These 10 are local Tanzania safari operators, read on their own sites on 29 October 2026. They are ranked by the founding year each website gives, the earliest first with ties listed alphabetically; the years were not checked against a company register.
Which safari companies in Tanzania have been operating the longest?
Bobby Safaris (1978), Magical Tanzania (1978) and Gosheni Safaris Africa (2009) give the earliest founding years on this page, ahead of Soul of Tanzania (2011).
Who is on this page and why. Uncompromised Travel read on 29 October 2026 the websites of 10 safari operators with trips in Tanzania that run their own trips, with their reviews on SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot and their listing on the TATO register where there is one. The local safari operators table holds the operators named in ChatGPT answers on two or more days in October 2026 and the most-reviewed East African operators on SafariBookings. This page carries every one of them filed under Tanzania whose own website gives the year it was founded. Cards are ranked by the year each operator's own website gives for its founding, the earliest first. Each year is as the operator states it and was not checked against a company register. Operators with the same year are listed alphabetically. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted.
Its about page says Bobby Kassim bought a Land Rover and began driving visitors into the Serengeti in 1978; this page counts 1978 as the year it started, not 1998, when Don joined the operation.
Why choose them
It dates the family business to 1978, when Bobby Kassim bought a Land Rover and began driving visitors into the Serengeti. SafariBookings: 4.8 out of 5 from 76 reviews; Google: 4.7 out of 5 from 136 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha; trips start from Arusha, about 90 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ask for
Ask which balance date applies, as its booking terms say 60 days before departure and its FAQs say 45 days.
Not the fit if
Budget travellers: it has no budget camping tier.
Published price
No fixed package prices; its calculator gives 'from' prices per person for two in US dollars, for example Ngorongoro & Crater 5 days from $7,200 and Great Migration 7 days from $8,500.
Says it was founded in 1978 by Bobby Kassim, who bought a Land Rover and began driving visitors into the Serengeti; its site calls it a three-generation Kassim family company.
Why choose them
It says it owns every vehicle and maintains them in its Arusha workshop; it counts 8 safari vehicles.
Based in
Arusha (Olorien Road); the guide collects guests from their Arusha hotel
Ask for
Ask which balance date applies, as its terms say 60 days before arrival and its booking FAQ says 45 days.
Not the fit if
Travellers wanting budget camping: it is not offered as a tier.
Published price
Compare page, per person for two travelling together: 3 days $1,400, 5 days $2,200, 7 days $3,500, 10 days $4,800 (USD).
Its site says it was founded in 2009 by Peter Robert, a former safari guide and driver.
Why choose them
It says it owns a fleet of 50+ custom Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, in 5-seater and 7-seater versions, with a guaranteed window seat for every guest. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 1,105 reviews; Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 228 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 188 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha head office; a second office in Nairobi, Kenya
Ask for
Ask to pay by USD bank transfer, as card payments carry a 4% bank surcharge.
Not the fit if
Parties wanting more than 7 people in one vehicle: its vehicles take a maximum of 5 or 7 passengers.
Published price
5-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari from $1,620 per person (November 2026 and May 2027); 6 Days Best Northern Tanzania from $3,095 (USD, private trips for 2 to 6 guests).
Its about page says 'Since 2011'; no founders are named.
Why choose them
Its guides are employed; the four it names have between 8 and 17 years of experience. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 560 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha, where its itineraries are composed
Ask for
Ask what the Pesapal card service fee is, as its site does not give the amount.
Not the fit if
Travellers who may cancel late: it charges 75% at 7 to 14 days and 100% with less than a week's notice.
Published price
Indicative bands per person per day, not a trip price, international flights excluded: Standard $350 to $500, Comfort $400 to $600, a third level $450 to $800 and Premium $600 to $1,100; season and year not given.
Its about page says 'since 2012' and its timeline says it was founded in Arusha by a small team of guides with a single Land Cruiser; no founders are named.
Why choose them
On most itineraries the group leader travels free once a group reaches 12 paying guests. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 906 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 786 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha headquarters; offices also in Moshi and Stone Town, Zanzibar
Register
Listed as a member of TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators), a trade association, not a licence, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask to pay by bank transfer, Wise or Revolut, as one trip page puts a 4% fee on card payments.
Not the fit if
Travellers who want a cash refund: a cancellation gets a credit note, usable to rebook within 2 years.
Published price
3-day Midrange Tarangire and Ngorongoro $970 per person for 2 pax and $750 for 6 pax; 7-day Northern Circuit Classic from $2,200 per person (USD).
Says it has operated in Tanzania since 2014, the year its team arrived, starting with four people; the founder is named as Alex on its terms page.
Why choose them
Its site says its driver-guides are employed full time and are almost all graduates of the Mweka wildlife college, with at least seven years of experience. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 69 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 298 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.9 out of 5 from 139 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Machame area near Moshi; safaris start with a night at an Arusha hotel
Register
Listed as a member of TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators), a trade association, not a licence, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask to pay by bank transfer where possible, as its site adds a 3.5% surcharge to all credit card payments.
Not the fit if
Children under 3; on Kilimanjaro and Meru climbs, anyone outside ages 12 to 70.
Published price
3-day Great Migration and River Crossing safari from $1,860 per person; 7-day Budget-Friendly Great Migration tour from $2,600 per person (private group of 5, 3-star hotels, shoulder season 2026).
Founded in 2015 per its site; founders are not named but its director Emanuel Julius is listed on the team section.
Why choose them
Founded in 2015, it names its director, Emanuel Julius, on its team section. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 422 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 214 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 from 39 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha (Plot no 18/A, Swahili Street)
Ask for
Ask for park fees, water and tips to be itemised, as its itineraries list meals, accommodation and a driver but not these.
Not the fit if
No limits published on its website.
Published price
No prices published on its website; quotes on request.
Founded in 2015 as a local owned private company; its about page names Paul Justin Mchome as founder and CEO and Evelyne Paul as co-founder and director.
Why choose them
Its newer packages list Flying Doctor and Air Ambulance cover as included. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 357 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 64 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha (Block No. 09, Sakina)
Register
Listed as a member of TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators), a trade association, not a licence, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask for a price on itineraries such as the 6 Days Budget Safari, whose page shows none.
Not the fit if
Wheelchair users: its jeeps have no wheelchair lift and it has no wheelchairs.
Published price
Per person prices in US dollars by group size, 2 pax to 7 pax, on many itinerary pages; some pages show no price.
Founded in 2018 in Moshi per its site; no founders are named.
Why choose them
Its contact page gives a TALA licence number, 036819. SafariBookings: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 2 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Moshi head office; offices in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kigoma
Ask for
Ask for the invoice price early, as its terms say website prices are indicative only.
Not the fit if
Late bookers who want to pay a deposit: bookings within 25 days of departure pay in full at confirmation.
Published price
2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro safari from $495; 4-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Northern Circuit from $1,524 (per person, USD, no season given).
Founded in 2020 by Ojung'u Sirikwa, who worked at the family company Sirikwa Travel from 2016 to 2020; this page counts 2020 as the year it started and the brand became RYDER Signature in 2024.
Why choose them
Its accessibility statement describes modified vehicles with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs and partner lodges with roll-in showers and ground-floor rooms. Google: 5 out of 5 from 44 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 14 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Moshi, Kilimanjaro region; no Kenya office or departure city stated
Register
Listed as a member of TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators), a trade association, not a licence, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask which payment date applies, as its terms say 40 days before arrival and its pricing and FAQ pages say 60 to 90 days.
Not the fit if
Travellers who depend on a particular mobility device: it says not all destinations can accommodate all mobility devices.
Published price
Northern Circuit Safari, 7 days, from USD $4,200 per person.
Which operators have run safaris for more than 20 years?
Bobby Safaris and Magical Tanzania both give 1978, the only founding years on this page more than 20 years before 2026.
Bobby Safaris: Its about page dates the business to 1978, when Bobby Kassim bought a Land Rover and began driving visitors into the Serengeti.
Magical Tanzania: Its home page calls it 'Tanzania's oldest private safari company, since 1978' and says it is a member of TATO.
Both sites tell the same Bobby Kassim story and name the Kassim family; Gosheni Safaris Africa gives 2009, the next year on this page.
What newer operators publish instead
Newer operators have fewer years to show, so they publish licence details, offices and trip terms instead.
Gosheni Safaris Africa: Founded in 2009, it says it holds a TALA tourism licence and is a member of TATO and ATTA, with no licence number given.
Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris: Since 2012, it says it is a full member of TATO and designs its private tours for 2 to 6 guests per vehicle.
Altezza Travel: Operating since 2014, it publishes its Tanzanian certificate of incorporation number 107456.
SafariBando: Founded in 2018, it gives TALA licence no. 036819 on its contact page.
Ryder Signature: Founded in 2020, it says it is a licensed Tanzanian operator and a member of TATO; it also says its Kenya registration is in progress.
In general, a younger company can have experienced guides, so ask who will lead the trip and how long that person has guided.
How to check how long a safari company has been operating
Treat the year on a company's site as its own statement, then ask for its Tanzania TALA (Tourism Agency Licensing Authority) licence number and check it with TALA.
SafariBando: Gives TALA licence no. 036819 on its contact page, which can be checked with TALA.
Gosheni Safaris Africa: Says it is licensed under a TALA tourism licence but gives no number.
Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris: Says it is a member of TATO, a trade association and not a licence; it also calls itself fully registered but names no licence number.
Bobby Safaris: Says it is a Tanzanian-registered company and gives a business identification number on request, but shows no tourism licence number.
Soul of Tanzania: Names no licence or association on the pages read, so ask for the licence directly.
In general, a founding year is easy to state and hard to check, so ask for a company registration or licence document that carries a date.
Who to contact first
This is a suggested order of asking, not the ranking: start with the operators that give the earliest years and ask each to back the year with a document.
Bobby Safaris: It gives 1978 as its founding year, so ask for its tourism licence number, which its site does not show.
Magical Tanzania: It also gives 1978 and claims TATO membership and TTB registration, so ask for the numbers, which its site does not give.
Gosheni Safaris Africa: It gives 2009 and says it holds a TALA licence, so ask for the licence number.
Soul of Tanzania: It gives 2011 and names no licence, so ask which licence it holds.
Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris: It gives 2012 and says its Kilimanjaro operation runs under a TALA Class A licence, so ask for the number.
Altezza Travel: It gives 2014 and publishes a certificate of incorporation number, so ask for its TALA licence number too.
When you write, ask each operator for the registration or licence document that carries its founding date and an itemised quote that shows what the price includes.
Longest-running Tanzania safari companies: the questions people ask
Which safari companies in Tanzania have been operating the longest?
Bobby Safaris and Magical Tanzania both give 1978 on their own websites. Gosheni Safaris Africa gives 2009. These are the earliest years on this page and were not checked against a company register.
Which safari companies are the most reputable?
This page cannot rank reputation; it ranks only by the founding year each operator states. For reputation, read guest reviews and check each operator's TALA licence.
How was this Tanzania ranking made?
Operators are ranked by the year each one's own website gives for its founding, the earliest first, with ties listed alphabetically. Each year is as the operator states it and was not checked against a company register.
How do I check a Tanzania safari operator's licence?
Ask for its Tourism Agency Licensing Authority (TALA) licence number and confirm it with TALA. SafariBando shows licence no. 036819 on its contact page, while Gosheni Safaris Africa says it is TALA licensed but gives no number.
What does TATO membership mean?
TATO is the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, a trade association and not a licence. Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris, Gosheni Safaris Africa, Magical Tanzania, Ryder Signature and Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris each say they are members. Altezza Travel and Tanzania Roadside Expeditions are listed on the TATO register.
Which Tanzania operators name their founders?
Bobby Safaris and Magical Tanzania name Bobby Kassim, Gosheni Safaris Africa names Peter Robert and Tanzania Roadside Expeditions names Paul Justin Mchome. Ryder Signature names Ojung'u Sirikwa and Altezza Travel names Alex.
Which Tanzania operators are the newest on this page?
Ryder Signature gives 2020 and SafariBando gives 2018. Crater Explorer Tours And Safaris and Tanzania Roadside Expeditions each give 2015.
Does a longer track record make a safari company better?
Not by itself. In general, a founding year says how long a company has traded, not how good its trips are, so read reviews and ask for a licence as well.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 29 October 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot) and register listings read the same day, from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Every operator in that table filed under Tanzania whose own website gives the year it was founded is on this page; operators whose websites would not open are not. Cards are ranked by the year each operator's own website gives for its founding, the earliest first. Each year is as the operator states it and was not checked against a company register. Operators with the same year are listed alphabetically; "Who to contact first" is in the order Uncompromised Travel suggests asking. No company paid to appear or for its place. Sources: the company pages linked in each card. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 31 October 2026 · updated 31 October 2026
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