A 12-Month Planning Guide from the Operators Who Have Been Doing This Since 1978
Planning a Tanzania safari can feel overwhelming — there is a lot to decide, a lot to book, and a lot of conflicting advice online. This guide is written by the operators who have been meeting guests at Kilimanjaro Airport since 1978. We have made every mistake and learned every lesson. This is everything you need to know, in the order you need to know it.
12 Months Before
Research and Decision-Making
Decide on your travel season
Peak season (July–October) means the best wildlife viewing and highest prices. Green season (November–May) means lower prices, greener landscapes, newborn wildlife — but some roads and camps close during the long rains (April–May). February is the Ndutu calving season, exceptional but busy.
Choose your circuit
The Northern Circuit covers Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire — the classic Tanzania safari. The Southern Circuit covers Ruaha, Katavi, Nyerere, and Mahale — wild, remote, requires flying. Most first-time safari travellers do the Northern Circuit.
Set your budget range
Safari costs vary enormously. A group join-in safari starts from USD 400/day per person. Mid-range private camps run USD 600–1,200/day. Ultra-luxury runs USD 1,500–3,000+/day. Factor in park fees (approximately USD 70–100 per person per day for Serengeti and Ngorongoro), tips, and flights.
Start watching flights to Kilimanjaro
International flights to Kilimanjaro (JRO) from Europe take 8–14 hours with one connection. From North America, expect 15–20 hours with connections. London to Kilimanjaro via Doha or Addis is common. Start monitoring prices — flights are typically cheapest 8 to 12 months out.
9 Months Before
Lock In Your Safari and Operators
Book your safari operator
For peak season (July–October), book your operator 6 to 9 months ahead — good guides and camps fill up early. For green season, 3 to 4 months is usually fine. Look for operators who own their vehicles, employ their own guides, and have been operating for at least 10 years. Avoid brokers who sell you a safari they will subcontract.
Choose your route
On the Northern Circuit: Marangu Route (easiest, cheapest), Machame Route (scenic, popular), Lemosho Route (longer, better acclimatisation), Rongai Route (northern approach, less crowded). On the Southern Circuit: fly between parks. Your operator will help you choose based on your fitness, time, and experience goals.
Book camps for peak season
If you are travelling July to October or February, book your specific camps 6 to 9 months ahead. Some of the best camps (Serengeti undercanvas, Ndutu camps) sell out 9 to 12 months ahead. Your operator manages this — but confirm that they have actually made the reservations, not just put you on a waitlist.
Start your visa application
The Tanzania e-visa takes 5 to 14 working days. If you need yellow fever vaccination, schedule that appointment now — the vaccine needs 10 days to become effective. Some countries require yellow fever vaccination proof even for transit through endemic areas.
6 Months Before
Logistics and Health
Finalise international flights
By 6 months out, flight prices have stabilised. Book your flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha Airport (ARK), or Dar es Salaam (DAR) depending on your itinerary. Most Northern Circuit safaris fly into JRO or ARK. If you are doing a Southern Circuit fly-in safari, Arusha is still your starting point for the domestic connections.
Get vaccinations and medications
See a travel medicine specialist 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Standard recommendations: hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera (for longer trips), and yellow fever if required. Start malaria prophylaxis 1 to 2 weeks before travel and continue for 1 to 4 weeks after return. Ask your doctor about altitude medication if you are going above 3,000m.
Buy travel insurance
Tanzania safari travel insurance must cover medical evacuation — not just medical treatment. A medical evacuation from a remote Southern Circuit park to Nairobi or Johannesburg costs USD 10,000 to USD 30,000. Standard travel insurance typically does not cover this. Look for policies that explicitly cover emergency evacuation in Tanzania and East Africa.
Apply for your Tanzania e-visa
Go to visa.tanzania.go.tz and apply for your tourist visa. Upload a passport photo, your flight itinerary, and your operator's support letter. The fee is USD 50. Processing takes 5 to 14 working days. Print and keep the approval letter — you will present it on arrival.
3 Months Before
Preparation and Gear
Start fitness preparation
If you are climbing Kilimanjaro, begin your acclimatisation and endurance training now. Even for a non-Kilimanjaro safari, start walking 5 to 10km per day with the shoes you plan to bring. Safari game drives involve long hours in open vehicles — fitter travellers get more from the experience.
Buy or test your safari gear
Essential: binoculars (8x42 minimum), camera with extra memory cards, good walking shoes, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, green — no white or bright colours), a light rain jacket, and a warm layer for early morning game drives. If you wear prescription glasses, bring a spare pair. Safari vehicles are dusty — contact lens wearers should bring daily disposables.
Arrange money and payments
Tanzania's currency is Tanzanian shillings (TZS). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas but you will need local currency for tips, small purchases, and in smaller towns. Bring USD cash in clean, unworn bills (post-2009 series preferred). ATMs are available in Arusha and major safari towns but not in the parks. Your operator will advise on the tipping kitty — typically USD 20–30 per person per day for the guide.
Confirm all bookings
Re-confirm your international flights, your safari operator, your camps, and any additional services (hot air balloon, cultural visits, Zanzibar extension). Ensure your operator has your dietary requirements, mobility considerations, and emergency contact details. Ask for your guide's name and profile — experienced guides transform the experience.
1 Month Before
Final Checks
Download offline maps and guides
Download Google Maps of the areas you will visit (they work offline). Download a bird identification app (eBird is excellent for East Africa) and a wildlife guide app. Save your operator's WhatsApp number. Save the contact details of your country's nearest embassy or consulate in Tanzania.
Check your gear list
Lay out everything you plan to bring 2 weeks before departure. Check: binoculars work and are clean, camera batteries are charged, memory cards are formatted, suncream is not expired, medication supplies are adequate, travel documents are printed and in your carry-on. Put essential medication in your hand luggage — not your checked bag.
Notify your bank
Call your bank and credit card company to notify them of travel to Tanzania. Without notification, card transactions in Tanzania may be blocked as fraud prevention. Also check whether your credit card works at ATMs in Tanzania — some Visa cards work but Mastercard is less reliable outside major hotels.
Pack strategically
Safari luggage should be soft-sided and under 15kg per person for domestic flights (weight limits are strict on light aircraft). Pack neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing that can be layered. No white or bright colours on game drives — animals notice them. Bring a small daypack for your camera, binoculars, and water bottle.
On the Ground
Your Safari Begins
Arusha arrival day
Arusha is the gateway town for all Northern Circuit safaris. You will usually spend your first night here, meeting your guide and doing a final briefing. Arusha has good restaurants, coffee shops, and markets. Use this evening to relax, ask your guide any final questions, and prepare for early starts.
The safari rhythm
A typical safari day: wake at 5:30–6am, depart camp by 6–6:30am for a morning game drive. Return to camp or a picnic spot by 11am. Lunch and rest during the heat of the day (this is when animals are also resting). Depart again at 3:30–4pm for an afternoon drive, returning at 6:30–7pm. Dinner, then early to bed — the 5am alarm comes around quickly.
Tipping etiquette
Tipping is a significant part of safari guides' income. A fair tip for a safari guide is USD 20–30 per person per day, divided among the guide and camp staff. For a Kilimanjaro climb, tips are typically USD 15–25 per climber per day for the entire crew. Your operator will manage the tipping process and advise on amounts. Tips are given at the end of the safari, in cash, in US dollars.
Stay present
The single most common reflection from first-time safari travellers: the experience is nothing like you expect. The smell of the bush, the sound of lions at night, the sight of 50 elephants crossing a river — it is visceral and overwhelming. Trust your guide, stay curious, and remember that the animals have been doing this far longer than you have been watching. Slow down. Listen. Look up from the camera.
Mistakes We Have Seen
The Five Most Costly Safari Planning Mistakes
In 48 years of meeting guests at the airport, we have seen the same mistakes made again and again. Here is how to avoid them.
Booking based on price alone
The guide makes the safari. A USD 200/day cheaper price often means an inexperienced guide, a shared vehicle, or a camp that did not accept a booking from a better operator. Ask specifically about your guide's experience before you book.
Packing the wrong clothing
Neutral-coloured, lightweight, long-sleeved clothing is not optional — it is how you stay comfortable on game drives and blend into the environment. No white, no black (tsetse flies are attracted to both), no synthetic bright colours.
Skipping travel insurance
Medical evacuation from remote Tanzania can cost USD 10,000 to USD 30,000. No travel insurance means you pay this yourself. A comprehensive policy with East Africa evacuation coverage costs USD 100–200 for a 2-week trip — this is not where to save money.
Over-scheduling activities
Four hours of game driving is more than enough — after that, you and your guide are tired and the animals are resting. Build in rest time, camp time, and flexibility. Some of the best safari moments happen spontaneously, not on a schedule.
Booking too close to departure in peak season
If you want the best camps, the best guides, and the most itinerary options, book 6 to 9 months ahead for peak season travel. Booking at the last minute in July means you are picking from what is left — which is not the best.
Continue Planning
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