‘Safari’ is the Swahili word for ‘journey’. 

But MAF’s monthly safaris provide much more than a souvenir photo of Tanzania’s stunning landscape and the occasional wild animal. They are vital journeys that provide thousands of remote people the medical, educational and spiritual care they need to thrive.

MAF’s main partner in Malambo is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, which we have served for more than 30 years. We fly Maasai evangelists to remote villages to spread the Gospel, pray for the sick and plant new churches.

Our mission is to transform communities by teaching the love, hope and forgiveness of Jesus in the face of cultural oppression, inequality and violence.

• Location: 11 remote destinations in northern Tanzania
• Length: 3 days
• Purpose: sharing the Gospel with unreached people
• People helped: many Maasai communities in the North Maasai regions
• Tribes reached: Maasai
• Time saved: 4-5 months by foot

The Haydom safari’s main stop is the Haydom Lutheran Hospital, which runs a network of mobile clinics in nearby villages. MAF plays an important role by transporting medical specialists to the hospital, then out to tribes who would otherwise be unreached. 

On the Haydom safari, you might share the cabin with a Dutch surgeon who is flying to volunteer in the bush, or a pregnant woman experiencing life-threatening complications. Every trip is a life-changing adventure.

During the safari, medics examine expectant mothers, vaccinate children and treat those who are sick. Often a pastor is on board too and will pray with patients and tell villagers about God’s love.

• Location: 9 remote destinations in the north-eastern region
• Length: 5 days
• Purpose: Medical outreach
• People helped: 1,000 – 1,600 a month
• Tribes reached: Hadzabe, Taturu and Datooga (all classified as unreached peoples)
• Time saved: 4 days by car

Using MAF’s aircraft, medical and evangelistic teams can reach areas where there are no health facilities, schools or churches. 

The majority of the Maasai still live as semi-nomads, and spend months wandering through the desert, depending on their cattle to survive. MAF has helped set up ‘mobile’ clinics, which can move and respond to this nomadic way of life. More babies are now surviving birth and developing in their early years, thanks to improved antenatal care and vital vaccinations.

Flying on a South Maasai safari, you might meet MAF team members who are planning a new airstrip, which could double or triple our impact in this region in the coming years.

• Location: 3 villages in the South Maasai region
• Length: 2 days
• Purpose: medical and spiritual outreach
• People helped: 300 a month
• Tribes reached: Maasai, Dorobo
• Time saved: 2-3 days across desert by truck

Despite its poor transport system, Tanzania hosts many world-famous natural attractions, which have become major sources of income. But there are also many fascinating places to explore with MAF, which are certainly ‘off the beaten track’.

We fly to remote places to reach the world’s most isolated people – thank you for joining us in Tanzania.