The Travel Companion

Everything you need, before you set foot in Tanzania.

Honest answers, considered detail, no fine print. The same briefing we share with every guest before they board their flight — distilled from years of crafting private safaris across East Africa.

Designed by hand

Every itinerary is drawn by a planner who has personally walked the route.

On the ground, always

24/7 in-country support from a team based in Arusha — never an outsourced call centre.

Designed by hand

Every itinerary is drawn by a planner who has personally walked the route.

Common safari questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions guests ask most often before stepping onto Tanzanian soil — answered honestly, drawn from years of crafting private journeys across the Northern and Southern circuits.

When is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?
The dry season (June to October) is the classic window for wildlife viewing — vegetation thins, water sources concentrate, and predator action peaks. We also love the green season (November–May): lush landscapes, newborn wildlife, dramatic skies and noticeably fewer vehicles at sightings. Tell us how you like to travel and we’ll pair you with the season that suits you.
A well-crafted mid-range safari starts around $350–$500 per person per day, while our luxury journeys typically range from $700 to $1,800+ per person per day. The figure always includes accommodation, all meals, private 4×4 game drives, park and concession fees, professional guiding and ground transfers. We share a clean, itemised quote so you see exactly what each dollar buys.
Tanzania is one of the most welcoming and politically stable countries in East Africa. Our guests travel in private vehicles with vetted guides, stay in carefully selected lodges, and benefit from 24/7 ground support throughout the trip. Every vehicle carries first-aid, satellite communication and emergency protocols.
Neutral, breathable layers (khaki, olive, stone), a wide-brimmed hat, high SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with zoom lens, comfortable closed shoes and a light fleece for chilly morning game drives. We send every confirmed guest a tailored packing list and weather briefing two weeks before departure.
Flights, transfers & logistics

Tour & Travel

Getting to Tanzania — and moving smoothly between parks once you arrive — is part of the journey. Here’s how we plan the route so your transitions feel as effortless as the lodges themselves.

How do I get to Tanzania?
Most international guests fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for the Northern Circuit or Julius Nyerere International (DAR) for the Southern Circuit and Zanzibar. We coordinate your arrival, VIP meet-and-greet, fast-track immigration where available and a private transfer straight to your first lodge.
For Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara — fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO). For Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha and Zanzibar — Dar es Salaam (DAR) is more convenient. We’ll recommend the routing that minimises connections and maximises time in the bush.
Yes — light-aircraft flights connect Arusha, Serengeti airstrips, Selous, Ruaha and Zanzibar daily. Flying saves long drive hours, reveals the landscape from above, and is built into many of our longer itineraries when it adds real value to the experience.
How we'll communicate

Language

Tanzania speaks more than 120 languages, but English will carry you everywhere you need to go. A few Swahili words go a long way — and your guide will happily teach you.
What languages are spoken in Tanzania?

Swahili (Kiswahili) is the national language; English is the second official language used across tourism, business, hospitality and education. Every guide on our team is fluent in English, and we offer guides who speak French, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin on request.

Not at all — but a few words add warmth to every interaction. ‘Jambo’ (hello), ‘Asante sana’ (thank you very much), ‘Karibu’ (you’re welcome) and ‘Hakuna shida’ (no problem) will earn smiles from Arusha to Zanzibar.
Tribes, traditions & community

People & Culture

A Tanzanian journey is incomplete without the people. We work with community partners across the country to make sure cultural visits are respectful, authentic and directly supportive of the families who welcome you.
What are the major ethnic groups in Tanzania?
Tanzania is home to more than 120 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions. You’re most likely to encounter the Maasai (semi-nomadic pastoralists of the north), the Chagga (farmers of Kilimanjaro), the Hadzabe (one of Africa’s last hunter-gatherer communities) and the Datoga (master blacksmiths and herders).
Yes — and we’ll arrange it the right way. Our visits are with families we have known for years, not staged stops. You’ll share tea in a boma, learn about cattle and beadwork, meet warriors and elders, and a fixed portion of every visit goes directly to the community school or clinic.
Currency & Tipping

Currency & Tipping

We keep it simple: lodges and park fees are pre-paid inside your safari, so cash is really only needed for tips, souvenirs and the occasional drink off-menu.
What currency is used in Tanzania?
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency. US Dollars are widely accepted across lodges, parks and tourism services — but notes printed before 2006 are not accepted, so make sure your bills are crisp and recent. Major credit cards work at upscale lodges and Arusha establishments.
Tipping is appreciated and customary. A useful guideline: $15–$25 per guest per day for your private guide, $10 per guest per day shared among camp staff, and $5–$10 for transfer drivers and porters. We’ll provide a tipping envelope and discreet guidance at the start of your trip.
Vaccinations & wellbeing

Health & Safety

We keep it simple: lodges and park fees are pre-paid inside your safari, so cash is really only needed for tips, souvenirs and the occasional Your wellbeing is the foundation of every itinerary we design. From vaccinations to evacuation cover, here’s exactly what we recommend. off-menu.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Tanzania?
A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from (or transiting through) a Yellow Fever endemic country. We recommend you also be current on Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus and routine immunisations. Visit your travel doctor at least 6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Malaria is present in many safari regions, particularly at lower altitudes. We recommend an antimalarial prescribed by your doctor, long sleeves at dawn and dusk, and using the repellent we provide. Every lodge we use offers mosquito nets and treated rooms.
Yes — comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is mandatory for every guest. We recommend cover that includes Flying Doctors / AMREF emergency air evacuation, which gives you reach into the most remote camps.
Parks, animals & experiences

Tours & Wildlife

From the calving plains of the southern Serengeti to the chimpanzees of Mahale, Tanzania offers some of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on Earth. Here’s a window into what’s possible.
What can I see on a 3-day safari?
A short safari built around Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater is one of the densest wildlife experiences in Africa: ancient baobabs, huge elephant herds, the Big Five concentrated inside the crater walls, flamingos on the soda lake and over 500 bird species — all within a comfortable two-hour drive of Arusha.
Mahale Mountains National Park on the white-sand shores of Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s great primate experiences. Gombe Stream, made famous by Dr. Jane Goodall, is the other. Both require careful planning — permits are limited and access is by light aircraft.
Mountain gorillas live in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga forests. We design combined Tanzania-and-gorilla itineraries regularly — please allow 3–6 months lead time for permits.
Late January to mid-March in the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu. Around 8,000 wildebeest calves are born every single day at peak — and predator action is unforgettable. It is one of our favourite times to be on safari.
Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and gazelles move in a continuous clockwise loop across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Calving in the south runs January–March, the dramatic Mara River crossings in the north peak July–October. We position you in the right camp at the right time of year.
Cuisine on safari

Food & Dining

Dining on safari is one of its quiet pleasures — bush breakfasts under acacia trees, sundowners on the rim of the crater, candlelit dinners delivered with extraordinary care in the middle of the wild.
What food is served on safari?
Camps and lodges serve thoughtful, multi-course menus blending international fine dining with Tanzanian flavours — freshly baked breads, just-picked vegetables, grilled meats and seafood, tropical fruit and pastry. Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches in the plains and sundowner cocktails are signature moments.
Absolutely. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, nut-free and allergy-specific menus are prepared with advance notice. Share your needs at booking and we’ll confirm them in writing with every property.
Entry requirements

Visa & Passport

Tanzanian entry is straightforward for most nationalities — we send every guest a personal checklist with the exact links and timeline.
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities require a tourist visa, easily obtained via the official Tanzania e-Visa portal (recommended) or on arrival at major airports. A single-entry tourist visa is $50 USD; US citizens require a multiple-entry visa at $100 USD. The East African Tourist Visa ($100) covers Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and contain at least 2 blank visa pages. We recommend checking this the moment you start planning — passport renewals can take weeks in peak season.
Yes — every traveller, including infants, requires their own valid passport. Some carriers and immigration officers also request a birth certificate and a notarised consent letter for children travelling with only one parent.
Ready when you are

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