companies, many of which promoted themselves as conservationists—a word the Maasai have come to associate with their own doom. Spread among the villages that dot the northern tourist zone, the Maasai have meanwhile been growing in number—their population has doubled in recent decades, to about 200,000. Inevitably, the clash of interests has led to bitter and occasionally violent conflict.

Still, the threat unfolding now is of greater magnitude. It emerged soon after President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office, in 2021. “Tourism in Ngorongoro is disappearing,” she declared during one of her first major speeches. “We agreed that people and wildlife could cohabitate, but now people are overtaking the wildlife.” The Maasai listened with alarm, realizing that the people she was referring to were them.

Not long after Hassan’s speech, officials announced plans to resettle the roughly 100,000 Maasai who were living in and around Ngorongoro to “modern houses” in another part of the country. Meanwhile, in a region north of Ngorongoro, bordering Serengeti National Park, government security forces began rolling into Maasai villages. They were carrying out another part of the plan: annexing 580 square miles of prime grazing land to create an exclusive game reserve for the Dubai royal family, which had long hunted in the area. The government characterized the move as necessary for conservation. Traditional Maasai compounds, known as bomas , were burned. Park rangers began seizing cattle by the tens of thousands.

And more was coming: a $7.5 billion package with the United Arab Emirates , of which Dubai is a part, that included new plans for tourism and conservation. A $9.5 million deal with the Chinese for a geological park that overlapped with additional Maasai villages. An offer from Tanzania to make Donald Trump Jr.—an avid trophy hunter—an official “tourism ambassador.” New maps and proposals from the government indicated that further tracts could soon be placed off-limits, including a sacred site that the Maasai call the Mountain of God.

Read: What trophy hunting does to the elephants it leaves behind

“This is 80 percent of our land,” a Maasai elder told me one evening during a meeting with other leaders in northern Tanzania. “This will finish us.” They had tried protesting. They had filed lawsuits. They had appealed to the United Nations , the European Union , the East African Court of Justice, and Vice President Kamala Harris when she visited Tanzania in 2023. They’d unearthed old maps and village titles to prove that the land was theirs by law, not just by custom. They’d written a letter to John and Patrick McEnroe after hearing that the tennis stars were hosting a $25,000-a-person safari-and-tennis expedition in the Serengeti. People made supportive statements, but no one was coming to help.

This is what Songoyo understood as he paced the market in Aitong. It was closing soon. Buyers were filtering out through the wire fence, and he still had 12 sheep left to sell, one of which was lame. A man tapped it with a stick.

“A cow stepped on his leg; that’s why he walks like that,” Songoyo said, bracing the animal with his knees.

The man walked away. Another came and tapped his stick on the lame sheep, and then on the rest of them. They agreed on a price, and the buyer pulled out a roll of bills.

“Please, can you add 500?” Songoyo said, asking for the equivalent of an extra $3.60 in Kenyan shillings. “I need 500. Please.”

The man added 200, and Songoyo brought the day’s earnings to the relative who had hired him. They sat under a tree, and he counted out Songoyo’s share for a week of work, roughly $10. One cow would cost about $200.

“See you next week,” the man said.

“May God give you favor,” Songoyo replied, putting the money in the pocket of his blue track pants. His cellphone rang, a battered plastic burner.

“I am coming,” he told one of his wives, who was waiting for him at their home in Tanzania.

He’d had options other than this. There had always been Maasai who’d given up traditional ways to reinvent themselves, shedding their red shawls for all kinds of lives. Now many more of them, having lost their cattle, were moving to cities, where the Maasai reputation for bravery and rectitude meant there was always work as a security guard—I saw them everywhere in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, in front of shops and banks. Others had taken a government offer to resettle in a town called Msomera, far to the south, only to return home with stories of loneliness and conflict with locals. Still others were falling apart. Songoyo had seen them, drunk men hobbling along the road or passed out on their red shawls under trees in the daytime. That would not be him.

“Never,” he said, and began the long walk back to his village in Tanzania, a tall man wrapped in a pink-and-purple plaid shawl passing cinder-block taverns where he would not drink, and motorbikes he would not hire, because the point was to save money for the cow. No cows, no life , he told himself, picking up the pace along an orange dirt road stretching into the late afternoon.

His earliest memories were of cows; he had never been without them. They were the huge, warm, brown beasts kept in the center of the boma. Their dung formed the walls of his home. Their milk and blood were what he drank as a child, when his father told him what Maasai children were traditionally told: that when the earth split from the sky and God left the world, he entrusted the Maasai with all the cattle, and by extension the land and the other animals that shared it. Songoyo learned how to herd with rocks, pushing them around in the dirt. He got his first calf when he was a small boy, herding it with a stick near the boma. When he was big enough, he followed his older brothers out into the wider grazing areas, including one the Maasai called Osero , a word that refers to lush grasslands—in this case, the 580 square miles of land adjacent to Serengeti National Park where Maasai had lived and kept cattle for generations.

It was in Osero that he learned about different kinds of grasses and trees: which ones had good branches for bows or good bark for tea that could ease a backache. He learned where to find natural salt and the coolest streams, and he learned certain rules: Never cut down a tree. Keep cattle away from wildebeests during calving season, because they carry a disease deadly to cows.

He listened to older boys tell stories, including one whose lesson he still lived by, about a group of Maasai heading out on a cattle raid when one of the warriors broke his sandal. The warrior turned to the man behind him and asked if he would stay and help, but the man refused. He asked another, who also refused, and so on until the very last one agreed to stay, while the rest continued on to cattle-raiding glory. The stern moral was: Be prepared. Don’t fall behind. Stay with the group. Struggle.

Songoyo had struggled. He held himself together after his father died, when he was still a boy, a moment when he might have turned delinquent but didn’t. He endured his adolescent coming-of-age ceremonies with dignity, by all accounts managing not to cry or shake during his circumcision, when people scrutinize and taunt boys for any sign of weakness, and he was rewarded with cows. He learned how to shoot arrows and use a machete, and became a moran —entering a stage of life when young Maasai men bear responsibility for protecting their village—and was given more cows, each with a name, each with a certain character he came to know. In this way, the life he wanted became possible.

He married his first wife, then a second and a third, and eventually built a boma in the village where his children went to school, and a larger compound on the edge of Osero, where the cattle were kept, and where he’d had one of the happiest moments of his life. This was just before everything began to unravel, an otherwise ordinary day when the rains were full and the cows were fat and he’d walked out into the middle of them, their bells jangling, realizing how far he’d come and thinking, “Yes, I am a real Maasai.”

Not that life was an idyll. In village after village that I visited, people described years of tensions with safari companies and conservation authorities. People who lived within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area—a vast zone that was almost like its own country—had complained about schools falling apart and poisoned salt licks and the indignity of their identity being checked as they came and went through the tourist gate. In other areas, people had accused certain safari companies of illegally acquiring leases and paying local police to beat herders off concessions. One company was notorious for using a helicopter to spray scalding water on cows.

In Osero, the problems went back to 1992, when an Emirati company called Otterlo Business Corporation (OBC) was first granted a hunting license for the Dubai royal family. They had their own private camp and a private airstrip and, for the emir himself, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a compound on a hill, guarded by a special unit of the Tanzanian military police. When the rains ended each year, cargo planes full of four-wheelers and tents and pallets of food would buzz low over villages before landing, followed by private jets delivering the royal family and their guests. A few weeks later, they’d buzz out with carcasses of zebras and antelope and other trophies. For a while, OBC had its own cellphone tower, and Maasai villagers noticed that when they were near it, a message would pop up on their phone screens: “Welcome to the U.A.E.” The arrangement had been that the Maasai were supposed to keep away when the royals were in residence, but just about everyone had caught a glimpse. Songoyo had seen them speeding around, shooting animals from trucks with semiautomatic rifles. “Once, they pulled up in the middle of my cows and I saw them shooting so many antelope,” he told me. “They just kill, kill, kill!”

There had been attempts at diplomacy. Sometimes the Arabs, as the Maasai called them, would give out bags of rice. They had hired Maasai men to work as guides and drivers and had flown some of their favorite employees to Dubai, buying them clothing and cars. One driver recalled being at the camp on a day when the emir arrived. The driver lined up with other staff, and the emir greeted each one of them while an assistant followed behind with a large bag of cash, inviting each worker to reach in. The driver said he pulled out $1,060.

But a bitterness was always there. Maasai leaders had long claimed that Osero belonged to 14 adjacent villages, and that they had never consented to the OBC deal. Tanzanian officials asserted authority over not only Osero but a far larger expanse—Loliondo—citing its colonial-era designation as a game-controlled area; they often resorted to violence to enforce this view. Maasai villagers described to me how government security forces had collaborated with OBC at least twice in recent years to conduct a large-scale torching of bomas in the vicinity of the camp. Young men grazing cows had been beaten and shot at. One man described to me being shot in the face, then handcuffed to a hospital bed as he was bleeding through his ears and nose and eyes, slipping in and out of consciousness. He remembered a police officer shouting at a doctor to let him die, and the doctor refusing the order and saving his life. He lost his left eye, the socket now scarred over with skin, and had kept a thin blue hospital receipt all these years in the hope of receiving restitution that never came. Most villages have people who can tell such stories.

Read: The war on rhino poaching has human casualties

In 2017, amid rising complaints and lawsuits filed by Maasai leaders, Tanzanian authorities suspended OBC’s license and accused the company’s director of offering some $2 million in bribes to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, which led to a court case that ended in a plea deal. Requests to interview OBC executives, representatives of the Dubai royal family, and officials of the U.A.E. government about their involvement in Tanzania went unanswered.

By the time Hassan became president, in 2021, the director was back on the job and the OBC flights had resumed.

Samia Suluhu Hassan was widely embraced by West and East. Her predecessor, John Magufuli, who died in office, had been a populist with an authoritarian streak and became infamous for downplaying the dangers of COVID. He suspended media outlets, banned opposition rallies, and alienated foreign investors, even as many Maasai saw him as a hero for brushing back OBC.

Hassan eased his more repressive policies and embarked on an ambitious plan to bring foreign investment into the country, especially through tourism. She branded herself a forward-looking environmentalist.

And she found willing collaborators. The World Bank had been encouraging more tourism , arguing that it could help Tanzania achieve what official metrics define as middle-income status. One of the country’s main conservation partners, UNESCO, had been pressing Tanzanian authorities for years to implement what it called “stringent policies to control population growth” in Ngorongoro, although UNESCO also says it has never supported the displacement of people. A German conservation group called the Frankfurt Zoological Society, a major partner in managing Serengeti National Park, has expressed concern that traditional Maasai practices are becoming less tenable because of population growth. “There is a risk of overuse and overgrazing that should be addressed,” Dennis Rentsch, the deputy director of the society’s Africa department, told me. “I don’t want to vilify the Maasai. They are not enemies of conservation. But the challenge is when you reach a tipping point.”

In response to these pressures, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism produced a report that blamed rising Maasai and livestock populations for “extensive habitat destruction” in conservation zones. It recommended resettling all of Ngorongoro’s Maasai. It also recommended designating the 580-square-mile Osero tract, farther away, as a more restrictive game reserve, describing the land as an important wildlife corridor and water-catchment area for the Serengeti ecosystem. The designation left the Dubai royal family with an exclusive hunting playground. But none of the Maasai who lived in the area would be allowed to graze their cattle or continue living there.

Maasai leaders countered with two reports of their own—more than 300 pages covering colonial history, constitutional law, land-use law, and international conventions, and providing copies of village titles, registration certificates, and old maps—to prove their legal right to the land as citizens. They blamed habitat destruction on sprawling lodges, roads bisecting rangeland, trucks off-roading across savannas, and “huge tourist traffic.” Overgrazing was a result of being squeezed into ever smaller domains, which kept the Maasai from rotating grazing zones as they normally would. Citing their own surveys, they said the government had inflated livestock numbers, a claim supported by Pablo Manzano, a Spanish ecologist with the Basque Centre for Climate Change, who had conducted research in the region and found that the government was perpetuating a tragic misunderstanding.

Manzano and others pointed to a growing body of scholarly research demonstrating what the Maasai had long known: that their management of the land did not degrade the Serengeti ecosystem but had actually helped sustain and even create it—the grasslands the Maasai had cultivated for hundreds of years were the same grasslands that many wild animals needed to thrive. In that sense, the land had already been conserved before the Germans, the British, and various international groups decided that they needed to save it.

In their reports, Maasai leaders concluded that the government was engaged in “a calculated process to wipe out animals” and to “devastate their livelihood and culture.” They took a bus to the capital and delivered the two reports in person to government officials.

But there would be no debate, no discussion of complexities. Hassan moved forward with her agenda. She was finalizing the $7.5 billion package with the United Arab Emirates, the fourth-largest (after China, the EU, and the U.S.) investor in Africa. One deal turned over management of roughly two-thirds of Dar es Salaam’s port to DP World, a company owned by the U.A.E. government. Another deal turned over management of some 20 million acres of forest —roughly 8 percent of the nation’s entire territory—to a company called Blue Carbon, which is run by a member of the royal family, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, and uses conserved land to generate carbon credits that it sells to other companies. The package also included money for tourism.

Hassan invited travel agents to the country for a “tourism reboot.” She spoke of wanting more five-star hotels. She filmed a promotional documentary called The Royal Tour , which at one point involved helicoptering with a travel reporter over some Maasai villages near the Serengeti.

“All those round things down there are the Maasai bomas,” Hassan says in the film, as several villagers look up into the sky. The reporter then comments in a way that Maasai leaders found ominous: “Over the years, the Tanzanian government has tried to persuade the Maasai to become traditional farmers or ranchers, but they’ve persisted in clinging to their ancient ways. And yet, they may not have a choice now.”

Some 400 miles to the south, in the hotter, flatter farming area of Msomera, bulldozers broke ground on a new development. The military was building 5,000 cinder-block houses intended for Maasai families. Officials had been dispatched to villages in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to present the government’s offer: a free house on 2.5 acres. Electricity. Piped water. New schools. A cash bonus of roughly $4,000 for early takers. At one such presentation, a crowd pelted the officials with rocks.

I requested an interview with Hassan to better understand her decisions. In response, a government spokesperson arranged interviews with several other officials, one of whom was Albert Msando, a district commissioner, who told me, “Whatever I am answering is whatever the president would have answered.” We met in the town of Handeni, near Msomera. Msando’s office was inside a former British-colonial building, where a portrait of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding father, hung on one wall and a portrait of Hassan hung on another.

“For the public interest,” Msando said of the Maasai, “we have to relocate them.” A lawyer by training and demeanor, Msando emphasized that any relocation is voluntary, at least for now. He also made it clear that if persuasion fails, the government maintains the legal right to remove the Maasai from conservation areas, by force if necessary. “That’s why there are guys here with their shoulders decorated,” Msando said, pointing around the room to police and military officers.

He told me that anyone in Tanzania would be lucky to get what the Maasai were getting. “We are giving them nice houses, I believe, according to modern standards.” He said that the Maasai currently live in “filthy conditions” and should be helped to “live a better life.”

He and other officials I spoke with said that they disliked even using the term Maasai . They invoked the spirit of Nyerere, saying that Tanzania was supposed to have a national identity, not tribal ones. Msando said he could understand the Maasai’s concern about losing their culture, even if he had little sympathy for it. “Culture is a fluid thing,” he said. “I am Chaga—the Chaga were on the verge of having their own nation. Today look at me. People do not even know I’m Chaga. My kids don’t even speak Chaga.” He was unapologetic: “The Maasai are not exempted from acculturation or cultural acclimatization, or cultural extinction.”

The government’s plans moved forward. In June 2022, a convoy of trucks carrying hundreds of security personnel rolled into the 14 villages bordering Osero, a show of force that the Maasai had never seen before. Soldiers, police, and park rangers set up camps on the outskirts of each village, announcing their intention to demarcate the boundary of the new game reserve. What happened next unfolded sporadically over several days. It has been documented in reports by human-rights groups and was described to me by dozens of witnesses and victims.

First, village leaders summoned to what was billed as a routine ruling-party meeting were arrested after they refused to go along with the demarcation—27 of them in all. The security forces then began planting a long line of three-foot-high rectangular cement markers called beacons along the perimeter of Osero. Villagers came behind them, kicking the markers down before the concrete foundations had set; women hacked at them with machetes. “I felt like I was fighting for myself,” one woman told me later. “I knew if this land goes away, there is nowhere for my children to be, and that forced me to lose my fear.” But the security forces kept beating the villagers back. Elders called more than 1,000 moran to take up positions with bows and arrows in forested areas along a main road where government trucks were patrolling.

“How many are ready to die?” a leader said to the group, and at some point, one of them shot an arrow at a police officer, killing him.

After that, the security forces opened fire. They shot at the legs of elderly women waving grass as a sign of peace. They shot an elderly man, who fell and then was heaped onto a truck “like a sack of maize,” his son told me. He has not been found. The security forces shot at men and women trying to destroy the beacons, wounding them in their arms and legs and backs. They shot tear gas into bomas and burst into one where a traditional ceremony was being held, firing into the crowd. The moran waited for orders to retaliate, but the elders, seeing what the government was willing to do, called them off. “It’s only because we didn’t have guns,” a Maasai elder told me. “If someone helped us with guns, they cannot even fight with us, because they are very cowardly.” Another elder said, “You cannot fight a gun with arrows.”

Dozens of people with bullet and machete wounds, blocked by police from local clinics, limped their way across the border into Kenya for treatment. Several thousand more fled there for safety. Others hid in the forest. Then the burning and bulldozing began. For several days, security forces plowed through circles of stick fences. They crushed houses and corrals and lit the debris on fire, burning more than 300 bomas, including Songoyo’s, and finishing the work before the start of high safari season. In a statement issued a few days after the violence , the Tanzanian government said the new game reserve had “no settlements as it is alleged and therefore there is no eviction” taking place. It described what had happened as “normal practice for all wildlife and forest protected areas in Tanzania”—a necessary step to keep the Serengeti ecosystem from being “disrupted and eventually erased from the face of the Earth.”

Songoyo’s boma had been by a hot spring. His father’s and grandfather’s graves were nearby. In the aftermath of the violence, he moved his family and cattle from Osero to a smaller boma nearer to his village, where he and others returned from hiding to find homes ransacked and skeletons of cows that had been eaten by wild animals.

Security forces roamed up and down the roads. Officials called people into immigration offices and accused them of being Kenyans, requiring them to show up in court for weeks on end, until judges threw out their cases for lack of evidence. Rangers patrolled Osero more heavily than ever, shooting at and beating herders who went anywhere near the new reserve, punishments that now came with a kind of psychological torture—forcing people to consent to the legitimacy of their own dispossession. One young man told me that rangers dragged him to their truck and beat him on his back with a stick for hours, calling him “rubbish” and yelling, “You don’t agree this land was taken? We will punish you until you agree!” They would feed him cornmeal, he said, and beat him some more. But he never did agree. Now he can barely walk.

The Maasai had other problems. One was grass: There was not enough. Everywhere I went, I saw bony cows picking at short clumps of weeds in dry patches of dirt. Out of desperation, some people were taking their cows to graze in Kenya, while others were sneaking into Osero at night. To avoid alerting rangers, cows went in without bells, making them harder to keep track of in the dark. Herders used cheap flashlights for safety, shining them fleetingly in the bush to detect the eyes of lions and other predators. They struggled to keep themselves awake, wearing small radios around their necks, playing tinny music at a low volume only they could hear.

Another problem was worse: Rangers were seizing cattle. Not just a few here and there, but huge herds of them, by the hundreds and then by the thousands. One day, Songoyo got a call from his brother, who had been grazing Songoyo’s 75 cows near Osero with other herders.

He said rangers had chased them down and seized more than 700 cattle, including all of Songoyo’s. He said the rangers had then crossed with the cattle into Serengeti National Park, and were holding them in a pen. Songoyo imagined them staying like that, not eating, not drinking. He imagined his favorite, Kiripa, a brown heifer he could always count on to lead the other cattle to distant grasses and home again, slowly dying, and rushed with the other owners to the park gate.

“I tried to reason with the rangers, but I totally failed—it was like they were ready to shoot us,” he recalled, and so the group contacted a Maasai lawyer, Melau Alais, whose practice had been overwhelmed by such emergency calls in the past year.

After several days, Songoyo learned that the rangers were alleging that the cattle had been illegally grazing inside Serengeti National Park, and that they would all be auctioned off unless the owners prevailed in court. The court was in a town called Mugumu, clear on the other side of the park, a two-hour drive away. The hearing was in a few days. So Songoyo and the other owners scrambled together the park fees and set off in the lawyer’s car past lush green grass and fat, grazing zebras and Land Cruisers full of tourists enjoying the scenery. When they reached the courthouse, the owner whom they had elected to represent all of the owners in the case, a man named Soloi Toroge, was formally charged with illegal grazing and jailed until the hearing.

The next day, Songoyo and the others sat in the gallery as Toroge took the stand. Both Songoyo and Alais recalled for me the day in the courtroom.

“So what happened?” Alais asked Toroge, and as the defendant began telling the story of how the rangers had beaten the herders and taken the cattle, Songoyo said he felt his anger rising.

Alais asked Toroge how he knew the cows were his, and as he described their particular colors and markings, Songoyo thought about his own cows, and became more desperate.

At another point, Alais asked Toroge how many children he had, and as Songoyo thought about his own, he began to feel physically ill.

“So what other business do you do?” Alais continued.

Toroge said he depended only on livestock.

“This livestock, or others?” Alais asked him.

This livestock, he answered. There was no other.

“So if the court decides to auction the cattle, what will happen?” Alais asked.

“All of us will die of hunger,” Toroge answered.

As he continued, Songoyo remembered thinking that this was it. That he really was about to lose everything he’d worked his whole life to achieve—not because of drought or his own foolishness, but because of his government, and the Arabs, and something called conservation. He said he began making noises, and felt himself becoming so disoriented, so altered, that he thought he could kill someone, or that someone might kill him, and soon people were surrounding him, court officers threatening to arrest him. Songoyo was saying, “Then let us die. There is no special death.”

He did not return for the other days of testimony. He was back in his village when Alais called to tell him that the judge had ruled that the cows would be auctioned off unless the owners paid a fine, and that his share—calculated per head of cattle, per day, for more than 30 days and counting—would be roughly $5,000.

He briefly considered what others had done, which was borrow money from a Somali loan shark who was doing a brisk business, but decided that was no solution.

“Let them sell them all,” he told Alais.

He did not leave his boma for days.

Normally, relatives and neighbors would give someone in his position one of their cows to help him rebuild, but nothing was normal any longer. More than 50,000 head of cattle had been taken by rangers, according to a local tally. Between the seized cattle and the fines, a huge transfer of wealth was under way from the Maasai community to the government.

People came by Songoyo’s boma to say they were sorry. They tried to encourage him. He considered what to do. He could be a security guard. He imagined standing still for hours in front of some building in Arusha. Then he began thinking that death would be preferable. Traditional Maasai cosmology includes no afterlife, no reward or punishment in the hereafter, so that would be that. Hanging or poison were the usual methods; hanging was more certain. Then he thought about his children. “And I said no,” he recalled. He told himself what others had told him since his father had died. He was a hard worker. He knew how to struggle. He thought, “Maybe something good is ahead of me.” He thought that if he just kept going, “God will bless me for that.”

He tore down a large corral where he had kept his cattle and built a smaller one for the seven goats he still had, and for the one cow he hoped to buy. He remembered a distant relative, a businessman in Kenya; they got in touch, and the plan was set: Pick up the livestock at a market near his village. Herd them across the border to a market in Kenya, and if he didn’t sell them there, go on to Aitong, a roughly 130-mile circuit every week. He had been doing this for months.

When he got home from Aitong, he would give half the money he’d earned to his wives for food. He would rest, and then start out again. He noticed himself becoming skinnier.

Songoyo headed north with his next herd of sheep, through a clearing with a seasonal stream and smooth rocks. He skirted Serengeti National Park, where he was not allowed to be, then crossed over a low mountain range that marked the Tanzania-Kenya border, his sandals splitting at the soles. At the gates of the park, some of the half a million people who visit every year were lining up in Land Cruisers, the bumpers displaying flag decals representing the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the United States. And as the sun rose one morning, in they went, tourists with bucket lists, anniversaries, dreams, and romanticized images in mind.

They roamed the dirt roads through grassy plains that really did seem to stretch on forever—a rolling sea of greens and yellows and flat-topped trees. They slowed for herds of gazelles and elephants. They sped to a leopard sighting in trucks bearing the wishful names of various outfitters—Sense of Africa, Lion King Adventures, Peacemakers Expeditions—and soon they began gathering along one side of the Mara River.

On the other side, great black herds of wildebeests were massing, waiting for the right moment to dive off a small cliff and swim across. What the animals saw waiting for them was a long line of trucks, a metal fortification.

“I want a picture!” said a woman hoisting her camera.

“My God, I want them to come down!” said her companion.

An hour passed. Another hour. The wildebeests were not migrating. A Maasai driver grumbled that obviously there were too many trucks. A man pressed binoculars to his face.

“See, it looks fine to us, but to them, something’s not right,” he said.

He wondered if it was crocodiles. They waited. A woman took a nap. Then some wildebeests began moving downriver, opposite some gaps in the otherwise solid wall of trucks. And then one hurled itself over the cliff in heroic fashion, and soon they were all diving.

“They’re flying!” someone said.

The animals were flailing, tumbling, and splashing down into the river, swimming for their lives, and now engines were cranking as trucks roared toward the crossing point, wedging into every open gap.

“We got ’em!” yelled a woman holding up a camera, and as far as anyone could see, the view was wildebeests, river, trees, and the grassy savanna beyond—no cows, no goats, no Maasai herders, no people at all, except the ones beholding the spectacle they’d been promised.

What they could not see was a tall man in blue track pants and a pink-and-purple plaid shawl herding sheep across a rocky path, trying not to think about how his knees hurt, his ankles hurt; trying to forget about all that had come before now.

Songoyo reached the first market, where he did not sell the sheep but picked up some more animals for another client and kept going, heading for Aitong.

It was late afternoon when he began crossing the Maasai Mara—the Kenyan national park—with only a stick for protection because bows and arrows are not allowed in the park. He hustled the sheep through the bush, past thorns, under branches, over sharp rocks and soft grass. He saw zebras. He saw giraffes . At one point, he saw a lion, which began following him, then another, coming closer and closer, and as he began to think that this would be how his life ended, a tourist truck came speeding along the road and scared the lion away, and he took off running with the sheep until he came upon elephants—“So, so many elephants,” he said—and managed to dodge those, too.

He kept walking, trying to stay alert. The night was moonless and very dark. After some hours, he reached the edge of the park and saw a boma—a cultural boma, as it turned out, the kind set up for tourists, where Maasai act out versions of the life now being extinguished—and asked if he could sleep there, but the people at the park said that was against the rules, even though welcoming him would have been the true Maasai way. So he waited outside a while and then entered anyway, lying down in a corner. It was cold, and he felt himself becoming sick.

He reached Aitong the next morning but still didn’t sell the sheep, and this meant he would have to press on another 50 miles to a town called Kilgoris. By now he was so exhausted that he decided to sleep, and this was when, as he put it, “evil came during the night,” in the form of a hyena that killed five of his sheep, two of which belonged to the new client. When Songoyo called to tell him, the man told Songoyo that he would have to repay him for the animals. Songoyo told him he didn’t have any money. The man said in that case, he would have to work without pay. Songoyo set off for Kilgoris, now in debt.

He walked along a dirt road as trucks blasted him with fumes. He walked across one farm after another. He felt so hungry. At times he knelt on the ground and said, “God, can you see this?,” then got up and kept going. Another farm. A man who gave him water. A man who yelled at him to get off his land. A tree where he took a nap. His dreams lately were of cows grazing in lush grass, and of dying. More hours crossing an area that belonged to a rival pastoralist tribe, sneaking along the edges and behind stands of trees, feeling like a thief, he said, feeling like he had no place to be in this world. He kept going like that, across more land that was not his.

The land Songoyo considered his was now part of the new Pololeti Game Reserve . That was what Osero had become. The government had constructed a gate bearing the name along the main road into the area, not far from where Songoyo’s boma had been, and when the Dubai royal family was not around, tourists could pay a fee and go inside.

“As far as you can see, all this is now Pololeti,” said a Maasai driver who had grown up on the land and been away from it for a year, ever since the violence. “I feel like crying.” The only reason he was able to go inside now was that I had hired him as a guide.

What he saw was miles and miles of a particular grass that was good for cattle, at the moment so tall and golden. “If your cows are weak and they eat this, in two days they will stand,” he said, driving ahead.

He saw the yellowing tops of grasses that zebras favored, and thick, wetter grasses that wildebeests favored. He saw some impalas in the distance and said, “I wish to see my goats there,” because they would usually graze together.

He saw wiry red oat grasses, and thick swirls of cattail grasses, and here was the kind of acacia with bark that helped with nausea and there was the tree with large, rough leaves useful for sanding down a staff. He saw lavender morning glories used for tissues, and a sacred stream whose water was used for ceremonies. He smelled the familiar scent of bush mint in the cool afternoon, and heard such a strange quiet without the bells of cows.

“In this area, in the evening, you’d see so many cows,” the driver said, and soon he reached a clearing where it was possible to see grass pressed into faint circles.

“Over here used to be houses,” he said.

“Over here, there used to be more than 20 bomas,” he said, continuing on.

“Here used to be a boma, because you can tell the difference between this grass and the other grass,” he said. “We always have soft-soft.”

He navigated by trees he remembered and small hills he knew by heart.

“Here was a very large boma—you can see the fence,” he said, pointing to some scattered branches with thorns. He continued on.

“Over here was the Pyando family,” he said, passing a certain spot in the grass.

“The Kairungs were here,” he said, but it was hard to tell.

“Here were the Saing’eus,” he said, pointing to black weeds that grew where cow dung had been.

Here lived the Purengeis and the Ngiyos. The Kutishos, the Oltinayos, the Kikanais, the Mungas. A whole world that would soon be gone with no trace.

The driver turned and headed back toward the gate, noting a road that led up to a compound on the mountain, where the emir could look down and enjoy one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth, with no cows or bomas or red shawls obstructing the view.

“Just imagine,” the driver said, and soon he was passing a line of white beacons.

“Oh, our land,” he said, exiting through the gate, wondering what would become of all the life that had been here.

One answer was taking shape 5,000 miles to the north, in the United Arab Emirates, at a place called Sharjah Safari park. It had been open a year, a project sponsored by an Emirati royal who wished to re-create the experience of a real African safari. It was an hour’s drive from the Dubai airport, out along a smooth, straight highway lined with green palms and bright-yellow marigolds, past mirrored skyscrapers, many mosques, discount strip malls, a crematorium, camels, and miles of desert.

At the entrance was a concrete elephant. The $75 gold package entitled visitors to tour 12 distinct African landscapes with animals procured from Africa itself, and on a 70-degree December day, tourists climbed into a modified Land Cruiser that whisked them through a series of metal gates.

“Savanna,” the tour guide said as the first gate slid open to reveal some fake termite mounds, some half-dead acacia trees, and a living waterbuck. “Ngorongoro,” she said as another gate slid open, revealing a few gazelles and four white rhinos. “Serengeti,” she said, and on it went.

Soon the tour arrived at the last exhibit: “Boma.” At the end of a curved path lined with grass was a collection of round structures made of cement, not mud and dung, with wooden doors and thatched roofs. There was a corral with goats and donkeys. And here and there were signs with cartoons explaining life in this place. One of them included a drawing of a man. He was wearing a blue-plaid shawl. His features were simply drawn, and he stared blank-faced from the confines of a rectangular wood frame.

When he saw the low mountain range, Songoyo felt a burst of energy, knowing he was near home, such as it was, the place where he was trying to start over. He crossed the clearing with the smooth rocks, and soon he arrived at a grassy slope, and there were the remnants of the larger corral he’d torn down, and there was the smaller one he’d built for the goats and the cow he still could not buy, a circle of sticks with jackets and plaid shawls drying on top. There was a mud-walled house, and a child running out of it.

His wife made him some tea. He gave her money for the market. He’d made roughly $20 on this trip, but of course he was now in debt for the sheep the hyena had killed. They discussed which neighbors were still around. So many had left. Then Songoyo went outside to check on his seven goats.

He looked inside the corral. Four, he counted. Another two were running around outside, so that made six. He kept looking. He walked to where the old corral used to be, then back to the new corral. No goat. He began walking faster, looking around the house. Still no goat. He walked farther out into the grass, seeing nothing, becoming more alarmed.

“Where’s the other one?” he said. “There is one missing!”

His wife came outside and began looking too. He ran out beyond a thorn fence and into the taller grass, now frantic, scanning the landscape for all that he had left of a vanishing life he loved and still wanted.

He kept looking, and finally he spotted the goat. It was sitting in the grass. As he came nearer, he saw that it was injured. A back leg was bloody, and seemed to have gotten stuck in some thorns. Songoyo knelt down to examine the wound more closely. He was a Maasai man without a cow, in debt, getting skinnier, and now he was shaking his head.

“Who did this?” he shouted, expecting no answer.

This article appears in the May 2024 print edition with the headline “The Great Serengeti Land Grab.” Stephanie McCrummen can be reached at [email protected] .

Animals Around the Globe

10 Best African Countries for Safari

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

#1 Botswana

Recommended Tours:

Thus, poachers are seen as enemies of the people. As a result, Botswana has come into view as Africa's most sought-after ecotourism destination. Starting from the Chobe National Park to the Moremi Nature Reserve, you'll be able to witness numerous gems all around the country.

Back in 2014, Botswana widely banned the hunting of wild animals and implemented strict laws which are still in practice. The country resumes its zero-tolerance for poaching and their very own environmental minister, Tshekedi Khama, has even launched a shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.

Botswana, with its wildlife conservation and natural parks, is a haven for nature lovers. It is currently in the top 5, as its approach to the protection and conservation of wildlife is worth the praise. As a country, it is very forward-thinking, some may even call it aggressively forward-thinking when it comes to its preservation and anti-poaching laws.

Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 mammal species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.

Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.

Most of the land in Namibia is occupied by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. Along with that, the country also has 12 national parks and many other areas which are protected. So, if you go there for a safari, you'll have many rich areas to see and explore.

When it comes to countries with the least amount of population, Namibia is one of them. Which proves to be a good thing for nature. This is because most of the land in Namibia is still unspoiled by human filth or any sort of development, giving nature a chance to breathe.

In the country's Volcanoes National Park, you'll find 10 habituated gorilla families. Groups of 8 trekkers can visit them for one hour per day. But that's enough to get the best African safari experience. And as a nature lover, you'll enjoy the experience to the max.

If you've been around for some time, you'll be familiar with Rwanda's mountain gorillas. They were famously broadcasted and their fight for survival was shown on  National Geographic . This was all thanks to the late  Dian Fossey  back in the 1970s who advocated for the rights of these mountain gorillas throughout her life.

Considering the tragic history surrounding the mass genocide of the people of Rwanda back in 1994, it's truly a blessing what the country has achieved in the past 25 years. There have been countless investments in infrastructure. This has resulted in the country being a very fast-growing destination for ecotourism.

#6 South Africa

But given all the advantages, it's safe to conclude that South Africa also suffers from over-tourism. I mean, if you have so many great attractions, people will flock towards it. Chances are that you'll find yourself in the middle of dozens of unruly visitors who are not too keen on obeying the rules. This occurs mostly during the peak seasons.

Annually, the country has one million visitors. Its biggest attraction is the Kruger National Park with its enrichment in biodiversity. Visitors there also have the liberty to self-drive, thus, getting a first-person private but superb experience. 

For some time now, South Africa has been climbing the charts to become one of the most popular destinations for African safaris. Given its location, South Africa is a very convenient and cheap destination for people from the United States. Besides that, the country also boasts a well-developed infrastructure which makes it perfect for luxury travelers as well.

#7 Tanzania

One of the most popular locations would be the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The country is also a haven for 1100 different bird species. It's no wonder that Tanzania gets this much rep. Especially when the country boasts so many wonders.

We talked about Kenya being the top destination for Safari. Now Tanzania here takes second place in being the continent's most popular safari destination. And why shouldn't it? The country has 16 national parks and an extraordinary amount of wealth and wildlife wonders for the people to witness.

Some of its natural attractions include housing the highest mountain range in Africa. It also has the world's largest free-standing volcano and the second-largest freshwater lake. With its 30 national parks and other wildlife reserves, Uganda boasts many more sanctuaries which are worth the visit. Especially if you're a lover of nature and wildlife.

Often called "The Pearl of Africa", Uganda is certainly a great pick for an African safari. Its reputation as being one of the best ecotourism destinations comes from the country's natural attractions and wildlife.

Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.

Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.

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Journalist says a 'land grab' in Tanzania is forcing the Maasai off their land

Dave Davies

Atlantic journalist Stephanie McCrummen says foreign interests are acquiring territory in Northern Tanzania, effectively displacing indigenous cattle-herders from their traditional grazing lands.

DAVE DAVIES, HOST:

This is FRESH AIR. I'm Dave Davies. In a world of global warming and habitat destruction, programs to protect wilderness and travel to visit remaining natural lands and species are appealing. But our guest, journalist Stephanie McCrummen, writes that in many parts of the world, Indigenous people are being evicted from their lands to make way for ecotourism, carbon offset schemes and other activities that fall under the banner of conservation. In a new article in The Atlantic, she focuses on the Maasai, pastoral tribespeople who for centuries have herded cattle and goats in northern Tanzania. She writes that the Maasai are increasingly being forced off traditional grazing lands to make way for foreign investors, including the royal family of Dubai, who wanted an exclusive game reserve for hunting expeditions. The Maasai's displacement, she writes, has been accomplished in part through harsh government measures, including arrests, confiscation of livestock and lethal violence.

Stephanie McCrummen is a staff writer at The Atlantic. She previously worked at The Washington Post, where she covered national politics and served as the paper's East Africa bureau chief. Among her journalistic honors are the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting, for coverage of Roy Moore's 2017 Alabama Senate campaign, and two George Polk Awards. Her new article in The Atlantic is "'This Will Finish Us': How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland." Well, Stephanie McCrummen, welcome to FRESH AIR.

STEPHANIE MCCRUMMEN: Thanks for having me.

DAVIES: Let's begin with the Maasai - tell us about them, their way of life, you know, traditionally.

MCCRUMMEN: Well, the Maasai are pastoralists. They are essentially cattle people. Their culture, their livelihood, their way of life really revolves around keeping cattle and by extension, tending to the landscape that supports cattle raising. They migrated from the lower Nile Valley through Kenya into northern Tanzania approximately 400 years ago, settling in this, you know, lush grasslands that they called Serenget. That's - in the Maa language, it means the place where the land runs on forever. Some of your listeners, if they've been lucky enough to go on a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, they would might recognize the Maasai as people who wear bright red, often plaid shawls, beautiful beads. They often serve as guides in safaris and, you know, have been very photographed and really romanticized in many ways over the years.

DAVIES: You describe them as among the lightest living people on the planet. Meaning what?

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. Well, like many Indigenous groups around the world, these are people who live in - you know, their traditional homes are mud and dung. They're called boma. These are circular enclosures that might have any number of houses inside, depending on the number of wives or extended family that live there. You know, they famously wear recycled tire sandals. And they live really very much in harmony with the ecosystem. They don't cut down trees. They don't hunt. You see the occasional satellite dish on top of a house. But basically these are people that live in a very traditional way with the ecosystem because they have to, for their livelihood.

DAVIES: You know, essentially, I mean, I think I first read about the Maasai either when I was in school or when I taught school, which was decades ago, and I remember them sort of being described almost as if people living prehistoric lives among us. I assume that's not true. I mean, they have cell phones. I don't know. Do their kids want to go off to the cities and live urban lives?

MCCRUMMEN: Sure. And that's a very important point to make. Yes. You know, the Maasai are, at this point, living this way by choice. It's not like they're out of touch with the modern world. They have - of course, they have cell phones. Plenty of Maasai, you know, many girls - this used to not be the case, but girls and children, of course, go to school. There are Maasai, in the context of the situation that's happening - there are very, you know, prominent Maasai activists who are lawyers who are getting their PhD at Oxford. Plenty of Maasai do leave the traditional life behind for lives in cities. So, yeah. So the Maasai have adapted in many ways as time has gone on.

DAVIES: All right. You write about a lot of violent actions that have occurred to displace the Maasai in recent years, but this is an issue that goes back decades. I mean, in the early '90s, a company called the Otterlo Business Corporation was granted a hunting license for an area near the park in lands that the Maasai used for grazing. Who was behind this corporation?

MCCRUMMEN: That's right. The company is often referred to as OBC, and it's a company that has a lease for this land on behalf of the Dubai royal family. So the Dubai royal family has been hunting in this 600-square mile area adjacent to Serengeti National Park since the early '90s. This 600 square miles is also an incredibly important grazing area to the Maasai. They refer to this area as osero. This is a word that means lush grazing land. And so the Dubai royal family has been there since the early '90s, and there has been conflict off and on over the years, often violent conflict, in which security forces, working at the behest of OBC have shot at the Maasai, beaten Maasai and burned bomas, which are the traditional Maasai homes. So this conflict has been going on for years. And I should also say that it's not just OBC. I mean, that's a very, very bitter conflict that has been going on. But there are also, you know, there are other safari companies that have also become notorious to the Maasai for how they treat herders. There have been conflicts with safari companies, with conservation authorities and Tanzanian authorities for decades.

DAVIES: When the royal Dubai family came to do their hunting, what kind of footprint did they leave? Did they actually leave structures or roads or runways?

MCCRUMMEN: Well, it's quite a production when they come to town. They have their own airstrip. They come with cargo planes, hauling Land Cruisers and, you know, trucks - dozens of them - tents, food, structures where they and their guests stay. Although the emir himself has his own particular compound.

DAVIES: He has a compound there, in these grasslands?

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. He has a permanent structure up on a little hill sort of overlooking this area, which is, again, breathtakingly beautiful. It's a spectacular - it's essentially Serengeti National Park, although it's not in the park, but it's beautiful land. So it's quite a production when they come. So the Maasai sort of see the planes coming down, you know, landing. For a while, before cell phone networks improved, the Dubai royal family - they had their own cell phone tower in this area. And so when the Maasai would get close enough, a message would pop up on their cell phones and it would say, welcome to the UAE, which, you know, stung, obviously, in the context of the conflict going on.

DAVIES: You know, it's kind of hard to picture. I mean, I picture a fairly wide area of grasslands and, you know, someone hunting - I mean, is it - I guess what I'm wondering is how grazing cattle could be such a problem for these folks hunting wildlife.

MCCRUMMEN: Well, you know, this is precisely the question that the Maasai are asking. And in fact, for decades, you know, there was sort of an understanding that when the royal family was in town, the Maasai would sort of try to keep away, keep their cattle away and so forth. So on the other hand, the Dubai royal family - when they hunt, you know, they're in trucks. They're using semi-automatic rifles. The animals - you know, it's all the big game animals that you imagine are there - zebras, giraffe, elephants, antelope, everything. And, you know, they sort of - according to Maasai, seen them, you know, they speed around in these trucks. And some people would say it's not terribly sporting the way that they hunt.

DAVIES: Firing the automatic weapons from the trucks at these animals.

MCCRUMMEN: Yes.

DAVIES: And you do write that there were times when, you know, they would actually pay Maasai well to act as guides or drivers or, you know, other helpers. But there were some severe government suppression. You talked to a guy who had been shot in the face in one of these conflicts, right?

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. I spoke to a Maasai man who was shot in the face by security forces working for OBC. He was accused of trespassing, if you will, in one of the areas that was supposed to be a hunting preserve. And so in many cases, safari companies, hunting companies have arrangements - security arrangements with park rangers and Tanzanian security forces to sort of patrol there. And, you know, he described his colleagues taking him to the hospital. He's bleeding. He described being handcuffed to the hospital bed and the security forces in the room screaming at the doctor just to let him die. And he's bleeding from his eyes, from his ears. And he ended up surviving and losing an eye. So in any number of Maasai villages that we visited, you will find people who have been in some way injured by park rangers, either beaten or shot at. So his story isn't terribly unusual.

DAVIES: We need to take a break here. Let me reintroduce you.

We're speaking with Stephanie McCrummen. She is a staff writer at The Atlantic. Her new article is "This Will Finish Us: How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland." We'll talk more in just a moment. This is FRESH AIR.

(SOUNDBITE OF BOMBINO SONG, "AZAMANE (MY BROTHERS UNITED)")

DAVIES: This is FRESH AIR, and we're speaking with The Atlantic staff writer Stephanie McCrummen, who's written recently about the Maasai, a pastoral tribe of cattle herders in Northern Tanzania, and how they're being driven away from traditional grazing lands by foreign investors, often in the name of conservation.

And now things would change when the Tanzanian president, John Magufuli, died in office and the newly elected president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was elected. And unlike the previous president, who didn't find favor with the West because of - he, you know, suppressed media and opposition parties and alienated investors, she took a different approach that Western governments found more appealing. What was she up to?

MCCRUMMEN: So Samia Suluhu Hassan takes office in 2021, and she immediately begins looking for an investment. And as part of this, she wants to develop tourism in a very aggressive way. So she strikes a deal. It was a $7.5 billion deal with United Arab Emirates. It included a deal for Dubai Ports World to manage two-thirds of Tanzania's ports. It included a deal with a company called Blue Carbon to manage some 20 million acres of forests. This is roughly 8% of the entire landmass of Tanzania, and this would be to generate carbon credits.

And it also included money for tourism and conservation. And this part of the deal was a little bit less specific. But Samia Suluhu Hassan begins talking about, you know, the need to conserve the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. And later, you know, also this area adjacent to Serengeti National Park. And the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park are World Heritage Sites that are governed in many ways by UNESCO rules. So she starts talking about the need to preserve these World Heritage Sites and conservation, and she starts talking about the ecosystem being destroyed. And the people that she really blames for this are the Maasai.

DAVIES: So the country's new president, President Hassan, really embraced foreign investment in tourism and conservation, part of a plan backed by the World Bank and UNESCO, the United Nations agency, to bring more tourists to Tanzania and presumably, in an ecologically sensitive way, to conserve natural resources but also build economic growth in the country. And the president found that in some way, the Maasai were seen as in the way or in some way inhibiting conservation. Was that the case they were making?

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. So the Tanzanian government and specifically, you know, their own conservation authorities had been under some pressure for years from UNESCO. And another big conservation partner there is the Frankfurt Zoological Society. And I don't want to minimize the point that, you know, there has been some ecological, you know, damage that has occurred. I mean, there are invasive species, there are water issues and so forth. But these groups really express great concern about what they would say high Maasai populations. So the Maasai population around the Ngorongoro Crater has grown to approximately 200,000 people in total around the northern tourist circuit, more broadly.

So these groups have been sort of pressuring the government to do something about the population. They accuse the Maasai of sort of overgrazing, blame them for, you know, introducing these invasive species and so forth. The Maasai, of course, would say that, you know, and they have countered with their own studies and reports and, you know, saying that tourism has an impact on the environment. And, you know, thousands of land cruisers have an impact on the environment. And, you know, there are other things.

And so President Hassan, she spoke about conservation. And what that turned out to mean was that she wanted to resettle roughly the 100,000 Maasai people, the entire population of Maasai, from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to other parts of the country. And it also meant - I should say conservation also turned out to mean that she wanted to create an exclusive game reserve out of that 600-square-mile piece of land adjacent to Serengeti National Park. This would create an exclusive hunting playground for the Dubai royal family. So where the Maasai had previously been sort of allowed to be there, she proposed making that an exclusive hunting reserve in the name of conservation, which turned out to mean that the Dubai royal family could still hunt there, and roughly 70,000 Maasai, who depended upon that land, could no longer be there.

DAVIES: Wow. Now, one of the things that you mention is that when the new government of Tanzania made these arrangements with these entities associated from - with the United Arab Emirates, one of them was a company called Blue Carbon, which had a huge, you said, 20 million acres under their management, which they would then use to assign carbon credits. Explain how this works. These are companies who are emitting carbon. And in order to offset the damage they're doing, they can buy carbon. Just explain how this works, carbon credits.

MCCRUMMEN: Basically, the idea of carbon credits is that if you're an oil company, instead of sort of dramatically curbing your own pollution, you will save a forest is sort of the idea. You will secure a forest somewhere to absorb your pollution. And the mechanism for this is carbon credits. So a company like Blue Carbon, they're sort of a middleman, in a way. So they go out and they find the land. So in this case, it's the 20 million acres in Tanzania. And then a certain number of carbon credits will be generated, if you will, from that land and then be put into a market where a company, you know, and this is, you know, an oil company, it might be I think Gucci, for a while, would promise consumers that, you know, their clothing would be carbon neutral. So these companies can purchase these carbon credits and then, you know, sort of say that, you know, they're clean, if you will. And so Blue Carbon is in this business, which is expected to become $1 trillion market in coming years. I mean, it's a huge business.

DAVIES: But the Maasai were essentially targeted, if you will, because they were in the way of this expanded tourism and safari and hunting industry.

MCCRUMMEN: Absolutely.

DAVIES: OK.

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. Yes. And I should say here that one of the more interesting and important things that I learned in reporting this story is about the image that is sold to tourists who - tourists just want to see, you know, animals and the spectacular landscape. So I don't want to vilify tourists or anything like that, but the safari companies, and for that matter, you know, a thousand movies and documentaries have painted this image of the Serengeti as being this sort of primordial landscape, this sort of pre-human place.

And the reality is that the Maasai, you know, having lived in this ecosystem for hundreds of years, really, in many ways, created this landscape. Why? Because they need grasses for their cattle, and they need nature to live. And so they have traditional practices, you know, controlled burns, they rotate grasses, they have very intricate land management systems, if you will. And so the real story of the Serengeti and the real image of the Serengeti would be of seeing Maasai with their cattle - grazing their cattle, I should say, with animals, with zebra, with giraffe. That's the true image of the Serengeti, not this land without people, if you will. So many ways, when, you know, the government wants to get the Maasai out of the way, they're trying to give these tourist companies - create this image - recreate this image, or match this image that safari companies are selling.

DAVIES: We need to take another break here. Let me reintroduce you.

We are speaking with Stephanie McCrummen, she's a staff writer at The Atlantic. Her new article is "This Will Finish Us: How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland." She'll be back to talk more after this short break. I'm Dave Davies, and this is FRESH AIR.

(SOUNDBITE OF BRAD MEHLDAU'S "JOHN BOY")

DAVIES: This is FRESH AIR. I'm Dave Davies. We're speaking with Atlantic staff writer Stephanie McCrummen. She's written recently about how foreign buyers have been acquiring land in northern Tanzania, driving the pastoral Maasai tribespeople off traditional grazing lands with the support of harsh government oppression. The foreign actors include billionaires from the United Arab Emirates, who pursue big game hunting, as well as wealthy tourists and conservation groups. Her new article in The Atlantic is "This Will Finish Us: How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland."

So the government of Tanzania, after a new president was elected, decides that we're going to really invest in tourism and conservation. And we've concluded that the Maasai, they are grazing too many cattle, they're a problem and they are going to have to move, you know, tens of thousands of them. What was their offer to the Maasai people?

MCCRUMMEN: So the Tanzanian government, they have said that they want to resettle the entire Maasai population of roughly 100,000 people in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so this is next to the famous Ngorongoro Crater. And they are offering to settle them in this development far to the south in a sort of hotter, flatter part of the country, an area called Msomera. And they're building this massive development of cinder block houses, thousands of them in this area. They're offering them some few thousand dollars as compensation to move. The cinder block houses have, you know, running water, electricity. They're building schools and, you know, with computer labs and so forth as a way to, you know, entice the Maasai to go there.

So it's roughly 5,000 of these houses sort of laid out on a grid in this sort of other part of Tanzania. Five thousand houses is not nearly enough to resettle 100,000 people, obviously. So it's unclear where they expect other people to go. The Tanzanian government says that this is a voluntary resettlement. The Maasai say that it's not voluntary, that they're coercing them, that they've cut services in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and that they're harassing them in many ways to get them to move. The government also - government official told me that they reserve the right to use force if the Maasai ultimately disagree.

And the government has been dispatching these people to sort of go to markets in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and sort of make this pitch. And at one point when we were there, one of these two officials, it was, actually, were making a pitch and they got pelted with stones. I mean, they were just sort of run out of town. The Maasai say they do not want to move. And in fact, they were promised this area in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area back when they were evicted from Serengeti National Park. The deal was that they were supposed to be able to live in this area in an arrangement where, you know, they were supposed to be able to graze their cattle. It was this new, pioneering - at the time - conservation arrangement there. And so they really feel that this is another huge betrayal.

DAVIES: So in June 2022, there's a major operation involving security personnel, soldiers, police, park rangers to go ahead and enforce what the Maasai don't want to embrace voluntarily. Tell us what happened.

MCCRUMMEN: In June of 2022, hundreds of security forces and trucks start rolling into Maasai villages around this area, the roughly 600-square-mile area, to demarcate the 600-square-mile area as a restricted game reserve. So they come in, and this is sort of a show of force that the Maasai had really never seen before. The security forces set up camps on the edges of 14 villages that border this 600-square-mile zone. And then what happened next was fairly systematic. They called village leaders to a meeting and then told them what was about to happen, that this demarcation exercise was about to happen.

And when leaders refused to agree with this, to go along, they were arrested. So 27 leaders were arrested and eventually held for many months. And then security forces proceeded to begin planting these beacons - these are, like, 4-foot-high cement markers - to mark off this area. And what happened was the Maasai would sort of come behind them and just smash them down. Women and men, you know, take machetes and kick them. And, you know, there was a real sort of protest going on against, you know, what was happening.

And these young Maasai warriors took up positions, thousands of them, in these areas along the road and were sort of ready to fight. And at one point, one of them shot an arrow and killed a police officer. And after that, all bets were off and security forces opened fire at Maasai. They started ransacking bomas. They started beating people. And it was a really terrible scene. Thousands of Maasai ended up fleeing into Kenya at that point.

DAVIES: Now, what about the homes, the bomas, these compounds that included homes and corrals where they would keep their animals. What happened to them, what happened to the livestock?

MCCRUMMEN: Right. After they sort of opened fire and the Maasai fled, the security forces went into this newly demarcated area and began burning bomas. So they torched hundreds of bomas, they had bulldozers, they bulldozed them to the ground. And these were homes of roughly 70,000 people.

And after that, you know, it was just - this whole area basically became, for a time, a kind of militarized zone. So people sort of slowly came back to their villages. Security forces were patrolling the roads. Hundreds of people were sort of taken in for questioning about their citizenship. They were accused of being Kenyan Maasai, not Tanzanian Maasai. And then what began happening is security forces and park rangers began seizing cattle by the hundreds and by the thousands, and eventually by the - the number has reached into the tens of thousands at this point. So they seized the cattle. And they would sort of hold them in a pen and force the Maasai to go to court or otherwise prove that these cattle were theirs in order to get them back, levying exorbitant fines. And so many people couldn't pay.

DAVIES: We need to take another break here. We are speaking with Stephanie McCrummen. Her new article in The Atlantic is "This Will Finish Us: How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland." We'll talk more in just a moment. This is FRESH AIR.

(SOUNDBITE OF BOMBINO SONG, "TEBSAKH DALET (A GREEN ACACIA)")

DAVIES: This is FRESH AIR, and we're speaking with The Atlantic staff writer Stephanie McCrummen. She's written recently about the Maasai, a pastoral tribe of cattle herders in Northern Tanzania, and how they're being driven away from traditional grazing lands by foreign investors, often in the name of conservation.

You write about one man named Songoyo who was a Maasai cattle herder who was deeply affected by this displacement of his people. Tell us a bit about him and his position before this movement began.

MCCRUMMEN: Sure. So before all of this began, Songoyo was a very traditional Maasai man. He would probably, you know, in art terms, be sort of a middle-class man. He had 75 cattle, which is a good number of cattle. He had three wives and 14 children. He had two homes, traditional Maasai homes. One was in the area that would soon become this exclusive game reserve for the Dubai royal family, and another closer to the village where his children went to school. This is how many Maasai families arranged themselves. And he had grown up in a very traditional way. He learned everything that a, you know, Maasai learns, including cosmology, if you will, that, you know, the story goes that when God left the Earth, God left the Maasai to care for all the cattle in the world and then by extension, the land, too. So he was a, you know, by his own estimation, a proud, respected, basically middle-class Maasai man before all of this began.

DAVIES: Right. And he was - his life was, gosh, not too much to say, ruined by this displacement. Where did you meet him, and how did you get all this detail about his life?

MCCRUMMEN: Well, by the time that we met Songoyo, his home had been burned due to this campaign that had unfolded to create this exclusive game reserve for the Dubai royal family. So his home had been among the hundreds that had been burned. All 75 cattle had been seized by park rangers. So by the point that we met, he was without any cattle and was trying to start his life again as basically a herder for hire. He was in Kenya at that point. He'd been hired to sort of herd businessman's livestock from market to market to sell them. And, you know, very, very, you know, laborious, very difficult way of life. And the point was, he wanted to earn enough money to buy one cow to start over again.

DAVIES: Without a cow, he's not a man.

MCCRUMMEN: Without a cow, as he said, you know, no cattle, no land, no life.

DAVIES: When you say herded, I mean, just what did that look like? I mean, him taking these goats or cattle on this effort - taking them to market?

MCCRUMMEN: Sure. You know, so he would start at one market, and if he didn't sell the sheep - it was often sheep - he would have to proceed some 60, 75 miles to the, you know, to the next market.

DAVIES: You're talking about him walking - what? - with a stick and walking...

MCCRUMMEN: It was walking - yes. So he's walking with a stick with this group of livestock, and - you know, and he has to make it to the market on time. So he's walking, you know, for hours and hours and overnight, and oftentimes, he's crossing the Maasai Mara. This is in the Kenyan side. It's sort of the Kenyan equivalent of Serengeti National Park. So he'll cross, you know, at night. And this very dangerous. He'll cross at night because really, the Maasai aren't supposed to be in this park. The Kenyans sort of look the other way a little bit. But - so he's facing wild animals. He's almost, you know, trampled by elephants at one point. He has lions, you know, he's dealing with at one point.

DAVIES: At one point he's asleep and some hyenas come kill some of the - where they goats or cattle? I'm trying to...

MCCRUMMEN: They - so at some point, yes, he's so exhausted and he finally decides to sleep one night, and hyenas come and they kill a couple of his sheep, you know, that belonged to another businessman. So now he has to, of course, sort of compensate the businessman for the lost animals. So, you know, his situation is just spiraling downward.

DAVIES: Right. So he goes just great distances. When he finally gets back to his village, what does he have for his efforts?

MCCRUMMEN: I mean, he's compensated something like, you know, the equivalent of $10, $20, $25, depending on how it goes each circuit, if you will. So this is what he does every week. And he's trying to raise enough money to buy one cow, which is anywhere - $200 to $300.

DAVIES: It's just heartbreaking to read this story. I mean, 'cause he goes through all of this risk and exertion without food and water and ends up with $20. And he needs - what? - a couple of hundred to buy a cow someday.

MCCRUMMEN: Yes. Yeah.

DAVIES: And in the end, he didn't get his cattle back. He could have borrowed money from loan sharks to try, but that wasn't a good course.

MCCRUMMEN: Right. He and his - he - the court ended up deciding that they could pay a fine to get their cattle back. Well, his portion of the fine was something like $5,000. And so he decided not to do that and not to borrow the money. Many Maasai, what they do is they borrow the money, they get the cattle back, and then they sell half or two-thirds of the cattle to pay back the money. And so, as I say in the story, you know, the government is making money off of this campaign to sort of dispossess the Maasai. But Songoyo decided not to do that. And after the court case, he goes home. He's just sitting there thinking, my life is over. I have to - I have nothing. And, you know, he talked about considering suicide, which is very unusual in Maasai culture. But instead, decided no, that he would try again and try to raise this money to start over.

DAVIES: I want to talk a bit about tourism and how that fits into this. Some areas have been granted to wealthy people for exclusive hunting rights. There are also just lots of companies that offer safaris and bring regular tourists. You write in the story that the safari industry is selling an old and destructive myth. What's the myth?

MCCRUMMEN: The myth is, you know, that the Serengeti - the park, the ecosystem - is somehow this primordial landscape, this sort of pre-human Eden and that what people are seeing is, you know, this pristine nature. And it is pristine, and it is nature, obviously. It's a spectacular landscape. But the reality is, and this was so fascinating to me - I didn't quite understand this when I first embarked on this story. But the Serengeti is - in many ways, the Maasai created the Serengeti ecosystem, what people think of as the Serengeti ecosystem.

The Maasai had been, you know, grazing cattle and really managing this landscape for 400 years, you know, before the British came and decided to, you know, save it, as it were. And so they have traditional practices, they rotate grasses, they would do controlled burns. They had certain rules about keeping their cattle away from wildebeest during calving season, for example, when wildebeest have - carry a certain disease that can be deadly to cattle. And, you know, they have all these rules around...

DAVIES: Never cut down a tree is one of them, right?

MCCRUMMEN: Never cut down a tree, yes. So they have all kinds of, you know, intricate rules around maintaining this landscape. And so the lush grasses of the Serengeti ecosystem, these great savannas, in many ways were a product of the Maasai managing this land. So in some ways, it was sort of a tended landscape, if you will. And the same is true of many landscapes, many, you know, areas around the world that these traditional people, Indigenous people are often, you know, the original conservators of this landscape. So when they hear someone say, oh, we want to conserve this land, from their point of view they think, well, what does that mean? It's conserved, so from their point of view it often - you know, this term conservation often feels like a looming land grab.

DAVIES: Right. You know, you do include one example of how, you know, the tourism industry, when it gets big enough, when it brings enough people and enough vehicles, can really interfere with things. And this was a moment where there's a herd of wildebeests - you know, these animals that are in the antelope family, have these big, muscular bodies - are trying to cross a river. And on the other side of the river, there are a bunch of vehicles lined up with tourists and their cameras. Tell us this story.

MCCRUMMEN: Yeah, so this is one of the big events that tourists come to see, the great migration. And it is a spectacular sight of just millions of wildebeests crossing from Tanzania into Kenya. They're following the grasses. And at some point, you know, they cross this river, the Mara River. And this is just an incredible sight. But what is happening is there are so many tourists now. So when we were there, we arrive at the Mara River, and there are just hundreds of Land Cruisers lined up on one side of the river. And on the other side are these wildebeests, and they're sort of massing and waiting for the moment - usually, you know, one will sort of plunge into the river and then the rest follow. But it was hours. And they - you know, if you're a wildebeest, you're looking across the river and you see this metal fortification, basically.

And so we sat there for several hours. The wildebeest weren't crossing. And finally they sort of moved upriver where there were fewer cars, where there's some gaps where they could get through, you know, when they reach the other side. And then finally they began crossing, at which point the Land Cruisers, you know, all of a sudden - you know, there's radio chatter and word gets out that they're crossing. And now all these Land Cruisers sort of move in mass down the river. And so it's just this sort of - this absurd scene. And again, I don't mean to vilify tourists at all. I mean, this is an incredible sight to see, and everyone should be so lucky to get to see it. But there is a sense that things have gotten out of balance.

DAVIES: Well, Stephanie McCrummen, thanks so much for speaking with us.

MCCRUMMEN: Thank you so much.

DAVIES: Stephanie McCrummen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and a staff writer at The Atlantic. Her new article is "This Will Finish Us: How Gulf Princes, The Safari Industry And Conservation Groups Are Displacing The Maasai From The Last Of Their Serengeti Homeland." Coming up, John Powers reviews the new TV series "The Sympathizer," about a Vietnamese double agent during and after the Vietnam War. This is FRESH AIR.

(SOUNDBITE OF LOUIS LORTIE'S "JEUX D'EAU, M. 30")

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Advice on a 2025 Itinerary for the Great Migration - Kenya Forum

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Advice on a 2025 Itinerary for the Great Migration

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I would like to stay at 3 or 4 different spots for 2 to 4 days each for a total of 12 - 15 days. If distances are long, flying from site to site might be preferable. Our primary goal is wildlife viewing. (Not just the big 5, Not just land animals) Birds, insects, plants are all interesting. The only animals we’d go out of our way to see are African Dogs and Hippos. I realize the Selous might be better for these two. The one request from the wife would be a hot air balloon ride. We want a comfy bed, decent food and a room that’s stays cool in midday. No need for glitz and glam. The main requirement is a good guide. Our budget would max out at 1000/p/day + airfare .

Questions and Recommendations

Can I combine the Serengeti in Tanzania + the Mara in Kenya or should I just stick to one country? Why?

I believe the migration is in September, is that correct? Are any other months good for the migration?

Recommendation for an itinerary and Camps / Lodges.

Should I drive or fly between locations?

Recommendation for a reliable tour operator.

Thanks in advance for your practical advice. Since I’m not sure where we’ll go, I’ve posted this in both the Kenya and Tanzania forums.

7 replies to this topic

Hi, yes you are correct September is a good time to witness the migration which will have entered the Mara reserve at that time. It can be very busy with the amount of vehicles in the reserve during that period so it's a good idea to split your time between different parks and adding one of the Mara conservancies to your itinerary will give you a more intimate experience.

I have sent you a private message with some more information and a tour operator recommendation.

Hi Chuck19,

Sounds like an amazing trip you’ve got ahead of you! My two cents.

First, the migration is occurring year around. Depending upon the time of year, they are in different areas, but you simply “google” Great Migration Map, I am sure you can find no shortage of great info. In short, the Migration is in the northern part of the Serengeti + Masai Mara in September timeframe. Note that this is the time of year for the famed River Crossings along the Mara and Talek Rivers. One thing to note is that there’s lots of carnage this time of year along the river front so just be prepared. My favorite time for the migration is around February in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lots of greenery, massive herds, lots of babies (calving season) and the Ndutu area affords you the flexibility to do some off-roading to see the more high profile species up close.

If you are keenly focused on the migration’s River Crossings, I think it’s worth entertaining the idea of visiting both the Serengeti and the Mara. The herds move between the two countries back and forth and large herds will likely be seen from both sides around Sep. If you do both Serengeti + Mara, you are effectively buying yourself insurance to increase your chances of seeing the River Crossings. Northern Serengeti is all National Parks and the river front can get moderately busy. The Mara National Reserve is public area as well and can be very congested with tourists. You can avoid the crowds by heading to the surrounding Private Conservancies, but you will have to enter the Reserve to catch the River Crossings. Mara Reserve is approx. 300,000 acres. Surrounding Private Conservancies add an additional approx. 300,000 acres (areas between the Reserve and Conservancies are unfenced so you get great wildlife density in the private areas).

Driving v. flying: depends on the areas you are looking to combine. Generally speaking, lots of northern Tanzania is driven. But northern Serengeti’s Mara Sector is quite remote so you should definitely fly there (Kogatende or Lamai airstrips). A good TO can advise you on the benefits of flying v. driving dependent upon lodges chosen. I’m a proponent of flying when possible.

I recommend you start your trip in Tanzania as you won’t be required to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you do Tanzania first (you will have to show proof if you enter Tanzania from Kenya). Tanzania is mostly National Parks and can get quite busy this time of year so I suggest you start there for the Migration only and do the rest of your safari in Kenya where access to private land is more abundant and economical.

1 night Arusha upon arrival (lots of options here, but I like Villa Maua for a more economical option)

3 nights northern Serengeti (Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp will work well for your budget)

3 nights Mara North Conservancy (I think Offbeat Mara will work well for you or Elephant Pepper)

3 nights Sosian (also owned by Offbeat) and has good consistent Wild Dog viewing

3 nights Ol Pejeta for northern species and rhinos (Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages will work well here)

I hope this is a good starting point.

Kota Tabuchi – Managing Director: Africa – Travel Beyond

I’m an unabashed and vocal fan of the Mara conservancies, but I think for the OP who is going to the Mara specifically for the migration, I’m not sure I’d recommend staying only there. First, it’s an additional drive to/from wherever in the Reserve the migration activity is, like river crossings, and second with the proposed $200 pppd Reserve fees going into effect, that’s a substantial extra fee on top of a conservancy fee they’d already be paying. I’d recommend time in the Reserve proper for the purposes of easier access to the migration herds and river crossings, and then time in a conservancy to enjoy more “slow safari” with the rest of what the Mara has to offer without the maddening crowds and exorbitant extra costs.

It goes without saying that Mother Nature has no schedule or rule book. The herds may not be where your are and they may not do what you’re hoping to see. The best you can do is plan and hope for the best.

Good call, Amybatt! What do you think about my suggestion of combining the public area/Serengeti NP with a Mara Conservancy? Most camps will include the Mara Reserve fee based on a 3+ night stay and some camps, like Offbeat Mara, are quite close to the Reserve. I think the combination of Serengeti National Park and southern Mara North Conservancy (MNC) will work well, especially with the sequencing of Serengeti -->MNC.

Kota Tabuchi - Managing Director: Africa - Travel Beyond.

What about the Masai Mara Triangle as an option? Quieter than the main reserve I understand.

Could be combined with Tanzania and other places that have been suggested.

Kota, I’ve found that over the last few years camps are moving away from the “one trip into the Reserve for everything 3 nights” to the point where it’s not even suggested. It seems they feel that generally there is more than enough wildlife in the conservancies that there’s no need to go to the Reserve. Kicheche is one, Offbeat is another that charge extra now for that (at least according to their published rates, I haven’t bothered to ask to go when I’m there). I believe even Porini charge extra for that now too.

I personally wouldn’t consider going to Tanzania just for a few days. I shared a vehicle with a couple who did the transfer from the Serengeti to the Mara and I would not bother based on the hassle and length of time it took them. Maybe you have a more efficient way of doing it, but as they described it, it was not something I’d want to do.

You are 100% right about the additional fees for the Mara Reserve with Kicheche and Offbeat. Thanks for keeping me honest!

Kota Tabuchi - Managing Director: Africa - Travel Beyond

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What’s Next for Jane Goodall? An Immersive Spectacle in Tanzania.

“Dr. Jane’s Dream” is going up in East Africa, where visitors can experience the primatologist’s scientific breakthroughs (complete with termite mound).

By Ralph Blumenthal

Are you ready for the Jane Goodall Experience?

It’s getting ready for you.

“Dr. Jane’s Dream,” an immersive spectacle by former Walt Disney Imagineers and African artisans celebrating the groundbreaking English primatologist and environmental activist, is taking form in a cultural complex in Tanzania.

Its debut, in the safari gateway of Arusha, between Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park , is planned around World Chimpanzee Day, July 14, 2025 — 65 years since Goodall, then a 26-year-old novice researcher chaperoned by her mother, landed at the Gombe forest reserve to begin her field work for the anthropologist Louis Leakey .

Within months she upended scientific doctrine by observing an adult male chimp she called David Greybeard raid a termite mound, stripping leaves from a hollow branch to extract and eat the insects. The making and using of tools was long thought a hallmark of humans.

Since then, the nonstop Goodall, who turned 90 on April 3 during a typically exhausting American tour, has been lionized (or aped) in books and movies. She’s a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. And champion of a global crusade of young people and celebrities from Prince Harry to Leonardo DiCaprio fighting deforestation, climate change, pollution and factory farming.

Her nonprofit Jane Goodall Institute in the U.S. is projected to raise $30 million this year, with additional millions raised by the other 25 chapters worldwide, a spokesman said. Her youth movement, Roots and Shoots, is operating in 70 countries.

But she has never been presented like this — in an immersive tribute by African artists and Disney veterans. Disney has called Imagineering the “blending of creative imagination with technical know-how.” But “Dr. Jane’s Dream” is not a Disney project; rather, it taps into storytelling techniques by some of its former innovators.

At “Dr. Jane’s Dream,” Goodall said in New York last week, “There’s a tent where my mom and I were and two little peepholes looking out into the world of the chimps.” Visitors will be challenged. “They go into this dream world and are going to have to investigate. It’s like an adventure.”

Goodall is now on one of her globe-circling jaunts that keep her on the road some 300 days a year. She flew in from the West Coast at the end of March and after Canada and a few days back home in her native Bournemouth on the English Channel, she is booked to Europe, Africa, Australia, South America and Asia.

Since Jan. 12, she calculated, she has slept in her own bed five nights.

On April 2, Goodall was on East 54th Street at the Hotel Elysée with its Monkey Bar — a coincidence, she insisted — along with the fact that her top floor suite had been the last abode of the playwright Tennessee Williams, who died there in 1983 at 71, choking on the cap of a bottle of barbiturates.

Her latest project, “Dr. Jane’s Dream,” is unfolding at the Arusha Cultural Heritage Center, opened in 1994 by Saifudin Khanbhai, whose great-grandfather from India established a trading outpost in British colonial Tanganyika in the 1800s.

Khanbhai offered Goodall a location on the five-acre heritage site, amid a complex of half a dozen buildings and four huts displaying the work of some 3,000 artists and jewelers and showcasing the region’s unique blue gemstone, Tanzanite.

“We just connected so well,” Khanbhai said in an interview. “I’m a man of chemistry. If it works it works.”

Her building’s shell of round drumlike forms is already up, with the interior exhibits coming over the next year.

“Basically, she is getting the deep storytelling, design and immersiveness of Disney Imagineering because — well, we adore Jane,” said Tom Acomb, an architect with his own firm, AOA, and a former Imagineer who teamed up with colleagues including Joe Rohde , creator of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Florida, to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars of free design services for “Dr. Jane’s Dream.”

But Acomb said, “Disney has nothing to do with the project, nor is any technology of theirs deployed in any way. What is in the mix is a process — the process that was unique to Disney Imagineering’s ability to tell a story.” He said they still did support work for Disney when called upon.

The idea, Rohde explained, was to create “much more of an experience center than an expository center.”

“What we’re trying to do,” he added, “is sort of take all the feelings and emotions that made Jane Goodall Jane Goodall and transfer that into a series of objects and encounters.”

It was not so much “about” Goodall, he noted, as “feeling her.”

He said it would feature a kiosk with a recording of Goodall translating chimp cries into English; a ceiling of 800 leaflike tiles painted by various African artists, models of animals wrapped in information about them (requiring close study by visitors, just as Goodall had to closely study her subjects); and elaborately carved and painted tree trunks in a style of artmaking called Makonde .

And, of course, the famous termite mound.

“Rather than just telling people that this is the way chimps fish for food,” Rohde said, “we want to compel people to do something like what the chimps do — use these little probes to stimulate something within the termite mound. You’re not learning about what chimps do — you’re learning what they do.

“It’s a very Jane Goodall thing.”

To keep “Dr. Jane’s Dream" maintainable locally, it will limit fancy technology, and allow for improvisation, Rohde said.

“It’s going to be what it becomes as the artists make it.”

Born in London in 1934, Goodall grew up cherishing animals, even, as a not-yet-2-year-old, taking earthworms to bed with her. Her mother, Vanne, convinced her that the worms would do better in the ground. At 4½ she lost herself in the henhouse trying to figure out where eggs came from.

Her parents separated when she was little and, amid Nazi bombings, she relocated with her mother and younger sister to her grandmother’s home in Bournemouth. The first book she read was “The Story of Dr. Dolittle,” about a country physician who talks to the animals. Another early book, “Tarzan of the Apes” left her jealous, she remembers: “He marries the wrong Jane.”

Set on visiting Africa, Goodall saved her waitressing money and, at 23 in 1957, sailed to Kenya where, though lacking a college degree, she sought out Leakey who with his wife, Mary, was excavating early human fossils in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania.

One day at the site, out walking with another assistant, Gillian Trace, and the Leakeys’ two protective Dalmatians, Toots and Bottom-Biter, Goodall noticed they were being trailed by a young male lion. The dogs, off leash, were busy chasing a mouse.

“Gillian wanted to hide in the vegetation at the bottom of the gorge,” she recalled last week. “I said no, the lion would know where we are, we won’t know where the lion is. We have to climb up on the plains so the lion could see us. I had this firm belief that animals wouldn’t hurt us if we are not a threat to them.”

Goodall said she was less worried about the lion than coming back to Mary Leakey without the Dalmatians.

Afterward, Louis Leakey, impressed, offered her a job studying chimpanzees for clues to man’s earliest ancestors. She became one of his three ape mentees, “the trimates,” who also included Dian Fossey on gorillas and Birutė Galdikas on orangutans. Fossey would be murdered in Rwanda in 1985.

Goodall returned to England but sailed back to Africa with her mother in 1960 to begin her research in Gombe, on Lake Tanganyika.

Alone in the jungle with only their cook, both were felled by malaria. Her mother nearly died. “We just lay in our beds and handed the thermometer back and forth,” Goodall recalled. Somehow, without quinine, they recovered.

She tried repeatedly to make contact with the chimps but they remained aloof, as recorded by an old movie camera she propped up in a tree fork.

Until, after nearly four months, David Greybeard let her get close enough as he made his tool of the tree branch.

“It was held in the left hand, poked into the ground, and then removed coated with termites,” she recorded in her field book. “The straw was then raised to the mouth and the insects picked off with the lips, along the length of the straw, starting in the middle.”

Goodall said she knew immediately that her breakthrough would thrill Leakey. He cabled back: “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man’ or accept chimpanzees as human.”

But Goodall also observed the primates in warfare and cannibalism — along with manifestations of empathy and communal rearing of offspring orphaned by poachers. At a waterfall, she observed chimps dancing as if in religious awe.

Sergio Almécija , senior research scientist in primates and human evolution at the American Museum of Natural History, said Goodall revolutionized the way we understand primates and other animals — “like the transition from radio to color TV.”

Starting in 1961, Goodall returned periodically to Cambridge for what became four years of doctoral studies in ethology. “I was told you must focus on feeding behavior or maternal behavior, but not everything,” she recalled.

She focused on everything. She also rejected complaints that she was giving names, not just numbers, to her chimp subjects and recognizing their humanlike traits.

When National Geographic sent a renowned Dutch wildlife photographer, Baron Hugo van Lawick, to Gombe in 1962 to document an irresistible story — a young Englishwoman among the apes — a romance blossomed. They married in London in 1964 and had a child, Hugo Eric Louis, nicknamed Grub. (Now a house builder in Africa and Latin America, he has two sons and a daughter, Goodall’s grandchildren, who work on some of her projects.)

A slowdown in assignments sent van Lawick in search of work in the Serengeti and he and Goodall divorced in 1974. A year later she married the Tanzanian national parks director, Derek Bryceson . He died of cancer in 1980, when Goodall was 46.

In 1986, she helped organize a conference in Chicago, and was shocked to learn how deforestation and pollution were decimating animal populations.

“I went to the conference as a scientist and I left as an activist,” she said.

After revelations of terrible conditions at the Brazzaville zoo in the Republic of Congo, she persuaded the American oil company Conoco to help build a chimp sanctuary in that country. She convinced leading research laboratories like Harvard’s that chimps, after all, made poor models for medical experimentation to benefit humans. Many long-captive animals were released to sanctuaries (though ape-trafficking remained rampant).

She widened her focus to human behavior as well, and became a vegan. “How can we even save the precious chimpanzees,” she asked, “when people all around are struggling to survive?”

Some of her favorite stuffed animals that she carries around in her hand luggage sat last week on a mantle in her New York hotel room: Mr. H, a monkey from a blinded United States Marine, Gary Haun, who became a proficient magician, skier and sky diver; Pigcasso, a South African pig taught to create artworks with a paintbrush in her mouth; an octopus from the movie “My Octopus Teacher”; and Rattie, an African pouched rat trained to detect land mines.

Two other items were away on display at a National Geographic Museum traveling exhibition called “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall” — a piece of the Berlin Wall and a limestone rock from Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison.

All symbols, Goodall says, of her mantra — hope.

“I’m seeing humanity as at the mouth of a very long dark tunnel,” she said, “and right at the end is a little star — that’s hope. But in order to get there we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and climb under and crawl over all the obstacles that lie in the path, like climate change, and loss of biodiversity. And a very important one is poverty. We must alleviate poverty because really poor people destroy the environment to survive.”

In her hotel suite, the living room lights and brass chandelier were lit. A photo of Tennessee Williams glistened in a vitrine.

Goodall was in a bedroom, resting her eyes from her travels and lectures into the spotlights. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the chandelier began to sway.

Goodall didn’t seem surprised to hear of it. Once, she said, staying in another suite on the same floor, she had seen an apparition.

Did she believe in a hereafter?

There’s either nothing or there’s something, she said. Finding out the answer would be “the next great adventure.”