Roy Safaris
Roy Safaris is a privately held Tanzanian tour operator founded in 1989 that designs bespoke luxury safari experiences across Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zanzibar for affluent individual travelers, special occasion guests, and wildlife photographers through a direct-to-consumer model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersArusha, Tanzania
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Roy Safaris does
Roy Safaris is a privately held Tanzanian safari tour operator founded in 1989 and headquartered at 2 Serengeti Road in Arusha, the primary gateway for East Africa's Northern Circuit. The company designs and delivers bespoke luxury safari experiences across Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zanzibar, covering Northern, Southern, and Western circuit national parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Mahale, Gombe), Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and Indian Ocean beach destinations. Its core offering is custom-built itineraries with hand-selected luxury lodges and private game drives, complemented by adventure products such as hot air balloon safaris, Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru trekking, and multi-day packaged tours (e.g., the 7 Day Hakuna Matata Safari, 7 Day Kenya Highlands & Heritage Safari).
The company operates a direct-to-consumer model without intermediaries, acquiring customers through its website (roysafaris.co.tz), WhatsApp contact, inquiry forms, TripAdvisor presence, and email newsletter. The technology stack is a website-based booking and inquiry system with online checkout capabilities for safari trips, supplemented by a 'Personalise my Safari' configuration tool and a TripAdvisor profile hosting over 2,200 verified 5-star reviews. Revenue is generated through one-time, quote-based tour package pricing with accommodation tiers spanning luxury lodges, tented camps, semi-luxury mobile camping, and basic camping; pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by group size, trip duration, and customization.
The customer base is segmented into luxury safari travelers (primary), special occasion travelers (honeymoons, anniversaries, families), and wildlife photographers, with multi-country border crossings, permit arrangements, and 24/7 dedicated client support serving as the principal differentiators against templated-package competitors. Roy Safaris has 501–1,000 employees and operates as a private limited company (Roy Safaris Limited) under Tanzanian jurisdiction, with no disclosed parent company, external investment, or M&A activity.
Roy Safaris firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roy Safaris
- Legal name
- Roy Safaris Limited
- Website
- https://roysafaris.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Roy Safaris is a privately held Tanzanian tour operator founded in 1989 that designs bespoke luxury safari experiences across Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zanzibar for affluent individual travelers, special occasion guests, and wildlife photographers through a direct-to-consumer model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roy Safaris industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Safari Tour Operator
- NAICS
- Tour Operators (56152), Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other (4879)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators (THAKADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based) (THAAADAD), Safari & Wildlife Travel Agencies (THAKAFAG), Safari & Overland Wildlife Adventures (4x4/Jeep) (THAJABAD), Safari & Game Drives (Land-Based) (THAAAEAC)
Keywords
Where Roy Safaris is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arusha
- HQ country
- Tanzania
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roy Safaris business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Bespoke Safari Tours: Custom-built safari experiences across East Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zanzibar. Tours include luxury lodges, private game drives, and multi-country journeys. Revenue is generated through tour package pricing with various accommodation tiers ranging from lodges to basic camping.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Luxury Lodges and Tented Camps |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Roy Safaris product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roy Safaris is a Tanzanian safari tour operator that designs and delivers custom and pre-packaged safari itineraries across East Africa, including Northern, Southern, and Western Circuit national parks in Tanzania, Kenya's Masai Mara, Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and beach holidays on Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba, and Fanjove. The company sells tour packages (e.g., the 7 Day Hakuna Matata Safari, 7 Day Kenya Highlands & Heritage Safari), specialized experiences (Serval Wildlife, Balloon Safari, Mountain Trekking), and Bespoke Safaris where luxury lodges and private game drives are hand-selected through the 'Personalise my Safari' tool. All bookings, permits, border crossings, and on-trip logistics are coordinated internally by its Arusha-based team.
Product overview
Roy Safaris is a traditional safari tour operator offering bespoke luxury safari experiences across East Africa. Founded in 1989 and based in Arusha, Tanzania, the company provides a portfolio of tour packages including multi-day safari itineraries (Northern, Southern, and Western Circuit tours), multi-country experiences (Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda), beach holidays (Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba), and adventure activities (balloon safaris, mountain trekking, gorilla trekking). The core offering is the Bespoke Safaris service, which provides custom-tailored luxury experiences hand-selecting lodges and arranging private game drives, complemented by pre-packaged tour itineraries like the 7 Day Hakuna Matata Safari and 7 Day Kenya Highlands & Heritage Safari. The company positions itself as a specialist in multi-country safari logistics with 24/7 client support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 7 Day Hakuna Matata Safari – Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro A 7-day, 6-night safari package covering Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater, designed for wildlife viewing and the Great Migration experience. Intended for individual travelers and small groups seeking a guided Northern Circuit safari.
- 7 Day Kenya Highlands & Heritage Safari A 7-day safari exploring Nairobi, Mount Kenya, and surrounding highland regions, offering cultural heritage experiences alongside wildlife encounters. Intended for travelers interested in Kenya beyond the Masai Mara.
- Rwanda Safaris Multi-country safari experiences including gorilla trekking in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Intended for travelers wanting to combine Rwanda primate trekking with broader East African itineraries.
- Kenya Safari Tours Multi-country safari experiences including visits to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. Intended for travelers wanting to combine Kenya wildlife viewing with Tanzania or Rwanda extensions.
- Serval Wildlife experience Specialized wildlife viewing experience focused on serval cats and other African wildlife. Intended for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers seeking targeted sightings.
- Balloon Safari Hot air balloon safari experiences offering aerial views of wildlife and landscapes. Intended for travelers wanting a premium add-on to a Tanzania safari itinerary.
- Mountain Trekking (Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru climbs) Mountain trekking experiences including Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru climbs. Intended for adventure travelers seeking high-altitude summit experiences.
- Bespoke Safaris Custom-tailored luxury safari experiences hand-selecting lodges, arranging private game drives, and designing personalized itineraries for individual preferences. Intended for affluent travelers wanting fully customized East Africa safaris with multi-country logistics handled internally.
- Personalised Safari Planning Custom itinerary design service allowing travelers to personalize their safari experience based on destination preferences, traveler type (families, couples, photographers), and special occasions. Intended for travelers who want to co-design their trip with a Roy Safaris consultant before booking.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,200+ 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor
Companies that use Roy Safaris
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Roy Safaris technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Roy Safaris partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Roy Safaris competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Asilia Africa: Asilia Africa is a Tanzania-based safari operator with camps in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other East African ecosystems. Directly comparable to Roy Safaris as a Tanzania-rooted luxury safari operator with similar itineraries and customer segments.
- Singita: Singita is a luxury safari lodge and conservation brand operating in Tanzania, South Africa, and Rwanda with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Directly comparable to Roy Safaris in the high-end multi-country East African safari market, with overlapping gorilla trekking and Tanzania offerings.
- Africa Travel: Africa Travel is a specialist tour operator designing bespoke African safaris including Tanzania, Kenya, and gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a multi-country East African safari specialist serving affluent international travelers with custom itineraries.
- Wild Frontiers: Wild Frontiers is an adventure travel company offering safaris across East and Southern Africa, including Tanzania and gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a multi-country safari specialist with bespoke itineraries and similar destination coverage.
- Wilderness Safaris: Wilderness Safaris is a major African safari operator running luxury camps across multiple African countries. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a multi-country luxury safari operator with deep lodge portfolios, though at larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- Lemala Camps & Lodges: Lemala Camps operates tented camps and lodges in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and other Tanzanian parks. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a Tanzania safari operator with overlapping Northern Circuit destinations and luxury mobile camping products.
- Nomad Tanzania: Nomad Tanzania is a Tanzania-based safari operator with mobile and permanent camps in the Serengeti, Tarangire, and other Northern Circuit parks. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a Tanzania safari specialist with mobile camping and luxury offerings targeting similar wildlife-focused luxury travelers.
- Governors' Camp Collection: Governors' Camp Collection operates luxury tented camps in Kenya's Masai Mara and Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a luxury East African safari operator with overlapping gorilla trekking and Masai Mara offerings targeting similar premium customers.
Broad incumbents
- &Beyond: &Beyond is a leading global luxury safari and travel company operating camps and tours across Africa and beyond. It is comparable to Roy Safaris as a high-end safari operator serving affluent travelers with bespoke itineraries, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
Emerging players
- Roar Africa: Roar Africa is a boutique luxury safari operator offering bespoke East and Southern African itineraries. Comparable to Roy Safaris as a bespoke luxury safari specialist targeting ultra-high-net-worth travelers, though operating at smaller scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Roy Safaris financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roy Safaris leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Roy Safaris funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roy Safaris M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roy Safaris
What does Roy Safaris do?
Roy Safaris is a Tanzanian safari tour operator that designs and delivers custom and pre-packaged safari itineraries across East Africa, including Northern, Southern, and Western Circuit national parks in Tanzania, Kenya's Masai Mara, Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, and beach holidays on Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba, and Fanjove. The company sells tour packages (e.g., the 7 Day Hakuna Matata Safari, 7 Day Kenya Highlands & Heritage Safari), specialized experiences (Serval Wildlife, Balloon Safari, Mountain Trekking), and Bespoke Safaris where luxury lodges and private game drives are hand-selected through the 'Personalise my Safari' tool. All bookings, permits, border crossings, and on-trip logistics are coordinated internally by its Arusha-based team.
Is Roy Safaris a public or private company?
Roy Safaris is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Roy Safaris founded?
Roy Safaris was founded in 1989. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Roy Safaris based?
Roy Safaris is headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, in the Africa region.
How does Roy Safaris make money?
One revenue line is on record: bespoke Safari Tours.
Who are Roy Safaris's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Asilia Africa, Singita, Africa Travel, Wild Frontiers, Wilderness Safaris, Lemala Camps & Lodges, Nomad Tanzania and Governors' Camp Collection. &Beyond is listed as a broad incumbent. Roar Africa is listed as an emerging player.
Does Roy Safaris have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roy Safaris.
What industry is Roy Safaris in?
Roy Safaris's product category is Safari Tour Operator. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKADAG, Wildlife & Safari Tour Operators, with a secondary code of THAAADAD, Safari & Wildlife Adventure Tour Operators (Land-Based). Its NAICS code is 56152 and its SIC code is 7990.