Faq’s

• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is approximately 60km (60 min) from Arusha city centre. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as the gateway for visitors interested in African safari and scenery, and thus it is uniquely located at the heart of the major tourism attractions of East Africa
• Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) is on the outskirts of Arusha but only runs domestic flights, mostly to Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
• You can compare Flights on skyscanner.net

• We would recommend bringing U$D or Euro with you and withdrawing Tanzanian Shillings once you arrive. There are many ATMs in Arusha. The minimum you can withdraw in one go is TSH 400,000.  This is about U$D 200 and TSH 450,000 for €200. Most places that you will visit accept dollars but it is always a good idea to have some local currency.
• It is mostly recommended to use U$D printed later than 2006 not before.

• When considering a plan, take inventory of the components of your trip. Pre-paid vacation home rentals, car rentals, and event tickets are more unconventional items to insure, yet they can be costly if forfeited due to an unexpected circumstance. If these costs are added into the total pre-paid cost of the trip, a comprehensive travel insurance plan could protect you if your trip should be cancelled or interrupted.
• For more information go to ( worldnomads.co.uk )

• Like many countries in Africa, Tanzania is relatively not much expensive by world standards in terms of domestic currency to foreign currency, and a lot of people rely on tipping from tourism to get by. And its definitely a big deal because it brings money to many of the service workers who work in the tourism industry and other sectors too depending on the service provided.

So before you go, you should know how much to tip in Tanzania.

• For more information to know how much to tip on a safari, hotels etc. go to (https://afktravel.com/90998/travel-tip-of-the-day-how-much-to-tip-in-tanzania/ )

• Situated just south of the equator, Tanzania is a vast country with a variable climate that depends heavily on the elevation and geography of your chosen destination. Generally speaking, the weather is tropical; particularly on the coast, where heat and humidity prevail. However, the northwestern highlands are consistently cool, while the central plateau remains dry and arid all year round
• For more information please visit ( https://www.tripsavvy.com/tanzania-weather-and-average-temperatures-4071465 )

• It is mostly recommended that the luggage you should carry/pack depends on the type of visit. It can either be mountain climbing, safari, beach vacation
• You may also need to weatherproof and protect your valuables while out on game drives and other activities. Bring larger lightweight cover bags for protecting your bagged camera and lenses too from dust and water where required e.g. canoeing or boating safari. Women should also bring adequate quantities of feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, pads and panty liners
• You should also pack travel-size deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and other basic toiletries. Camps and lodges supply shampoo, conditioner and soap but if you prefer your own, feel free to bringing it on board in small size travel bottles.
• For more information on what to carry kindly visit (https://www.thesafaristore.com/en/stories/safari-luggage-advice)

Basic first aid kits are available at most Tanzania lodges and camps, but you should always have one with you whenever an emergency arise. Your first aid kit should include mosquito repellent and malarial prophylactics, as well as your SPF preferred category sunscreen, antihistamine and an over-the-counter pain relieving medication, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Panadol or Tylenol and a few protective bags can be included in your first aid kit for this purpose. Bring larger lightweight cover bags for protecting your bagged camera and lenses too from dust and water where required e.g. canoeing or boating safari. Other items for your first aid kit are antiseptic gel, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid tablets for indigestion, Band-Aids with antiseptic cream, prescription medications and spare eyeglasses even if you wear contact lenses.

YES! Of course you can since all of our 4×4 safari jeeps are encrypted with inverters and you can easily charge your devices easily

All our Safari vehicles are Toyota Land cruiser 4x4s. They have pop-up roofs.  The vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very high standard before, during and after every safari.

The age of the vehicles in our fleet varies but most were built between 2008 and 2013.  If your vehicle does break down and it cannot be fixed on the road, we will request a rescue jeep which will come for you so that you can continue your safari with minimum impact.  Whilst every effort is made to prevent this from happening, the driving is rough and the vehicles do take quite a pounding.

• Walking safari is definitely chasing the call of the wild (meaning the sounds of different species in nature including both the birds and the wild animals producing different sounds as a means of communication and alarm signals). The feeling of nature around you is priceless that you feel belonging in the natural life. Walking safaris are offered in our national parks whereby you will be provided a ranger and a guide.
• Night game drives are offered in some of the national parks in the country.

• It is possible to visit one of several Maasai villages during your safari.  However, these villages are close to the main roads and whilst you will meet many Maasai, have a tour around their village and have an opportunity to learn about their culture, some clients have fed back that the experience felt a little uncomfortable.  It costs $50 per vehicle and during the visit, you will be encouraged to buy some of their jewellery / craft (this is by no means compulsory).

It is inevitable that over time, the experience has become less authentic and we are in the process of sourcing alternative options for our clients. You are very welcome to visit, but we wanted to be open and transparent about the kind of experience you can currently expect.

At the camps and Tented lodges, chefs prepare fresh soups, breads, entrees and desserts daily, In most lodges, meals are served buffet-style. The food is often prepared with Western palates in mind (some local dishes are included).

• Accommodation on Mid-range safaris is lodges and/or tented camps.
• Accommodation on Budget camping safaris is tents on the ground in public campsites.

Tourist lodges are full service facilities with private rooms or cottages with private bathroom and have restaurants and lounges. Some have swimming pools. Many lodges are architecturally stunning made with local materials and inspired by local designs and the environment. Some lodges can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Tented camps are permanent or semi-permanent camps sited in areas of excellent game viewing. These provide many of the comforts of a lodge within private spacious canvas tents on a solid permanent base with beds and private baths, and high-quality meals.  Tented camps are more intimate than lodges as they generally accommodate 12 to 20 guests.

On a basic camping safari guests sleep in private tents in designated campsites in or near national parks. Our safari crew sets up the camp and prepares all the meals. Washroom facilities are basic and are shared with other guests.

African Big Cats Safaris only offers private safari tours. Whilst it is a slightly more expensive option, there are many benefits. In consultation with your guide, you can have more control over your safari e.g. daily departure times, the focus of your game drive etc.  You will also have more space in the safari vehicle and better viewing opportunities.

• You can fly to Nairobi and then take a bus to Arusha.  This takes approximately 6 hours (including the border crossing).We recommend the following  company:  http://www.riverside-shuttle.com/
• Buses depart early in the morning or early afternoon
• Tickets can be booked on line
• You can be collected from Nairobi City Centre, or the airport
• The fare is $35 one way
• The bus is clean and you have your own seat
• Tanzanian visas can be obtained at the border

Have you ever considered what would happen if you were to break your leg in the middle of nowhere? We have. It would be a difficult situation. That is why we choose to ensure all of our guests with a Flying Doctors service called FIRST AIR RESPONDER, the most effective medical emergency response available in Tanzania. This service is NOT to replace any medical scheme you already have but to act as an immediate response to medical emergencies in Tanzania. There is a gap that insurances and even international evacuation companies don’t always cover – transport from the scene of an accident to a hospital of international standards. With FIRST AIR RESPONDER insurance, a patient is stabilized and transported by the most swift and efficient means to the regional centre of medical excellence, using a medically equipped plane or vehicle. The cost for this insurance is a price worth paying and we include this insurance for every person going on safari with us.

Many people worry about wild animals on safari. This is what your guide is here for. He will make sure that you always keep a safe distance. If the animal feels safe, it is extremely unlikely that it will attack you. If an animal feels threatened, however, the situation can become dangerous. You should never shout or disturb the animals with loud noises. Do not try to approach or touch them, and do not throw any objects at them. This may sound like the most obvious advice, but many accidents happen because people behave in the wrong way. Many people also worry that an animal may come and attack them at night, especially if they are sleeping in a tent. This fear is understandable, but it is also unfounded. Again, an animal is most likely to attack when provoked. You are over a hundred times more likely to be injured or killed in a car accident on your way to work. Even though you may hear a lion or a hyena somewhere in the distance, they most certainly will not try to chew their way into your tent, unless you are keeping a big piece of ham next to your bed. Keeping open and loose food stuff in the tent is not recommended and most likely it will attract monkeys.

It is possible to obtain visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania whereby the cost of a tourist visa is U$D 50 per person and U$D 100 for American citizens.

Although it is possible to obtain visa upon arrival, we highly recommend that you apply online prior to arrival. Online Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) only or directly through the link: visa.immigration.go.tz and not through any other links.

Before you apply your visa, we recommend that you should read carefully the Visa Guidelines (https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines).

Just about every lodge or camp provides mosquito nets in their rooms. Usually, a room attendant will prepare the bed (while you are having dinner) by folding down the mosquito net and spraying insect repellent. If you are worried about the mosquitoes in your room, you can always try and ask for insect spray. Many places located at high altitude have little mosquito activity during the night because temperatures can be very cool. Mosquitoes tend to be most active in the early evening, so wear repellent on your exposed skin, and protect yourself by wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks.

• There is a well- established culture of tipping in Tanzania.

Guides: If you feel you have received good service, a typical tip is U$D 15-20 per person, per day. The guides work extremely long hours and tips supplement their income significantly. Anything you can afford is appreciated.

Tipping in accommodation is also discretionary. Most accommodation will have a tip box in Reception. We would recommend putting something in at the end of your stay, rather than giving individuals money. Depending on the level of service, we recommend $10 per day (for a group of 2).

The less you take the less you have to pack. You can always pick up extras along the way. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much. You will be travelling in the heat and mornings / evenings can be cold, so bring clothes for all climates; rough stuff is best.

Choose a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof and the bag should be lockable. Put anything that is of any value in a separate day pack such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.

Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty by day but it is often cool and crisp by night. Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that is able to keep you cool but protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colours and avoid white or bright colours that may distract the animals and dark colours like black and blue as these can attract tsetse flies. The best colours are the safari classics: olive, green and khaki. For evenings at lodges you can stay in your casual gear as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the bush. Check the temperature before you travel to make sure you have clothing that is warm enough for the season. It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season.

As you want to be careful not to over pack, you need to think carefully about what shoes to take. As long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with some light hiking boots and some sports sandals (sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night). You may also like to take flip flops for the showers.

The African sun can be brutal so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses so you can protect your eyes. You’ll also need a hat that shades your face and covers your ears and neck so you have maximum sun protection. Of course, take plenty of high-protection sun cream and lip salve.

• Most lodges and tented camps have wifi
• Some camp-sites have wifi, but this should not be relied upon
• The signal strength is variable
• It is possible to buy a SIM card with data that can be used. If you want to use it in your phone, you will need to make sure it is unlocked. You can also buy a fairly cheap phone in Tanzania for this purpose
• There are Vodacom and Airtel shops in Arusha that will be able to help / advise with this

All towns and cities have their share of petty crime and sensible precautions need to be taken. Wearing expensive looking jewellery/watches and carrying cameras, will draw unnecessary attention. You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag. Always be aware of your surroundings and when approached by people you do not know, use your common sense. At night in towns it’s best to use a taxi, rather than walking around the streets. Single women in particular need to be careful & we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.

• Remove unnecessary packaging before you go
• To avoid unnecessary pollution of local water supplies take environmentally friendly toiletries with you
• Why not invest in a wind-up or solar-powered torch or media player before you travel?
• Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history/culture before you go
• Why not pack some pens/pencils exercise books in your rucksack and they can be donated to a local school or project while you’re away. These items can also be purchased locally and will help local businesses
• Take a sturdy water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip

• Please don’t waste water. It is a valuable and often scarce resource in many of the areas we visit
• Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact that it’s illegal, it also encourages the trade to continue
• Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy
• Don’t feel when bargaining that you have to get the cheapest price possible just for the sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you and don’t worry about what someone else has paid
• Try the local food and drinks – this will help to support local farmers and food sellers
• Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does litter look unsightly it can be lethal to wildlife