Reviews
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Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Experience of a lifetime, expectations exceeded, speechless!
Our 10 day safari with Sababu Safaris was the experience of a lifetime! Denise and Robert exceeded every expectation and they are absolutely wonderful to work with! There are a lot of safari companies out there but we decided to go with them because from planning, to booking, to actually being on the safari and out in the bush, both Denise and Robert were always available, extremely helpful and quickly attended to all our needs. And you could tell how passionate they are about what they do!
My husband and I were lucky enough to be one of their first customers - we felt like they truly cared about us and had our best interests at heart (when we had contacted a few other safari companies we felt like we were treated like numbers). Denise helped us make the most of our budget and plan our route, providing us with all the details about our options and giving her recommendation on what would be the best use of our time.
The safari itself was such a magical experience and something we will never forget-- we stayed at the most outstanding properties with breathtaking views and first class service. We even had elephants coming up to the water hole at one of the camps! We started at Tarangire, saw Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. I want to give a big shoutout to our tremendous safari guide Modi who became our friend by the first day of our trip. We were so fortunate to have him as our guide - he was warm, friendly and funny, and he could spot an animal from a million miles away!! He made sure that we saw the Big 5 - we encountered countless lions, hippos, elephants, giraffes, and even a black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater...you name it! He had so many stories to tell and we had a blast with him! I will never understand how he finds his way through the most remote wilderness without getting lost...
One of the other reasons we chose Sababu Safaris was because, as a nurse, I'm passionate about giving back. Being able to do that while exploring Tanzania and being on safari made the trip for me. For our "Sababu" we spent an afternoon at a children's home that takes care of kids before, during and after surgery -- an experience I'll forever cherish. We're actually hoping to work with Sababu Safaris in the future to raise some funds for the children we met. I can't say enough good things about Sababu Safaris and hopefully we'll be able to book a return safari with them someday soon! We couldn't have imagined a better trip - THANK YOU Denise, Robert, and Modi!
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Email Sarah E | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our amazing safari with Sababu Safaris!
**I also posted this on Trip Advisor**
WOW. What can I say? This was the trip.of.a.lifetime! My husband and I decided to do our wedding anniversary in Tanzania and went with Sababu Safaris after contacting a number of Tanzania-based tour operators. Working with them from start to finish in planning our 8-day safari was a breeze. Denise was quick to respond and very attentive. She explained everything there is to know about the national parks and places to go and stay - I don't think there was anything she could not arrange for us.
Tanzania itself is beauty encapsulated, however, the attention and care that our guide Modi provided was beyond exceptional. He is a walking encyclopedia and always went the extra mile to make sure we had the most exclusive animal sightings. Seeing the animals up close in their true, natural habitat and experiencing the beauty of Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti was a dream come true!
What made our safari super special was when we stopped at a Maasai village to give a family a solar light. This wasn't something staged, Modi just chose a village that looked like it didn't have any sources of electricity, and after he explained to the elders why we were there we were welcomed into their home. Seeing their faces when we turned the light on in one of their huts gave me goosebumps!
I have never had any other experiences with other safari companies, but I would book with Sababu Safaris over and over if we had the time and money for it, and I have already recommended them to family and friends! What I loved most is how they give back to the local community - something you can tell they care deeply about. Where else would I want to spend my money? You literally see firsthand exactly where your money is going and what difference it makes. So if you are interested in visiting Tanzania- Sababu Safaris is the way to go!
Our anniversary was truly a trip we will never forget. We were so sad to leave! Asante sana, Sababu Safaris!!
CA
Email Gianluca Canaletti | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review of Sababu Three Leg Tanzania Trip
Review for Sababu
My wife and I chose Sababu as the operator for our honeymoon vacation, which consisted of a (successful) trek up Kilimanjaro, a seven day safari, and a handful of days across Zanzibar.
We are immensely glad to have chosen Sababu, and are grateful for making our honeymoon so unforgettable.
Denise helped us plan the itinerary, and was thoroughly responsive, helpful and honest throughout the process.
In planning our trip, we recognized that Sababu's prices were a little higher than other 'competitively priced' companies, for a similar itinerary.
However, as we embarked on our trip it became obvious that every penny was a penny well spent, as it went towards extremely professional, knowledgeable, experienced (and super friendly guides.. a special thanks to Nico, George and Titus)! This is especially important to maximize the safety and enjoyment of the kilimanjaro and safari portions - you need an experienced guide, under comfortable working conditions, to get the most out of these experiences. Who knew that spotting the Big Five (and much more) could seem so easy!
More importantly, we formed a friendship with all of the guides on their respective legs of the trip, and were so relieved to hear they sincerely enjoyed their work and respected Sababu as their contractor, and its working conditions. Unfortunately, when other companies compete for the lowest price, there can be the potential that guide salaries & working conditions suffer... and so will the client's experience.
Lastly, we appreciated Sababu / Denise's thoughtfulness in engaging Tanzanian owned businesses and initiatives (in terms of hotels, tent lodges, cultural excursions) wherever possible.
We've come out of our honeymoon trip not only with an unforgettable experience that was even more rich and eventful than we could have imagined, but we also leave with the sense that our money went to sustaining the tanzanian tourist industry, and the wonderful people within it, rather than lining the pockets of international or foreign-owned companies.
We will be recommending Sababu - and traveling to Tanzania more generally - to all of our family and friends.
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Email Elaine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Denise was an expert with a thorough knowledge of Tanzania and all we would need to know.
My husband and I booked a safari with Sababu (we actually found them through Elsewhere, the Lonely Planet's travel bureau) and we couldn't have been more pleased. Denise worked tirelessly with us to craft an experience that was exactly what we wanted. When we started safari planning, we received several quotes from many other tour operators. In most cases those quotes were a little less expensive than Sababu's. But in the end, we chose Sababu because of Denise's expertise and knowledge, as well as the quality of the lodgings she was suggesting.
But that was just the beginning. Once we reserved our trip (we did have to trade out 2 of our accommodations because we'd waited a little too long to make our decision), there were tons of practical and logistical things to decide. Denise was there for us with our "one million questions," always pleasant and ready to help with info about visa's, what to pack and even what size suitcases to bring.
I think that probably the most critical part of a safari is the guide and driver and we got THE BEST in Daudi. His knowledge of all the wildlife, even the smallest rodents, tiniest birds, and of course the big 5, was seriously 5-star. We learned tons about animal behavior, animal diets, the Serengeti ecosystem and how it all interconnects. And after spending my career working at National Geographic Magazine, I thought I already knew a lot. Alas, this trip was the best education, Daudi had so much to teach us! Add to that, he had extraordinarily keen eyes. We could hardly believe he'd spotted a lion or leopard tucked away in a tree with his naked eyes, until we found it with his patient directions using our binoculars. (critical note: don't forget to take at least one pair... but best to take two). And finally, Daudi was a first rate gentleman and just an all around great person (as is true of ALL the Tanzanian's we encountered). I was actually sad to leave him when we he took us to the airport.
Another note about Sababu is their commitment to helping the local population, particularly the Maasai people. We brought a suitcase full of English books to donate to the local school. I would not have known about this need if it weren't for Sababu's tagline to "travel with a purpose." And on our way to our camp in the Central Serengeti, Daudi found a Maasai home where he provided them with solar lights and a water filter. We were pleased that part of our trip subsidized this gift that could help a family have lights and clean drinking water.
And now truly lastly, our accommodations were first rate. The Original Maasai lodge was gorgeous and surely the nicest mud hut we'll ever get to spend a couple of nights in. The setting took our breath away and the nighttime spear throwing and dancing were a massive treat. The Maasai people were sublime hosts who seemed genuinely interested in sharing the culture with us. Our one night at the Retreat at Ngorongoro Lodge was a luxurious respite in the midst of what seemed like a rainforest (very swanky, even got to use a hairdryer)! We stayed another single night at the brand new Acacia Ngorongoro Luxury Camp which was our first time in a safari "camp." Extraordinarily comfortable, especially for two people who really don't love camping. These Serengeti Camps are not roughing it AT ALL. Our next 3 nights were spent at the Signature Serengeti Camp which was even a step up from the first one, had great food, and the most genuinely nice staff we could imagine. They even sang and celebrated us on our last night because we stayed for 3 nights... apparently that's a rare occurrence. Then off to Zanzibar where we spent one night in Stone Town at the lovely Neela Boutique Hotel, and following a tour of the town, spent our last two nights in the amazing, beautiful, all inclusive Mora Resort on the Indian Ocean. It was the perfect way to end our 12 day trip. We were rested and relaxed when we began our 30-hour journey back to the states!
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Email Sam Zapatka | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The BEST in the business!
To say our trip with Sababu was anything less than spectacular would be an understatement. My wife and I decided we wanted to go on Safari for our honeymoon and through Elsewhere, we were connected to Denise and Sababu Safaris. We had a wonderful hour long chat with Denise to craft our itinerary which included everything from spending a day learning about the Maasai culture to a hot air balloon during sunrise in the Northern Serengeti. We were paired up with Robert for game drives and enjoyed being in the car with Robert throughout the duration of our trip just as much as we enjoyed seeing the animals. His knowledge of Tanzania, the animals, the culture, and his overall positive energy in making our trip the best trip ever was contagious. We never wanted to get out of the car. Robert made us feel so comfortable and safe from the moment we met him at Maasiland to the moment we said goodbye in the Northern Serengeti. We were so fortunate to see every animal during our game drives (Leopard, Elephants, Cheetahs, Zebras, Lions, Topi, Dik-Diks, Serval cat, Buffalo, Hippo, Giraffe, etc). Plus we saw two crossings...and even some crocodiles that got lucky with a feast! It was as if Robert knew exactly where they were going to be at every turn we took. Not to mention the lodges were absolutely incredible. There was something special about having coffee delivered to your room each morning and watching giraffes walk by in the wild. The staff at every lodge made us feel so special and Denise and Robert were so amazing in letting them know we were on our honeymoon. The food everywhere we went was also something that surprised us as it was delicious, plentiful, and varied each meal. Sababu Safaris also goes above and beyond to give back to the communities that you visit. We had the opportunity to visit and gift a local Maasai village a water filter and two solar lights that will help them tremendously. The smiles on their faces when they saw Robert and the Sababu cruiser will never be forgotten. It was these moments we will always remember and cherish. We genuinely wouldn't change a single thing about our experience and will remember the trip of a lifetime thanks to Denise and Robert. There isn't another group we would recommend more highly than Sababu Safaris.
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Email Audrey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Truly exceptional, infusing the experience with meaning and connection.
Stellar experience from first contact to send-off at the airport. Book with Sababu. This was not my first safari in Tanzania but it was by far the best! It was exhilarating but also moving.
I traveled with a group of 10 friends and family members to Tanzania in mid to late November for two weeks. We visited the Maasai Lodge, Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar. Denise (a cofounder of Sababu) was an excellent and thorough coordinator from our first email exchange through traveling with us throughout the safari. We were originally a group of 13 when we booked. Three members of the group had to drop out for various reasons before our travel dates and Denise handled the changes quickly and clearly. We booked 3 vehicles so we had plenty of space to move around and get the best pictures. Our guides were Robert (the other cofounder), Samson, and Peter. They are all amazing! Funny, informative, enthusiastic, eagle-eyed, skill-driving, and accommodating.
Travel with a purpose is at the core of Sababu’s practices, not just a nice tagline. Rather than just a token ‘good deed’ during a given safari, they invest in the communities they operate in. They support businesses like the Amini Maasai Lodge as being mutually beneficial for their guests and the locals. They make clear the connections between travelers and their impacts on the unique people, animals, and environment of Tanzania.
Sababu does not stop at cultural tourist traps where locals are treated like animals on display at a zoo. Our interactions with the various tribes and people of Tanzania were always on their terms. We still had our deeply impactful ‘good deed’ moment, when we stopped by the boma of a struggling Maasai family far from the tourist zones. Sababu has been slowly making their way along a route helping a new family in the area each time. We supplied them with solar lights to improve the women’s lives inside their dark homes and several water filtration systems to keep their families healthy. Robert and the other guides always ensure that the women with the youngest babies and kids get one of the water filtration systems as infant mortality from unclean water is high. The guides prepped us in advance explaining the interaction and the impacts of the supplies. They are careful about giving people things that truly improve their lives without altering their way of life and minimizing environmental impacts.
Sababu is equally as committed to preserving the land and animals of Tanzania. From supplying us with reusable water bottles upon arrival to teaching us about the complexities of conservation, Sababu integrated us into their efforts to protect this special place. You can feel good about your decision to travel with Sababu.
Enough cannot be said about the guides' enthusiasm for what they do. From sun up to sun down, they live and breathe for wildlife. On two of the days of our trip, only two vehicles went out with some of our group remaining in camp for some rest. While making the best of a day in camp, the remaining guide clearly would have rather gone out on the adventure. The two guides who were out with us joked around about all the things that the camp-bound guide was missing out on. They goodnaturedly teased him upon their return about all the animal sightings he had missed. They all truly love what they do and it shows.
As for the food, I have unusual food allergies (nightshades) that were a struggle to accommodate at all of the stops. Other members of the group with gluten, lactose, and onion intolerances were catered to more easily. Every camp tried their best and Denise was wonderful about ensuring our dietary restrictions were communicated and adhered to. Box lunches are always a lackluster affair but the packed lunches at camps where we stayed multiple nights were good. The food definitely caters to Western tastes. Dinners were filling and delicious.
Upon arrival, we were met with a sign, a warm welcome, and a clean vehicle. We loved the cultural experiences offered at the Amini Maasai Lodge, taking full advantage of guided nature walks, spear throwing, school and church visits, beading, and sundowners. We packed a suitcase full of books for the schools as English language children and teen books are harder to come by for them. When we dropped off the books, we got to meet some of the students and get a tour of the facilities. It is a unique and fulfilling place to spend a couple of days recovering from travel and connecting to Tanzania.
Tarangire is a great first taste of the wildlife of Tanzania. We were surrounded by large herds of elephants twice. Several brushed against our vehicles during our first encounter. We stayed at the beautiful Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge where we could see giraffes and elephants grazing from our balconies and even had a genet visit.
Climbing up into the mountains we were met with the unbeatable vista of the Ngorongoro Crater. We were lucky enough to see three rhinos and a wide variety of birds and animals. The zebras, buffalo, and flamingos put on quite the show. We stayed on the crater rim at Lion’s Paw Camp which is situated conveniently next to one of the entrances to the crater without sacrificing the magnificent view.
Next, we visited Ndutu, a conservation area Southeast of the Serengeti with short grass plains and patchy woodlands. Because of the unusually early rains this year, the migration herds had already arrived in the area despite it being the off-season. We only saw four other vehicles during our entire stay in the region. We had exclusive and spectacular game viewing including a temporarily solitary lioness and her three young cubs with a wildebeest kill. The cubs couldn’t decide if they wanted to play on/with the corpse, eat it, or nap on it. It was macabre and adorable. Because the area is not a national park, vehicles can drive almost anywhere they want which is a dream for photographers. We stayed at the Lake Masek Tented Camp. This is the only accommodation that was a repeat for me from a previous safari. It has been improved by a sizable pool overlooking the lake since my last visit. Animals wander by regularly including a large number of giraffes and hippos. It is a relaxing camp with enthusiastic staff.
Our final stop on the mainland was Serengeti National Park. Unless you have visited the endless plains dotted with rock outcroppings called kopjes and the occasional tree or oasis, you cannot picture the vastness and the abundance of large mammals. In some areas, literally, as far as the eye can see, there are thousands of animals. We were lucky enough to see three different leopards out of their trees and walking about, one of which walked right through our camp before dinner. We stayed at Lemala Nanyukie Lodge, a gorgeous camp with private plunge pools for each tent. My mother had to exit hers when an elephant approached the pool for a quick drink. The food and drinks were excellent as were the camp facilities. This was the only camp that required armed escort during the day as well as at night to and from our tents. On our last morning, the necessity of this was made clear when a lioness perched on the rocks overlooking the tents. A minute’s drive from camp we found the rest of her family enjoying the remains of a kill from a few hours earlier.
Zanzibar was a tropical (humid) dream. We ended our trip with several days at Baraza Resort, an Omani-esque beachfront resort with opulent private villas, good food, and an excellent spa. The ocean is warm, turquoise, and tidal. There are plenty of activities and several of our group enjoyed scuba diving through a partnered dive shop. For the less nature-inclined members of our group, it was a welcome indulgence in creature comforts.
Denise crafted the perfect shoulder season itinerary for our group. Her insights and recommendations were invaluable. We loved all of the accommodations that she helped us select. She even managed to find us some incredible off-season deals. She is flexible about communication and always clear and supportive.
Again, book with Sababu. It will be one of the best travel experiences of your life.
