Frequently asked questions

Tanzania has more national parks than any other African country, including two of the most famous wildlife areas in the world: the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Ngorongoro, formed when a huge volcano collapsed, is home to the Big Five. The Serengeti hosts the great wildebeest migration — one of the most spectacular natural events on earth. No trip is complete without the beaches of Zanzibar and Pemba, the historic Stone Town, or, for the adventurous and fit, a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical cover. We also recommend AMREF Flying Doctors cover for air evacuation to Nairobi’s excellent medical facilities — temporary membership is inexpensive and covers Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya for up to 30 days.

There is no single answer — there are wonderful things to see all year round, so it depends on what you want to see and do, when you can travel, your budget and the climate. The most spectacular part of the Great Migration is roughly June to August in the Serengeti. June to October is drier, cooler and best for wildlife viewing (but busier and pricier). November to May is greener, quieter and less expensive, with the wildebeest calving season in February. Once we know your wishes, we’ll advise the best timing.

Each park offers its own range: game drives, walking safaris, hot-air balloon trips and night game drives, plus the Great Migration, the Big Five, birding, cultural experiences, or climbing Kilimanjaro. There are also beaches for relaxing, snorkelling or diving, and the history and architecture of Stone Town. We can also arrange social-impact visits supporting children’s and family charities we work with.

A safari with TerraTembo Safaris lets you discover Africa’s wilderness, wildlife, landscapes and culture with a trained local guide and a quality 4x4 vehicle, with unparalleled views of the migration and the Big Five. Accommodation is normally full board; when you’re out on a game drive you’ll be provided with a packed lunch as you won’t return to the lodge at midday.

We offer fully tailored safaris based on what you want to see, when you wish to travel, your budget, and whether you’re looking for something active, romantic, family-oriented, private or solo. We listen, help and guide you. We believe a safari is also an opportunity to connect with local communities, and we can combine an authentic bush safari with an island escape in Zanzibar or on the mainland coast.

No two days are the same. The best game-viewing is usually early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. You can spend the whole day out with a picnic lunch, or do a morning drive and relax at the lodge in the afternoon. Meals are flexible and arranged around your activities. We recommend spending a little time with your guide each evening to plan the next day.

Safaris are an outdoor experience with some inherent risks, and camps have safety procedures to manage them. On game drives, park rules generally require guests to stay in the vehicle. Most camps are un-fenced, so guests follow the camp’s safety protocols. Family safaris are wonderful for bonding. Some camps don’t accept children under five, so please discuss young children with us early in planning.

Whether you want to get away from it all, have a great adventure, or simply unwind, we can plan a dream romantic safari — for example a few days in the Serengeti followed by Zanzibar or another Indian Ocean island, with amazing landscapes and sunset cocktails. Just tell us what you’re dreaming of.

Around June to October (drier, cooler) is excellent for predator–prey interaction and big cats, as short grass and scarce water concentrate animals near water sources. From late October the rains bring lush green landscapes and the wildebeest calving season, when predators are very active. December–January are usually hottest, June–August coolest. A great safari is possible any time of year, though season affects cost.

You head into the wilderness with your trained guide in an adapted Land Cruiser-type vehicle. Depending on your wishes and the location of wildlife, you can lunch at the lodge or take a picnic in the bush. Game drives can be part of a small group of no more than six guests, or fully private — either way you’ll have a window seat.

Not all camps have Wi-Fi, and where available it can sometimes be slow.

Electricity is 220/240V AC, 50Hz with British-type sockets. Some lodges provide adaptors but we recommend bringing your own, especially as USB points are rare. Power is subject to cuts and fluctuations; many camps run on generators or solar and may turn power off at times, with charging often only in the main areas.

Shampoo, shower gel, hand wash and body lotion are provided in many lodges and camps. Hairdryers are only at limited camps, as bush electricity (largely solar and generator) is a scarce resource.

There are budget, standard/tourist and luxury camps and lodges. Tourist and luxury options offer comfort comparable to home (air-conditioning is usually only near cities due to power constraints). Luxury tents include proper beds, bathrooms and furnishings — a safari does not have to mean “roughing it”. You’ll spend time on bumpy 4x4 tracks but relax in comfort back at camp.

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. As a guide, consider tipping your driver-guide roughly $5–$20 per person per day (depending on group size) and camp staff $5–$10 per traveller per day, often via the reception tip box. Tips can be in any currency; please never feel obliged to tip more than you’re comfortable with.

Please visit your travel clinic or doctor for advice on prophylactics, and take precautions against bites — repellent, covering up before dusk, and light, neutral clothing. Ask your doctor about Hepatitis A/Tetanus boosters and other vaccines. Helpful references include the CDC and NHS Fit for Travel websites.

It is the largest animal migration on earth: every year more than two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in a roughly clockwise direction across the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya, crossing crocodile-filled rivers and facing predators — a daily struggle for survival.

The wildebeest gather on the southern Serengeti short-grass plains from around December, calving in February. The migration moves north from April, often pausing near the Grumeti River around June, and reaches the northern Serengeti by September where the dramatic Mara River crossings occur. By October the herds head south again. For the spectacular river crossings, plan to travel around June or September.

Tanzania’s parks offer so much that you can have a complete, fascinating experience without adding Kenya — the scale and diversity are vast. We’ll give you the best advice tailored to your wishes, needs and budget. We know the country, its customs and language, and we’re here to plan a great safari with you.

Definitely — Zanzibar is a wonderful addition to any itinerary, or an idyllic destination in its own right, with great beaches and a fascinating history and culture.

Yes. We don’t operate a call centre — you communicate directly with, and get personal attention from, one of the owners. We’ll answer your questions, understand your wishes, and tailor-design the ideal itinerary for your timescale and budget.

There is no official religion in Tanzania, and people of all major faiths live here. Visitors are warmly welcomed in churches of many denominations, though most services are in Kiswahili. There are also Hindu and Sikh temples and mosques, mainly in the cities.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us and we’ll be glad to discuss them with you.

A yellow fever certificate is required if you live in, or have recently spent time in, a yellow-fever country. Visitors arriving directly from non-yellow-fever areas (e.g. Europe, the US, Canada, Japan) are generally not required to show one. We recommend consulting your travel clinic or doctor at least two months before travel for the latest advice.

Most travellers need a visa. Single-entry visas valid for three months cost about US$50 per person. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and three blank pages. Visas can be obtained on arrival or online — we recommend applying online to avoid airport queues.

Several payment methods are available, including credit card, bank transfer, or cheque (subject to clearing time).

Yes. We can plan a safari matched to your physical and other abilities and your dietary or other needs. Please discuss any special needs with us at the outset so we can advise and plan accordingly — with careful prior planning, impaired mobility need not prevent you enjoying a safari.

Lightweight neutral, bush-coloured clothing, a sweater or fleece for cooler months, a swimsuit, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat and sunglasses, high-factor sun lotion, insect repellent, camera with plenty of memory, and binoculars. Charter flights to camps have a 15 kg (33 lb) luggage allowance. On the predominantly Muslim coast and islands, modest dress is appreciated away from the resorts.

We’re committed to fairness with our clients, partners and supply chain, and we’re passionate about conservation and supporting communities — including a children’s and family charity near Arusha. See our Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, and ask us how your trip can give back.