Socially responsible safari

Hi Monocot, you might want to look into access2tanzania. While i havent gone on my safari yet, they seem to be into some cultural things, not just non stop game drives. It was started by a man after his stay in the Peace Corps and him and his wife now run it. They also have a nonprofit organization, so while i dont know if your safari fees wil go directly to this organization, they seem to at least be trying to do good in the community. there website has lots of info if youre interested. And no, i am not associated with this company in any way!

Monocot,

I think you should pay attention in what people are saying here and after being there for 25 days and using several companies for lots of tours, there is one thing I learned from other fellow travellers: take care whilst using 'local companies'. Do not confuse it with money going to the communities, because this is not the case. Small local companies tend to use bad equipment, i say with my own eyes people being driven by people who weren't really drivers or guides picked up just the previous night... if you wanna help Tanzanian people, try to look for companies listed on good guide books such as LP, Bredt and Rough Guides, and when you get into Arusha you go and visit them - these books generally advise you if it's a local company or not. Unfortunatelly cases as number 7 happens a lot, and your money will be spent like water... Good Luck!

I agree with #13 that it is important to check out companies carefully before booking and that "local" doesn't necessarily mean good or socially responsible. However, I wouldn't go by the guidebooks alone. They do not always get updated very well or often, which could mean good companies going bad, and more importantly, new good companies never really getting a chance to prove that they are good. There are some good companies, licensed and all, that still haven't made it into the LP after several years of excellent service.