Fodor's Expert Review Access2Tanzania

After living in Tanzania for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer, owner Brian Singer set up Access2Tanzania in 2004 with his wife Karen and Tanzanian partner Michael Musa. Brian and Karen handle all presafari planning, and Michael takes care of ground logistics. They are one of few companies in Tanzania that do not subcontract their guides; each one is a full-time employee and they all consistently receive rave reviews. They own and maintain their own air-conditioned vehicles, which have unlimited mileage and pop-up roofs to allow 360-degree views.

Destinations serviced: Rwanda, Tanzania.

Most popular packages: Tanzania’s Classic North, 9 nights, from $4,235; Adventures through Northern Tanzania, 7 nights, from $2,895.

Philanthropy: The owners run a nonprofit, Project Zawadi, which supports the educational needs of orphans and other vulnerable Tanzanian children. Hundreds of children are put through school each year, and it has also built several classrooms, teacher's accommodations, and a vocational training center.

What they do best: Itineraries are custom-made and private only; the team works hard to ensure that the individual needs of each client are met. They have offices in both Tanzania and the United States, meaning service is superb before, during, and after the safari.