Frequently Asked Questions

PLANNING YOUR SAFARI

Our safari itineraries are tailored to seasonal animal movement patterns so wildlife viewing is excellent year round. So the best time to go on safari is really dependent on when you wish to come, your interests, places you wish to visit and activities that you may want to do. If you’d like to see the wildebeest migration spread out across the Serengeti plains, we’ll recommend you travel in the green season stretching from December to April. This is especially good for the calving season.

As the migration moves North from June onwards the Northern part of the Serengeti and river crossings into Kenya’s Maasai Mara is the best area. Whatever month you travel, we will build your itinerary to ensure you’re located in the right parks and the right regions for best wildlife viewing. We can make suggestions about the best areas to visit and build the safari around the time you wish to travel, your interests and budget. If you love elephants and would like to see large herds, we recommend visiting Tarangire National Park in the height of the dry season from July to September when massive herds congregate around the Tarangire River. If you are interested in climbing Kilimanjaro prior to going on safari, we’ll suggest you avoid traveling in April and May when the long rains will make trekking difficult.

ABOUT GREAT MIGRATION

The Great Migration is the annual cycle of movement made by over 2 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and 400,000 Thomson gazelles in their continuous search for water and green pasture throughout the Serengeti ecosystem. Every year, the ungulates follow a fairly predictable migration route however the timing of the movement varies from year to year depending on rain patterns, from the vast Serengeti plains to the hills of Kenya's Masai Mara.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

We request that you deposit 30% to secure a reservation either by bank transfer or credit card. The balance can be made by bank transfer or credit card or on arrival in cash. Our Sales team can advise you how to do this.

FLIGHTS AND VISA

If you are coming from North America or Europe, we recommend flying KLM to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Air France, British Airways, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Turkish airlines via Turkey or Qatar airlines via the Middle East. If you are coming from China, we recommend flying Ethiopian Air to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

If you are planning a visit to Zanzibar after your safari, we recommend that you either arrange your flight so that you arrive at JRO and depart through Dar Es Salaam International Airport (DAR) or consider entering into Tanzania through DAR and then take a connecting flight to JRO to start your safari. Zanzibar flights are available from Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha airport and also from various locations in the Serengeti. The flight between JRO and DAR is approximately about one hour. Please confirm all international flights and seating before departure.

TRAVEL AND SAFETY

Since its independence in 1961, Tanzania has been a politically stable country and one of the safest countries to travel to in Africa. We do however recommend that you use common sense and take safety precautions as you would when traveling in any foreign country:

  • Use safes in the rooms and don’t leave cash out in all hotels and lodges.
  • Leave jewelry and expensive watches at home.
  • Make sure you empty your pockets of any money or valuables before giving laundry to hotel/lodges.
  • Keep all your important documents and cash in a money belt hidden under your clothes at all times (even on game drives or while dining at the lodge).
  • Keep a copy of all important documentation (passport, itinerary, insurance policy, credit cards, etc.) locked in your suitcase.
  • When shopping, carry a few dollars for spending money in an easily accessible zippered pocket or shoulder bag rather than displaying your money belt.
  • Do not walk around town after dark in Arusha, Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar – always take a taxi even if you are only going a block or two.

ABOUT THE SAFARI PACKAGES

Included:

  • All accommodation on the safari
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • All national park and conservation area entrance fees
  • 4WD Landcruiser with unlimited kilometers for game drives
  • Services of a Private professional Tanzanian safari guide
  • Unlimited bottled drinking water in your vehicle
  • Unlimited game mileage
  • Government tax
  • Soft drinks and wine if you wish

Not included:

  • International airfare to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Tanzania tourist visa fee payable upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Tips to your safari guide & lodge/camp staff
  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance
  • Laundry and drinks at the lodges and camps
  • Domestic flights but we can organize these especially those to the Serengeti
  • Optional activities such as balloon safaris
  • Walking safaris, Maasai village tours, Olduvai Gorge but these can be included if you wish

ELECTRICITY AND WiFI

Most lodges and camps use generators for electricity, and many do not operate their generators 24 hours a day; the power may be turned off during the day when most clients are out game driving and again late at night. Please inquire at check-in as policies vary with each lodge or camp. Electrical sockets in Tanzania are a three-square pin, same as in the United Kingdom and the electrical voltage is 220V.

WHAT TO WEAR AND PACK

Casual, comfortable and easy to wash clothes are recommended. The goal is to pack lightly as most lodges and camps will launder clothes for a small fee. Safaris are informal, and there is no need to dress up. Do plan to dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes as early morning game drives can be quite cold depending on the time of year while daytime temperatures can get quite warm. Stick to neutral or khaki colors and avoid wearing dark blue or black clothes as these colors tend to attract tsetse flies. Wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent are a necessity. After sunset, we recommend that you wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks and spray insect repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Recommended safari clothing:

  • T-shirts and tank tops
  • Long-sleeved shirts (for protection from sunburns)
  • Shorts
  • Light long pants or convertible long-short pants
  • Warm fleece pullover or jacket
  • One swimsuit
  • Cotton socks and underwear
  • Pajamas
  • One pair of comfortable walking shoes
  • One pair of sandals or flip-flops
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Bandana (for dust)
  • Heavy sweater, gloves, and toque if traveling in the cold season (June – August)
  • Clothing for Zanzibar – Please dress modestly when sightseeing in Stone Town or visiting anywhere outside of the beach resorts in Zanzibar. Women should not wear sleeveless or revealing tops and short skirts or thigh-high shorts (Capri trousers or at least knee-length shorts are fine). Men should wear shirts, pants or knee-length shorts.

GAME DRIVE AND INTERACTION

We can include a variety of activities which will allow you to meet with local people to appreciate their culture and tradition. From a MaasaiF village tour to a visit to a local primary school and orphanage or shopping at a local market, these activities can easily be incorporated into your itinerary.