Frequently asked questions

Northern Tanzania is good all year. The dry season from June to October is easiest for game viewing. January to March is the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May bring the long rains, green scenery, fewer vehicles and lower prices.

For July to September and the Christmas holidays, six to twelve months ahead is wise, as the best lodges fill up. For other months, two to three months is usually enough. Kilimanjaro can often be arranged at shorter notice.

Yes. You have your own vehicle and guide, and the itinerary can be adjusted to suit you.

Yes, and many guests do. A typical combination is a 7-day Kilimanjaro climb, a 4 or 5-day safari, then a few days on Zanzibar. We arrange the flights and transfers between them.

A private safari costs roughly US$230 to US$650 per person per day, depending on the comfort level, season and group size. Our safaris start from US$860 per person for three days, with park fees included. Read how much a Tanzania safari costs for a full breakdown.

Park and crater fees, your private 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver-guide, accommodation, all meals on safari, drinking water and airport transfers. International flights, visas, insurance, tips and drinks are not included, and every quote lists them clearly.

Most visitors need a visa. Apply online through the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz) well before you travel, and check the fee for your nationality there. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival and have blank pages.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of yellow fever. Malaria is present in the safari areas and on Zanzibar, so ask your doctor or travel clinic about prevention six to eight weeks before you travel.

The currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but US dollars are widely accepted in tourism. Bring clean US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later, as older notes are often refused. Cards are accepted at most lodges and hotels, sometimes with a surcharge.

Tips are customary and appreciated. Many travellers budget around US$20–30 per day for their safari guide, shared by the group. For Kilimanjaro we send you suggested tip amounts for each crew member before your climb.

A 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing, a window seat for everyone and drinking water on board.

Yes. Most lodges welcome children, and family rooms are available. Some luxury camps have a minimum age. Long drives can be broken up, and our guides are good at keeping children interested.

Neutral-coloured, layered clothing; a warm fleece for early mornings and the Ngorongoro rim; a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; binoculars; and a soft bag if you take a light-aircraft flight (usually a 15 kg limit). Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania. Our Travel Guide has a full packing list.

Tanzania uses 230 V with British-style three-pin plugs (type G); some places also have type D sockets. The time zone is East Africa Time, UTC+3, with no daylight saving.

For most people we recommend the 8-day Lemosho or 7-day Machame route, because more days mean better acclimatisation. The Rongai route is good in the rainy months, and Marangu is the only route with huts.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, whatever their fitness. Walking slowly, drinking plenty of water and choosing a longer route help. Our guides check your oxygen saturation and pulse twice a day, carry emergency oxygen, and will take you down if it is unsafe to continue.

The driest months are January to mid-March and June to October. It is possible to climb all year, but April, May and November are wet.