Question 1

What wildlife will I see on safari after Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

The northern Tanzania safari circuit delivers the highest wildlife concentrations in Africa. On a typical combo trip you will see: elephant, buffalo, hippo, and crocodile in Tarangire; lion, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle in the Serengeti; and lion, leopard, rhino, and flamingo in Ngorongoro Crater. The Great Migration (December–April in the Serengeti, year-round in the Mara Triangle) is the single most spectacular wildlife event on earth — millions of wildebeest crossing the Mara River.

Question 2

Is Tanzania safari safe?

Accepted Answer

Tanzania safari is one of the safest wildlife experiences in Africa. You are always accompanied by a trained guide in a 4x4 vehicle with radio. Walking safaris are only conducted with armed professional guides in designated areas. The main risks — sun exposure, dehydration, and minor injuries — are manageable with basic preparation. Serious incidents are extremely rare with reputable operators. We have run safaris for 48 years without a client safety incident.

Question 3

What should I wear on safari?

Accepted Answer

Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, olive, beige) is recommended — it blends with the environment and does not startle wildlife. Avoid bright colours, white, and dark blue (attracts tsetse flies). Layers are essential: mornings in the parks can be cold (5–10C) and afternoons hot (30–35C). Closed shoes or boots are required for any bush walks. We send a full packing list on booking.

Question 4

Can I take photos on safari?

Accepted Answer

Yes — photography is one of the great joys of Tanzanian safari. A zoom lens (200mm+) is highly recommended for wildlife shots. A 70-200mm works for most situations. For big cats and birds, 400-600mm is ideal. A smartphone can capture excellent photos in good light. We recommend a zoom of at least 50x total (phone or camera). Binoculars are essential for birdwatching and distant sightings.

Question 5

What is the Big Five and will I see all of them?

Accepted Answer

The Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo — were named by hunters as the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot. On a well-planned northern circuit safari you have a strong chance of seeing all five: lion and buffalo are common; elephant is guaranteed in Tarangire; leopard requires luck but is regularly seen in the Serengeti; rhino (black rhino) is most reliably seen in Ngorongoro Crater. No operator can guarantee specific sightings, but our guides know the territories and behaviours that maximise your chances.

Question 6

What is the difference between a game drive and a walking safari?

Accepted Answer

A game drive uses a 4x4 vehicle to cover larger distances and get close to wildlife — comfortable, accessible to most fitness levels, and effective for seeing wide areas and large herds. A walking safari (also called a guided bush walk) is on foot with an armed professional guide, covering smaller areas at slower pace. You will see different things on foot — tracks, insects, smaller animals, plants, and birds — and the experience is more intimate. Many camps along your safari route offer walking options as an add-on activity.

Question 7

What is the tipping custom on safari?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is customary and appreciated in Tanzania. For safari guides, $16–$26 per person per day is typical in a group; for private or luxury safaris, $26–$52 per person per day. Camp/lodge staff receive smaller amounts ($5–$10 per person per day, pooled). Our safaris are led by certified professional guides who depend on tips as a significant part of their income. Your guide will suggest a fair tip amount at the end of your safari based on the group size and quality of service.

Question 8

What is the weather like on safari in Tanzania?

Accepted Answer

Tanzania has two seasons: dry (June–October) and wet (November–May). The dry season offers easier wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources, and the grass is shorter, making sightings easier. The wet season (green season) has fewer crowds, lower prices, newborn animals, and beautiful green landscapes — plus the Great Migration is in the Serengeti from December to April. Temperature varies more by altitude than season: Ngorongoro Crater can be cold at night (5C) while the lowland Serengeti reaches 30C+ in the afternoon.

Question 9

How many days do I need for a proper safari?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of 3 days allows you to visit one or two parks. For the full northern circuit (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater), we recommend 4–5 days — this gives you two full days in the Serengeti (the wildlife heartland) plus a day in Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Rushed safaris (2 days or less) spend too much time driving between parks and not enough time in the vehicle. After Kilimanjaro, a 3–4 day safari is ideal before returning home.

Question 10

Will I get better wildlife viewing before or after Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

For most climbers, going on safari after the climb is easier logistically — you summit, descend to Arusha, rest 1–2 days, and then depart for safari. Physically, post-climb safari is comfortable because game drives involve sitting in a vehicle, not hiking. The main consideration is fatigue: if you summited and immediately tried to do a strenuous safari, you would enjoy it less. Our standard itinerary always places the safari after the mountain, with a rest day in Arusha in between.

Question 11

Can I do a night safari or special activity?

Accepted Answer

Night game drives are available in some private conservancies adjacent to the national parks (not inside the parks themselves, which close at 6pm). Activities like visiting a Maasai village, a Hadza hunter-gatherer community, a spice tour in Zanzibar, or a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti can be arranged as extensions. Discuss your interests with our team before departure and we will incorporate them into your itinerary.

Question 12

What if I see a sick or injured animal?

Accepted Answer

You will not approach or intervene in wildlife sightings — this is both park regulation and basic safety. If you observe an obviously injured animal or witness illegal activity (poaching, feeding), your guide will report it to the park warden via radio. Tanzania's national parks have anti-poaching units and wildlife veterinary response teams for serious cases. Our guides are trained to identify distress signals in animals and will alert the appropriate authorities if needed.

Question 13

Is there Wi-Fi on safari?

Accepted Answer

Most safari camps and lodges in the northern circuit have Wi-Fi, though it is often slow and unreliable — satellite internet is the norm in remote areas. Some luxury camps offer better connectivity. During game drives, you will be offline, which is part of the experience. We recommend downloading offline maps, your itinerary, and any essential information before heading into the parks. After the mountain, being offline for a few days is a genuine pleasure.

Question 14

What vaccines or medications do I need for Tanzania?

Accepted Answer

Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever country; it is not required for Europe, North America, or Australia. We recommend: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, and routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus). Malaria is present in Tanzania below 1,800m — your safari route goes through malaria areas. Antimalarial medication (Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline) is recommended; discuss with your doctor. Our team in Arusha can advise on current health requirements.

Question 15

Can I drink the water on safari?

Accepted Answer

Bottled water is provided throughout your safari — we carry large supplies in the safari vehicle. Tap water in Arusha is generally safe but we recommend sticking to bottled or filtered water during your trip. Avoid ice in drinks outside of reputable hotels and camps. On Kilimanjaro, treated/purified water is provided at every camp.

Question 16

What is park fees and what do they cover?

Accepted Answer

Tanzania National Parks charge conservation fees (currently $62–$94 per person per day depending on the park) which cover park maintenance, anti-poaching, and wildlife management. These fees are not included in your package price unless specified — we quote transparently. The fees apply to all visitors regardless of nationality. Our quotes itemise park fees separately so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Safari FAQ

Safari questions about your combo trip

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