Tanzania Safari Tours & Trips

If you're looking for somewhere that blends the bliss of being up close and personal with nature and some of the world's finest hospitality, a luxury safari in Tanzania could be just the ticket. Across the plains, islands and lakeshores of Tanzania, luxury safari lodges and camps are found in the most unexpected of places, making for an unforgettable experience surrounded by pure wilderness. Everything from out-of-this-world dining to sublime amenities (including private pools overlooking wildlife-filled grasslands) await on a Tanzania luxury safari. And then we have the activities, which range from the understated to the utterly unbelievable, from moments spent in stillness as wildlife wanders by to soaring overhead in a private plane. When it comes to a luxury safari, Tanzania is hard to beat.

Tanzania has three international airports; Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), Dar es Salaam Airport (DAR) and Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ). These are the major airports and hubs for many airlines arriving from the US, Europe and Africa. There are various domestic airports and airfields connecting all major towns and safari destinations, and to other destinations in Africa. Depending on your arrival time you may have to overnight before catching your connecting flight to your first safari camp the next day. International flights We would recommend booking your flights online in order to get the best rates. If you need any help or advice please let us know. Departing from the USA, there are a number of airlines that offer flights to Kilimanjaro (JRO) in Tanzania, with one stopover on the way. The travel time is between 20 and 28 hours. There are flights available with a single stop when departing from Heathrow in London and landing at Kilimanjaro (JRO) in Tanzania, taking between 12 and 16 hours. Please note that the above durations are flying times and do not include layovers. Domestic flights and transfers Connecting between all the locations included in your Tanzanian safari package may necessitate a variety of modes: light aircraft charters, domestic commercial flights and road transfers. Please review the inclusions and exclusions on your specific trip page for details. If you need help understanding the best flights to book, please let us know. From the moment that you land in Tanzania you will be greeted and assisted to your onward connections. With one of our Tanzania safari packages, you will be looked after from that point on until you are transferred back to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Before embarking on any Tanzania safari tours, we advise you to consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines. Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B and Cholera, among others. Please always carry your "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)" (or "Yellow Card") with you. Malaria We advise that you consult a medical practitioner at least six weeks prior to travel. Malaria is present in Tanzania and it is strongly advisable to take malaria prophylactics before, during and after your visit. Please consult a medical professional regarding which prophylactics will be suitable for you. In addition to the recommendations of your travel clinic or physician, you may also consider the following proactive preventative measures: ● Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Recommended repellents contain 20-35% DEET but it is a very virulent repellent, and should be used cautiously. ● Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants at dawn and dusk, as well as closed shoes. ● Use a mosquito net if your tent or room isn't screened or air-conditioned; and spray insecticide or burn a mosquito coil before going to bed. If you come down with flu-like symptoms either during or within four to six weeks after your visit to a malaria area, seek a doctor's advice immediately and let him/her know that you have been in a malaria area. You can also visit www.malaria.org.za for more information. Yellow Fever There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Tanzania; however, vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (e.g. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or elsewhere worldwide). This requirement can change unexpectedly, therefore, we recommend carrying a Yellow Fever card with you at all times. Communication Tanzania country code: +255 Calling overseas from Tanzania: From a landline dial 00 followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: 00 1 910 795 1048 When calling from a cell phone dial + prefix followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: + 1 910 795 1048

Money The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). You can convert money to Shillings at a bank or Forex Bureau, or withdraw from an ATM, all found in the larger airports and towns, please check with your bank for charges and advice when using international ATMs. VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. American Express has limited to no coverage. It is advisable to have some cash for smaller shops and for tipping. IMPORTANT: When bringing foreign currency (e.g. USD, GBP, EUR) into the country, be sure to have the new format with no damage or marks. Gratuities Gratuities are not compulsory or expected on safari tours in Tanzania; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive, you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute, or do both. Tips can be made in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), USD, GBP or EUR. Gratuities suggestions: Safari camp or city lead guide: $15 - $20 per guest per day Transfer drivers (e.g. in cities or between the airport and hotel/lodge): $5 per guest per transfer Porter: $1 per bag Ranger or any “ancillary” guides on an ad-hoc basis for a specific activity: $5 - $10 per guest per activity General camp staff (put in a central box in each camp’s main area): $10 - $15 per guest per day Waitstaff in a city restaurant: 10% - 15% (large group may incur automatic service charge - please check)

Insurance It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: Compulsory Insurance: a. Emergency evacuation expenses b. Medical expenses c. Repatriation expenses Recommended Insurance: a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods From 1 October 2024, all travellers visiting Zanzibar will be required to purchase mandatory travel insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation at https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/. This will be over and above any existing travel insurance. The cost for adults is $44 per person while children aged 3 to 17 are charged 50%. This does not apply to Mafia Island.

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals. Generally speaking, most nationalities do require a visa to enter Tanzania. Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your departure from Tanzania to home. There must be at least TWO (we recommend four) consecutive blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Tanzania’s immigration control is very strict, and is known to deny entry to those not meeting the requirements. Visas can be obtained in advance of departure or applied for at one of the main ports of international entry to Tanzania: Dar es Salaam Airport, Zanzibar Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport and Tarim or Namanga border crossing (if coming from Kenya). If obtained on entry, visas must be paid for in cash in USD. Please do contact the embassy or consultant in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

Climate Tanzania offers warm days with cool mornings and evenings year-round throughout most of the country. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru drop to below freezing, while the coast and lakeside regions are mostly hot and humid. There are two rainy seasons in the country – March to May (long rains) and November to December (the lighter, short rains). Tanzania can be visited year-round, although the climate varies between the rainy and dry seasons. Dress Code On Tanzania tours, modest clothing is advisable in the bigger towns and cities in Tanzania and particularly in Zanzibar out of respect for the prevalent Muslim beliefs and culture. It is especially important to cover shoulders and knees and non compliance can lead to local fines. That being said, in the various lodges and camps, and on the beaches of Zanzibar, it is perfectly acceptable to wear shorts and t-shirts or beach wear. Generally speaking, light layers of clothing in neutral safari colours of green, khaki and beige are the best items to bring with you. Dark colours such as navy or black can attract tstese flies and are best avoided, as are bright colours like yellow, red and purple if you are going on safari. What to Pack When packing for a trip to Tanzania, safari & beach attire should be on the list, as well as a selection of accessories to make your travels pleasant and easy. The below is a list of suggestions: • Layers - long and short sleeve shirts and trousers • A warm fleece or jumper • A lightweight waterproof jacket • Comfortable but sturdy shoes • Flip-flops • Swimming costume (Bathing suit) • A hat or baseball cap • Sunglasses • Sunscreen – a must! • Toiletries – most camps will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap • A small torch • Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment • A good pair of Binoculars (8x40/8x42 is recommended) • Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time Most camps and lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis. Camera Equipment (for the enthusiasts) • A telephoto lens (200/300mm) • Flash and fast film (400 ASA) for night photography • Lots of film (64,100,200,400 ASA) if using an SLR camera • Spare memory cards for digital cameras • Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust proof bag • Bring spare batteries as although you may recharge your batteries at the camps, charging capacity can be limited. Luggage Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines. The “Ziploc carrier bags” used specifically for toiletries are not restricted and will not be confiscated, however, travellers are expected to keep these bags in their possession throughout their journey and to not dispose of the plastic bags while in Tanzania. When packing for your next trip to Tanzania, keep this in mind and make alternative arrangements when planning on using plastic bags. Luggage Restrictions on Internal Flights Please be advised that on domestic flights, luggage is limited to one SOFT duffel bag per person with a maximum weight of 15kg/33 lbs. No hardshell bags are permitted. Electricity Tanzania uses 220/230V, 50Hz AC, and sockets take mostly Type G (3 prong large rectangular) and some Type C (2 prong narrow round). Most hotel rooms have sockets for 110V electric razors. Also, most of the safari camps have electricity points either in the main communal area or in each tent/room. It is best to bring an adapter/convertor combination.

When it comes to the best time for a Tanzania safari, the rule of thumb is to follow the sunshine as a lack of rain means better conditions and a greater chance of seeing wildlife in their numbers as they seek out water sources and food. The main dry season is typically from July to September, while a shorter period falls between December and February. The events of the cyclic Great Migration can also be taken into account as each month brings something different.

The best time to visit the Serengeti aligns with the optimum time for Tanzania safari holidays in general, which falls within the dry season of June to October. During this time, the foliage thins out and water sources decrease, making it more likely for you to enjoy incredible sightings. However, the location of the Great Migration also plays a large role as February is calving season in the south, while the Western Corridor brings the first round of mid-year river crossings before the major crossings in the north.

To really enjoy one of the best safaris in Tanzania, you ideally need between a week and 10 days, ensuring you have time to catch your breath in Arusha or Dar es Salaam before embarking on your safari in earnest. 10 days will allow the time to visit two top safari destinations such as the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, before taking in a few days on the beaches of Zanzibar.

As with any African safari, Tanzania has a plethora of different destinations that each bring something unique to your trip. Choosing between them comes down to what you want to see and how many others you’re happy to share those sightings with. From the rip-roaring Migration scenes of the Serengeti to thrilling chimp trekking on Rubondo Island and everything in between, we’re here to help you make your choice.

Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is a fantastic option for safari newbies as it includes some of Africa’s most spectacular and accessible parks. With incredible wildlife sightings no matter the season, the Serengeti is at the top of our list – it’s also home to the Great Migration for the majority of the year. The Ngorongoro Crater is another safari icon with excellent chances of spotting the Big Five, while Tarangire National Park promises incredible elephant sightings. With superb camps and lodges, highly experienced guides, and a blend of abundant wildlife and stunning scenery, the Northern Circuit is perfect for your very first safari.

Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of the easiest destinations in Africa to do so. After the thrills of your safari, there’s nothing better than flying off to the idyllic shores of Zanzibar for a few days of R&R. In the north, Arusha is just over an hour’s flight away from Zanzibar, while coastal Dar es Salaam is just 30 minutes away by air.

In many ways, Tanzania is the perfect destination for a family safari with enthralling wildlife and many child-friendly lodges. Here, families can spread out, and kids can enjoy activities like nature walks and cultural experiences, while game drives are turned into the ultimate outdoor classroom. In particular, the Ngorongoro Crater offers almost guaranteed Big Five sightings in a relatively compact area – perfect for shorter attention spans.

Most travellers opt for a hybrid approach, choosing to drive around the northern parks to make the most of an on-the-ground experience and the well-maintained roads, then venturing to more remote parks like Ruaha or Katavi by small plane. However, if time is precious, you can choose to fly between each destination as well.

Boasting Tanzania’s greatest safari hits, the Northern Circuit is famous for a reason. It delivers spectacular wildlife sightings combined with more comfortable and shorter road travel. And in the Serengeti, you’ll have the chance to witness the Great Migration in all its glory. Southern Tanzania, on the other hand, is more rugged and remote with the option of walking and boating safaris. And don’t forget, you’ll likely have to travel there by plane, which ups the price tag. Both destinations offer their own kind of magic so it’s all about finding the one that suits you.