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Ndifo Welcomes You to East Africa!

Let us introduce you to our nature, wildlife, and people.
You will feel like part of the community.

First, we want to say hello and usher you into the folds of our family.

Ndifo means footsteps in Chagaa, the native language of our founder, Steve Ngowi. And, indeed, Steve has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather by becoming a professional guide. Steve was born on the southern slope of Kilimanjaro. By age six, he was glued to his grandfather’s side, a professional guide who was always in the bush. To Steve, being in the bush was, well, being at home. Now, a professional guide himself, Steve wants to share that home with you. Starting with Tanzania mornings.

“The sun is rising over the mountains and a nice breeze hts your face,” Steve says. “There are rainy days, too, during which everything seems to come to life.” As if illustrating this fact, “Lion and bird calls can be heard, as each advertise their territory.”

Revealing these magnificent creatures in their habitat is in order. Witnessing these ever-evolving habitats is an experience unto itself. “Habitat change from time to time depending on what you’re looking for,” Steve says. “If it’s a leopard, then you’ll keep your eyes on the road as that’s where cats like to travel to escape morning dew on their claws.” Something else to be on the lookout for: granite boulders warmed by the sun—just right for napping cats. Open plains call for attention, too. “Cheetahs head for the plains as they start to get active.”

At One with the Land

Steve’s love for the land brings with it a strong sense of stewardship. Ndifo Safaris are packed with information about the wild, including conservation and preservation practices. “We’re eager to share our land’s ancient cultures and hidden gems with you,” Steve says. “And we will always work to protect this wildlife, their eco-systems and our culture.” A saying he likes to instill in visitors, “Take only memories, leave only footprints, and Serengeti shall never die.”

Becoming Tanzania

Because Ndifo Safari is Tanzanian-owned, we offer a unique perspective on our tours. Beyond merely getting to experience the bush, we want our guests to feel like part of the community. “Tanzania has 120 different tribes, each with their own language and culture,” Steve says, elaborating on what each wants to share with visitors. “The Datoga specialize in making iron weapons, the Hadzabe, who are from the bush, still hunt for their food, whereas the elders of the Maasai punish those who kill animals for meat by chasing them out of the village.” Steve stresses, “We don’t have ‘tribalism’ in Tanzania. What’s most important to Tanzania tribes is family.”

Opportunities to visit area villages and schools abound while staying with Ndifo, both of which are touched by your visits in myriad ways. “I grew up seeing schools without desks and classrooms being beneath the branches of baobab trees as a way to provide protection from the sun,” Steve says. “I want to see that change while I’m alive.” Some current community projects Ndifo Safari is working on– building classrooms for the school of Iikamba, as well as providing sanitary napkins, a scarcity for the women and girls of Tanzania. “It’s important to do something positive for the beautiful people and country of Tanzania.”

An extremely important way Ndifo gives back is by ensuring our team is paid more than fair wages and get profit-sharing. “Not only in Tanzania, but in all of East Africa, everyone is considered family,” Steve says. “If you’re walking along the street, you’re not considered a stranger, as someone will always greet you with a hello.”

Which is why when you embark on a Ndifo Safari, we feel it’s important that you become part of our team, part of our family… you become part of Tanzania.

 

Learn More About Ndifo

Ndifo at the United Nations

Tours