Frequently Asked Questions

For peak season (July–October) and the Great Migration, we recommend booking 6–12 months in advance. January–February (calving season) is also popular and fills quickly. For shoulder and low season, 2–3 months is usually sufficient. Kilimanjaro group departures often sell out 3–4 months ahead. The short answer: book as early as you can — we cannot guarantee availability without a reservation deposit.

We require a 30% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking confirmation. The remaining 70% balance is due 60 days before your departure date. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. All prices are in USD. We accept international bank transfers, major credit cards, and PayPal (3% surcharge applies).

Our cancellation policy is tiered by notice period: Cancellation more than 90 days before departure — forfeit deposit only. 60–89 days — 40% of total cost. 30–59 days — 60% of total cost. Less than 30 days — 90% of total cost. Less than 14 days or no-show — 100% of total cost. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations. See our full Booking Policy page for details.

Absolutely — customisation is what we do best. All our itineraries are starting points, not rigid templates. We can adjust park combinations, accommodation levels (budget to ultra-luxury), add Zanzibar beach extensions, swap activities, and modify duration. Use our Plan Your Trip wizard to start, or simply email us at info@nashivaisafaris.com with your wish list.

Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to new dates in most cases, subject to availability and provided the new departure is within 18 months of the original. A small rebooking fee may apply if significant replanning is required. We always try to accommodate genuine emergency situations — please contact us as soon as possible if your plans change.

Tanzania offers excellent safari experiences year-round, but there are two primary windows. The dry season (June–October) offers the best general wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources and vegetation thins. January–February is our favourite for calving season — extraordinary predator activity and fewer crowds. The wet season (April–May) is best avoided for road-based safaris but offers spectacular green scenery and excellent photography.

Tanzania is home to the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), the Great Migration (1.5 million wildebeest), cheetah, wild dogs (African painted wolves), hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra, and over 1,100 bird species. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater consistently deliver the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Our guides know exactly where and when to find specific species.

Our primary safari vehicle is the custom-fitted Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof hatch (360-degree viewing), individual window seats for every passenger, comfortable padded seats, and a cool box for drinks and snacks. Vehicles seat 4–6 passengers comfortably. For Zanzibar transfers and Stone Town, we use air-conditioned minivans. For fly-in safaris, we also use smaller 4x4 vehicles specific to each camp.

Tanzania is one of Africa's most stable and safest countries for tourists. The national parks are well-managed and TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) maintains strict safety protocols. Our guides are armed with emergency communication equipment. Petty crime occurs in cities as anywhere — we brief all clients on basic safety precautions. Our clients have travelled safely with us for 15+ years without incident.

Our safari prices typically include: all accommodation (as specified), full board meals (all meals in the bush), national park fees, conservancy fees, game drives as per itinerary, airport transfers, dedicated driver-guide, vehicle, and fuel. What is generally NOT included: international flights, travel insurance, visa fees, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, tips/gratuities, and optional activities (hot air balloon, walking safaris). Each quote specifies exactly what is included.

Absolutely — a Tanzania safari is a life-changing experience for children. Most national parks allow children of all ages in vehicles. Ngorongoro and Tarangire are particularly family-friendly with road surfaces gentle enough for young travellers. We recommend ages 7+ for longer game drives. Zanzibar is ideal for all ages. We offer specific family itineraries with child-appropriate pacing, lodges with family rooms, and guides experienced with young guests.

Kilimanjaro does not require technical climbing skills — it is a trek, not a climb. However, good cardiovascular fitness is essential. You should be able to walk 6–8 hours at a time with a daypack. Prior hiking experience (long day hikes, mountain trails) is highly recommended. The main challenge is altitude, not technical terrain. We suggest training with long walks at moderate elevation for 3–4 months beforehand. Anyone in reasonable health between ages 10–70+ can successfully summit with proper preparation and our guidance.

For first-time Kilimanjaro climbers, we recommend the 7-day Machame Route or the 8-day Lemosho Route. Machame is the most popular for good reason — excellent scenery, good acclimatisation profile, and the best balance of cost and success rate. Lemosho is our personal favourite: more scenic, less busy, and with the highest success rate due to extra acclimatisation time. We do not recommend 5-day Marangu for first-timers — the acclimatisation window is too short and summit success rates are significantly lower.

Critical gear includes: warm summit jacket (rated to -15°C), waterproof hard-shell jacket and trousers, warm gloves (summit and liner), thermal base layers, waterproof hiking boots (broken-in!), trekking poles (×2), sleeping bag (-10°C rated), headlamp with spare batteries, and insulated water bottles. A detailed gear list is provided on booking. We also offer gear rental for items you don't own. See our Packing List page for the complete guide.

Our overall Nashivai Kilimanjaro success rate is 89% — significantly above the industry average of approximately 65%. Our success comes from proper route selection (longer routes with better acclimatisation), experienced guides who monitor altitude symptoms rigorously, daily pulse-oximeter checks at every camp, strict "pole pole" (go slowly) protocols, and availability of emergency oxygen on all climbs. Routes matter enormously — our Lemosho clients achieve a 90% success rate versus 60–65% for the standard 5-day Marangu.

We are proud members of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) and strictly adhere to their ethical porter treatment guidelines. Our porters are paid above the KPAP minimum wage, carry no more than 20kg each, are provided with adequate food and accommodation, and receive proper clothing for the cold. Tipping your team is strongly encouraged and we provide guidance on appropriate amounts. Our porter welfare is something we take extremely seriously.

The most convenient route is a domestic flight from Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) — approximately 1 hour. Precision Air, Air Tanzania and Coastal Aviation all operate this route. We book and coordinate all domestic flights as part of your safari-beach package. Alternatively, a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar takes 1.5–2 hours if you're in that city. We handle all logistics seamlessly — you simply step off the safari vehicle onto a plane.

Zanzibar is one of the world's great honeymoon destinations. Turquoise lagoons, powder-white sand, exotic Swahili architecture, exceptional boutique resorts, dhow sunset cruises, and extraordinary food make it truly special. We specialise in honeymoon packages — private villa options at Kendwa and Matemwe, couples' diving excursions, sunset boat dinners, spa treatments and romantic beach setups. Our Safari + Zanzibar Honeymoon package is one of our most-requested itineraries.

Swimming conditions vary significantly by beach and tide. Nungwi and Kendwa (north coast) are the only beaches where you can swim at any time of day regardless of tide — they have natural lagoons that maintain depth at low tide. Most east and southeast coast beaches (Paje, Jambiani) become shallow at low tide and are best for snorkelling rather than swimming at those times. We advise on beach-specific swimming conditions when planning your stay.

Most nationalities require a visa for Tanzania. The Tanzania e-visa system makes the process straightforward — apply online at immigration.go.tz before travel. Single-entry tourist visas cost $50 USD for most nationalities. Citizens of EAC member states (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, etc.) may be exempt. We strongly recommend applying at least 2 weeks before departure. See our Visa Requirements page for country-specific information and a step-by-step application guide.

The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted at safari camps, hotels, and for park fees. We recommend bringing crisp, clean USD bills (no notes older than 2009). Euros and GBP can be exchanged in Arusha. ATMs are available in Arusha and Zanzibar (Visa/Mastercard). In national parks and remote areas, cash is essential — card machines are rare. Budget approximately $50–100 USD in local cash for tips, local markets, and incidentals.

Tanzania is UTC+3 (East Africa Time, EAT) year-round — Tanzania does not observe daylight saving time. This means Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of London (summer) / 3 hours ahead GMT, 6 hours ahead of New York (EST), and 5 hours behind Sydney AEST. Sunrise in Tanzania is approximately 6:00am year-round, which is why game drives typically begin at 6:30am to catch the golden morning light and most active animal periods.

Clothing: Neutral earth tones (khaki, olive, tan — avoid bright colours and white in the bush). Lightweight long-sleeve shirts for sun protection and evenings. A fleece or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. Comfortable walking shoes for camp. Essentials: good quality binoculars, camera with zoom lens, high SPF sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, wide-brim hat, and personal medications. A detailed client packing list is sent upon booking. Luggage: soft-sided bags only for light aircraft safaris (max 15kg).

Yes, malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for all Tanzania travel. The most commonly recommended medication is Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), which is taken daily starting 2 days before travel and continuing 7 days after return. Doxycycline (cheaper but requires strict sun-protection) and Mefloquine (weekly, started 3 weeks before) are alternatives. Consult your GP or travel health clinic for personal advice. In addition to tablets: use DEET repellent (30%+), wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn, and ensure your camp accommodation has mosquito nets.

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all Nashivai Safaris bookings. Your policy must include: medical emergency coverage (minimum $500,000), emergency medical evacuation (including helicopter evacuation — critical for Kilimanjaro), trip cancellation, and personal liability. For Kilimanjaro climbers, mountain rescue and high-altitude evacuation coverage is required. We recommend World Nomads, Battleface, or your local specialist insurer. You must provide your insurance details before departure.

As of 2025, Tanzania has no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for entry. Standard health and immigration procedures apply. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements for your nationality on the Tanzania Immigration Department website (immigration.go.tz) or your national government's travel advisory, as requirements can change. We also send clients a current travel advisory with all booking confirmations.