Frequently Asked Questions

For peak Serengeti season (July–September), Tanzania Adventure recommends 12–18 months ahead. The best-positioned northern Serengeti camps — within range of the primary Mara River crossing zones — are fully reserved 12+ months in advance. For all other seasons and destinations, 3–6 months provides adequate availability. Tanzania Adventure advises honestly on availability at the enquiry stage.

The booking process: (1) Initial enquiry — we respond within 24 hours with specific programme observations. (2) Consultation call — 20–30 minutes covering your priorities, timeline, and budget. (3) Custom itinerary — prepared within 3–5 working days of the consultation. (4) Booking confirmation — 30% deposit secures all permits, accommodation, and guide assignments. (5) Balance — due 60 days before departure. Full payment required for bookings made within 60 days of travel.

Itinerary modifications are accommodated where accommodation and permit availability allows. Tanzania Adventure is flexible on programme changes up to 30 days before departure. Within 30 days, changes are subject to accommodation cancellation policies. Tanzania Adventure handles all modification logistics; clients do not deal directly with camps or park authorities.

No. Every Tanzania Adventure programme is private — your group, your guide, your vehicle, your programme. There are no shared vehicle or group-join options at any price tier.

Tanzania Adventure follows TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) guidelines. Full cancellation policy details are provided in the booking confirmation document. Tanzania Adventure strongly recommends travel insurance with cancellation cover — particularly for Kilimanjaro climbers where altitude sickness cancellation is a standard insurable event.

Most nationalities require a Tanzanian e-visa, available through the immigration portal at least two weeks before travel (https://immigration.go.tz). The fee is $50 USD for most Western nationalities. The e-visa covers the full Tanzania including Zanzibar without a separate permit. Tanzania Adventure's pre-departure guide includes the specific application process and requirements by nationality.

Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country (most Sub-Saharan African nations and parts of South America). Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all Tanzania destinations. Tanzania Adventure's pre-departure health guide is prepared with input from travel medicine specialists. Consult your GP or travel clinic at least 6 weeks before departure for prescription medications.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the primary gateway for all northern Tanzania safari programmes. Direct or connecting flights serve JRO from Amsterdam (KLM), Nairobi (Kenya Airways, multiple carriers), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). Tanzania Adventure arranges all ground transfers from JRO. Clients combining safari with Zanzibar often fly into JRO and out of Zanzibar, creating a one-way routing that Tanzania Adventure accommodates.

USD is the most useful currency in Tanzania. All Tanzania Adventure programme costs are quoted in USD. Most lodges and camps accept USD cash and major credit cards. ATMs in Arusha dispense Tanzanian Shillings and accept Visa and Mastercard. For Zanzibar, both USD and Tanzanian Shillings are widely accepted. Tanzania Adventure's pre-departure guide includes specific currency advice for every destination on your programme.

East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3. Tanzania does not observe daylight saving time. The sun rises around 6:15am and sets around 6:30pm year-round — a consistent schedule that works in favour of wildlife programmes.

All Tanzania Adventure safaris use purpose-built open-roof Toyota Land Cruiser 4WDs with pop-up roof sections for standing and panoramic viewing. Maximum 6 guests per vehicle. Vehicles are serviced before every safari, carry a full emergency tool kit and spare tyre, and are equipped with a refrigerator cooler for drinks. Window roll-down sections provide ventilation and photography access.

Dawn drives depart before the park gate opens — Tanzania Adventure vehicles are positioned at the gate for first opening (6am). The first two hours after sunrise are the most productive wildlife activity period of the day. Dawn drives typically run from 6am to 11am, returning to camp for a late breakfast. Tanzania Adventure does not serve breakfast before dawn drives — the guide eats after the morning's work.

Tanzania adventure safaris comply with all Tanzania National Parks safety regulations. Guides are trained in wildlife safety protocols. Clients remain in the vehicle during all game drives unless at designated picnic and rest areas. Bush walks are conducted with armed Tanzania National Parks rangers whose presence is mandatory. Tanzania Adventure has operated for 20 years without a client wildlife incident.

Key items: camera with telephoto lens (200mm+ minimum; 400mm recommended), binoculars (8×42 or 10×42), warm layer for dawn drives (Serengeti at 6am in July can be 10°C), sunscreen and hat, dust cloth for camera equipment. Tanzania Adventure provides water, soft drinks, and snacks in the vehicle on every drive. Full packing list in the pre-departure guide sent with every booking confirmation.

Yes. All Tanzania Adventure vehicles are equipped with 12V and USB charging points. For hotels and camps: most use 230V (same as UK). Socket types vary — bring a universal travel adaptor. Tanzania Adventure's camp guide specifies the socket type at each accommodation.

No. Kilimanjaro is an altitude challenge, not a technical mountaineering challenge. There are no ropes, no crampons, and no vertical climbing. The summit is reached by walking uphill at altitude. The difficulty is entirely the body's response to reduced oxygen — at Uhuru Peak, the atmosphere provides 49% of sea-level oxygen concentration.

Tanzania Adventure’s summit rate on the Lemosho Route (our standard 8-day programme) is 94%. The industry average for comparable routes is approximately 65%. The difference is acclimatisation schedule — our 8-day programme provides more nights above 3,500m before the summit push than shorter routes. More acclimatisation time equals higher summit rate. This is the single most important variable.

Emmanuel Ngowi is Tanzania Adventure’s senior Kilimanjaro guide. Emmanuel has completed 280+ summits in 16 years and has never required a medical evacuation. He is KINAPA-licensed and WAFA-certified (Wilderness Advanced First Aid). Every Tanzania Adventure Kilimanjaro programme is guided by Emmanuel or a senior guide with an equivalent record.

Altitude sickness is not correlated with fitness. It affects athletes and sedentary people equally. The prevention is time at altitude — exactly what the Lemosho Route provides. Tanzania Adventure carries emergency oxygen on every programme. Emmanuel monitors specific symptoms of serious altitude illness (HACE/HAPE) throughout the ascent. Discuss acetazolamide (Diamox) with your GP before departure — it is not compulsory but reduces symptom severity for susceptible clients.