In this page, you will find the answers of the following questions:
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[acc_item title=”I am interested in a Safari? What is my first step?”]You can book a suggested Itinerary from our website. These trips offer the convenience of a pre-set itinerary and a fixed price, with flexible scheduling. Travel dates are up to you.
We only organize private Safaris. That means that only you and your travel partner(s) will be on the tour. There will be only you and your group on the transfers, the Safari vehicle and the tours. This gives you much flexibility on where to stop and tracking your favourite animals. Or you can start from scratch and work with us to develop a totally customized itinerary and schedule. We are enthusiastically open to side trips, detours, special needs and special plans.
For a booking we need an advance payment of 30% of the tour price, the remaining balance you can pay here upon arrival. The advance payment you will need to wire to our account in Tanzania.
After receiving your advance payment (or the proof of payment by e-mail) we will start to book all services for you. After confirming all services we will send back to you the confirmation voucher.[/acc_item]
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[acc_item title=”What is not included in the trip price?”]
- International airfare
- Any expenses incurred in conjunction with this trip while in your home country.
- Cost of obtaining required passports or visas: Tanzania US$50pp, Kenya US$50pp. You will get the Visa at your arrival point; your passport needs to be valid for at least half a year from your arrival. American citizens need to pay 100 US$, and get only a multiple entry visa (since September 2007)
- Airport departure taxes: Tanzania/Zanzibar domestic departure tax US$5pp one way, Tanzania/Zanzibar international departure tax US$25pp – payable direct in cash on departure If it is not yet included in your ticket). There is a new ‘security fee’, for domestic flights being 1 US$ per person, for international flights 8 US$.
- Travel Insurance. Please make sure that you obtain a convenient travel insurance in your home country
Excess baggage fees. Note: Baggage is restricted to 33lbs/15kgs for domestic flights, per person in a soft sided bag on all charter flights. - Medical expenses, meals or activities not specified or indicated as optional;
- Gratuities to drivers/guides/tour leaders. Note: Tipping is discretionary based on services provided; Tipping guidelines are: $10 per person per day for professional safari guides/tour leaders; $3-$5 per day for camp staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters – $1; driver/guides – $2-$5); restaurant waiters/waitresses – 10% of bill; hotel housekeeping – $2 per day.
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[acc_item title=”How far in advance do I need to book?”]There is no cutoff. However, flights into Kenya and Tanzania are limited and we find that there can be problems getting seats on British Airways or KLM if you try to schedule less than two months ahead of time. Peak seasons also book up as far as nine months ahead of time. Mid to late December is a busy time in both Kenya and Tanzania. Outside of peak seasons, you should have no trouble booking if you schedule your safari at least six to eight months in advance.[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”When is the best time of year to visit Tanzania?”]Let’s start with when the rainy season: November, April and May. During those month Safaris are possible, and it is by far not raining every day. Even if, then only for a few hours. But it can get hard if you want to visit remote places.
The mass migration moves from Kenya into the Serengeti in Tanzania in December, January, February, and March. That can be a spectacular time to travel in Tanzania. Climate changes are triggering some changes in the timing of the migration, so check with us if you are interested in traveling on the edges of the normal migratory months.
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t great game viewing at other times. Off-peak season can be a very relaxing time. The lodges are less crowded and the game reserves not involved in the migratory pathways have as much game as normal. It’s all a matter of what you want. Check with us if you have specific time frames in mind for your travel and we can help you plan where to be so you get the best possible game viewing experiences.[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”What type of clothing will I need?”]We recommend that you bring light casual clothes, (please bring khaki clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and insect repellent if you go on safari). In the evenings it can get rather chilly, especially in the desert areas and in the months of May-August, so bring a sweater and a windbreaker. Certain 5-star hotels require a smart dress code for dinner.
Click here for “CHECKLIST FOR TANZANIA HOLIDAYS“
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[acc_item title=”What is the availability of electricity on safari?”]Tanzania uses 220 Volt, but you will need adapters. Most hotels have adapters available.
On our Safari cars you can recharge your phone and cameras with the cigarette lighter. We also have small transformers in combination with the cigarette lighters (producing 220 Volt), please let us know in advance if you would need this. Especially on camping Safaris there is no other way to charge than the cars electricity.[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”Are Food & Drinks included?”]Food is excellent and you will find a good mix of African, European and International cuisine. Fresh vegetables, seafood and meats make it an exceptional culinary experience to travel here. South African wines are sold everywhere, and are excellent. Tap water is not drinkable in most areas, only bottled water should be consumed.
Prices of beverages (depending on hotel/location):
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Bottled water 1,5 l: 1,5 – 2,5 US$
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Soft drinks: 3-4 US$
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Beer: 3 – 5 US$
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Glass of wine: 5 US$
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Bottle South African wine: 15 – 25 US$
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[acc_item title=”What kind of medical care and insurance do I need before I go to Tanzania?”]Before you leave for an international destination you should consult your physician. You will also need to decide on a malaria prevention medication. It is advised to take malaria prophylaxis.
If you are arriving directly from Europe or the United States of America in Tanzania or on Zanzibar, the yellow fever vaccination is not necessary!
Please see also here: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationTanzania.aspx[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”Do I need a Visa to enter Tanzania?”]Visitors from most countries require a visa in order to enter Tanzania. All visitors can purchase a visa at the point of entry. You need a passport valid at least half a year, and to pay 50 US$ cash. It is most of the time only a 30 minutes procedure but can take longer if there are several arrivals at a time.
American citizens need to pay 100 US$, and get a multiple entry visa (since September 2007)
If you intend to fly to Nairobi and then travel on to Tanzania, remember that you may also require a multiple entry visa to enter Kenya, even if it is only for a few hours. The Visa for Kenya and Tanzania is 50 US$ per person for each country (except of American citizens, see above).
Click here to download Tanzania Visa form[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”Photography Information”]Some of the happiest travelers I have met are those that don’t take a camera with them and just enjoy what they see, but most people want a record of some of the fantastic sights along the way. You will get fairly close to a lot of the wildlife, but a good 35 mm camera with a 75-300 zoom lens will certainly help you take some great shots. A beanbag is much better than a tripod for photos from the car. (The safari vehicle should have a pop-up or removable roof to make photography easier.) A cable release is useful to get shots without camera motion. Also, a flash can help with indoor and campfire shots. Remember to bring extra batteries for your camera equipment. You can generally recharge the camera at lodges and from the vehicle.[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”Tipping”]Our general recommendation is to tip moderately – in accordance with the level and quality of service provided. The traditional gratuity to safari guides or camp staff is not included in the price of your tour but is completely discretionary. Following amounts are recommended in general:
Tipping for:
• Driver Guide: 10$ per person per day
• Cook: $ 7.- per day on a camping safari
• Camp/ Lodge Staff: 3$ -5 $ per day (tipping will be shared in the team)
• Porters: 1$ (tipping paid in US$ is welcome)
• Service Staff in the Restaurant: 10%
• Hotel House Keeping 2$ per day
• The tipping of the Driver Guide or Camp/Lodge Staff is not included in the safari price.[/acc_item]
[acc_item title=”Money matters + currency converter”]
The unit of local currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). American dollars in cash or travellers cheques are acceptable in many places around town (note: AMEX Traveller Cheques are often not accepted).
Please note not to bring US$ notes issued before 2010, as they are not accepted here!
In Arusha, Dar and Zanzibar there are ATM’s where you can get local currency with your Visa or Mastercard.
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[acc_item title=”Climate Chart”]
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