Tanzania Safari Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Planning Your Safari

Tanzania is a year-round safari destination.

  • January to March: Calving season in Southern Serengeti and Ndutu.
  • April to May: Green season with fewer tourists and excellent value.
  • June to July: Great Migration moves through Western Serengeti and Grumeti.
  • August to October: Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti.
    November to
  • December: Short rains with lush landscapes and excellent wildlife viewing.

We recommend:
3–5 days: Short safari
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  • 6–8 days: Most popular itinerary
  • 9–12 days: Comprehensive Northern Circuit
  • 10–14 days: Safari combined with Zanzibar
  • 12+ days: Northern and Southern Circuits combined

For first-time visitors:

  • Serengeti National Park
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park

For returning visitors:

  • Ruaha National Park
    Nyerere National Park (Selous)
  • Katavi National Park
  • Mahale Mountains National Park

Before You Travel

Most visitors require a visa.

We recommend checking the latest requirements with your nearest Tanzanian Embassy or visiting the official Tanzania eVisa website.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering:

  • Medical emergencies
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Trip cancellation
  • Lost luggage
  • Flight delays
  • Safari disruptions

Requirements vary by nationality and travel history.

Consult your doctor or travel clinic before departure.

Common recommendations include:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Tetanus
  • Routine vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccination may be required if arriving from certain countries.

Some safari regions are malaria areas.

Please consult your doctor regarding preventative medication before travel.

Packing for Safari

Recommended clothing:

  • Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing
  • Long-sleeve shirts
  • Comfortable safari trousers
  • Fleece or light jacket for early mornings
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Walking shoes
  • Swimsuit (many lodges have pools)

Avoid:

  • Bright colours
  • Neon colours
  • Camouflage clothing (restricted in some
  • African countries)
  • Dark blue or black clothing in some areas

Neutral colours such as khaki, green, beige, and grey are ideal.

Recommended:

  • Camera with zoom lens
  • Extra batteries
  • Memory cards
  • Binoculars
  • Phone charger
  • Universal travel adapter

Drone regulations change frequently.

Special permits are generally required.

Most national parks prohibit recreational drone use without prior approval.

Flights and Transportation

Northern Circuit:
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Southern Circuit:
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Zanzibar:
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

Most safari flights allow:

  • 20kg (44 lbs) total luggage per person
  • Soft-sided bags only

Hard-shell suitcases are usually not accepted on bush flights.

Please notify us immediately.

We will work with airlines, lodges, and suppliers to minimize disruptions where possible.

Safari Experience

Typical schedule:

Morning Game Drive:

  • 6:00am – 11:00am

Afternoon Game Drive:

  • 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Full-Day Safari:

  • 6:30am – 5:30pm


Schedules vary by park and wildlife activity.

The Big Five are:

  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Elephant
  • Rhino
  • Buffalo


Tanzania offers excellent opportunities to see all five, particularly in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

However, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Unless specifically stated as shared, BookMeAfrica primarily offers private safaris with dedicated vehicles and guides

Yes.

Other languages may be available upon request.

Serengeti Migration

The migration moves throughout the year.

Typical pattern:

January-March:

  • Southern Serengeti

April-May:

  • Central Serengeti

June-July:

  • Western Serengeti

August-October:

  • Northern Serengeti

November-December:

  • Returning south

Migration movements depend on rainfall and nature.

No.

River crossings are natural events and cannot be predicted or guaranteed.

Balloon Safaris

Guests are usually collected between:

4:30am and 5:00am

The flight launches shortly after sunrise.

Approximately:

  • 1 hour flight
  • Champagne breakfast afterward


Total experience:

4–5 hours

For many guests, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience offering incredible views over the Serengeti.

Prices vary by operator.

Typically around:

USD 599–650 per person

Park Fees & Concession Fees

Park fees are government conservation fees charged for entering national parks.

Examples include:

  • Serengeti National Park
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Ruaha National Park


These fees support wildlife conservation and park management.

Concession fees apply when staying inside certain protected wildlife areas.

These fees help fund conservation efforts and protected ecosystems.

Most BookMeAfrica itineraries include all applicable park fees unless specifically stated otherwise.

Your quote will clearly indicate inclusions.

Accommodation

We offer:

  • Luxury tented camps
  • Boutique safari lodges
  • Mid-range lodges
  • Premium luxury camps
  • Private villas

Most camps provide:

  • Solar power
  • Charging facilities
  • Hot showers
  • Wi-Fi (where available)

Many lodges offer Wi-Fi.

However, speeds can be limited in remote wilderness areas.

Food and Drinks

Most safaris include:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Depending on the itinerary, packed lunches may be provided during full-day game drives.

Yes.

Please advise us before arrival regarding:

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Allergies
  • Religious dietary requirements

Health and Safety

Tanzania is considered one of Africa's most popular and welcoming safari destinations.

As with any destination, normal travel precautions should be followed.

Guests should drink bottled or filtered water supplied by their lodge.

Basic medical facilities may be available in some areas.

For serious emergencies, evacuation services are available through specialist providers.

Payments and Bookings

A booking is confirmed once:

  • Deposit is paid
  • Flights (if applicable) are paid
  • Confirmation is issued

Typically:

  • 30% deposit
  • Full payment of flights

Usually 60 days before arrival.

Date changes may be possible subject to availability and supplier policies.

Additional charges may apply.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but entirely voluntary.

General guidelines:

Safari Guide:
USD 15–25 per guest per day

Camp Staff:
USD 5–10 per guest per day

These are guidelines only.

Why Book With BookMeAfrica?

  • Personalized itinerary planning
  • Tanzania safari specialists
  • Handpicked lodges and camps
  • Private safari experiences
  • Transparent pricing
  • Local expertise
  • Ongoing support before and during travel

Our goal is simple: help you experience Tanzania in the most memorable way possible.

Discover the World, one Full Adventure at a Time!

Our Contacts

Address

1080 Brickell Ave - Miami

United States of America

Email

info@travel.com

Phone

Travel Agency +1 473 483 384

Info Insurance +1 395 393 595

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