Before You Travel
What a safari costs, visas and health, what to pack, and quick answers to the questions we are asked most. If yours is not here, just ask us.
Safari costs
What shapes the price
- Where you stay: the biggest factor. We offer Silver (comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps), Gold (superior) and Platinum (luxury). Simpler budget options are available on special request.
- When you travel: June to October and the Christmas holidays cost the most; April and May the least.
- How many of you travel: the vehicle and guide are shared across your group, so the price per person falls as the group grows.
- Park fees: set by the parks and paid per person per day. They make up a large part of every safari, and they fund conservation directly.
- Flights: flying between parks saves time but costs more than travelling by road.
Our prices
As a guide, our private safaris currently start at around US$1,650 per person for a week in the north, and around US$1,750 per person for a short safari in Nyerere from Dar es Salaam. A Kilimanjaro climb starts at about US$2,435 per person. Prices are always confirmed in a personal quote, because lodge rates, park fees and availability change.
What is included
Our safari prices normally include your private vehicle and guide, park and conservation fees, accommodation and meals as listed, drinking water on game drives, and airport transfers. Each itinerary lists exactly what is and is not included.
What is not included
International flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks at lodges, personal items, and tips.
Tipping
Tips are not included and are always your choice. As a guideline, many guests give their safari guide around US$20 per person per day. For climbs, tips are shared among the guides, porters and cook.
Paying for your trip
A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 30 days before you travel. See our booking terms.
Visas, health and money
Visas
Most visitors need a visa. You can apply online through the official Tanzania Immigration e-visa site, visa.immigration.go.tz, ideally a few weeks before you travel. Visas on arrival are also available at the main airports for many nationalities. The ordinary single-entry tourist visa costs US$50; citizens of the United States are issued a multiple-entry visa costing US$100. Check the official site for your own nationality.
Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the date you leave Tanzania, with at least two blank pages.
Travel insurance
You need travel insurance that covers medical treatment and emergency evacuation, and trekking up to 6,000 m if you are climbing Kilimanjaro. Visitors to Zanzibar must also buy the Zanzibar government’s inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult) before arrival. In September 2026 the government published regulations for a similar inbound insurance on mainland Tanzania.
Health and vaccinations
A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or have spent more than 12 hours in transit in, a country with yellow fever risk. Malaria is present in most of Tanzania, so talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about prevention well before you go, and about routine and recommended vaccinations such as hepatitis A and typhoid. Bring any personal medicines in their original packaging.
Money
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling. US dollars are widely accepted in hotels and lodges; bring notes printed in 2009 or later, as older notes are often refused. Cash machines are available in towns but not in the parks. Most of your trip is prepaid, so you mainly need money for tips, drinks and souvenirs.
Plastic bags and drones
Tanzania has banned plastic carrier bags, and they may be taken from you at the airport, so pack in other bags. Drones need a permit and are not allowed in national parks without one, so leave yours at home unless we have arranged a permit in advance.
Safety
Tanzania is a welcoming and generally safe country for visitors. As anywhere, take normal care in cities: keep valuables out of sight and use transport we arrange. On safari, always follow your guide’s instructions; they are there to keep you and the wildlife safe.
Time and language
Tanzania is three hours ahead of GMT (GMT+3) all year, with no daylight saving. Swahili and English are the official languages, and your guides speak fluent English. A few words of Swahili go a long way: jambo (hello), asante (thank you), karibu (welcome).
What to pack
Clothes
- Light, breathable clothes in neutral colours such as khaki, olive and beige; avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies
- Long sleeves and trousers for the evenings, to keep off mosquitoes
- A warm fleece or jacket: early mornings on game drives and nights in Ngorongoro can be cold
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable closed shoes, and sandals for the lodge
- Swimwear
Gear
- Binoculars, one pair each if you can
- Camera with a zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards
- A refillable water bottle; we provide drinking water
- A small torch or headlamp
- Plug adaptors (Tanzania uses type D and G sockets) and a power bank
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
Health
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Your malaria tablets and any personal medicines
- A small first-aid kit and hand sanitiser
- A face mask for chimpanzee trekking
Documents
- Passport and visa
- Yellow fever certificate, if you need one
- Travel insurance details
- Some US dollars in clean notes printed in 2009 or later
Climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru?
You need much more, including a warm sleeping bag, layers for freezing summit nights and broken-in boots. We send you a full climbing kit list when you book.
Leave behind
Plastic carrier bags (banned in Tanzania), camouflage clothing, drones without a permit, and anything you would hate to lose.
Frequently asked questions
Is a safari with you private?
Yes. Every safari we run is private, with your own vehicle and guide, so you can travel at your own pace and change plans along the way.
When is the best time for a safari?
June to October is the classic dry season, when wildlife is easiest to see. Every season has something to offer. See When to visit Tanzania.
When can I see the Great Migration?
The herds are in the Serengeti most of the year: calving around Ndutu from about January to March, and Mara River crossings from about July to October. See The Great Migration.
What is the difference between the northern and southern parks?
The north (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara) is classic safari country and ideal for a first visit. The south (Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa) is quieter and wilder, with boat safaris and walking. See Destinations.
What is a tented camp?
A tented camp has large, permanent tents with proper beds and private bathrooms. It feels closer to nature than a lodge, without giving up comfort.
Do I need vaccinations?
You may need a yellow fever certificate, depending on where you travel from, and you should talk to your doctor about malaria prevention. See Before you travel.
Can children come on safari?
Yes, and we plan family safaris with shorter drives and child-friendly lodges. Some activities, such as chimpanzee trekking and walking safaris, have minimum ages.
Can I walk on safari?
Yes, in several parks, including Arusha National Park, Ruaha, Nyerere and Katavi, always with an armed park ranger.
How does my safari give back?
Your park fees fund conservation directly, we hire local guides and staff, and we use locally owned suppliers wherever we can. See Adventure That Gives Back.
How do I book?
Send us an enquiry or a WhatsApp message. We send you a personal itinerary and quote; a 30% deposit confirms your booking.
Good to know
We send you a full pre-departure guide when you book, and confirm any changes to entry rules before you travel.
Questions before you book?
Our team in Tanzania is happy to help, whether you are still choosing or almost ready to go.
Adventure That Gives Back
Private safaris, treks and beach holidays across Tanzania, planned by a Tanzanian team.
Forest Hill, Kihimbwa St, Morogoro, Tanzania
Talk to us
WhatsApp +255 622 191 154
ecolegacy@ecolegacy-africa.com
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Tourism licence No. 035908
Insured with Sanlam Allianz