FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get to Tanzania?
There are a number of ways of getting to Tanzania, however you usually will fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (640km, or 2 hours’ flight from Arusha City), or at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (45 minutes’ drive from Arusha City.
Is it safe in Tanzania for me to visit? Is it safe for kids and females?
We are sure you’ll feel very safe here, we’re sure you’ll feel very welcome. As with everywhere else in the world, just use a bit of common sense, don’t flaunt any valuables and you can enjoy the natural wonders, the culture and the people of Tanzania.
Whilst most of our visitors will come to Tanzania for our wildlife experiences, they often leave with a much wider and richer experience than they could have ever expected. Why? Part of that is due to our friendly, welcoming, colourful people. Tanzanians are a true mix of many ethnicities, different religious beliefs and all live together in harmony in what is one of the African continent’s safest destinations.
What is the weather like Tanzania?
The Tanzanian dry season usually starts at the start of June and continues through until the end of October. After that, the ‘short rains’ begin from late October/early November until mid- to end December. There is then a respite from late December to Mid of March, and then the ‘long rains’ start at the end of March and last until May.
Of course, weather seasons can vary every year, so you have to be prepared for anything.
How Is The Weather On Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Temperatures Range From 25 To 30 Degrees Celsius At The Foot Of The Mountain And -15 To -20 Degrees Celsius On Top Plus Wind Chill. Lower Down, It Can Be Wet And Humid, But Higher Up, There Can Be Snow. Rain And Snow May Be Encountered Any Time Of The Year!
Will I be able to use my foreign currency?
The local currency in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shilling (Tshs), but please note that you cannot take this currency either in or out of the country. It is however convertible freely for the US Dollar, Euro and other currencies within Tanzania.
If you have to change money in Tanzania, there are several banks in Tanzania where you can exchange your money. Always get a receipt for currency exchanges.
What wildlife can I expect to see in Tanzania’s National Parks?
We have over 35 species of large mammal, but there are dozens of fascinating smaller animals, too, and an incredible diversity of insect life. And don’t forget there are well over one thousand bird species to be seen as well. Oh yes, and plenty of intriguing reptiles, too.
There are never any guaranteed sightings, but the highlights of a typical game drive might include the popular and giant African elephant, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, olive baboons and big cats such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Jackal and hyena are others to look out for, and in the other-wordly Ngorongoro Crater you could be fortunate enough to see a rare black rhino.
The best thing is that not only will you see many or all of these, but thanks to the incredible knowledge of our driver-guides, you will learn so much about them, too. If you are not an expert bird-watcher yourself, then your driver-guide will also be able to point out some of our colourful feathered friends to you: maybe a majestic African fish eagle, a grey-headed kingfisher or a pearl-spotted owl. As for the vultures…well, you will spot them yourself.
Will I see the famous ‘Big 5’?
There are never any guarantees with wildlife, but our driver-guides work hard to find you the ‘Big 5’ and so much more. But you will certainly have a good chance of seeing the Big 5, depending on which parks you choose to visit as part of your itinerary. If your goal is to see a black rhino, you should include Ngorongoro on your schedule.
Can I walk in the National Parks?
For obvious reasons, you are required to stay inside the safari vehicle when visiting our National Parks. At certain times, you will be able to get out of the vehicle in a safe place to have your picnic lunch, for example. Walking safaris can be arranged in certain parks, such as Selous, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park and Ngorongoro, accompanied by an armed Park Ranger. In the Serengeti, some lodges organize short walks in safety.
What is the Great Migration?
The most attractive activity in Tanzania is the Great Wildebeest Migration which is an annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya.On an average over two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara networks in search food and water.This Great Migration in Tanzania can be witnessed all year round as the wildlife migrates in a circular motion around the Serengeti National Park.
what are the major attractions in Tanzania?
Tanzania is the classic tourist safari destination, with plenty of both quality and quantity to choose from. The wildlife watching is excellent, and there are plenty of places to explore and activities to do. In fact, even three Tanzania vacations, much less one, would be difficult to cover all of the attractions.
The most well-known northern safari circuit includes the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; the lesser-known southern safari circuit includes Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park; and the off-the-beaten-path western safari circuit includes Katavi National Park and the chimpanzee reserves on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Mountain climbers may be astonished to find that Tanzania is home to Africa’s highest summit. “Mount Kilimanjaro is located on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, but it is ascended from Tanzania.”
Which airport should I fly to?
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is approximately 60km (60 min) from Arusha city centre. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the closest International Airport to Arusha.
Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) is on the outskirts of Arusha but only operates domestic flights (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Serengeti).
Other options include flying to Dar es Salaam and then catching a domestic flight to Kilmanjaro or Arusha. You can also fly to Nairobi (Kenya). International flights to this destination are often cheaper. You can then fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or take a bus from Nairobi Airport to Arusha (approximately 7 hours).
Will there be access to Wi-Fi?
Most lodges and tented camps have Wi-Fi. Most public camp-sites do not have Wi-Fi. In all places, the signal strength is variable and is often weak. It is possible to buy a SIM card with data that can be used .