In July, 2004, Hoopoe Safaris was awarded the “Best Ecotourism Company in the World” by the respected Conde Nast Traveler magazine. This award caps a number of other awards and accolades and underscores the company’s dedication to preserving the East African environment, while providing the highest quality and most successful experience possible for visitors.

For complete information about our community based tourism projects, contact our managing director, Peter Lindstrom or take a look at Hoopoe and community based tourism or see our development section of our website.

Also see our company operating policy here or read about our Managers here.

BACKGROUND

Hoopoe Safaris was founded in 1988 by Peter Lindstrom and Steven Laiser. Peter was born and raised in Kenya and had spent the first part of his adult life in The Sudan and Ethiopia outfitting camps for corporations and NGOs. Steven is a Maasai who grew up in Arusha and became prominent in the national parks service, rising to the rank of warden of Tarangire National Park before becoming associated with Peter.

Within a few years, Hoopoe Safaris had completed the construction of Kirurumu Tented Lodge, which has become a landmark on the safari circuit at Lake Manyara. Kirurumu is used by a wide range of safari companies around the world.

The Getty Foundation requested that Hoopoe set up a camp for the important scientific work that was being conducted by the Leakeys at Laeotoli, where the footprints of Australopithecus were discovered. This successful, long term outfitting led to Hoopoe’s rapid expansion in tourist camping, both adventure and luxury. Today, Hoopoe is the preeminent luxury camping outfitter in East Africa.

Towards the end of the 1990s, Hoopoe acquired the German company, Tropical Trekking. Now wholly integrated into the Hoopoe business, it has expanded the company’s products to include a wide range of upmarket, high quality mountain climbs and treks.

GUIDE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

"Hoopoe is one of the most highly regarded companies… I can recommend them without reservation to anybody.”
- Philip Briggs, The Bradt Travel Guide Tanzania

"This company has been consistently well recommended by a number of travellers."
- Michael Hood, Footprint East Africa Handbook

“ This is a well-established company with an excellent reputation, top-notch vehicles and equipment, and keen, committed staff."
- Geoff Crowther, Lonely Planet, East Africa

"A very experienced, nature-loving team."
- Elke Frey & David Kyungu, Nelles Guide, Tanzania

DRIVER GUIDES

For most safaris, the driver/guide is the only guide, and we know, therefore, how important these individuals are. They aren’t only there to make sure the vehicle works and to choose the right direction, but to impart the culture and history, as well as the natural history, of our great region.

Each Hoopoe driver/guide must successfully complete our own rigorous training course, which has become the envy of other safari companies. Following matriculation from this course, driver/guides must return to classroom at least once a year for refresher training. Within a few years, a Hoopoe driver/guide has become an incredible instructor, not only a driver. They are skilled not only in spotting and recognizing the flora, fauna and bird life of East Africa, but can discuss questions of geography, climate, politics, history and the customs of this wonderful land.

CAMPING STAFF, MOUNTAIN GUIDES, MOUNTAIN CREW

There are more than 100 warm and unique individuals in the Hoopoe family of East Africa, and they include those wonderful people staffing our flagship property, Kirurumu, as well as the extremely hard working mountain guides, crew, camping staff, mechanics, bush chefs, logistics experts and clerical staff. We think of each and every one as a member of a grand team, that without that single individual, would be that much less appealing. We pride ourselves on cultivating, training and retaining the finest individuals in the tourist industry of East Africa.