The first step towards your safari adventure is planning. Here you will find the most important answers about the best time to travel, costs, flights, visas and booking, so that your dream trip rests on solid foundations right from the start.
Tanzania is a wonderful destination all year round, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right month to travel. From late March to early May, Tanzania experiences its heavy rains, which can make some roads impassable and make wildlife harder to spot. The big advantage of this season is very attractive accommodation prices, and the national parks are far less crowded than during the rest of the year.
From late May onwards, as it turns dry, the high season slowly begins. The grasses grow lower week by week and the scenery shifts from green to golden-yellow and brown. This dry season usually lasts from late May into November. The further you travel from the rains, the drier it is, and the better you can watch the animals in action during the day, as they are forced to seek out the scarce water.
The period from July to September is often called the "best time to travel", as this is when you can witness the world-famous natural spectacle of the wildebeest river crossings at the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. It is a highlight that draws thousands of tourists from all over the world, and it also coincides with summer holidays worldwide. So you can imagine just how busy everything is.
After the summer holidays, from late September until Christmas, there is another travel window that offers a bit of everything: great wildlife sightings, less crowded accommodation (mainly from 1 November to 21 December) and the start of the calving season among the wildebeest herds in the southern Serengeti (from mid-December).
The Christmas holidays are a time we would advise against, as prices for flights and accommodation are even higher than during the summer holidays and all camps and lodges will be fully booked during this period. Anyone who does not absolutely have to travel at Christmas should avoid it.
According to the literature, the short rainy season takes place in November, but in recent years it has also occasionally shown up in December or January. These showers of the short rainy season are nothing like the April rains and take absolutely nothing away from a wonderful safari, you should simply be aware of them beforehand.
The period from mid-January to late March stands out for its dry, hot days, especially on Zanzibar. Because of its location south of the equator, Tanzania has its high summer from December to March. Thanks to the altitude on safari (up to 2,600 m), it cools down quite pleasantly, but on Zanzibar (at sea level) temperatures can climb to 35–40°C (95–104°F). This travel season is attractive not only for escaping the cold at home, but also for watching the wildebeest calving and, on top of that, all the other wildlife during the dry season.
Choosing the "best time to travel" for Tanzania always involves weighing up expectations, costs and temperatures. My family and I, for example, prefer the travel windows just before and after the high season. The period around 23 May to 7 June, for instance, or from 1 November to 21 December. There are not as many tourists around as usual, some accommodations offer attractive low or shoulder-season rates, and wildlife sightings in Tanzania are almost always sensational anyway.
Tip: Every season has its own magic and often price advantages too. Let's discuss together which month best suits your ideas.
Since we plan individually and privately, the rule is: the earlier, the better. If you would like to travel during the high season (June to October or over Christmas), we recommend booking 9 to 12 months in advance. The reason for this is not the vehicles or guides, but the small, exclusive tented camps, which often have only 8 to 12 tents and book up quickly. For the rest of the year, a lead time of 3 to 6 months is sufficient.
Spontaneous? Last-minute bookings are often possible too, but they then require a little more flexibility when it comes to choosing accommodation.
Since we tailor every safari individually, there is no fixed package price. The price depends heavily on the time of travel, the number of travellers and the chosen accommodation category. As a rough guide for a high-quality, privately guided safari including vehicle, guide, national park fees and full board, you should budget around 500 to 900 euros per person per day.
Good to know: Tanzania's national park fees are among the highest in the world, but they flow directly into protecting the wildlife. We show you transparently where you can save on your budget and where an upgrade is really worth it.
By default, we offer our safaris excluding international flights. This has the advantage that you enjoy maximum flexibility in choosing your favourite airline (e.g. Ethiopian Airlines, Discover Airlines or KLM), your flight times and any frequent-flyer programmes. If you wish, we can offer the international flights separately.
Our service: All domestic flights (e.g. from the Serengeti to Zanzibar) as well as all airport transfers on location are planned and booked entirely by us, so that your travel chain works absolutely seamlessly.
Yes, most travellers need a visa to enter Tanzania (and Zanzibar). The cost depends on your nationality and is currently around 50 US dollars per person; for some nationalities (for example US citizens, who require a multiple-entry visa) the fee is higher. You can apply for the visa conveniently in advance online as an "e-visa", or obtain it directly on arrival at the airport in Tanzania ("visa on arrival"). For travellers to Zanzibar, a mandatory insurance is also required for all visitors, costing 44 US dollars per person.
Our tip: We clearly recommend the online e-visa. It saves valuable time at immigration after the long flight. You will of course receive detailed instructions from us.
A safari is far more than just a drive through a national park. Here you will learn what a typical safari day looks like, who a safari is suited to, and which special experiences await you, such as the Great Wildebeest Migration, a walking safari or a hot-air balloon flight.
You decide how the safari day unfolds, in coordination with your guide. The day usually begins early, with the first rays of sunlight, as the predators are most active at this time. After a quick coffee or breakfast, you set off on your first game drive. At midday, when it gets very hot and the animals hide in the shade, you take a break for a picnic in the bush. In the late afternoon you return to your accommodation to enjoy it.
Flexibility: As this is your private safari, you decide the itinerary. If you’d like to spend the whole day in the park with a packed lunch, that’s perfectly fine.
Yes, absolutely, a safari is an unforgettable adventure for children. However, we design family trips fundamentally differently from tours for adults: we choose accommodations with pools, plan shorter driving times, and allow for a minimum stay of two nights per accommodation.
Please note: For reasons of safety and age, not all lodges are open to small children. We know exactly which accommodations are perfectly set up for families.
Yes, that is perfectly possible. However, since our safaris are all privately guided (you have the jeep and the guide all to yourself), as a solo traveller you bear the cost of the vehicle and the guide exclusively. This makes a solo safari more expensive compared to travelling as a couple or as a family group.
Alternative: Many solo travellers choose a combination of a short, exclusive safari followed by a stay at a resort on Zanzibar, in order to balance the costs optimally. Simply get in touch with us!
We do not have a fixed age limit. As long as you feel fit enough to sit in the vehicle for a few hours on partly uneven, bumpy tracks (which the locals affectionately call the "African massage"), nothing stands in the way of a safari.
Comfort tip: For older guests or travellers with back problems, we deliberately choose routes with shorter driving times, use domestic flights instead of long overland journeys, and book particularly comfortable lodges with solid walkways and without steep slopes or stairs.
The Great Migration is an eternal cycle in which over a million wildebeest and zebras move clockwise through the Serengeti ecosystem all year round, covering 6,600 km (approx. 4,100 miles). So they are never "gone", just in different places. From July to September you often witness the dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti, while from December to March the calving season takes place in the southern Serengeti.
Your advantage: Since we tailor your safari, we strategically book the accommodations exactly where the herds are likely to be at the time of your trip.
Yes, in selected national parks (such as Arusha National Park, Tarangire or in southern Tanzania) this is an absolutely brilliant add-on. A walking safari usually lasts 1 to 3 hours and is always accompanied by an armed, government park ranger as well as your guide.
The difference: Here it is not about the hunt for big game, but about experiencing nature with all your senses. You learn to read tracks, identify plants that locals use for medicinal purposes, and feel the crackle of the savannah beneath your own feet.
A balloon safari at sunrise over the Serengeti is one of the most exclusive experiences in Africa. Although the price, at around 600 euros per person, is quite high, all our guests say afterwards: yes, it is worth every cent. Silently floating above the approaching herds, followed by a stylish champagne breakfast in the middle of the bush, is simply unforgettable.
Our tip: Since the seats per balloon are strictly limited, we should definitely factor this highlight into the initial planning of your route.
You don't need to worry about language barriers with us: we guarantee you an English-speaking guide for your entire safari. All our guides speak excellent English, have an enormous wealth of knowledge about African flora and fauna, and lead you absolutely safely through the national parks.
Why a guide who speaks your language doubles your safari experience:
After an eventful day in the bush, one thing matters above all: good food and restful sleep. Here you will learn where you stay, what ends up on the table, and how your safari can be combined with relaxing days on the beaches of Zanzibar.
A lodge is a solidly built hotel or bungalow with fixed walls and maximum comfort. A tented camp, on the other hand, consists of large, luxurious safari tents, some with wooden floors, including a real bed and a private bathroom. Tented camps offer the more intense "Africa feeling", as at night you hear the sounds of the wilderness while sleeping in complete safety.
Our mix: Many of our clients love the variety and combine both types of accommodation on their trip.
On our safaris you enjoy full board. You have breakfast and dinner at your respective lodge or camp, usually as a high-quality buffet or a multi-course menu. For lunch, picnic boxes provided by the accommodations are available. At midday, your guide seeks out a safe, beautiful spot in the wilderness where you can dine in the middle of nature.
Special diet? Whether vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergies, the lodges are very well prepared for it. Simply let us know in advance.
The cuisine in the lodges is international and of top quality, often with a wonderful African or Indian touch (especially on the islands). You will find lots of fresh fruit, grilled meat, fish and vegetables. Tanzania's national dish is ugali (a firm maize porridge), which is often served with stews, be sure to try it!
Coffee & tea: Tanzania is famous for its coffee (around Mount Meru) and its aromatic tea. Both are freshly prepared for you every morning on safari.
The tap water in Tanzania is not drinking water and should not be used for brushing your teeth either. However, bottled water is available to you at all times in your safari vehicle. The lodges and camps also provide fresh drinking water in the rooms every day.
Good to know: The ice for cocktails and the salads in the lodges we select are of course prepared with safe, treated or bottled water.
That is actually our guests' most popular combination! After the exciting and dusty days in the bush, there is nothing better than relaxing on Zanzibar's powdery white beaches. Thanks to excellent domestic flight connections, you often fly directly from the Serengeti or Arusha to this island paradise in under two hours.
Freedom of choice: Whether three days on the beach or a week at a beach resort, we add the Zanzibar part to your safari in a tailor-made, seamless way.
Tanzania is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. The combination of wild solitude in the bush and the exclusive beach resorts on Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia is unbeatable for a honeymoon. Many lodges offer special honeymoon deals, such as private candle-lit dinners under the African starry sky or a bush massage.
Surprise: When planning, be sure to let us know if it is your honeymoon, we have one or two surprises in store for you.
From the right luggage to power and internet, tips and payment: here you will find the practical answers that keep your everyday safari life running smoothly and stress-free.
Less is more! We recommend lightweight cotton clothing. What matters is clothing in neutral colours (khaki, beige, olive), as bright colours scare animals away and dark blue/black can attract tsetse flies. Since it can get noticeably cold in the jeep in the mornings and evenings, it's best to rely on the layering principle and also bring a fleece jacket or a hoodie with a zip.
Perfectly prepared: You will receive a detailed, tried-and-tested packing list from us after booking.
Yes, and it should definitely be taken seriously. If your trip includes domestic flights (e.g. by small aircraft into the bush or to an island), the limit is usually 15 to a maximum of 20 kg (approx. 33–44 lbs) per person, including hand luggage. In addition, hard-shell suitcases are impractical in the small luggage compartments of the aircraft and in the safari jeep.
The solution: Use a soft travel bag with a pull-out handle and wheels instead. Don't worry about clothing: almost all lodges offer a very fast laundry service.
You travel exclusively in specially converted, rugged 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers with all-wheel drive. The vehicles are perfectly adapted to Tanzania's rough tracks and have a pop-up roof. This means that in the national park your guide opens the roof and you have an unobstructed 360-degree view for perfect photos, while standing safely inside the vehicle.
Comfort on board: Our jeeps are equipped with comfortable seats, a fridge for permanently cold drinks, as well as charging stations for your electronic devices.
The safari vehicles themselves do not have built-in toilets. However, all national parks have well-maintained, permanent sanitary facilities at the official park gates and picnic sites. Always let your guide know 10 minutes in advance so that a suitable spot can be found.
The "bush toilet": Should an urgent need arise in the meantime, your guide knows safe spots in the vast savannah where you can step out from behind the vehicle (“Check the tyres”). Your guide will always ensure that there are no animals – and, above all, no other tourists – nearby.
Don't worry, you don't have to be completely cut off from the outside world. Our safari vehicles are equipped with power sockets and USB ports, so you can charge your camera batteries and smartphones while driving. Most lodges and camps now offer free WiFi in the main area, and in luxury camps often directly in the tent.
Bush reality: In very remote regions the internet can occasionally go down, the perfect opportunity for a little "digital detox".
The voltage in Tanzania is 230 volts (50 Hz). However, Type G plugs (three-pin, British plugs) are used throughout the country.
Preparation: You will therefore need a travel adapter for your trip. Tip: it's best to also pack a small power strip in your travel bag, in case you want to charge your smartphone, camera battery and power bank at the same time from just one available socket.
Yes, there is mobile network coverage in most towns, national parks and tourist regions. However, coverage may be limited in remote safari areas or during longer drives through national parks. Please note that international calls can be very expensive.
If you need to be reachable at all times, or for longer stays, a local SIM card can be a sensible option. It usually offers cheaper rates for calls and mobile internet than international roaming.
The best currency for travellers in Tanzania is the US dollar (USD). Important: the notes must be new (printed in 2017 or later) and must not have any tears or stamps, as older notes are often not accepted in the country due to the risk of forgery. Credit cards are accepted in larger lodges, although a fee of 3-5% often applies here.
Tip: For small purchases (souvenirs, snacks), withdraw a small amount of the local currency, the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), from an ATM on location.
Tips are a firmly established and important part of income in tourism in Tanzania, as they show appreciation for exceptional service. As a guideline, an average of around 10-20 US dollars per day for the guide (per person) applies.
Tip: Before the trip, we send you a small "tipping guide" so that you know exactly how best to prepare and distribute the notes.
Short and clear answer: no. The use of private drones is strictly forbidden in all national parks and reserves in Tanzania. Drones disturb the wildlife massively and, in the worst case, lead to confiscation of the equipment and heavy fines from the rangers.
For professionals: Commercial drone flights for film productions are only possible with months of advance notice and extremely expensive special permits from the government.
Your safety and well-being are our top priority. Here you will find the most important answers about vaccinations, medical care, how to behave around animals and in the sun, as well as how to stay reachable during your trip.
Have your doctor check that your basic vaccinations are up to date. There are currently no mandatory vaccinations required for entry from countries without a yellow fever risk (exception: yellow fever if entering via an endemic area). Nevertheless, standard vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis are strongly recommended for Tanzania.
Important: As we are not medical professionals, our tips do not replace expert advice.
Your safety is our top priority. For the unlikely event of an illness or accident in the middle of the bush, membership of the AMREF Flying Doctors is automatically included in the price on all our safaris. This means that, if necessary, you will be flown by rescue plane directly from the wilderness to a modern clinic in Nairobi or Moshi. For less serious emergencies, villages or accommodations now have very good medical staff who can provide quick assistance.
Important: The prerequisite for this is taking out your own international travel health insurance.
Yes, the national parks are very safe. Tanzania places extremely great importance on protecting its visitors and its nature. In the lodges and camps, qualified "askaris" (security guards) ensure that you can move around safely at all times. In addition, during the day you are always accompanied by your experienced guide, who can read the behaviour of the animals perfectly. Always follow the safety guidelines in the lodges and camps within the national parks. Never leave your room or tent at dusk or in the dark without first requesting an escort from an askari.
Golden rule: As long as you stay in the vehicle and follow your guide's instructions, there is no danger whatsoever.
Since many of our selected camps are not fenced, it can happen that elephants, zebras or antelopes wander through the camp at night. This is absolutely safe as long as you follow the rules: after dark, you move around the camp only accompanied by a Maasai guard (askari) from your tent/room to the restaurant and back.
Safety first: The animals avoid the tents and see them as a solid barrier. As long as you are inside the closed tent, you are completely safe and can enjoy Africa's nightly concert.
There are insects in the national parks; that is part of nature. While normal mosquitoes (including the Anopheles mosquito as a malaria carrier) are mainly active at dusk and at night, during the day you may encounter the tsetse fly in some wooded areas. Its bite is painful, but usually harmless.
The best protective measures: Wear long, light-coloured clothing (no dark blue or black, as that attracts tsetse flies) and use a tropical-strength insect spray (e.g. Autan Tropical or No Bite).
Due to the proximity to the equator, the sunlight is significantly more intense than in Central Europe. Even under a cloudy sky or while driving in an open safari vehicle, UV exposure can be high.
We recommend a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30, ideally SPF 50), sunglasses with UV protection, as well as a head covering.
Light, airy clothing with long sleeves and long trousers offers good protection against both the sun and insects. Light colours are particularly pleasant in warm temperatures.
Yes. In most regions of Tanzania you are reachable by mobile phone, messenger services or email. In some remote safari areas there may occasionally be no mobile network coverage.
We recommend giving your relatives your itinerary as well as our team's contact details. That way, important information can be passed on to you quickly.
Yes. Before the start of your trip, you will receive the contact details of your tour guide and our local partners on location. They are reachable for urgent matters and will support you quickly and easily if needed.
