Meet Our Partner: Sababu Safaris
Updated: Nov 19, 2020
DENISE BROWN & ROBERT TARIMO, Co-founders of Sababu Safaris
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts Denise Brown and Robert Tarimo are the co-founders of the safari traveling agency, Sababu Safaris, which strives to showcase Tanzania's stunning natural beauty to visitors. It's one of our favorite environmentally conscious partners, offering our The World Within Us travelers in their Tanzania group trips a one of a kind experience where they can explore the amazing wildlife biodiversity of the Serengeti as they take in the beautiful landscape of this unique East African Savannah.
Born and raised in Germany, Denise has had a deep passion for Africa and sharing its beautiful nature and culture with the world. As a Tanzanian native dedicated to nature and social impact, Robert has served as a tour guide for nearly 20 years and made it his life mission to share his love for his country with visitors. Join them on an unforgettable safari adventure that is sure to excite and be meaningful!
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LEARN MORE ABOUT DENISE & ROBERT
1. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE MAKES TANZANIA A DESIRABLE TRAVEL DESTINATION?
DENISE: It has something to offer for everyone. Not only is it one of the world's best wildlife destinations, home to the tallest mountain in Africa, and some of the most pristine beaches on the planet, it is also one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.
2. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT RUNNING SABABU SAFARIS?
DENISE: Being able to share our love for the country and its people with guests from all over the world; seeing the smiles on people's faces and knowing that you have opened someone's heart and possibly changed someone's life.
3. WHAT DOES "HOME" MEAN TO YOU? HOW DO YOU STRIVE TO MAKE GUESTS FEEL AT HOME DURING THEIR STAY WITH SABABU SAFARIS?
DENISE: Home to us is a feeling of belonging. We want you to forge friendships during your visit and feel like you are part of our Sababu family when you return home.
4. IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A YOUNG PERSON WHO WANTS TO SEE OUR WORLD AND MAKE A CHANGE?
DENISE: Ignore others who might want to discourage you. Listen to that deep drive inside you that doesn't stay quiet, there is a reason something is pulling you. The best thing to do as a young person is to go out there and explore the world. You will automatically become an ambassador and custodian of this planet. Now more than ever we can see how powerful it is when we as global citizens fight for what is right.
ROBERT: Success. Care of the people, respect of their culture and opinions. Care of land and wildlife.
5. WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SABABU SAFARIS NAME? WHAT DOES IT TRANSLATE TO?
DENISE: Sababu is the Swahili word for "Purpose." It is important to us to always travel with purpose and leave a positive impact on each of our safaris.
6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT OWNING SABABU SAFARIS?
DENISE: Dedicating our lives to what we love the most, turning our passion into our profession.
7. WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE?
DENISE: One of our most memorable experiences was when we came across a herd of about 70 elephants when we were making our way from the Ndutu Plains to the Ngorongoro Highlands. All of a sudden we found ourselves surrounded by them and watched in awe as they, one by one, from the tiniest calf to the matriarch, slowly crossed the road in front of and behind us for about 15-20 minutes while interacting and communicating with each other. I have never felt such energy and was deeply touched and overwhelmed with emotions long after that.
ROBERT: Having done safaris for 20 years I can't remember a day in the bush without memorable experience! But there is one particular that comes to mind. During my guide training years, I observed something I will never forget and which still moves me to this date. I came across a herd of elephants of which one young elephant was dying. For countless hours I witnessed how the family members tried to lift him up using their trunks. They did not want to leave the area. When the elephant had passed the next day, the herd seemed to be leaving but never went far and returned to defend the carcass from predators. A few weeks later, I returned to the same spot. I encountered the same herd picking up the remains of the carcass. Some of them picked up the bones and put them on their foreheads before carefully putting them down again. A powerful testimony to an elephant’s ability to mourn and remember.
8. SABABU SAFARIS BUILDS SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT INTO EACH
TRAVEL EXPERIENCE. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT?
DENISE: Many tour operators offer so-called "cultural experiences" but not many of them actually provide any tangible benefits to the local communities or to the travelers. Many of these cultural visits are commercialized and exploit the local people, and they do not leave visitors with an authentic experience. Rob has always witnessed this throughout his life and Denise experienced this first hand on her very first safari in Tanzania. We wanted to change that and instead offer authentic experiences that leave a long lasting impact on local communities and visitors alike.
9. WHAT GLOBAL GOAL ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
DENISE: That is a tough one. Probably #10 - Reduced Inequalities, because once we achieve equality and prosperity in all facets of life across the globe, most other Global Goals will automatically be positively affected.
ROBERT: I have always been passionate about #6 - clean water and sanitation. Here in Tanzania about 70% of the health care budget is spent on preventable water and sanitation related diseases. Over 26,000 including 18,000 children under 5 years die each year from diarrhea, and 90% of the cases are caused by lack of clean water and sanitation. I also strongly support #13 Climate action. This is a paramount goal. The foundation of all other goals. It's obvious that if we do not have clean air, clean water...etc. provided by nature...nothing else matters.