Frequently Asked Questions
Safari Planning
Tanzania lies a few degrees south of the equator, enjoying a moderate tropical climate with seasons regulated by rainfall rather than temperature. The coast, including the largest city Dar es Salaam and the islands of Zanzibar, are hot and humid with cooling breezes off the Indian Ocean.
Tanzania is located in the tropics, so it has a tropical climate. The temperature ranges from about 18°C to 29°C year-round, and there’s plenty of rainfall throughout the country. There are no extreme weather changes in Tanzania due to it’s location. So, that best time to come really depends on your disposal time, preferences and activities you wish to engage in. Tanzania is a great destination all year round.
If you are travelling in peak season (June to October, March) we recommend that you book your tour 8-12 months in advance in order to secure your preferred accommodations. We can book on a short notice too subject to availability of rooms in the hotels.
A Tanzania safari cost is composed of round trip air fare (this mainly depends on where you are coming from), travel insurance, accommodation costs while in Tanzania (we have a range of accommodation options with varied, from budget, mid-range to luxury) travelling costs while in Tanzania, excursions, a good camera and your safari attire.
Safari Packages
Taking an African safari with your children can be a very rewarding experience, creating some unforgettable family memories. It will also instill respect in your children at an early age for our beautiful planet and the wildlife that inhabit it, which is a crucial factor for conservation efforts. Family safaris are an excellent opportunity for children to learn about wildlife and participate in cultural activities and interact with local children. We can tailor your safari to visit a local primary school or orphanage to see how other children live, learn and play. Please note that most safari lodges and camps are not fenced, and wildlife moves about freely. Never let a child out of your sight or wander around unattended under any circumstances. Please listen carefully to all safety briefings from your safari guide and lodge staff and follow instructions especially concerning moving to and from your tent/room after dark.
If you have any special needs or requirements, please let us know when you book your safari. Whether its some equipment you need like binoculars or photography bean bags, wheelchair accessibility or allergy to specific foods, we can plan your itinerary accordingly.
We use safari Landcruisers, 6 seaters. These are ideal for African roads.
All game drives are conducted using either 4-wheel drive extended Landcruiser which can accommodate up to six passengers. Each traveler is guaranteed a window seat. Some of our vehicles have WIFI which is available on your safari, but reception can be intermittent depending on the landscape. We have no mileage restrictions on game drives. For safety and communication, our vehicles are equipped with a long distance radio.Be prepared for bumpy and rough road conditions during game drives and transfers within the national parks and conservation areas. The main roads to and from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Gate are entirely paved, but the trails within the national parks and conservation areas are not. Remember, traversing rough roads and tracks are a part of the excitement of the African game driving experience. If you suffer from back problems or other conditions which may be aggravated by driving long distances on rough roads, please let us know.
We use a variety of hotels, camps and lodges. We choose our accommodations carefully according to your budget. Did you know that your accommodation costs entails about 65% of the total booking value? We for this reason work with many levels of accommodation, with a wide range of prices.
Most meals on safari cater to western tastes, and some lodges also offer a sampling of local Tanzanian food. A vegetarian choice is typically available on every menu. We ask that you notify us of any special dietary requirements in advance of your safari.
Tanzania offers a variety of locally handmade crafts such as exquisite wood carvings, masks, antiques, woven baskets, colorful Maasai beadwork, paintings, etc. and you will have plenty of opportunities to shop during your visit. Many curio shops are located along the major roads heading to and from the national parks, most hotels, lodges, and camps have gift shops, and in Arusha there are multitudes of souvenir shops and markets to choose from, the largest and most famous being the Cultural Heritage and the Maasai Market located near the Clock Tower. Prices are negotiable at most curio shops and markets except Cultural Heritage and some hotel gift shops. The larger curio shops, hotel & lodge gift shops and Cultural Heritage accept major credit cards. Additionally, both the Kilimanjaro International Airport and Zanzibar International Airport also have gift shops that carry a good selection of items for your perusal while waiting for your flight. If you are fond of gemstones and jewelry, then the rare and precious Tanzanite may be of interest to you. Tanzanite is a beautiful dark blue gemstone unique to Tanzania and only mined near Kilimanjaro Airport. If you are interested in purchasing Tanzanite, please let us know, and we will take you to visit a Tanzanite specialist for certified gemstones to ensure good quality and value.
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the annual cycle of movement made by over 2 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and 400,000 Thomson gazelles in their continuous search for water and green pasture throughout the Serengeti ecosystem. Every year, the ungulates follow a fairly predictable migration route however the timing of the movement varies from year to year depending on rain patterns, from the vast Serengeti plains to the hills of Kenya’s Masai Mara.
The timing of the Great Migration varies depending on the movement patterns of the animals, and it’s influenced by the availability of food and water. Generally, the best times to witness the Great Migration are as follows:
Calving Season (January to February): The wildebeest give birth to their young during this time, usually around February, in the southern Serengeti. Witnessing the newborns taking their first steps and the predator-prey interactions is a unique experience.
Grumeti River Crossing (June to July): By June, the herds start moving northwards. One of the most exciting moments is when they encounter the Grumeti River in Tanzania. Here, you can witness dramatic river crossings as the wildebeest and zebras attempt to navigate through crocodile-infested waters.
Mara River Crossing (August to September): In August, the herds typically reach the northern Serengeti and cross the Mara River into the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This river crossing is another incredible sight, as it’s fraught with danger and attracts numerous predators.
Keep in mind that the exact timing of the Great Migration can vary slightly each year due to weather patterns and other environmental factors. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to consult destination experts at DeMi Tours and Travel who can provide real-time information and help you plan your visit accordingly. Regardless of the specific timing, witnessing the Great Migration is an awe-inspiring experience for any nature enthusiast or wildlife lover.
Packing List
Safaris are informal. Casual and comfortable clothes are recommended.
Plan to dress in layers so you can adjust to temperature changes. Early morning game drives can be quite cold depending on the time of year, while daytime temperatures can get quite warm.
Stick to neutral or khaki colors and avoid wearing dark blue or black clothes as these colors tend to attract tsetse flies. Wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent are a necessity. After sunset, we recommend that you wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks and spray insect repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Recommended safari clothing:
- T-shirts and tank tops
- Long-sleeved shirts (for protection from sunburns)
- Shorts
- Light long pants or convertible long-short pants
- Warm fleece pullover or jacket
- One swimsuit
- Cotton socks and underwear
- One pair of comfortable walking shoes
- One pair of sandals or flip-flops
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Bandana (for dust)
- Sunglass
- Heavy sweater, gloves, and toque if traveling in the cold season (June – August)
Clothing for Zanzibar – Please dress modestly when sightseeing in Stone Town or visiting anywhere outside of the beach resorts in Zanzibar. Women should not wear sleeveless or revealing tops and short skirts or thigh-high shorts (Capri trousers or at least knee-length shorts are fine). Men should wear shirts, pants or knee-length shorts.
- Passport
- Plane tickets
- Travel Insurance Policy & Emergency Contact Numbers
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (if applicable)
- Safari itinerary
- U.S. dollars in large and small denominations ($20, $50 & $100 bills should be issued after 2005)
- Credit cards and ATM bank cards
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Small flashlight or headlamp
- Insect/Mosquito repellent
- Eye drops and extra contact lenses or spare glasses (if applicable)
- Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
- Tissue paper and small travel towel (washrooms in Tanzania often don’t have toilet paper or paper towels)
- Camera, extra memory cards, batteries, and charger, if applicable
- UK plug adapter and transformer/voltage converter, if applicable
- Ziplock bags for toiletries, camera equipment, snacks, etc.
- Personal toiletries
- Small first aid medical kit including Tylenol or ibuprofen, antimalarial pills, cold and allergy medicine, itch medication, band-aids, stomach ache remedy, antibiotic cream, diarrhea medicine, prescription antibiotic for travelers diarrhea (Ciprofloxacin) and any prescription medications.
We strongly recommend that you carry-on all important items such as prescription medication, camera equipment, essential toiletries (please keep in mind many airlines have liquid restrictions) and one or two changes of clothes in case of checked luggage delays or loss.
What time does an early morning game drive start? For best sightings, we recommend that you leave the lodge or camp at 6:00 am sharp for early morning game drives. Many animals are most active in the early morning hours between 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Your safari guide will arrange breakfast boxes with the lodges so that you can make the most of the early morning hours when game will be most active and lighting is best for photography.
For best sightings, we recommend that you leave the lodge or camp at 6:00 am sharp for early morning game drives. Many animals are most active between 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Your safari guide will arrange breakfast boxes with the lodges.
Most lodges and camps use generators for electricity, and many do not operate their generators 24 hours a day; the power may be turned off during the day when most clients are out game driving and again late at night.
Should this be of concern, please let us know so that we can take this into account when booking accommodation within your budget.
However, we have no control over an accommodation’s ability to ensure uninterrupted electricity to its guests.
Electrical sockets in Tanzania are a three-square pin, same as in the United Kingdom and the electrical voltage is 220V.
There is mobile or cellular coverage in many areas of the national parks and conservation areas, but reception may be inconsistent, and network signals are weak. In the remote areas of the Northern and Western Serengeti, there are no signals. However, many of the lodges and camps will have a telephone or email access on the premises (for a fee) to communicate with friends and family back at home.
