Locally owned safari company · Pangani Street, Arusha

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About us

About Makini

A Tanzanian safari company on Pangani Street, Arusha, planning budget, private and fly-in safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs.

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Our story

Run from Arusha

Makini guests in Makini T-shirts at the lodge

Makini Tanzania Safaris is owned and run in Arusha, the starting point for the northern parks. Founder Lucas David and our guides plan every trip from the office on Pangani Street.

We run budget camping safaris, private lodge safaris, fly-ins from Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro climbs and day trips, and we publish the price of each one.

Guests write about our guides by name: Aboh, David, Richard and Lucas. That is the standard we hold ourselves to.

Makini means careful in Swahili. That is how we plan.

  • 167Safaris and day trips, prices published
  • 105+TripAdvisor reviews
  • 12Destinations
  • 100%Locally owned, in Arusha

What we offer

Trips and services

  • Private safaris

    • Any start date, for two or more travellers
    • Choose one of our itineraries or design your own with us

  • Small-group safaris

    • Shared Land Cruiser, set departure dates
    • The lowest prices for the big parks

  • Climbs

    • Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Ol Doinyo Lengai
    • Safety first, and fair treatment of guides, porters and cooks

  • Zanzibar

    • Short beach stays after a safari, or longer island trips
    • Stone Town, spice farms and the coast

  • Special interests, on request

    • Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale, game fishing off Mafia Island
    • Walking, canoeing and cultural visits

How we work

What you can expect

  • Prices published

    • Every safari shows its price by group size
    • Park fees included in the price

  • Booked direct

    • No agent in between
    • You deal with the people who run your trip

  • Local crews, fair pay

    • Tanzanian guides, cooks and porters
    • Tips go straight to them

  • Our own Land Cruisers

    • Pop-up roofs and window seats
    • Radio and first-aid kit

  • Respect for the parks

    • Park rules and wildlife distances, every drive

  • Registered and licensed

    • TATO member
    • TANAPA-registered operator with licensed guides

Our guides

The people who make the trip

A safari runs on many people, but the guide matters most. A good one is naturalist, driver, mechanic, teacher and host at once, and reads the day so you are in the right place when it matters.

Our guides are certified, keep training, and teach the newer guides what they know. Guests name them in their reviews: Aboh, David, Richard, Lucas.

Behind them is our office in Arusha: planners and mechanics who keep the vehicles maintained and answer guides and guests whenever they call during a trip.

Your Arusha team

The people behind your safari

  • Ilham AbdulTour & Travel Consultant
  • Lisa StevenTour & Travel Consultant
  • Glory MalekoTour & Travel Consultant
  • Nancy EliasTour & Travel Consultant
  • Aisha ShabanReservationist
  • Angelica MomoyaReservationist
  • Gift StevenReservationist
  • Pastory FaidaContent Creator and Safari Guide

What we run

Ways to travel with us

Licensed, registered, reviewed

Check us before you book

Booking with a company you have never met takes trust. These are the bodies we’re registered with and the platforms where our guests review us.

Guest reviews

Travellers on travelling with Makini

5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews

TripAdvisor Google SafariBookings

  • The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.

    Saudat N. TripAdvisor

  • The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.

    Godfrey M. TripAdvisor

  • Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.

    Damas F. TripAdvisor

Plan your trip

More planning guides

Ready to plan?

Tell us your dates and who’s travelling. Our team in Arusha will send a full itinerary and price, usually within a day.

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