Born in the Wild Heart
of Tanzania
A team of passionate Tanzanian naturalists, mountain guides, and travel experts united by one mission — to share the magic of Africa's greatest wilderness with the world.
A Safari Company Built on Passion
Katambuga Expedition was founded in 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania, by a small group of local naturalists and mountain guides who believed that Tanzania deserved a safari operator that was truly different — one that put the guest experience and conservation impact above everything else.
Our name comes from the Swahili — meaning to venture, to explore. It defines everything we do. We don't run cookie-cutter safaris. Every itinerary is a bespoke adventure, shaped around the specific dreams and interests of each guest.
From our humble beginnings with two Land Cruisers and four guides, we've grown to a team of 45 specialists, a fleet of 18 safari vehicles, and a client base spanning 60+ countries — while never forgetting what made us special: genuine passion for Tanzania's wild places.
17 Years of Excellence
2008
Katambuga Founded
Founded in Arusha by five local naturalists and mountain guides with a passion for sharing Tanzania's wilderness. First two Land Cruisers purchased.
2011
Kilimanjaro Programme Launched
Expanded into Kilimanjaro climbing operations. First successful Lemosho Route summit with 12 climbers. 100% success rate in our first season.
2015
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
Received TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for the first time — a reflection of our growing reputation for outstanding service.
2017
Zanzibar Programme Added
Launched full Zanzibar packages, creating the first seamless safari-and-beach combo experiences for our clients.
2021
Conservation Partnership
Partnered with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and three community wildlife management areas to support anti-poaching and community development.
2024
Best Safari Operator Award
Named Best Safari Operator in East Africa by African Travel Magazine, recognising our exceptional guides, sustainable practices, and 4.9-star rating.
What Drives Everything We Do
Genuine Passion
Every team member is a true lover of Tanzania's wilderness. Our enthusiasm is authentic and contagious.
Safety First
No compromise on safety — ever. First-aid trained guides, GPS-tracked vehicles, and 24/7 support.
Conservation
5% of every booking goes directly to conservation projects and community wildlife management.
Integrity
Transparent pricing, honest advice, and delivering exactly what we promise — always.
Personalisation
No two safaris are the same. Every trip is custom-built around your unique interests and dream.
Community
We employ local guides, buy locally, and ensure tourism creates real economic benefits for Tanzanian communities.
The Experts Behind Your Safari
Our guides are the heart of Katambuga. Each one is a TANAPA-certified naturalist, born and raised in Tanzania, with a deep personal connection to its wild places.
Emmanuel Mushi
Lead Safari Guide
15 years guiding in the Serengeti. Emmanuel's encyclopaedic knowledge of predator behaviour has produced legendary wildlife encounters for hundreds of guests.
David Kimaro
Mountain Guide
12 years leading Kilimanjaro climbs with a near-perfect summit record. David's calm, encouraging approach has helped countless climbers reach Uhuru Peak.
Grace Mwanga
Cultural & Birding Specialist
Specialising in birding and cultural immersion, Grace's language skills in five tribal languages create authentic community connections for every guest.
Joseph Laizer
Chimp Trek Specialist
A primatologist and tracker for 10 years at Mahale and Gombe. Joseph's patience and knowledge ensure every chimp encounter is truly intimate and respectful.
Find Katambuga on TripAdvisor
Use our TripAdvisor link to see traveller feedback and connect with Katambuga Expedition.
Visit TripAdvisorReady to Explore Tanzania Together?
Get in touch with our team — we'd love to hear about your dream safari and start planning your adventure.