I am interested
in a Safari? What is my next step?
You can book a suggested Itinerary
from our website. These trips offer the convenience of a pre-set
itinerary and a fixed price, with flexible scheduling. Travel dates
are up to you.
We only organise private Safaris. That means that only you and your
travel partner(s) will be on the tour. There will be only you on
the transfers, the Safari vehicle and the tours. This gives you
much flexibility on where to stop and tracing your favourite animals.
Or you can start from scratch and work with us to develop a totally
customized itinerary and schedule. We are enthusiastically open
to side trips, detours, special needs and special plans.
For a booking we need an advance payment
of 30% of the tour price, the remaining balance you can pay here
at arrival. Please note that we don't accept US$ notes issued
before the year 1997!
The advance payment you need to wire to our account
in Tanzania. We do not encourage using credit card payments at present
since we had some problems with frauds in the past. We do not consider
it safe at present and do therefore, prefer payment by bank transfer.
But if you wish, you can pay by Visa or Mastercard
with a surcharge of 10 %. Pls let us know in case so that we can
inform you about the procedure.
After receiving your advance payment
(or the proof of payment by e-mail) we will start to book all services
to you. After confirming all services we come back to you with the
confirmation voucher.
Full board lodging (3 meals a day) on
Safari, whether in hotels, lodges, tented camps, mobile tented
camps, or bush camps as specified in your itinerary
Half board (2 meals a day on Zanzibar)
All your park and game reserves fees,
including conservation fees
Unlimited game drives in our safari vehicles-window
seat guaranteed.
All in-country transportation as specified
in your itinerary, whether by vehicle or bush plane
Any expenses incurred in conjunction with this
trip while in your home country.
Cost of obtaining required passports or visas:
Tanzania US$50pp, Kenya US$50pp. You will get the Visa at your
arrival point; your passport needs to be valid at least half a
year. American citizens need to pay 100 US$,
and get only a multiple entry visa (since September 2007)
Airport departure taxes: Tanzania/Zanzibar domestic
departure tax US$5pp one way, Tanzania/Zanzibar international
departure tax US$25pp - payable direct in cash on departure Iif
it is not yet included in your ticket). There is a new 'security
fee', for domestic flights being 1 US$ per person, for international
flights 8 US$.
Travel Insurance. Please make sure that you
obtain a convenient travel insurance in your home country
excess baggage fees. Note: Baggage is restricted
to 33lbs/15kgs for domestic flights, per person in a soft sided
bag on all charter flights.
Medical expenses, meals or activities not specified
or indicated as optional;
gratuities to drivers/guides/tour leaders. Note:
Tipping is discretionary based on services provided; Tipping guidelines
are: $10 per day for professional safari guides/tour leaders;
$3-$5 per day for camp staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which
is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters - $1;
driver/guides - $2-$5); restaurant waiters/waitresses –
10% of bill; hotel housekeeping - $2 per day.
Our trips use tiered pricing based on logistics. Getting people
into remote areas where the best game viewing exists is more costly
when there are only two people in the Land Rover, rather than four
or five. Economies of scale result in lower pricing for four or
five people traveling together as opposed to pricing for a couple
traveling alone. As well, the logistics of moving gear around for
a walking safari with numerous bush camps is more complicated and
costly than a trip that involves simply staying at a lodge. Our
pricing structure is tiered so you pay for the costs of your safari
and don't subsidize other groups.
Our trips have no hidden costs. We don’t
quote you a low price and then tell you that, in addition you have
to pay your park fees or that in-country transportation is extra.
When we quote you a trip price it includes almost everything while
you are in-country. The few items not included like gratuities,
passport and visa fees, and beverages are set forth above.
Our trip prices range over a wide scale. The price
depend of:
The number of people traveling in the group
Whether your in-country transportation is by
bush plane or Land Rover
Whether you choose to stay in lodges or smaller
tented camps
How remote you want to go
Whether you want to view game from a mobile
tented camp
Whether you want to participate in walking
safaris that involve remote bush camps
We can work with you to bring your safari within
your budget range. Most of our trips are Suggested Itineraries,
but you can vary them as you want. Let us know what your budget
is and we will do our best to design a trip that gives you the experiences
you want within the budget you set.
There is no cutoff. However, flights into Kenya
and Tanzania are limited and we find that there can be problems
getting seats on British Airways or KLM if you try to schedule less
than two months ahead of time. Peak seasons also book up as far
as nine months ahead of time. Mid to late December is a busy time
in both Kenya and Tanzania. Outside of peak seasons, you should
have no trouble booking if you schedule your safari at least six
to eight months in advance.
Let's start with when it's raining season: November, April and May.
During those month Safaris are possible, and it is by far not raining
every day. Even if, then only for a few hours. But it can get hard
if you want to visit remote places.
The mass migration moves from Kenya into the Serengeti
in Tanzania in December, January, February, and March. That can
be a spectacular time to travel in Tanzania. Climate changes are
triggering some changes in the timing of the migration, so check
with us if you are interested in traveling on the edges of the normal
migratory months.
This doesn't mean that there isn't great game viewing
at other times. Off-peak season can be a very relaxing time. The
lodges are less crowded and the game reserves not involved in the
migratory pathways have as much game as normal. It's all a matter
of what you want. Check with us if you have specific time frames
in mind for your travel and we can help you plan where to be so
you get the best possible game viewing experiences.
Most of East Africa is savannah, comparable to the high plateau,
semi-desert areas of Colorado or New Mexico. Altitude ranges from
3,000 to 7,000 feet. (Obviously Kilimanjaro climbers will experience
much higher altitudes.) Temperatures during the day range from 75
to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Nights are cool with temperatures dipping
as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas (Ngorongoro Crater,
for example). Even though you will be traveling near the equator,
please take our packing recommendations seriously and take along
a light jacket or sweatshirt, sweater, and a fleece pullover. Additionally,
bring something warm to sleep in at night. Humidity is low. If you
don't travel near the rainy season, it usually doesn't rain.
You get to choose the activity level of your safari. Traditional
Land Rover safaris require little or no physical activity, although
you can add all kinds of active adventures to your safari, including
an afternoon walking safari, a morning horseback ride, or a boating
adventure.
Our Walking Safari, and Kilimanjaro Climb, are
quite active. These trips include 8 to 10 walking days. Each walking
day involves 3 to 6 hours on foot, with a Land Rover shadowing the
group so you can walk as much of that time as you want and ride
the rest of the way. On these trips, you also spend some time in
a traditional Land Rover safari, but these safaris are definitely
for people who want to be more active.
We recommend that you bring light casual clothes,
(please bring khaki clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and insect
repellent if you go on safari). In the evenings it can get rather
chilly, especially in the
desert areas and in the months of May-August, so bring a sweater
and a windbreaker. Certain 5-star hotels require a smart dress code
for dinner.
Tanzania uses 220 Volt, but you will need adapters.
Most hotels have adapters available.
On our Safari cars you can recharge your phone
and cameras with the cigarette lighter. We also have small transformersin
in combination with the cigarette lighters (producing 220 Volt),
please let us know in advance if you would need this. Especially
on camping Safaris there is no other way to charge than the cars
electricity.
food is excellent and you will find a good mix
of African, European and
International cuisine. Fresh vegetables, seafood and meats make
it an exceptional culinary experience to travel here. South African
wines are sold everywhere, and are excellent. Tap water is not drinkable
in most areas, only bottled water should be consumed.
prices of beverages (depending
on hotel/location):
bottled water 1,5 l: 1 - 2 US$
soft drinks: 1 US$
beer: 1.5 - 2.5 US$
glass of wine: 3 - 4 US$
bottle South African wine: 15 - 25 US$
What kind of medical
care do I nead before I go to Tanzania?
Before you leave for an international destination you should consult
your physician. You will also need to decide on a malaria prevention
medication. It is advised to take malaria prophylaxis. Please see
also here: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationTanzania.aspx
Yellow Fever vaccination since 1.1.08
If you traveled before arrival to Tanzania in an
yellow fever endemic zone, then vaccination for Yellow Fever is
since 1.1.08 obligatory again. The Yellow Fever Endemic Zone include
the following Countries:
Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivore,
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Chad, Central African
Republic, Togo, Benin, Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo,
Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania, Angola,
Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somali, Sudan
and Equatorial Guinea, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru,
Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Bolivia
Travelers who happen to be on transit in any of the Yellow Fever
Endemic Countries will be exempted from the requirement of inoculation
against Yellow Fever; Transit means remaining at the Airport under
the Management of Airport Authority awaiting travel connection.
YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION ON ARRIVAL AT JRO is provided
at entry points free of charge for 2008, later it's 50 US$ per person
Other vaccinations like hepatitis, tetanos are
recommended.
Visa Visitors from most countries require a visa in order to
enter Tanzania. All visitors can purchase a visa at the point of
entry. You need a passport valid at least half a year, and to pay
50 US$ cash. It is most of the time only a 30 minutes procedure
but can take longer if there are several arrivals at a time.
American citizens need to pay
100 US$, and get only a multiple entry visa (since September 2007)
If you intend to fly to Nairobi and then travel
on to Tanzania, remember that you may also require a multiple entry
visa to enter Kenya, even if it is only for a few hours. The Visa
for Kenya and Tanzania is 50 US$ per person for each country (except
of American citizens, see above).
Photography
Some of the happiest travelers I have met are those that don't take
a camera with them and just enjoy what they see, but most people
want a record of some of the fantastic sights along the way. You
will get fairly close to a lot of the wildlife, but a good 35 mm
camera with a 75-300 zoom lens will certainly help you take some
great shots. It is always best to buy your film before you travel,
because film here is expensive and not as fresh. 100 – 200
ASA is a good speed for general photography here. Though it can
get bright, you might want to be able to get some action shots and
the higher speed film will be helpful. Some people also like to
use 400 ASA for fast moving animals and evening shots. A beanbag
is much better than a tripod for photos from the car. (The safari
vehicle should have a pop-up or removable roof to make photography
easier.) A cable release is useful to get shots without camera motion.
Also, a flash can help with indoor and campfire shots. Remember
to bring extra batteries for your camera equipment. Most people
find they take 2 to 3 rolls of film per day whilst on safari.
If you bring a video camera, don't forget the tapes
(very expensive here) and the recharging accessories. You can generally
recharge the camera at lodges and from the vehicle.
Tipping
on Safari
Our general recommendation is to tip moderately - in accordance
with the level and quality of service provided. The following guidelines
are generally accepted practice (per person): Safari guide(s) -
US $10 per day; Cook 7 US$, Camp staff - US $3 - $5 per day, as
a pooled tip to be shared among the housekeepers, waiters, bartender,
etc. For porters and waiters at hotels and for taxi drivers in cities,
the customary tip is approximately 1 US$. (Tipping in US$1 bills
for porters and waiters is greatly appreciated). The traditional
gratuity to safari guides or camp staff is not included in the price
of your tour but is completely discretionary. Beware of unscrupulous
people who try to exhort extra payment from unwary passengers just
for shuffling their bags around.
Money Matters
The
unit of local currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). American
dollars in cash or travellers cheques are acceptable in many places
around town (note: AMEX Travellercheques are often not accepted).
Credit cards are excepted only in big hotels, and if you do manage
to find a place to use them there will usually be a surcharge of
at least 10%.Please note not
to bring US$ notes issued before 1980,, as they are not accepted
here!
In Arusha, Dar and Zanzibar there are ATM's where
you can get local currency with your Visa or Mastercard
