$1,329 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
Rafiki Tembo Tours and Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2025)
- Member Of:
- IATA, TATO, TTB, TTA, TASOTA, TANAPA & NCA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
KETZ
Rafiki Tembo Tours & Safaris is a locally owned Tanzanian company specializing in private and tailor-made safaris across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. We create unforgettable journeys that blend wildlife, culture, and comfort from the legendary plains of the Serengeti to the tranquil beaches of Zanzibar. Our passionate team ensures every guest experiences Africa authentically, safely, and in true Rafiki (friend) spirit.
Reviews27
A wild safari experience with Rafiki Tembo Tours & Safari - such a helpful and accommodating team.
We had an incredible safari with Rafiki Tembo Tours & Safaris. Being out in the wild was an unbelievable experience, and Rafiki and the drivers were very accommodating, happy to adjust the itinerary to suit what we wanted to see, including flexible start times for safari drives.
Be mindful when doing the safari tours - it’s mainly safari obviously but hear me out. We did Kenya, Tanzania, then Zanzibar Island, and while it was incredible, we wish we had allocated more time in Zanzibar to relax. You spend a good minimum of 8 hours per day in the car, and transfers between locations are around 4.5 hours, but you get to experience so many different places. Popping the roof for game drives is amazing, but next time we’d plan more downtime to enjoy the accommodation spots rather than arriving at night and missing some of the views because believe me you will see everything (the big 5) so dont tire yourself doing 10 hour + driving days to see everything because you will see everything in time so enjoy your holiday and relax.
Our favorite accommodations were:
Kenya
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge – the view from the bedroom and dining area alone was worth the trip, we only stayed one night and wish we stayed longer.
Tanzania
The Safari Haven – incredible to be right in and amongst the nature. Rooms were massive and food was great.
The Farm of Dreams Lodge – my personal favorite. The pool, the vibe and was just overall the best place to stay.
Zanzibar island
Tembo House Hotel and Apartments – beautiful structure and architecture.
Nungwi Dreams by Mantis – absolutely stunning, right on the beach with infinity pools; somewhere truly special.
Favourite Game drives/ Activities:
Masai Mara National Reserve - Saw every inch of this place, had our biggest days here and was incredible. Saw 4/5 of the big 5 here.
Serengeti National Park- Best for seeing different landscapes and rivers - the whole package in my opinion
Ngorongoro Crater - So scenic and had amazing views.
It was also our anniversary, and Rafiki organized a sweet surprise with a tyre cover on the back of our jeep that read “Rafiki Tours – Happy Anniversary.” They also arranged a full day in Zanzibar tailored to our interests, including the Salaam Cave, turtle experience, and a Dhow sunset cruise, all at no extra cost. Their generosity and attention to detail made this trip truly unforgettable.
A note on tipping: the package recommends tipping the driver (around $10 USD per person per day). On our Tanzania trip, there was an extra person with the vehicle who didn’t drive until a couple hours at the end. Make sure to mention when booking if you don’t want an extra person (not needed) as it felt odd having to tip someone who wasn’t actually driving or share the driver’s tip. Rafiki were very supportive and resolved the situation professionally, but it’s something to be aware of.
The package includes only tea and coffee. Clever as it said non alcoholic drinks but we thought water and soft drink/soda would be a part of the package and it wasnt which is okay just a heads up. Some lodges provided bottled water in rooms or at the table, while others didn’t, so be mindful. The drivers had eskys in their cars to chill drinks; our Kenya driver had water for us, and our Tanzania driver even had soft drinks and beers, which was lovely.
We’re so glad we went private with just my husband and I in our own 4x4 Land Cruiser. It was insane and absolutely worth the extra cost, the freedom and privacy made the experience unforgettable.
Overall, communication, organization, and support from Rafiki Tembo were excellent, making this once-in-a-lifetime holiday truly memorable.
FR
All is perfect, congratulations Rafiki 👋🏻
Overall everything went very well, the accommodation, the organisation according to what I asked you at the beginning. It allowed us to discover as many things as possible and it was really great. Only the leopard did not show up.. too bad for us. Our stay was incredible: Masai Mara Park, Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Park and discoveries of two villages.
I would just put a small flat on the second accommodation "Enchoro wildlife camp" for several reasons:
- no electricity in the morning
- very average food and in small quantities
- the lunch box
Apart from that, everything went very well. Ramah and Simba were very knowledgable and welcoming which allowed us to have a great time.
Thanks for all for these memories full of head
DE
Once-in-a-Lifetime Safari Experience with Incredible Guides
We booked an eight-day private safari through Kenya and Tanzania for our honeymoon with Rafiki Tembo, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. Lowassa and his team went above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable trip, exceeding all of our expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend Rafiki Tembo to first-time and seasoned travelers alike. We’re already looking forward to planning our next safari adventure!
Here’s a summary of our incredible experience with Rafiki Tembo:
1. The planning phase: finding the perfect itinerary
Although my wife and I are experienced travelers, we quickly realized that planning a safari requires extensive research and expert guidance. From the first email, Lowassa stood out with his prompt, thorough responses. He provided invaluable insights into the various national parks, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and different accommodation options. He took the time to tailor every recommendation to our preferences. Communicating with Lowassa was effortless. He was always quick, transparent, and dependable, which made the planning process smooth and stress-free.
After a few exchanges, Lowassa sent us a solid offer tailored to our requests and expectations, which we confirmed without delay.
2. First stop: the Maasai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
We were fortunate to spend an unforgettable three days exploring the breathtaking Maasai Mara National Reserve. George, our guide for this part of the journey, was nothing short of extraordinary. His sharp eye and unmatched knowledge of the reserve allowed us to spot all of the iconic "Big Five" animals in an impressively short time—including the elusive leopard, a true highlight of our trip. George’s exceptional skill and experience always ensured that we had the perfect vantage points for each wildlife sighting, enhancing the magic and wonder of the entire experience.
As a fellow photography enthusiast, George had an innate understanding of what makes a picture truly remarkable. He expertly positioned the vehicle at just the right angles, making it easy to capture breathtaking shots of the wildlife in their natural habitat. Thanks to his attention to detail and instinct for the perfect moment, I was able to take some once-in-a-lifetime photos.
Beyond his expertise, George brought so much joy and energy to the trip. His warm personality, extensive knowledge of the animals, and fantastic sense of humor added a whole new layer to the experience, making it as fun as it was educational. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide, and we’ll always be grateful to him for making our safari adventure so special.
3. Second stop: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)
Our adventure continued in Tanzania, where we explored Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. For this part of our trip, we were fortunate to have Mayunga and Abdul as our guides. They were both absolutely fantastic.
Both Mayunga and Abdul had a unique ability to anticipate animal behavior, which gave us an unforgettable opportunity to observe and photograph the animals in their natural habitat. Two of the highlights of our time with them were the day we spotted six leopards – including a playful cub attempting to climb its first tree – and the champagne lunch accompanied by an unexpected elephant parade. Moments like these were made possible because of their dedication and skill.
Their passion for wildlife and commitment to providing the best possible safari experience were unmatched. As photography enthusiasts, we greatly appreciated their efforts to position us in the perfect spots to capture amazing photos of our favorite animals. Thanks to their sharp eyes, patience, and expert knowledge, we witnessed spectacular wildlife moments.
Thanks to their attentiveness and expertise, the beauty and magic of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro were brought to life in a way that we’ll never forget. We’re so grateful for all their hard work and care in making this part of our journey perfect.
Thanks a lot for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, dear Lowassa and Team!
CH
An unforgettable experience organised by amazing people
This tour was incredible. It was one of the most affordable options for the Kenya & Tanzania tour that we wanted to do. The payment process was smooth, a 50% deposit initially, then the remaining 50% two weeks before the tour begins. Everything was organised perfectly: pick-up from our hotel in Nairobi, long drives to destinations, the border crossing. Our guides (Mayunga, George, Joseph) were friendly and communicative and helped us spot everything in the parks. As for the tour itself, it was magical. Six days in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro spotting incredible wildlife will never leave you. Such a unique experience. To top it all off, Rafiki Tembo organised a private sunset evening on the final night in the hills opposite Lake Manyara for me and my partner to celebrate seven years together. Absolutely surreal and unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this to anyone considering safari. Thank you Rafiki Tembo!
We had an amazing time with Abdull & Frank!
We had a stay in the Serengeti with a hot air balloon & trip to Tarangire National Park. Everything was organised in a good manner and we got to do everything we wanted to. Nothing was too much for these guys, who helped create everlasting memories for us. Thank you to Rafiki Tembo Tours!
Other Safaris & Tours26 – Offered by Rafiki Tembo Tours and Safaris
-
4-Day Luxury Fly-in Safari (Znz-Serengeti & Ngorongoro)
$1,989 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Zanzibar (Start), Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Materuni Waterfalls (Highlight), Arusha (End)
-
4-Day Wildlife Spectacle Calving Season in Ndutu
$1,680 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP), Ngorongoro Highlands, Arusha (End)
-
8-Day Migration Safari Witness Predators Hunting Calfs
$3,225 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Northern Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
-
3-Day Calving Season Safari Ndutu & Ngorongoro Area
$1,494 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP), Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
-
5-Day Unforgettable Private Camping Safari Adventure
$1,714 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Hotel
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
-
6-Day Tanzania Camping Highlights Wildlife Safari
$1,795 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)