Your safety on safari: We check and service our 4x4 Land Cruisers before every trip, every vehicle carries a first-aid kit, and our guides are first-aid trained.
Flying into Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airports is quite straightforward. English is widely spoken and used for signs and directions.
Arusha Airport is a 30-minute drive from Arusha.
Kilimanjaro Airport is roughly a one-hour drive from Arusha. If you arrive on an international flight, clearing immigration can take a long time.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling. US dollars and euros are widely accepted. Most places will not accept older US dollar bills printed before 2006.
If you intend to use your credit or debit card to withdraw funds, we suggest taking more than one card with you, as you may find that your card is not accepted at the first ATM. Visa and Maestro cards are usually best.
We recommend informing your bank that you will use your card abroad to avoid it being blocked. ATMs are available in Arusha and allow you to withdraw local currency.
We advise you to arrive in Arusha at least one day before your trip begins. Return flights can be booked for the late afternoon or evening of the final day of your safari, but please ensure your guide is aware of this so that you can arrive at the airport in plenty of time for your flight.
Please check with the relevant embassy in your country for up-to-date visa and passport information. Ensure your passport will not expire within six months of your trip and that it has at least three clear pages.
You will probably need a visa to enter Tanzania. Check with your country's government travel website to find out how to get your visa. Most visas can be bought on arrival into the country.
You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we cannot give detailed advice on vaccination requirements. However, the following vaccinations are generally recommended for Tanzania: Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, and malaria. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory when you enter Tanzania from a country with yellow fever.
Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania from a country that does not have yellow fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World Health Organization website for an up-to-date list.
In some areas we visit, there is a risk of contracting malaria. You must know that whatever malaria tablets you take offer only partial protection. They must be coupled with physical efforts to avoid being bitten, which is the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset, so you should wear long sleeves and trousers from this time. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing Deet applied.
We strongly recommend that you have extensive travel insurance to cover your trip. It is also wise to leave a copy of your insurance policy with a friend or relative for safekeeping. Your policy should include adequate medical emergency and repatriation coverage.
Tanzania has a well-established tipping culture.
Guides: If you feel you have received good service, a typical tip is USD 10-15 per person per day.
In Tanzania, the year is loosely divided into the 'short' rains (November) and the 'long' rains (March to May). The rains usually last one or two hours daily and are followed by hot, sunny weather. Nights can be surprisingly cold at higher altitudes, such as Ngorongoro Crater.
All towns and cities have their share of petty crime, and sensible precautions need to be taken. Wearing expensive-looking jewellery or watches and carrying cameras will draw unnecessary attention. You may find a simple money belt more discreet than a bag.
