FAQ
Safari questions, answered honestly
Prices, park fees, payments, safety and packing — the things travellers actually email us about.
Planning
- When is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?
- June to October is the classic dry season with the easiest game viewing and the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. January to March is the calving season on the southern plains and the best time for predator action. April and May are the wettest months, but also the cheapest and quietest. Use our month-by-month tool on the Best Time to Visit page to check your own travel dates.
- How many days do I need for a Tanzania safari?
- Three days is the realistic minimum for a worthwhile northern-circuit trip covering Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Five days lets you include two nights inside the Serengeti, and seven days covers the whole circuit without rushing. If you only have one free day, Arusha National Park is a genuine safari day 45 minutes from town.
Prices
- How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
- Our camping safaris start at $185 per person for a day trip, $480 for two days and $1,290 for five days including the Serengeti. Lodge safaris cost roughly 35–45% more. All prices are quoted in US dollars per person and include park fees, a private 4x4, your guide, accommodation and meals. Around 40% of any Tanzanian safari price is government park and conservation fees.
- Why are Tanzania park fees so high?
- Tanzania charges entry fees per person per 24 hours — currently around $70 for most parks and roughly $70 plus a $250 per-vehicle crater fee for Ngorongoro. These are paid directly to TANAPA and the NCAA and fund conservation and anti-poaching. They are the same for every operator, which is why very cheap quotes usually mean cut corners elsewhere.
Payments
- How do I pay, and how does the 10% donation work?
- Start with an enquiry — no payment is taken online. We confirm availability and send a written quote in USD. A 30% deposit secures your dates by bank transfer, with the balance payable on arrival in Arusha in cash USD or by transfer. Once your safari is paid, 10% of the total goes directly to the Fruitful Orphanage & Day Care Center, and we send you confirmation of the transfer.
- Can I pay by credit card?
- Not yet. Card payments are being set up with a provider that supports Tanzanian businesses; until then we work with bank transfer for the deposit and cash USD or transfer for the balance. Please bring US dollar notes printed in 2009 or later, as older notes are not accepted in Tanzania.
Travel
- Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
- Most nationalities need a visa. You can apply online in advance at the official Tanzania immigration e-visa portal or buy one on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport — a single-entry tourist visa is $50, or $100 for US passport holders. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
- What vaccinations do I need?
- A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all safari areas, and routine vaccinations plus hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised. Always confirm with a travel clinic four to six weeks before you fly.
- Is Tanzania safe for tourists?
- Yes. Tanzania is one of the more stable and welcoming countries in the region and safari areas are very safe. Normal city precautions apply in Arusha — avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables out of sight. Your guide stays with you throughout and we follow strict park rules around wildlife.
On safari
- What should I pack?
- Neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige — avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies), layers for cold mornings on the crater rim, a warm fleece, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens and spare batteries, and a soft duffel rather than a hard case. Laundry is available at most lodges.
- How big are the groups?
- All our safaris are private departures. You travel only with your own party in your own 4x4 Land Cruiser with a guaranteed window seat, normally two to six guests. We do not merge groups without asking you first.
- Camping or lodge — which should I choose?
- Camping safaris use public or special campsites with dome tents, mattresses and a private cook; they cost less and put you closer to the sounds of the bush. Lodge safaris use permanent lodges or tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, hot showers and pools. Both use the same vehicles, guides and game-drive time.
- How much should I tip?
- Tipping is customary but never obligatory. A common guideline is $20–25 per vehicle per day for your driver-guide and $10–15 per vehicle per day for camp cooks and staff, split among your group.
Volunteering
- Can I combine volunteering with a safari?
- Yes — that is exactly how Fruits & Love began. Most volunteers spend their weekdays at the Fruitful Orphanage & Day Care Center and take a two or three day safari at the weekend, or a longer trip at the end of their placement. Volunteering itself is arranged through fruitfulorphanage.org and we handle the safari side.
- Can you add Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar to my trip?
- Yes. We arrange Kilimanjaro treks with partner mountain crews and can book flights and accommodation for a Zanzibar beach extension after your safari. Mention it in your enquiry and we will quote the whole trip together in USD.