TESTIMONIALS

Jeff & Lisa T. // Georgia, USA

January 2022

Ubarikiwe safari njema - Wonderful Blessed Safari

JAMBO JAMBO!
From the initial welcome email to the logistical layout and information of the 14 day safari, We knew we would be off to a very special trip!

Prior to our meeting and actual start of our Safari, Denise was in constant communication with the 12 of us in our group! Upon first meeting Peter (Petro) at JRO airport and learning he would be our guide for the two weeks we knew we were embarking on a wonderful humorous educational and resourceful vacation. This was only to be matched with Denise and Rob meeting us all upon our arrival at the Maasai Lodge. Their preparation, planning and fluid style of managing all twelve of us was exceptional.

We had the luxury of Rob, Peter and Denise for the duration sharing in our wonder while gently acquiescing to our whims and guiding us in accomplishing everything PLUS more on this journey. There were so many wonderful special moments with the beautiful scenery and wildlife on each day of our safari. Too numerous to add here in this review. Only made more special with each evening 's recap and sundowner dinners shared with our friends and our new friends Rob, Denise and Petro! The discussions and interpersonal exchange melded our group of 15.

Rob and Petro are the two best mwongozo wa utalii (guides) in all Africa! I think we can easily say Denise was a supreme kiongozi (leader) from the start.

We are forever grateful of all their expertise and guidance and most of all fun-loving approach with all of us! They were supreme of our care and safety at all times! We are truly thankful they have graced us and will only entertain or plan another safari with them!

Asante sana na upendo mwingi!

Jeff & Lisa
PS. Rob- I'm sending you that book and Petro thanks for the playlist!

Michael & Michaela W. // KOnstanz, Germany

December 2021

Meli & Andreas N. // Munich, Germany

December 2021

Mit Liebe zum Detail - vielen Dank Sababu!

Wir mussten einfach mal raus! So kurzfristig wie diese Fernreise haben wir noch nie gebucht. Eine Woche vor Abflug haben wir das erste Mal mit Sababu Safaris Kontakt aufgenommen und Denise zauberte uns innerhalb kurzer Zeit einen perfekten Reiseplan, der keine Wünsche übrig ließ.

Die perfekte Betreuung endete jedoch nicht hier- auch vor Ort waren wir in den besten Händen.
Wir wollten nicht nur einen Safari-Trip, wir wollten Land und Leute kennen lernen. Sababu ermöglicht genau das. Unbeschreibliche Momente durften wir erleben. Wir waren bezaubert von den all den netten und hilfsbereiten Menschen.

Die Unterkünfte mitten in den Nationalparks und in der Natur waren einmalig. Die Massai-Lodge ist ein unfassbares Erlebnis. Mit Blick auf den atemberaubenden Kilimandscharo durften wir das Leben der Massais kennen lernen.

Ein besonderes Lob geht an unseren Guide Peter. Er war das wandelnde Lexikon und versprach uns die Big Five und hielt sein Versprechen!

Mit Liebe zum Detail hat uns Sababu überrascht und uns unvergessliche Urlaubstage geschenkt.
Vielen Dank an Sababu und Denise!

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With LOve for Detail - Thank you very much, Sababu!

We just had to get out! We have never booked a long-distance trip on such short notice as this one. A week before departure we contacted Sababu Safaris for the first time and within a short time Denise conjured up a perfect travel plan for us that left nothing to be desired.

However, the impeccable service did not end here - we were also in the best of hands onsite. We didn't just want a safari trip, we wanted to get to know the country and its people. Sababu makes exactly that possible. We were able to experience indescribable moments. We were charmed by all the nice and helpful people.

The accommodations in the middle of the national parks and in nature were so unique. The Maasai Lodge is an incredible experience. With a view of the breathtaking Kilimanjaro, we were able to get to know the life of the Maasai.

Special praise goes to our guide Peter. He was a walking encyclopedia and promised us the Big Five and kept his promise!

Sababu surprised us with attention to detail and gave us an unforgettable vacation. Many thanks to Sababu and Denise!

Andrew S. // New York, USA

December 2021

AMAZING!

I went on an eight day (seven night) trip with my family of 6 (kids aged 19, 15, 13 & 9) in Dec. '21. One of (if not) the best trips all of us have ever taken. Denise and Rob took care of everything. With international travel in COVID times issues always arise, but it was amazing how seamlessly everything came together. We will have a harder time keeping our kids in school next week than going on this safari.

This is a smaller outfit that offers a personalized touch to customize your experience for exactly what you are looking for. They are also very responsive to anything you need. The animals were incredible and Rob was fantastic at tracking them down and explaining everything that was happening.

I'd recommend trying to spend some time interacting with the Maasai. The Massai Lodge offered a hike into the plains to see some animals on foot, which is something few tourists get to do. Bringing some much needed supplies to a village makes a difference and really opens your eyes to the way different people live. The food at the camps/hotels was much better than we expected, as were the accommodations, and the service throughout the entire trip was nothing short of incredible.

If you're on the fence about a Tanzania safari, go. And when you go, go with Sababu!

Pilar G. // Bogota, Colombia

December 2021

BEST HONEYMOON TRIP EVER!

THANK YOU SABABU for planning this amazing trip with us. All the recommendations were very helpful. They truly know how to spoil you. 🤍

I am Colombian and my husband is American, and Africa was a dream come true. Denise and Rob were amazing. They very kind, thoughtful and helpful. Always responsive, on top of things, making you feel safe and secure.

December is the best time of the year to go. Not many people, weather is lovely and everyone is very sweet and kind.

The tour, the hotels, the timing, the car, the food, everything was so good! 😍 Thank you again, Denise and Rob. You guys rock!

Big hugs and Merry Christmas!

Paula H. // New York, USA

September 2021

MAGICAL

In September 2021, my husband and I had the privilege of joining two friends and our amazing guide, Peter, on a 14 day, 13 night, magnificent Tanzania Great Migration Safari, arranged by Sababu Safaris. Denise, one of the founders of Sababu Safaris, LLC, and our dear friend, Shirley, created our itinerary. Denise guided us in preparations every step of the way. The basic itinerary is outlined beautifully on their website. Denise was always available to answer all questions, offer advice, and give support, which was especially important with the extra travel issues we experienced due to traveling during Covid. The entire trip was a life experience I will always remember and cherish—we laughed and we learned, we saw the extreme struggles and exquisite beauty of the Serengeti, we visited villages, a boma, farms, schools and tribes, we met many wonderful people, and we were very well cared for. I am writing this review three months after our visit and I am still smiling. Our trip was fabulous in every way. My husband and I enjoyed the experience so much we are already planning on taking our adult children on Sababu Safaris’ Calving Season Safari in the future.

Our guide, Peter, was the best! His love of Africa was contagious. His knowledge of the African animals and their behavior and his willingness to share his knowledge and answer all questions made this a fabulous group learning experience. He even had guide books to show us photos and give us more details about the animals and birds we saw! He knew where and when to go to give us the best viewing experiences. Not only was he in tune with nature, he was very in tune with us. If we saw a photo op, he got us to it. When I lost my cell phone in the Serengeti (yep…I did that….) he took us back to find it. Peter was knowledgeable, polite, charming, and fun…and by the end of our time with him, he was family.

We ended our trip at The Original Maasai Lodge, where we learned about the Maasai culture and joined in dance ceremonies, spear throwing, and other traditions. We were fortunate to meet Denise at The Original Maasai Lodge. Denise was wonderful via emails and phone calls before and during the trip, but she was a true delight in person. Her love of Africa and her passion for creating memorable experiences for people is palpable.

Denise and Peter, we can’t wait to see you on our next visit…’til we meet again!

Asante sana,
Paula

Kerri P. // Texas, USA

September 2021

10 OUT OF 5 STARS!

When we were planning our trip to Tanzania, we spent many hours looking at different safari companies. What initially interested us in Sababu Safaris was the idea of “travel with purpose”. If we were going to spend a month on a trip of a life time, we wanted to be able to give back to the community along the way.

Our initial inquiry to the company was answered within hours by Denise, cofounder of Sababu Safaris. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the different parks, different lodges, and the ideal amount of time to spend in each location. She asked what we would like to see, how long our trip would be and what our budget was in order to build us a custom itinerary. She knew where we should splurge on nicer locations, and areas where we could save a bit of money. The flexibility and options presented to us were big reasons that we loved Sababu Safaris. Due to Covid-19, we had to postpone our trip and Denise was awesome about helping us to reschedule for September of 2021. With an extra year to save, we were able to extend our trip and Denise’s expertise again proved invaluable. She knew just where to stay an extra day or two and we were also able to add a whole extra park! She spent hours on the phone with us answering all of our questions, from Covid concerns to food to visas and everything in between. We are so grateful for her patience, time and experience in planning our vacation.

We had already booked our climbing outfitter up Mt. Kilimanjaro through another company when we found Sababu Safaris. I was originally a bit stressed with how the logistics would work out with so many moving parts. Denise handled everything flawlessly and the transfer from Mweka Gate to The Original Maasai Lodge was seamless.

After two incredible days with the Maasai, we met our safari guide and driver Robert, the other cofounder of Sababu Safaris. We spent the next ten days with Robert exploring Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Central and Northern Serengeti National Park. We were in excellent hands and absolutely loved our whole wild adventure with Robert and his Land Cruiser “Lucy”. What impressed us most was Robert’s love and passion for what he does. His genuine excitement and enthusiasm towards showing us the beauty of Tanzania was amazing and kept smiles on our faces for the entire time. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the areas and parks that we drove through, as well as all of the animals that we saw.

It’s hard to choose one favorite part, but a few highlights of our trip were seeing lionesses feasting on a buffalo, leopard cubs playing together and thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River for the great migration. We learned so much from him and every day was a new adventure. By the end of our trip, we felt like Robert was a close friend we had known for years, instead of just a few days.
We can’t wait to go back someday, hopefully sooner rather than later, and we have no doubt that we will book our trip with Sababu Safaris again. If you are searching for a safari company, we honestly can’t recommend them enough. We will forever sing their praises to anyone who asks!

Thank you so much, Robert and Denise, a thousand thanks wouldn’t be enough to convey our gratitude to you for the trip of a lifetime that you made possible. We sincerely hope our paths cross again someday soon. In the words of the Maasai, “Hallo lo, hallo malotie”

Asante Sana!
Jacob and Kerri

Debatri M. // California, USA

September 2021

AMAZING ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCES

I can’t thank my stars enough to have found Denise to curate our first family vacation to Tanzania. She did a meticulous job of planning the trip for us and it was a full circle- the safaris, the cultural aspect at the Maasai Lodge and then the relaxation at Zanzibar. Can’t be more perfect and this trip left the most beautiful memories of 2021.

Denise was very patient and extremely accommodating, not to mention highly professional. She was so kind to accommodate our last-minute needs and made our experience so smooth and extremely pleasant.

Peter, our guide for the safaris was quite literally the best- he was extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and Serengeti in general and super patient. Patience is so important for a successful safari trip because anyone can go to a safari to see animals but to see the animals in action and to take the best photos- that my dear takes a lot of patience. I can’t recommend them enough!!

TREMENDOUS TANZANIA SAFARI

Wow!! What a tremendous safari! Denise, the co-founder helped us determine what we wanted and how to plan and prepare. Once there, our guide Peter picked us up at the airport and provided us with a once in a lifetime view of Tanzenia! He attended to our every need as well as getting us "up close" to all the wildlife you would hope to see. Within the trip we visited Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, and central and northern Serengeti. We also stopped at a small Maasi "boma" and left solar lights to provide light in their dark huts for cooking. Finishing off our safari we spent a couple days at the Original Maasi Lodge. All of our lodging was very comfortable, from traditional buildings to tent camps. By the way we had incredible food!

Sababu Safaris has a strong commitment to service as well as giving back to the areas we visited. They provide the solar lights we give, and the Original Maasi Lodge we visited supports the primary school nearby with proceeds from visitors.

If you desire to see Tanzania, and want the satisfaction of helping the people of the area, give Sababu Safaris a call. Denise will help you plan a very exciting trip and emotionally rewarding safari!

Sana P. // Munich, Germany

August 2021

WHAT AN ADVENTURE!

You're here, reading reviews to answer that nagging question - should I book a safari/trip to Tanzania with these guys? Yes. Yes, you should.

Our family had the absolute best time; our three-year-old still talks about wanting to go back to the Maasai Lodge. Right from the get-go, co-founder Denise was patient and accommodating, and available round-the-clock to answer any and all questions ("Is there really sand on this beach? Are you sure?"). She took all the stress out of planning a 2-week holiday to Tanzania that included a dreamy stay at a boutique resort in Zanzibar.

Our safari guide and driver Joshua, who is a Maasai himself, was wonderful, knowledgeable and full of insights. We even got to see some rare lion sightings at the Tarangire National Park, thanks to him. Absolutely hope to see him again!

Denise also arranged our transfer from Manyara to Stone Town on a bush plane, as well as from the airport to our hotel - as I said earlier, zero stress, just all the good bits of planning.

A big reason why Sababu appealed to us so much was because the founders seem very mindful of not exploiting the local communities for private gains, and in fact, consciously attempt to "give back" without appearing patronising. Travel with purpose, indeed.

We'll be returning to Tanzania soon enough, and we're just so glad we found the perfect little company to take care of us before we even set foot there.

Hayley O. // California, USA

August 2021

WONDERFUL TRIP AND AMAZING EXPERIENCES!

I booked a safari for my boyfriend and myself with Sababu and had an amazing experience from start to finish. During the booking, Denise was super helpful and worked with me to create the perfect itinerary. I usually book trips myself so I was a little nervous to leave everything up to someone else, but she answered all of my many questions quickly and made me feel totally comfortable throughout the whole process.

During our trip we visited Zanzibar, Tarangire National Park, Mto Wa Mbu, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park. Zanzibar was wonderful-- we went there to dive and were not disappointed! The reefs are beautiful and teeming with life-- I would love to return to dive again! Once we arrived in Arusha our guide, Felix, picked us up and we proceeded to our first game drive in Tarangire! From the moment we met, Felix made us feel welcomed and was extremely professional, kind, and knowledgeable. On our way to Tarangire, we happened across a Maasai celebration and were allowed to watch in exchange for a few dollars for soda. It was a really cool experience, made even better by Felix who explained the cultural significance. During our game drives, Felix shared tons of information about the wildlife, plants, and culture. He was able to answer all my questions and provide really interesting information about everything around us. I ask a lot of questions and sometimes worry about being annoying, but Felix was so kind and always made me feel comfortable.

We were guided through Mto Wa Mbu by Esau who was also extremely knowledgeable and kind. My boyfriend mentioned that he would like to try the banana beer that they brew in town so Esau went out of his way to make sure we got a glass. I mentioned that I like art so Esau brought us to a local artists' studio and a woodworking shop where we were able to see people creating beautiful sculptures out of local wood. We really enjoyed meeting Esau and spending some time learning about everyday life in Tanzania. Truly a wonderful experience! I highly, highly recommend requesting Esau as your guide if you visit Mto Wa Mbu.

In Ngorongoro Crater we stayed at Lion's Paw Camp which was my favorite place that we stayed during the trip. All of the accommodations were wonderful, but Lion's Paw was really special to me. The room was amazing, the food was delicious, the staff was wonderful (staff literally everywhere we stayed was wonderful though), and the views were breathtaking. Ngorongoro was beautiful and we even saw an elusive serval!

On the way to Serengeti, we stopped to deliver solar lights to four Maasai women. I'm so glad Sababu gave us the chance to give back-- even in this small way. I will always remember the happiness these lights brought to the ladies. We also had the chance to meet a small group of Maasai girls who were curious and kind. Both of these encounters were a highlight of the trip for me, made even better and more meaningul by Felix who was able to tell us more about the culture.

We stayed three nights in Serengeti and saw SO much wildlife on our game drives. Felix went out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful experience, and we even saw a cheetah with two babies!! We truly enjoyed traveling with Felix and getting to know him. He is SO knowledgeable about the culture, animals, and plants-- we learned so much from him during our trip. I would absolutely recommend Sababu if you'd like to visit Tanzania! When we visit Tanzania again we will definitely book with Sababu and request Felix as our guide! :)

Max E. // Munich, Germany

July 2021

BEST EXPERIENCE EVER

Sababu Safaris wurde uns von einem Freund empfohlen und er hat nicht zu viel versprochen. Für uns war es der beste Urlaub unseres Lebens und wir sind schon ein bisschen rumgekommen :).
Unser Guide Peter war innerhalb kürzester Zeit kein Guide mehr für uns sondern ein Freund, mit dem wir diese tolle Reise machen durften. Wir haben uns jederzeit sicher gefühlt und mussten uns um rein gar nichts kümmern. Die Unterkünfte waren alle super und jede für sich besonders. Nyumbani Collection im Serengeti Nationalpark können wir besonders empfehlen. Alles in allem war diese Safari eine Erfahrung, die wir nie vergessen werden!

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Sababu Safaris was recommended to us by a friend and he didn't promise too much. For us it was the best vacation of our life and we have gotten around a bit :). Within a very short time, our guide Peter was no longer a guide for us but a friend with whom we were allowed to go on this great trip. We felt safe at all times and didn't have to worry about anything. The accommodations were all great and each one special. We can particularly recommend the Nyumbani Collection in the Serengeti National Park. All in all, this safari was an experience we will never forget!

Mike K. // New York, USA

July 2021

TANZANIA HONEYMOON

Denise and Robert were great. They put together a trip of a lifetime for me and my new wife for our honeymoon. 8 days in Tanzania with little things beyond a standard safari which were some of the highlights of the trip.

The two nights at the Original Maasai Lodge was a great transition into the trip. It was a beautiful lodge and learning about the Maasai people was eye-opening. It really set the stage and shaped how we viewed the rest of our time. The tour of the local village was also very enlightening. Seeing how locals lived made the trip very special.

Of course Robert made the safari days amazing as well. Tailoring our experience each day to our whims, even without us having to ask, showed his level of attention to detail. Robert quickly realized my wife wasn't thrilled with the box lunches on safari and without even asking, he arranged for hot picnics in the bush going forward.

This was my first safari, but it seemed to me that everyone experiences some unexpected hiccups along the way, but Robert helped turn those into positive experiences that added to the adventure and make for great stories.

TRAVELING WITH A PURPOSE…SABABU

The Sababu Tanzanian Safari was an adventure never to be forgotten for the rest of my life!

My overall Tanzanian personal observation from Zanzibar, Arusha, Dar Es Salaam, Serengeti down to the local Maasai village was that of a calm, cool, collective, and safe country. The Tanzanian hospitality is second to none of all the countries I have lived in or visited. They made me feel welcomed with kindness, courtesy and willing to educate me about what Tanzania has to offer to the world. Sababu’s “grass-root” Edu-Vacation Safari allowed me to refocus and re-center my life priorities, with the new understanding that material wealth shouldn’t be the main priority in life. The Maasai people quickly showed me they may not be materialisticly wealthy, but they sure understand how to live, and be happy doing what you love doing. Finally, as an African American I felt a sence of belonging, and kinship when I was around the Tanzanian people.

Sababu Safaris… Asante Sana, for a wonderful life changing experience!!

Sababu Safaris…If you are seeking a ground level view of Life and Culture in Tanzania!!

Jeanine E. // Texas, USA

June 2021

MY TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Our recent excursion using Sababu Safaris to Tanzania was the trip of a lifetime! It really was a life-changing experience the allowed us the opportunity to “reset”. Sababu was instrumental in assisting us with designing an awesome itinerary. It included initiating our trip on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar (Prison Island and the 200-year-old turtle sanctuary) to spending several days on the acclaimed Serengeti.

Our guide, Robert, was outstanding! We chose to be on the go and Sababu put together an itinerary that was action packed with so much for us to experience and see. We spent a significant portion of our trip getting to know and learn about the Tanzanian culture which is super friendly. The people are always willing to help - from carrying your bags or helping you learn Swahili! We cannot say enough about our time in the Maasai Village. The Maasai are a people that are warm and welcoming. We experienced the life of Maasai by living in a mud hut which was surprisingly extremely comfortable. We participated in the evening Maasai ceremonial dancing and the nightly Maasai fireside chats where ancient practices and everyday Maasai life were discussed. These generational ways of living are still practiced today. Tanzania is a country and a culture that knows how to treat each other and her guests. In a nutshell, if you need a to refocus and reenergize your life then you need Tanzania and Sababu Safaris! I encourage other African Americans to make their pilgrimage back to Mama Africa. Eastern Africa is a distinct experience and Tanzania is undoubtedly a quiet kept secret. If you have a heart, then you will respond like we did and absolutely fall in love with Tanzania!

PS… the country is super safe and the food is all organic and fresh. Everything is grown and harvested locally without any dependence on outside food sources.

We are already planning our return trip!!!!!!!

SUPERB SABABU SAFARI!

A fantastic journey from start to finish! It’s overwhelming to choose a safari company, but my husband and I knew we wanted to book with someone local in Tanzania. When we came across Sababu we were struck by their community involvement, experience, and professionalism. Denise, co-owner, was so prompt and kind in answering all our inquiries, providing all the information we needed to feel secure with our booking. Starting our trip at the Original Maasai lodge was a gift. We learned so much about the history of the Maasai people, as well as getting a glimpse into their present day lives. Rob, co-owner of Sababu, as well as our extraordinary guide, was with us every step of the way, attentive to our needs and keeping us safe. Sharing his knowledge of Tanzania, African history, and world history added an important human element to our trip that I had not anticipated on an animal safari, enriching our experience. And I haven’t even mentioned the animals yet! We saw more animals than we ever expected, including the great migration, which was an incredible gift. It so exceeded our expectations. Having over 20 years of guiding experience, there was not a question Rob couldn’t answer. And he was persistent on the game drives! Rob was determined to show us all species of animals in the Ngorongoro Crater, and then the Serengeti, and he succeeded! Every day was breathtaking. And it was a pleasure to arrive at our camp or lodge at the end of each day, where the accommodations were wonderful. We were very emotional leaving Tanzania, it is a wonderful country, and I am so grateful that we chose Sababu Safaris to take us on this incredible journey. Thank you Rob and Denise!! Until next time!

Francisca O. // California, USA

April 2021

TANZANIAN PARADISE!

Thank You Sababu Safaris! This trip literally changed my life perspective 😍 I cannot imagine a better way to experience Africa for the first time! The safari gaming adventures were so magical, to see all the animals up close and personal was truly breathtaking. It was so enlightening to learn about the Maasai culture and make connections with so many beautiful families. Gifting the solar lights was so amazing to even be apart of their life in the slightest way. Bottom line, thank you Sababu Safaris for creating such a magical experience for me! 🎉

Faith S. // New Jersey, USA

February 2021

TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE

It’s hard to put into words how incredible our experience with Sababu Safari was. I feel like I experienced a lifetime in one week! Hands down the most well put together itinerary I have ever done. It was the perfect mix of culture, wildlife and positive impact. Rob, co-owner and guide for Sababu, was the absolute greatest! He was able to answer every single question that we had with no hesitation (and we definitely had millions of questions 😂). He helped us deliver solar lights to communities without light and was eager to provide clean water wherever he could. He showcased the beauty and diverse culture of Tanzania as we drove around. He was somehow able to navigate the entirety of Serengeti and Tarangire without getting lost. It was also so clear to see how passionate he is about what he does and how he can use tourism for good. He has become such an inspiration!
All in all, I highly HIGHLY recommend Sababu if you are looking for an experience that includes more than just wildlife. There is so much more than that to see in Tanzania, and Sababu made it possible. Thank you to Rob and Denise for all you do!!!

JYO S. // CALIFORNIA, USA

February 2021

TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

An African Safari trip has always been super high on both my husband’s and my bucketlist and looking back we are so glad to have done it with Sababu Safaris. It was an absolute DREAM COME TRUE in every way! Thanks to Sababu Safaris we were able to create a dream itinerary for our time here that allowed us to experience its diverse culture, nature, wildlife, and so much more.

Generally, I’m a big planner and I usually love planning all my trips on my own, but while planning a safari trip I soon came to realize it’s unlike any other trip where planning on your own can be very confusing and overwhelming - with trying to plan and coordinate accommodations, bush airplane transfers, park fees, other fees, game drives, activities, etc all within your budget, time and other constraints.

It was such a breeze to plan with Denise from Sababu once I gave them an idea of what I was looking for, how many days I had , my overall budget, the parks that I wanted to hit and the kind of accommodations that we wanted - the rest was all taken care of by them; which made our job so much easier! All we had to do was show up and enjoy our private luxe safari adventure.

Safari is also so much about luck but also about having a really experienced and patient driver guide ! We had the best experience with Rob from Sababu Safaris who has been doing safaris for over 20 years. Aside from these spectacular animal sightings on the daily our guide knew where to take us for sights that we wanted to see! He was so knowledgeable and shared so much info along the way about the national parks, the wildlife and Tanzania as a whole ! Safe to say we left with a refresher course on wildlife 101, loved learning so much more than we already knew.
Our private safari vehicle was so spacious, comfy and equipped with everything we needed for the safari.

I highly recommend Sababu Safaris if you are planning a safari in Tanzania! I know we will be back for sure…

Philip C. // California, USA

Dec ‘20/Jan ‘21

PERFECT once-in-a-lifetime experience for a solo traveler

I spent 9 days in Tanzania on safari and 5 days in Zanzibar on a trip as a solo traveler organized by Sababu Safaris. Boy, where do I begin? Everything was perfect!!

I visited Tarangire Nat'l Park, Lake Manyara Nat'l Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti Nat'l Park. I saw all "big 5" (lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants). The trip was also highlighted by a trip to a local Maasai village to give out solar lights (these villages have no electricity), and the surprised villagers loved it! All the lodging options were comfortable and luxurious with personal touches.

My personal travel guide, Modi, is not only a great driver, but also very knowledgeable and compassionate about the wildlife in Tanzania. He knows all the good locations to spot the rare animals and has an amazing ability (and eyesight!) to spot them. (He spotted a leopard crossing a narrow bushy road by only catching a glimpse of its tail!) Most importantly, he puts his client's safety first, which I greatly appreciate.

Denise, the co-founder of the company, was on top of everything. She made sure I was very well taken care of during the entire trip. She's very hands-on and always available to answer all questions before, during, and even after the trip. Denise also quelled my nerves about traveling in times of Covid pandemic and helped me avert a potential disastrous situation. When my first leg of flight back home was unexpectedly delayed for more than 3 hours, I would have had easily missed my 2nd-leg flight back to the US. However, she helped me find an alternative 1st flight quickly while she's in a completely different time zone. Thanks to her, I had no problem getting back home.

I whole-heartedly recommend Sababu Safaris as your tour operator for Tanzania Safaris for a well-organized, safe, and exciting once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You won't regret it! In fact, I might make it "twice-in-a-lifetime" as I am eager to return to Tanzania in the near future with Sababu Safaris again!

Trip of a Lifetime!!!!

We used Sababu Safaris to organize our trip to Tanzania and the ascend to Kilimanjaro. We dealt mainly with Sababu's co-founder Denise. She was incredibly, responsive, knowledgeable and patient with us; a true pleasure to deal with. The trip was well organized and Denise helped us create the most amazing itinerary. Any problems and/or issues that would arise during the trip, were handled very promptly and to our full satisfaction. In short, would VERY HIGHLY recommend Sababu Safaris and wish they could organize other trips for us :)

An unforgettable and amazing honeymoon!

Our honeymoon with Sababu Safaris was just incredible and exeeded all my expectations!!! Right from the start Denise did an amazing job in planning our trip. She was always available to answer all our questions and made sure that we get the most out from our trip possible while staying within our budget. Then due to Corona we had to change dates on a very short notice and Denise helped us right away. She made everything so easy for us. And let me tell you, especially while planning a wedding, it's an amazing feeling to know that our honeymoon is well taken care of. :-)

The second we landed in Tanzania, we never had to worry about anything. Each day was a new adventure and even now it's difficult to say which day was my favorite day. From staying at the amazing Original Maasai Lodge, getting to know the people and their culture, waking up with the sunrise over Kilimanjaro, watching the most beautiful sunsets every night, to seeing the BIG 5 and more animals that I could have ever imagined, spending Christmas at Nyumbani Camps in the middle of Serengeti and being welcomed with open arms and impacable service in each lodge that we stayed at along the way. Denise even surprised us with a Maasai wedding!!! It was just incredible!!! Each and every single day was just breathtaking and I couldn"t be more grateful to Sababu Safaris for making our honeymoon so special.

I can also only recommend Patrick who was our guide during safari. His knowledge about animals, plants and the history as well as skills are unbelievable. He made sure that we see as many animals as possible and that even in the worst rain we get back to the lodge safely.

I've traveled to many places in the world and this was my first time in Africa. For me, it was a lifetime exerience because Sababu Safaris made sure that we also leave a footprint there by distributing solar lights to two women. I will never forget the light in their eyes when they realized what this means for them - having light.

Therefore, I can only encourage each and every single person who thinks about/wants/plans to travel to Tanzania in the future: BOOK your Safari with Sababu Safaris!! You will have an experience that you'll never forget.

STOP looking elsewhere, book your African Safari through Sababu!

What an amazing experience, thanks to the PASSION of Rob and Denise! My wife and I planned to go for an African Safari as part of our honeymoon and came across Sababu. We were thrilled to learn that Denise was based in NY and has been to Tanzania so many times. We had a zoom call and talked for over an hour about what we were looking for, and every one of Denise's response was we can take care of that for you. She suggested an amazing cooking class for us in Zanzibar, set us up to be picked up in Arusha and enjoy a few days with Masaii tribe before starting our Safari. Thank you Denise for setting everything us up for us.

We arrived in West Kiliminjaro and were greeted at the exit of the airport by Rob with a big smile. Rob was an epic guide on the safari. The main thing about a guide is to have experience and passion. Rob has been a guide for 18 years and his passion really came across the first day when he said "When I die and if I come back, I want to be a guide, nothing else". We knew immediately we were in great hands.

The few days we spent at the Masaii tribe camp was amazing. So peaceful, relaxing, and amaizng experience learning the ways of the Masaii tribe. Once we started our safari Rob knew his way around the entire place whether it was the crater, serengetti, or terengire. We said we want to see Lion's...an hour later Rob brought us to a pride of several lions and cubs. Rob even found a lion that had just killed a zebra and we stayed to watch him drag him into his hiding space. We wanted to see a leapord, Rob found one sleeping in the tree for us. Elephants? No problem, Rob found us so many, one of which we parked and saw him eating a tree which was so fun.

We have already recommended Sababu to our friends who saw our pictures on social media and are planning their trip with Sababu.

Authentic and Personalized Safari! Search No More!

Before the Pandemic, we were doing a lot of research and we came upon Sababu Safaris. We also had a few other options of better-known companies too. After extensive research and looking at different itineraries, we chose to pick Sababu Safaris. One of the main reasons we decided to go with Sababu was their incredible person-to-person contact, their ease at customizing our itinerary, the amount of phone calls with a live individual who has such passion and connection to Africa. This is not your normal travel agency, or those huge travel/safari company that take your information via the internet and email you. This company was with us from the beginning and all the way to the end of our safari. They were there with us at all hours of the day and night, checking in to ensure our flights were on schedule and we were checked in.

Our trip consisted of 20 Day in total: 15 days Safari through the Tarangire NP to Ngorongoro Crater to Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti to Lake Natron. We ended our trip in beautiful Zanzibar.
Denise’s recommendations on Lodges/Camps were amazing! Each one of the accommodations had something unique unto itself. Our first Camp was Tarangire Ndovu Tented Camp: we were at the very edge of the Crater rim. Our last camp was Africa Amini Maasai Lodge. Oh my, this Lodge was incredible! The recommendation to end our safari at Africa Amini was ideal!

Rob, our personal guide and driver was so knowledgeable, with 18 years of experience working with major high-end safari companies; he brings to Sababu all the things that are missing with the well-known safari brands. Upon picking us up at Kilimanjaro Airport, he had everything ready: sanitizer, masks, water, (of course, and Kilimanjaro Beer 😊) and a well-cleaned vehicle waiting for us. Our mission with Rob was to be out all day on game drives. We didn’t come to Safari to wine and dine in a luxury camp…it was all Game Drives! We did enjoy the camp/lodge upon our returns in the afternoons. Rob ensured everything was coordinated at the Lodge/Camp when we returned. Our meals were well planned out and the layout was superb! Oh my gosh, our stage was the Serengeti for lunch. Each day we had lunch outdoors, enjoying the great parks and animals roaming freely. Each day the chef at each camp came out and greeted us and sat down and reviewed the menu for my spouse, as he is vegan. Each chef made sure we always had vegan options.

There is so much more….. I cannot write enough or it will be too lengthy. If you are thinking or are on the fence about going with Sababu Safari, we would be happy to relate our splendid experiences.

Patrick & Mercedes H. // Germany

October 2020

More than a safari!

We have spent our honeymoon on safari and therefore the attention of finding the right tour operator was extremely high - we just wanted the perfect experience. After extensive research we found Sababu Safaris, a boutique operator.

If you are looking for REAL interactions with the locals and not being part of mass tourist activities, I can only recommend Sababu!

What they focus on is getting to know the people in Tanzania, as they are a big part of the beauty of Tanzania. So if you are after more than stunning landscapes and watching animals in their natural habitat, Sababu is the right choice.

It was very noticeable that Sababu loves what they do, as everything was done with passion and a lot of love for detail.

Also, they offer the option of donating solar lights or water filters and distributing them to locals. I can only recommend that!! An amazing and soulful experience to witness something so small having such a big impact.

All in all Sababu is the perfect fit if you are looking for a non touristy trip - getting in touch with the TRUE Tanzania.

Incredible Tanzania

My wife and I just came back from our trip to Tanzania and it was AMAZING. Thank you to Sababu Safari for making it truly an unforgettable trip.

We worked with Denise in coordinating our travel/Itinerary. Denise was very prompt, thorough and very passionate. The entire process was seamless even with coordinating everything given the current pandemic. She listened to what our priorities were in planning this trip, and was able to custom build an itinerary that suited us perfectly.

We had no issues entering Tanzania. The JRO airport was clean, and there were multiple places where we were required to sanitize our hands and check our temperature. It was a very safe experience from start to finish. We had asked Denise to ensure that we did not enter any crowded areas due to the fear of COVID, so we avoided markets. The hotel staff all wore masks. Every hotel we went to had a hand washing or sanitization station as well as temperature checks.

On the ground, Rob met us at the airport and was with us the entire trip until he dropped us off at the airport to go back home.

We spent 1 night in Arusha, 1 in Tarangire, 1 in Ngorongoro, 2 in Central and 3 in Northern Serengeti. Rob was very knowledgeable about the animals, the history and ecology of the area we were in. Our goal was to see the great migration and river crossings and to our delight we were able to see this and get great pictures of our trip. In addition, we were lucky enough to see a few hunts as well! In addition, I highly recommend Tarangire National Park to see Elephants

I cannot say enough good things about this trip, I highly recommend it. In addition, Sababu's mission involves giving back to the community. They are actively participating in projects to help distribute solar lights to the community as well as providing access to education for underprivileged children.

BUCKET LIST SAFARI!

I've traveled within Africa extensively and my recent trip with Sababu Safaris was a clear standout, delivering unforgettable experiences while tending to all my needs! I had never visited the Serengeti before and was initially apprehensive about travel during Covid. Denise & Rob completely put me at ease with their unparalleled professionalism, assuaging any safety concerns, while also creating a thoughtful and personalized itinerary. Not only did local lodges maintain excellent health protocols, but visiting Tanzania without the usual influx of tourists was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. We were able to witness the migration and enjoyed rare wildlife sightings in almost completely private settings! Rob's extensive knowledge of the region was a huge asset, producing every bucket-list moment I could have hoped for. From the early stages of booking all the way to the many heartfelt moments shared together in the bush, both Denise & Rob were an absolute joy to interact with. In addition to the many exceptional sightings, I particularly valued Sababu Safaris' authentic approach to tourism, enabling memorable encounters with locals which will surely stay with me forever. There really is no better time than now to visit Tanzania and marvel at its endless open spaces and staggering natural beauty -- and with this team of experts you are truly in the best hands!

Chris. C // NEW York, USA

February 2020

Best vacation experience of my life; each day was better that the previous!

I have always wanted to visit Africa and go on a safari. My wife and I travel quite a bit, but I must admit that I was very apprehensive about the safety, accommodations and the food and drink while on a safari. We did a ton of research and then another couple we know, who also wanted to go to Africa on a safari, introduced us to Denise Brown of Sababu Safaris. The three couples met with Denise three different times and constantly barraged her with phone calls and hundreds of questions until we all felt safe and excited to go.

We constructed a tour that was to all of our liking and not only included all the amazing big game watching, but also a deep dive into the local people, the villages, the schools and the history of the the local people.

This was a turn key operation…from our needed vaccinations, our flight into Kenya, our connector to Tanzania where Denise's partner Robert picked us up in our safari vehicle for the trip to the Maasai village where we would stay for our first 3 nights.

Our mud hut had its own running hot and cold water, lighting and an indoor toilet that flushed somewhere? We participated in villager’s song and dance, ate their tribal food and were treated like royalty. There was also other more mainstream food, drink and a small bar available also. My favorite was the spear throwing instruction and competition into the simulated lion. While visiting the small Maasaai Villages we brought them solar lights for their huts and the amazing gratitude from them was unbelievable.

Our 12 day trip included West Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, Central Serengeti and then to Zanzibar. Our new friend Robert never left our side and besides being a tremendous driver, guide and African Wikipedia wizard, he has a very deep love and affection for the wildlife and the African ecology. He also made sure that he made very well timed “proper bathroom” stops whenever possible. Robert even arranged a formal picnic lunch complete with table and tablecloth while in the bush. Our safari vehicle with the pop up roof was excellent for animal viewing and there was never a shortage of beer, soda or water along with numerous places to recharge your phones and cameras.

We saw every wild animal possible numerous times including Lions‚ Rhinos‚ Cheetahs‚ Giraffes‚ Leopards, Zebras‚ Elephants and birds. We had an up close and personal experience with a bull elephant who we had to make friends with before he would allow us to pass. Absolutely amazing!

Every place we stayed along our journey was top notch with exceptional food, drink and accommodations. If you are considering a safari there is not a better place to go get your trip of a lifetime than Sababu Safaris. What are you waiting for!

Karen G. // NEW YORK, USA

February 2020

Denise C. // New York, USA

February 2020

Extremely knowledgeable guide with luxury (yet affordable) accommodations!

This Tour Company did a phenomenal job with planning our “trip of a lifetime” from the very beginning to the end and managed to exceed all my expectations! Sababu Safaris provides a very customized safari experience and will hold your hand every step of the way. My husband and I, with four other friends, met with Denise to inquire about the trip and she provided videos, literature and answered all kinds of question for several hours. A few months later we met again and asked more questions before making the decision to book the trip. Based on our shared preference of experiences, desired dates of trip and budget, Denise put together an amazing itinerary which included West Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Ndutu, Central Serengeti and then Zanzibar for a total of 12 days. She reviewed the itinerary with us and gave us details on vaccinations, as well as what to pack.

Every minute of our trip was well planned, and our guide Robert picked us up at the airport and stayed with us throughout our trip until he dropped us back off at the airport for our few days in Zanzibar. Even in Zanzibar arrangements were made to pick us up at the airport, deliver us to an all-inclusive resort and then drop us back to the airport. We were always in good hands and felt safe.

What was very important to me was that, in addition to the wildlife of Africa I also wanted to experience the people of Tanzania and so the first two days were spent at the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge in West Kilimanjaro. We spent time learning the food and customs of the Maasai people. The staff were all so welcoming and friendly - it was a perfect start to our adventure! We also visited a school and Orphanage as well as a Maasai village. We were able to bring gifts (from a supplied list of needed items) and it was a very rewarding experience.

I can’t say enough about Robert, our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about every type of wildlife and had an uncanny ability to seek them out. We were typically one of the first vehicles on the scene and were able to see all that we had hoped to see, including the Big Five. Robert’s passion and enthusiasm for the wildlife and people of Tanzania was truly contagious. He was excited as we were with each experience, making it so much more fun! For those of you who may be concerned about the bathroom situation (as I was), he couldn’t have been more accommodating and always knew when to plan a bathroom stop. The safari days are as long or as short as you want them to be. The vehicle was comfortable, always clean and had a fully stocked refrigerator with beer, juice, soda, etc… The Pop Top was perfect for unobstructed views and included some binoculars and beanbags for still camera shots. We learned a lot and laughed a lot and we all came to treasure him as a friend!

I tried hard to think of what I would change and all I can offer is that if you are looking for a shorter trip, I would have skipped Zanzibar. An all-inclusive resort doesn’t offer the unique experiences that were provided in the first part of our trip.

LORETTA M. // LONDON, UK

February 2020

From start to end, a perfect personally tailored adventure close to the heart of Tanzania!

We have just returned from our amazing 6 days private safari with Sababu. From the very beginning when planning our trip, Denise at Sababu was a pleasure to deal with, quick and on-point to reply to us, prompt to answer all of our questions and offering great expert insights on what would suit us best according to our budget and expectations. We felt part of the family from the start.

We chose Sababu exactly for that, to go beyond the big corporate Safari groups and be closer to the heart of Tanzania, its nature and its people, too.

The itinerary tailor-made for us was just perfect, the suggestions offered on accommodation and the well planned out days were just a perfect balance between adventure and some more relaxed times. Each day was different with the complete option to change our schedule if and when we felt the need to.

Robert (our guide) was an incredible source of information on all aspects of the animals and their habitat! He is such an experienced and incredible guide. He was always happy to answer all of our questions about the wildlife and the many questions we had on the history of Tanzania and Africa. He was an absolute pleasure to spend time with and we learnt so much from him and shared many laughing moments together.

We felt extremely safe all along our trip and the amazing off-road experiences we had. Rob knew where to go and when to go to show us the best places to see the animals and incredible scenery. We saw all the animals we wanted to and got some incredible photos as Rob knew where to locate them all. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and company. Thank you Rob sincerely for making our safari so special and we will always remember our fun time together; we had an adventure and fulfilled our life time dream of doing a Safari.

The ethical conscious approach of Sababu gave us the opportunity to contribute back to the country we visited, too. During our Safari we visited a Masai village and handed out solar lights which was an unforgettable experience.

SABABU and their team gave us the trip of our life time. Their eco-conscious ethic and friendly approach was beyond welcoming to a country which will always be in our hearts. We are very glad to have chosen Tanzania for our first Safari, an amazing country with such amazing nature from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater to the sandy beaches of Zanzibar, and we can not recommend enough to others that they should use SABABU, as they travel with a purpose and bring an adventure to your bucket list! Go for it, as you will not regret it!!

LINDA D. // NEW YORK, USA

October 2019

Beyond incredible! Sababu is purposeful, personal, and genuine.

If you're looking for an incredible safari and a genuine visit to Tanzania, Sababu Safaris is your guide.

We wanted to to go through a company that was eco-conscious and responsibly connected to the country and people of the area. We wanted our money to go to someone who cared about the animals, the land, the country, and the people of Tanzania. Sababu is genuinely that, and so much more.

But before I talk about how wonderful the safari was, what an amazing guide the co-founder Robert is, and how seamlessly easy Denise makes all the planning...

I have to first talk about how Sababu helped us visit the child we sponsor through Compassion International. We've sponsored a child with Compassion for many years. And while Compassion organizes group trips and approves individual visits to your child, it's been too complicated and expensive of a process to seem feasible to us. When we realized our safari would take us close to where our child lives, we talked with Compassion and Sababu. Compassion has their own paperwork and background checks for visit approval. But after that, there are many logistics to figure out: meeting up with the Compassion International guide/interpreter, setting times with the Compassion Center leaders, and setting up the home visit with the child and family. Sababu took care of all of this for us. They truly went above and beyond. We know for sure that this visit would not have been possible without them. Robert took care of all of the logistics on the Tanzanian side. He worked with Compassion International directly to make everything smooth for us—so that we could focus solely on visiting our child (rather than all the details surrounding it). Sababu also helped us find out what our child's family and the local Compassion center needed so that we were able to take personalized gifts. While Compassion International has general recommendations, Sababu talked to the local Compassion center for us directly for specific needs. This visit with our sponsor child was the most beautiful experience of any trip we've ever had. Robert worked out all the details and helped translate the language and the cultural differences while we were visiting with the family—and both Robert and Mohamed (who was driving for Robert that week) were active, respectful, and kind participants in the visit. They engaged with the family and created an atmosphere for us to have quality and deep connection with our sponsor child and family.

Now on to all the other wonderful safari details!

Sababu makes planning a breeze. We were planning a last minute trip—we planned it only three weeks out! But Denise and Robert helped us create our dream itinerary without compromising any of our priorities. Denise made the planning so simple. She is quick to respond. And she easily guided us through our millions of questions to find the right plans for us.

They work to make it a truly personalized experience. In our first conversation, Denise asked about our priorities. When I told her we wanted to maximize the amount of days we had in Tanzania over the luxury of the accommodations, she found a way to add three days to our itinerary while staying within our budget! And that still had us staying at incredibly nice camps with luxury amenities. Sababu gave us options and helped us achieve all our priorities within our price range.

Robert is an amazing guide. He truly loves and knows the animals and the bush—and that passion shows. He is such a joy to be around. He shares his knowledge and experience of the animals and of the communities in Tanzania. He caters each day to what you want to see. He takes you to remote areas of Serengeti that a lot of the big companies won't go to—because he cares more about seeing the animals than about saving the gas mileage. Within just a day, we considered Robert a friend. He is so kind and genuine. And as we went to visit different projects and tribes, Robert also guided us through those experiences—sharing about the people and the history and helping us to engage and connect well.

The animals! Listen, you will not find a more up-close, in-the-wild, experience than you will with Sababu. I can't even begin to talk about this without writing twelve pages. You will NOT be disappointed.

We visited Plaster House in Arusha. We took a solar light to the Datoga tribe. And we visited the Hadzabe huntsmen. All of these experiences were amazing and meaningful. I could write so much about each of them. But the best thing I can advise is that you talk with Denise about these projects as you plan your trip. She can work to make it fit well into your itinerary, and she can guide you toward the ones that might work best for you and those you are traveling with.

Denise and Robert suggested that we end our stay at Africa Amini Maasai Lodge. If you can do this, you absolutely should! It's a beautiful and relaxing way to end the safari and reflect on your time. And it's a meaningful way to get to know the Maasai as they share their culture and stories. They also have a school, orphanage, and healing center that are doing incredible work. While you stay at the lodge, you can take an afternoon to visit and learn more about these projects.

I could say so much more. But let me just end with saying you can't go wrong with choosing Sababu. They will help you plan a safari that is not only the once-in-a-lifetime dream safari, but that connects you to the people and the animals in a meaningful, life-changing way. #travelwithpurpose

JANE M. // HONG KONG

October 2019

Travel with Purpose achieved with excellent guide and itinerary!

We picked Sababu as Robert (…) came highly recommended by a friend in Hong Kong. We began corresponding with Denise (…) in June/July 2019 and the trip was finalised within 2 weeks. We were really impressed by Denise's clarity and patience in her communications with us. The itinerary was tailor-made to our liking and Denise was helpful in providing quotations with different price ranges for our consideration.

Come end of September when we boarded in Hong Kong for Kilimanjaro. We were warmly welcomed by Robert (our guide) and Mohamaad (driver) who had big smiles on their faces once they greeted us. They kindly showed us around the city of Arusha for the whole day even when they woke up so early to pick us up. Robert was very informative when it comes to introducing the East African culture and history to us. Robert also brought us to a place for local lunch where we had our first plantain and bottles of Kilimanjaro beer. Great meal to start our first African tour!

There are 2 things that are special about Sababu: its #travelwithpurpose motto is fully executed with its solar light programme and the safari guiding experience that Robert has.

Go on to Sababu's instagram and see how Sababu is distributing solar lights to the Maasai tribes in different area to make a difference in their daily lives (as far as I know, they are the only company doing this in Tanzania). Rather than visiting the Maasai for a traditional dance in exchange for money or just to hand out candies and food, Sababu saw what was missing in the Maasai huts - light. At first, we were quite sceptical of this idea of visiting villages and distributing resources as it felt patronising. It totally changed once we saw how Robert approached the Maasai kids. Everything was organic and un-orchestrated, we drove to the Maasai area 2 hours from Arusha and we asked the kids who were playing by the road to show us where their village. Once we arrived at the village, Robert explained the purpose of our visit and around 15 kids came towards us with big smiles on their faces. We just used simple body language to communicate with the kids and no one can resist their blissful and innocent laughter. As people living in a first world city, we never could have imagined how life can be without electricity and water coming out from a faucet. Don't get me wrong, the Maasai are not poor, they live by different rules as they come from a totally different culture. We just gave them something that will improve their lives at night. The solar lights gave the Maasai kids a chance to read at night if they so wish and also convenience for the family to perform some chores at night. We cannot explain to you how happy the Maasai mother was when we put up the light in the hut. The mother even gave us one of her necklaces in return to show how grateful she was. That day was probably the most meaningful day in my life.

We continued our journey to the Ngorongoron Crater and we stayed at Sopa Lodge where Denise had arranged a surprise birthday dance for us. It was one of the best and most elaborate birthday celebrations we have seen. We also enjoyed the night with all the stars above us!

From then on we began our Serengeti, we were so lucky to have been blessed to have seen 4 river crossings (1 by elephants and 3 by wildebeests). You can tell the difference between Robert (who has 19 years experience in guiding) and other guides in river crossing. Robert knew exactly where to park for the river crossing wait and exactly when we should start approaching the crossing points without spoiling the action.

Ask Robert any question about the animals and he would be able to answer you right away. Robert also had such great communication skills and was clear in delivery of speech. Also, we were all in awe of the magnificent eyesight of Robert's (>20/20) and he can spot a cheetah action hundred of meters away without the help of binoculars. His 6th sense in the wild is just bewildering.

Sababu picked great camps for us where we enjoyed the campfires and the food & drinks offered!

We would not hesitate to recommend Sababu to our families and friends!

Live With Purpose, Travel with Purpose! Sababu Safaris Exceeds Expectations!

I am just now, 3 weeks after returning from Tanzania, coming out of the mesmerizing fog of the most transformative life experience provided by Sababu Safaris. From my first contact with the amazing co-founder Denise to our last good bye to Elias at the Amini Africa Maasai lodge, every detail was meticulously and thoughtfully executed. With Sababu you feel like your needs matter and they make it their mission to create a bespoke itinerary that fulfills your every wish. We arrived quite late in the night at Kilimanjaro airport and were met by Robert and Patrick’s smiling and warm welcome. Robert, the co-founder, was so thoughtful, he called the hotel and had them prepare a supper for our room as the restaurant would be closed when we arrived. That is personal service! The food was quite good as well!

Our driver/guide Patrick, was amazing throughout the adventure, he kept us safe, smiling and always seemed to know where the best sites for wildlife would be. His depth of knowledge about history, culture and wildlife was very impressive. We stopped in Mto Wa Mbu village for our picnic lunch and then he arranged a personal tour with the engaging Essau. We learned about the history of the area and the people, walked through the banana plantation, his pride and joy. You must meet with him as he is another fountain of information on the history, culture and agriculture. We also had the joy of donating two inflatable solar lights to a very gracious and sweet Maasai family.

All of our accommodations chosen by Denise were fabulous, comfortable and located in various locations, from the remote bush, or overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater or a lake. Also, reminder: don’t leave your flip flops outside your tent, as we found out the Hyenas will take anything not locked down. We left him the other one so he would have a matching pair!

The Africa Amini Maasai lodge was our favorite lodge, the beautiful recreation of a Maasai boma was a great way to spend a relaxing last few days. We hiked with the very charming and knowledgeable Joshua, he also accompanied us on a hike to the Maasai Vision School, where we were able to meet students, teachers and VP to donate art supplies and reading material to the school. Loved the dancing and spear throwing! The warm and welcoming people, the wildlife and vast wonderland that is Tanzania will always be a cherished memory. Seeing the Wildebeest crossing 3 times was super exhilarating! Another coup for Patrick being in the right place at the right time.

Sababu supports ecotourism, they are devoted to maintaining the pristine,natural environment so future generations can enjoy the beauty and wildlife that make this their home.

Asante Sana Denise, Robert, Patrick and everyone who we shared a smile with!

STEFANIE H. // AUSTRIA

August 2019

Breathtaking Safari Trip!

With Sababu Safaris a dream came true! We, a group of 3 friends, did a 3 day safari. We visited Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Everything was really well organised and planned before our tour started. Denise helped us choose the best itinerary. Shio, our guide, was so experienced and mindful and told us many interesting facts about all the animals. We spotted lions, elephants, giraffs, zebras, rhinos, hippos and many more great creatures. Our highlight of the tour was the moment when we spotted three baby lions playing in the bushes. Such an amazing experience! After our safari trip, Robert visited us at our accomodation and checked if everything was fine. So kind! We will definitely never forget those amazing days in Tanzania with Sababu Safaris. Thank you! ❤️

DILLON F. // COLORADO, USA

July 2019

Amazing Safari Company and Wonderful People!

I cannot speak highly enough of this company! Denise was a great help with all the planning and helping us tailor our trip to include everything we wanted to do. She took all of our random thoughts and was able to create our dream Safari and Zanzibar trip. I do not know how she does it, but honestly could not have had a better planned trip. She made everything so easy. Every place she picked for us to stay was charming and had wonderful service. We also loved our safari guide Modi! He never got sick of the millions of questions we asked and knew when to let nature take its course so that we experienced some amazing animal sightings. Such a breathtaking country and we are so glad we chose Sababu Safaris to experience it with!

GLORIA Y. // NEW YORK, USA

July 2019

A Great Safari with a Wonderful Company!

My daughter and I just spent a total of 20 days in Tanzania this July: we summited Kilimanjaro via the 8-day Lemosho Route, we spent 6 days on safari, and we vacationed on Zanzibar Island. It was absolutely a once-in-a-life-time experience, and it was also a celebration trip for my daughter because she is off to college this year. We have been very pleased with Sababu Safaris!

First of all, it was planning of the trip. Denise did the meticulous planning for the itinerary and continued with follow-ups. Denise connected with me on Instagram while I was pondering the trip and searching for information. (…) As the planning was going on, we met few times, I texted her often with all important or trivia questions I came up with, Denise updated me via emails and texts about our safari itinerary and her connections with trekking agencies in Tanzania. Finally, a couple of months later, she finalized our Tanzania itinerary with THREE parts: the Kilimanjaro climbing (with a trekking company), the safari and the Zanzibar beach vacation (while I booked our own hotels and activities, Denise arranged the airport pickup and departure transportation). During the time we physically and logistically prepared for this complex trip, Denise was always there to give advice.

Rob was our safari guide and driver. (…) His broad smile and easy-going personality immediately made us feel at home, even though it was our very first trip to Africa. Everything went as planned, with lots of new discoveries and excitements every day. Rob knows Tanzania National Parks and their wild inhabitants like his own palm. For example, when leaving Tarangire Park for a quicker exit, Rob drove on an off-beaten path where it was so quiet and full of over-grown plants and hidden animals. In Central Serengeti, where a lion with 6 cubs killed a buffalo overnight in the woods right behind our Mbugani Central Camp, we didn’t flock with others in the morning to see the “crime scene”. Instead, Rob drove us there in the late afternoon when there was no one else, we so closely observed the lions’ enjoying the killing or lazily lounging while vultures and hyenas lurking around. Whenever he got a word of animal spotting from his fellow safari drivers: a pack of elusive wild dogs on a grass field, one cheetah hiding in an acacia tree, one leopard with a cub appearing near a hideout …, he moved us to the best watching position long before others. And Rob always picked perfect lunch spots: a couple of times, it was under a canopying acacia tree far away from those picnic tables surrounded with other safari-goes. I loved those shady tall acacias and the lunches under them.

Of all the lodges and camps we stayed in, the most impressive were Africa Amini Maasai Lodge and Mbugani Central Camp. Africa Amini lodge, overlooking the Maasai Steppe where constant cattle of goats and cows roam and graze, gives us visitors a nostalgic sense of vastness, tranquility and remoteness, with both Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro in the far background. And we got to experience the hospitality and culture of Maasai People. Mbugani Central Camp, located in Central Serengati, is truly a place where safari-goers get to hear, see and experience wildlife right around the camp.

It was a dream trip, and it was Sababu Safaris, Denise and Rob who helped to make this dream trip come true.

Steve O. // CALIFORNIA, USA

December 2018

Highly recommend for African Safari!

My wife and I trusted Sababu Safaris in planning our honeymoon trip to Tanzania this December and we couldn't have been happier with that decision. From the moment we made our choice that we wanted to go to Africa and have Sababu plan our trip Denise was there every step of the way answering any and all questions we had. Denise and her team are very knowledgeable and can tailor your trip to your liking. Having never been to Africa we relied heavily on Denise to plan our trip and make suggestions and she and her team put a wonderful itinerary together for us. From the moment we landed until the day we left every detail (lodging, transportation, meals, tours, etc) was pre-planned and organized for us. Our safari guide, Modi, was top-notch and and was a pleasure to spend time with during our two-week trip. He was very knowledgeable on the wildlife and had an uncanny ability to always be in the right spot at the right time. We saw all of the wildlife we hoped to see and more!!! In the end, if you are planning an African safari I'd highly recommend using Sababu to plan your trip...you won't be disappointed!

Robyn L. // COLORADO, USA

December 2018

An experience you won’t forget!

I recently completed a solo 7-day safari with Sababu Safaris and every aspect of the trip was a life-changing experience. From the first moment I talked with them about planing through ending my trip, I was so impressed by their knowledge, their passion, their consideration for their guests, the parks and the animals. I had a smile on my face for the entire trip and I learned so much about the animals, the people of Tanzania and the people that make-up Sababu Safaris. I am already planning my return safari with the hopes of bringing many of my family members to share the experience with me. Thank you Sababu Safaris for enriching my travels and my life so profoundly!

Anina M. // New Jersey, USA

November 2018

One of the best decisions I’ve made in my life!

As a solo traveler I was having a difficult time finding a tour company that was trustworthy, in budget, and offered a real Tanzanian experience. As I was about to give up on my search, I came across Sababu Safari's on Instagram and from the second I contacted Sababu I knew this was the RIGHT fit!

It truly was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Sababu does an AMAZING job of creating your dream itinerary whether that includes safaris, school visits, and local experiences. Two highlights for me were Tarangire National Park and Amini Maasai Lodge. Their knowledge and partnerships with hotels and local organizations in Tanzania makes the trip feel so special!

What I love most about Sababu is that they truly provide an experience of traveling with PURPOSE. I got to explore the local communities, give the Gift of Light to a random family along our journey (Definitely recommend **ask Denise about it!) and see the country for all its beauty. In terms of safety, I always felt super safe, and the lodges selected were excellent. My guide, Robert, has been a guide for over 15 years and is very knowledgeable on the region, and I got to learn so much because of him, we shared stories for hours!

If you want a personal, interactive, and local experience of Tanzania you need to use Sababu! They will not disappoint and will make sure you have an amazing experience. I'm so thankful for the trip Denise and Robert designed for me! I cannot thank Sababu enough! Denise & Robert, THANK YOU. I will be back soon, 2020!