Most frequent questions and answers

  • Just about any time of year (see Climate below). However, the most popular seasons are mid-December to mid-March and July to mid-September. This is because of the demand for Christmas and winter holidays and the summer school breaks. An increasing number of visitors are realizing that June and October are ideal, benefiting from lower visitor numbers and off-peak rates on the airlines.
  • Alfred Safaris normally offers safaris with no single supplements in the April/ May/ Junelow season and may well be able to offer some good discounts for larger groups during this period- please contact us for details.

 

  • The millions of wildebeest and zebras are always somewhere, but they are not always in large herds and on the move.  Their location is largely dependent on the weather, which can vary considerably from year to year. In general, the herds assemble south of the Serengeti during January and February, the season in which they give birth to their young.  Starting around March, they being moving North and West in search of fresh grazing through the Serengeti Park. They can move in enormously long single file lines or huge herds. The bulk of the animals reach the Maasai Mara in Kenya, where they tend to remain during July and August, before starting their return trek south back through the Serengeti in September.
  • Yes! Alfred Safaris will work with you to optimize your itinerary.  Please see our Itineraries Page for some popular selections.

 

  • Tanzania is a wonderful destination for a family vacation! Some safaris include very long drives on rough roads which are not recommended for young children.  Please see our Itineraries page for sample safaris specifically designed for families. We are happy to work with you to find the right fit for your family.

 

  • You will need a tourist visa for your safari.  A tourist visa for US Citizens is $100 and $50 for Non-US Citizens.  Visas can be obtained upon entry to Tanzania
    • If you are traveling to Zanzibar you will need an additional visa that can be obtained upon entry to Zanzibar.

 

  • There is a departure tax on international flights of $20- this will generally have been included and already paid at the price of your ticket. There is a small local departure tax payable in cash at the airport/ airstrip for local flights.
    • If your final departure is from Zanzibar, you will have to pay in U.S. cash on departure.

 

  • Check with your doctor to get the current recommendations for vaccinations before your visit. Anti-malarial tablets are strongly recommended.

 

  • Clothes for safari should be light, comfortable, and not too brightly colored. There is little or no requirement for anything formal on safari. A light jacket or sweater may be needed in the evenings at higher altitudes, comfortable walking shoes are essential, as is a hat to keep off the sun, and sunglasses. Don’t forget a swimsuit for use at the lodge pools.
    • Most people bring binoculars, cameras, and/or video equipment with plenty of tape or film. Zoom or telephoto lenses are likely to be useful. The film is available at most lodges/camps but can be expensive.
    • Most of the better hotels and lodges will spray rooms and provide mosquito nets but do bring your insect repellent sprays.
    • A flashlight is always useful.
    • Remember that safari vehicles and light aircraft have tight limits on the size and weight of luggage carried. Depending on your itinerary, it may be possible to leave some luggage in your hotel in Arusha for the duration of your safari.

 

  • Alfred Safaris requires that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property, and other personal risks for the duration of their safari.
    • Temporary one-month membership of AMREF’s Flying Doctors’ Society may be purchased with your safari arrangements. This cover provides the services of light aircraft and skilled doctors for emergency treatment and evacuation to Nairobi resulting from accident or medical emergency in Kenya and Northern Tanzania. This is supplementary to and not a replacement for a standard travel insurance policy.

 

  • The official language of Tanzania is Kiswahili (Swahili). This is spoken and understood by the great majority of the population, many of whom also speak a tribal language (there are over 120 tribal languages!).  There are a wide usage and understanding of English, and virtually everyone the average tourist is likely to meet in the course of their safari will be fluent.

 

• Tanzania lies just South of the equator so there is little seasonal variation in temperature, but it is slightly cooler in June/July and warmer in January/ February. There is much more variation between the coastal and low-lying regions and the high plains and mountain regions. The Northern game parks lie at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet and have a pleasant climate with warm days and cooler evenings year-round.
• There are two rainy seasons – the long rains during April and May and the short rains in November. The rest of the year is classified as the dry season. In practice, the rainfall pattern is neither regular nor predictable. In the rainy seasons, the rain often falls in heavy but brief tropical downpours during the evening or night with pleasant sunny days in between. The effects of the rain can cause some animals to disperse and may produce a few local problems with flooding of roads and bridges. On the other hand, rain makes the atmosphere clean and dust-free and the vegetation beautifully lush and green.
• Whilst the rainy seasons are suitable for safaris, it is not the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, it is less than pleasant climbing and camping in the rain and visibility will also be poor.
• Similarly, the long rainy season is not the best time to visit Zanzibar and several of the hotels are closed during this period.

 

  • The local unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling which these days is freely convertible within Tanzania for the US$ and other currencies. There are numerous banks and bureau de change in towns, and most lodges and hotels will exchange currency or traveler’s cheques at reasonable rates.
    • It is not possible to obtain Tanzanian Shillings outside the country, and it is illegal to export more than a small amount. Many items or services are priced and paid for in US$, so do not convert more funds into the local currency than you need for incidental expenses.
    • Credit cardsare accepted at an increasing number of establishments in Tanzania but by no means everywhere. It is not generally possible to obtain cash on a credit card in Tanzania, so it is recommended that visitors carry sufficient funds in the form of traveler’s cheques.

 

  • The power supply is at the UK/European standard voltage of 220/240, and power sockets are the UK square pin type. Remember, if you want to use US appliances you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug convertor.
    • Power supply is subject to cuts and voltage fluctuation. On safari, most lodges’ power supplies are from generators, and these are often turned off during parts of the day and night to reduce noise and fuel consumption.

 

  • WiFi is accessible in some lodges and tents as well at most National Parks entrances for free. However, in some areas, you will be without WiFi and/or a communication network.
    • Alfred Safaris equips all its safari vehicles with two-way radios so that drivers can communicate with their base, each other, and the lodges. Most lodges and hotels also have a telephone, but the service, particularly for overseas calls, is both erratic and expensive (a $50 minimum is not uncommon). More remote lodges and camps are likely to rely on radio for communications. Game parks are not within cell phone range, but satellite telephones work just about anywhere.

 

  • It is generally recommended to drink only bottled mineral water which is readily available everywhere.
    • There are no restrictions on the sale or consumption of alcoholic drinks in Tanzania. A good selection of local beers and soft drinks are available everywhere, and you will find a range of imported wines, beers and spirits in many places, although these can be expensive.
    • The quality and value of food in Tanzania are highly variable, and in general, the more expensive the lodge, hotel, or restaurant the better and “safer” the food will be. Eat sensibly, be wary of cold buffets and salads – particularly in the first few days of your visit.
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided on safari.  If you would like to bring snacks, please note most camps will hold them during the evening – food is not allowed in tents as it will attract wildlife!

 

  • Desmond’s wife has Celiac disease and successfully went on safari without a problem.  Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we will do our best to accommodate!

 

  • Most hotels and lodges have gift shops with a selection of local crafts and souvenirs. There are also a few roadside stalls and shops that you will pass en route. You will find some interesting wood carvings, paintings, and batiks. Precious stones and jewelry are also a specialty of the area!

 

Alfred Safaris supports the Future Stars Academy (FSA). FSA is a local NGO based in Arusha that trains over 200 vulnerable youth both boys and girls (ages 4-20) to be role models and ambassadors to the community using Football as the tool. With football kids/youth can learn about teamwork, responsibility, attitude, and most of all they stay in school to have a chance in life at a later age. At FSA we say“ No School No Play”. Thus, traveling with Alfred Safaris you are partnering up with us to give these kids a chance at a brighter future as 10% of your proceeds go to support the Future Stars Academy. (www.futurestarsacademy.org)

 

  • Transportation will be provided by Alfred Safaris.  If you want to venture out before or after your safari please note the below:
    • There are some long-distance coaches that are suitable for use by visitors, such as the daily Nairobi to Arusha shuttle bus. Local bus and minibus services are likely to be uncomfortable, overcrowded, and potentially dangerous.
    • There is a railway network, but at best the passenger services can be unreliable and uncomfortable.
    • Taxis are available everywhere in urban areas, but the condition of these can be very poor. The better hotels generally have a superior selection of taxis available, and it is suggested that you obtain one of these, particularly for longer journeys.
    • It is difficult to hire a car or other vehicle in Tanzania without a driver- it is also inadvisable since the poor state of many of the roads in both town and on safari plus erratic driving by other road users makes driving on most routes tiring and unsafe. of the area!