Since 1978
Not a Safari Company.
A Family of Guides.
In 1978, Bobby Kassim — Don's grandfather — bought a Land Rover and began driving visitors into the Serengeti. There was no website, no office, no brochure. Just a man who loved his country and wanted to share it with the world. He charged what the safari was worth, and he delivered more.
Four decades later, the family Bobby started has grown into one of Tanzania's most trusted names in ultra-luxury safari. Three generations of the Kassim family now live and work in Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru, within sight of Kilimanjaro. We are not a safari company that happens to be family-owned. We are a family that happens to run safaris — and Bobby Safaris is our private, ultra-luxury planning lane for guests searching for the Bobby Tours Tanzania family.
The distinction matters. Public companies answer to shareholders. Chain operators answer to brand guidelines written in New York or London. We answer to our reputation — the only asset Bobby Kassim ever had, and the only one we care about protecting.
When you travel with Bobby Safaris, you travel with Don Kassim himself, or with one of our two senior guides who have worked with our family for over a decade. These are not seasonal hires. They are career professionals who know the parks intimately — not just where the animals are, but how the light falls at six in the morning in March, which kopje the leopards prefer in the dry season, which crossing point the wildebeest will choose this particular week.
Our Way
What We Stand For
Private by Definition
Every safari is private. Your own vehicle, your own guide, your own schedule. We do not do group departures. We do not have fixed itineraries. We do not compromise. Here is why that matters.
Direct to the Bone
No overseas agents. No middlemen. No subcontracted vehicles or freelance guides. When you book with Bobby Safaris, every dollar goes to your experience — not to an office in London or New York. See what your investment covers.
Scale We Don't Want
We turn down more business than we accept. Not from arrogance — from conviction. The safaris we are known for require time, attention, and the kind of care that doesn't scale. We'd rather do twelve trips exceptionally than fifty mediocre ones. Why we stay small.
Tanzanian to the Root
We don't just work in Tanzania — we're Tanzanian. Born in Arusha, educated in Arusha, raising our children in Arusha. This is home. These are our parks. We protect what we love.
Meet Don Kassim
The Man Behind
Bobby Safaris
Don Kassim grew up in the back of safari vehicles before he could walk. His grandfather started the business. His father expanded it. Don took it in a direction that made it singular: ultra-luxury, ultra-private, ultra-attentive to the kind of traveller who deserves more than a package tour.
Don speaks to every client before they book. He designs every itinerary himself — personally, thoughtfully, with the kind of care that cannot be delegated to a sales team. He has turned down booked safaris because he couldn't give them the attention they deserved. He has extended trips free of charge because the weather was wrong or the moment was right.
He answers WhatsApp messages himself. He gives clients his personal number. This is not a gimmick — it is how he has always operated, and how he intends to continue.
Experience Tanzania
Experiences
Browse All Experiences
Nine distinct ways to experience Tanzania — from classic luxury to fly-camping.
Our Approach
Who We Work With
Private by definition, direct to the bone — the travellers Bobby Safaris is built for.
Compare
Find Your Experience
Nine experiences, side by side — compare duration, wildlife focus, and season.
Further reading
Guest Stories
Testimonials
154 TripAdvisor reviews from travellers who have experienced the difference.
Why Bobby
Why We're Different
How we compare to other ultra-luxury operators — honestly, without the jargon.
Private Groups
Group & Charter
Private aircraft, exclusive-use lodges, and bespoke itineraries for groups of six or more.
The Founder
Meet Don
Don Kassim on what four generations of honest guiding actually means in practice.
Begin Your Safari Story
Every safari begins with a conversation. Tell us what you are looking for — we will tell you whether we are the right fit.
Speak with DonHave questions about our booking process? Read our promise — no obligation until you are ready.