How To Book A Safari In Tanzania, 10 Steps In Planning Your Visit

Having decided that Tanzania is the country you are visited for a safari, the next question is how to book a safari in Tanzania. You will need to ask yourself the best safari activities, the best time to go, how much to spend on a safari, where to stay and how to get there.

Below are The Steps in Booking Your Tanzania Safari

#1 Where To Go In Tanzania & What To See

You need to decide whether to go for the wildebeest migration in Serengeti, Hike Mount Kilimanjaro, visit the beaches of Zanzibar for scuba diving, a cultural experience with the Masai, a culinary tour of the spices of Zanzibar, watch the chimpanzees in Mahale mountains or Gombe stream, a game drive to see the big five (buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino and leopard in Ngorongoro crater, Nyerere National Park, Tarangire of a cruise on go birding on Lake Manyara.

#2 Booking Your Safari Early Or Late?

Booking a year early is always the best. However you can still book your safari just a month before your travel date. This will largely depend on how many people you are, the time of the year for your safari and the accommodation options to choose. Due to the uncertainty brought about by Covid 19, most companies do allow rescheduling of your safari to a later date. The trick is always with the accommodation that you choose, the very best hotels and lodges are usually booked pretty early. That is why, if your company is a large group you have to book early.

#3 Planning When To Go On A Safari In Tanzania, High Season Vs Low Season

The best time of the year to visit Tanzania for a safari is during the months of July, August, September and October, but this is also the high or peak season where the prices are high and lodges are in great demand. The National parks are a bit crowded. The weeks around Christmas or Easter, as well as summer tend to be very expensive for safaris because demand is high during these periods. Safaris during November, December, January, March or early April may be cheaper because there are fewer people traveling at this time. Game safaris are great during dry seasons where the vegetation does not hide the wild animals. Some roads are impassable during the rain seasons. All in all, the best month to go on safari is July.

#4 How Much Should You Spend On A Safari In Tanzania

Tanzania safari costs between $ 200 and $ 800 per person per day. This depends on the lodges that you choose, the transport of road vs flights in Tanzania mainland and the safari company whether local or international.

Average Tanzania Safari Prices By Days

1 Day Safari Costs : $ 200 USD

2 Day Safari Costs: $ 380 USD

3 Day Safari Costs: $ 600 USD

4 Day Safari: $ 670 USD

5 Day Safari: $ 730 USD

6 Day Safari: $ 800 USD

7 Day Safari: $ 860 USD

8 Day Safari: $ 920 USD

9 Day Safari: $ 1100 USD

10 Day Safari: $ 1350 USD

11 Day Safari: $ 1400 USD

12 Day Safari: $ 1460 USD

Budget Wildlife safari costs $ 200 per day

Midrange Safari Price is $350 per day.

Luxury Tanzania Safari costs $500 per day.

#5 How Many Days Should You Spend On A Safari In Tanzania

4 Days on safari is the most ideal time you should spend on a safari when you visit Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park.

7 Day safari is recommended if you want to visit the very best of all the top parks in Tanzania including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Nyerere National Park, Arusha National Park.

10 to 14 Days should cover both wildlife safaris in parks such as Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater, Selous game reserve, Serengeti, Ruaha, Mahale Mountains and beach holiday relaxation in Zanzibar or Pemba Island. Hiking Kilimanjaro takes a minimum of 7 days for great experience.

#6 Choosing A Safari Company

Here are some recommendations to help you decide on the best safari company in Tanzania.

When you’re looking for a safari experience, ask friends and family about their personal experiences. They can tell you the best safari destinations and tour operators to go or what to avoid in order to make your trip successful.

In order to choose the best destination for your family, consider checking out tripadvisor, Africatouroperators, travel blogs and reviews online. Ask fellow tourists any questions you may have. Contact them on social media if possible.

There are some area specific associations you can check them through. Ensure you’re choosing a quality, ethical and reputable company for your safari experience. Find whether a company is registered with Africa Tour Operators, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, ATTA etc.

Asking questions before you go is vital! Make a list of your concerns, and then contact your travel agent for answers. Write down their replies so that you have them to refer to while you are traveling.

Insist that you review the cancellation policies in detail before making final payment.

#7 Booking Your Flights

Airfares vary depending on where you are traveling from when you are going to travel and if it is a direct flight or a connecting one. You may also want to consider your travel buddies. If you have kids in tow, you may not want to have a long layover. Most international airways like Emirates, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, run flights to and from Tanzania.

Travelers who book early increase their chances of securing a seat and accommodation, as well as booking low airfare rates.

#8 How To Get A Visa To Tanzania

Visa applicants in Tanzania are now able to apply for an Online Visa that will allow them to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Mainland and Zanzibar). Applicants must submit their application online,(www.immigration.go.tz) make payment, and fill out all necessary information. Once this is submitted your visa will be internally reviewed and within 7 days, processed.

#9 What To Pack For A Safari In Tanzania

-Long sleeved shirts for protection against insect bites and sunburns.

-Convertible long or short pants.

-Sandals or flip flops

-Bandana

-Gloves

-Cotton socks

-Shorts

-Pajamas

-Trekking Shoes

– Passport

-Plane tickets

-Sun glasses

-Flashlight or head lamp

-Insect Repellent

-ATM bank cards

-Hand sanitizer

-Face masks

-Camera and accessories

-Personal toiletries

-Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

#10 Keep Fit & Get Vaccinated Against Covid 19 & Yellow Fever

Needless to stay, most safari activities in Africa require you to be fit and in excellent health condition. Activities like a walking safari, trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, will require a certain level of fitness. As you work on your medical insurance, make it a point to stay health and get that covid 19 jab.

Enjoy every bit of the preparation! Wish you the very best of your travel to Tanzania.