Rafiki Tembo Tours & Safaris was born from a lifelong love for Tanzania's wildlife, people and wild places.
Our story begins in Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant village in northern Tanzania, where our founder, Lowassa Moitiko, grew up as a proud Maasai, surrounded by the extraordinary landscapes of Lake Manyara and Tarangire. Here, wildlife was part of everyday life, and among all the animals he encountered, it was the elephants that captured his heart. Their gentle strength, wisdom and strong family bonds left an impression that would one day inspire the name Rafiki Tembo.
With a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management earned in 2020 and a lifetime of local knowledge, Lowassa founded Rafiki Tembo Tours & Safaris to share the Tanzania he knows and loves, not just through its incredible wildlife, but through its people, traditions and the friendships made along the way.
Today, we are a locally owned safari company specialising in private, tailor-made journeys across Tanzania and Kenya, with beautiful beach escapes to Zanzibar. From the endless plains of the Serengeti and the wonders of Ngorongoro Crater to the elephant herds of Tarangire and the warmth of our local communities, we create journeys that bring travellers closer to the real East Africa.
For us, a great safari is about much more than ticking animals off a list. It's about having time to appreciate the little moments, listening to stories from your guide, discovering places beyond the usual routes and feeling genuinely welcomed wherever you go.
With experienced local guides, private 4×4 safari vehicles, carefully chosen accommodation and personal attention from planning to the final farewell, we take pride in making every journey feel special. We bring the same care and dedication to guests travelling directly with us and to those entrusted to us by our international travel partners.
Rafiki means friend. Tembo means elephant. Together, they reflect who we are: a company built on friendship, respect for nature and a deep connection to the land we call home.
Elephant Inside Tarangire National Park Gamedrive with Rafiki Tembo Tours
A photo taken in one of our guided gamedrive safaris inside Tarangire National Park the home of the elegant Giant of Africa
Hadzabe and Dattoga with Rafiki Tembo Tours
An image that shows one of our Rafiki at the ethnic group of tanzania the hadzabe and dattoga tribe famously known for their click sound way of speech.
Giraffe Viewing Inside Tarangire National Park
This image shows a girrafe spotted inside Tarangire National Park in a group journey with joint partnership with Trillhamundos.
Royal Picture by Rafiki Tembo Tours
Rafiki Tembo Tours here is an image of Lions inside Ngorongoro Crater
Sustainable Tourism Rafiki Tembo Tours
Giving Back inside A local school in Mto wa mbu to dislay a part of community giveback by Rafiki Tembo tours and Trillhamundos
