Question 1

How much does a Tanzania safari cost?

Accepted Answer

A mid-range Tanzania safari typically costs around US $250–450 per person per day, so a 5-day northern-circuit safari usually lands between US$1,500 and US$2,500 per person sharing. Budget camping safaris can be lower; luxury lodge and fly-in safaris run higher. A large share of the price is fixed government park and concession fees, not operator profit, which is why prices rarely drop below a certain floor.

Question 2

What is included in your Kilimanjaro packages?

Accepted Answer

All our Kilimanjaro packages include: park and conservation fees, an experienced lead guide and assistant guide, all porters, full board meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner, hot drinks), camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, dining tent), rescue fee, and airport transfers. Excluded: international flights, Tanzania visa, personal gear, tips, and travel insurance.

Question 3

Why are Tanzania national park fees so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Park entry, concession and crater fees are set by the government (TANAPA and the Ngorongoro authority) and can total US$70–250+ per person per day depending on the parks visited. These fees fund conservation and anti-poaching, and they apply equally to every operator. They are the single biggest reason a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari has a high baseline cost.

Question 4

Do I need travel insurance for Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

Yes: travel insurance with high-altitude medical evacuation cover is mandatory for all Kilimanjaro climbers. Your policy must cover helicopter evacuation and repatriation up to 6,000m. We recommend policies from World Nomads, SafetyWing, or Battleface.

Question 5

Is a 20–30% deposit normal when booking a Tanzania safari?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A deposit of roughly 20–35% to confirm a booking is standard practice across reputable Tanzanian operators, with the balance due before or on arrival. Operators need the deposit to pre-pay park permits and reserve lodges. Be cautious of anyone demanding 100% upfront with no contract, or who only accepts untraceable payment methods.

Question 6

How do I know a Tanzania tour operator is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Check that the operator is registered with TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) and licensed by the Tanzania Tourist Board. Look for a real physical office address in Arusha or Moshi, verifiable reviews on independent platforms, a written contract and itinerary, and a sensible deposit structure. Visit Kili is a locally registered, Moshi-based operator.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations 60+ days before departure: full refund minus a $150 admin fee. 30–59 days: 50% refund. Under 30 days: no refund, but we will credit 80% of the value toward a rebooking within 12 months. Force majeure events (natural disasters, government travel bans) are handled case by case.

Question 8

What is the best time of year to climb Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

The two best seasons are January–February (short dry season) and June–October (long dry season). These months offer stable weather, clear skies, and the best summit views. Avoid April–May (long rains) when trails are wet and muddy. March and November are shoulder months: possible but wetter.

Question 9

Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Zanzibar is generally safe for tourists, but petty scams and persistent beach vendors ("beach boys") are common around the busier beaches. Book excursions through your hotel or a reputable operator rather than street sellers, agree prices in writing beforehand, dress modestly in Stone Town out of respect for local culture, and use trusted transfers. With basic precautions most visitors have a relaxed, trouble-free stay.

Question 10

How fit do I need to be for Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to be an elite athlete, but you should be able to hike 6–8 hours per day at altitude. We recommend training with 3–4 months of regular hiking (ideally on hilly terrain), cardiovascular exercise, and at least one multi-day hike before your climb. Previous experience at altitude is helpful but not essential.

Question 11

What is the best time for a Tanzania safari?

Accepted Answer

The dry season from late June to October offers the easiest game viewing and the northern Serengeti river crossings. December to March is green, quieter and cheaper, with the wildebeest calving around Ndutu: excellent for predators and photography. The long rains of April–May are the lowest season. The "best" time depends on whether you prioritise the migration, fewer crowds, or lower prices.

Question 12

Is seeing the Great Migration worth it?

Accepted Answer

For most first-time visitors, yes: the Great Migration is one of the planet's greatest wildlife spectacles, with over 1.5 million wildebeest on the move. The key is timing: the herds shift with the rains, so the river crossings (July–October, north) and calving (December–March, south) happen in different areas. We position your safari to match where the herds actually are for your travel dates.

Question 13

Should I choose a private or a shared (group join) safari?

Accepted Answer

A private safari gives you your own vehicle and guide, full control over timing and stops, and is ideal for families, photographers or couples: at a higher per-person cost. A shared/group-join safari splits the vehicle and guide cost across travellers, making it cheaper but less flexible. Both see the same wildlife; the choice is about budget versus flexibility.

Question 14

Is the Ngorongoro Crater worth the high fee?

Accepted Answer

Most visitors find it worth it. The Ngorongoro Crater concentrates around 25,000 animals: including one of the best chances in Tanzania of seeing the endangered black rhino and all of the Big Five: in a single, scenic half-day descent. The fee is high because it is set by the conservation authority, but the density and reliability of sightings are exceptional.

Question 15

Can I combine a safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is one of the most popular Tanzania trips: a northern-circuit safari followed by a short flight to Zanzibar for the beaches. A typical combination is 4–6 safari days plus 3–5 beach days. We arrange the internal flights and transfers so the two halves connect smoothly.

Question 16

How much should I tip my safari guide or Kilimanjaro crew?

Accepted Answer

As a guideline, around US$20–30 per day for a private safari guide, and on Kilimanjaro roughly US$250–350 total per climber split across the guiding and porter team, pooled and distributed fairly. Tipping is customary and forms an important part of crew income, but it is voluntary and should reflect the service you received.

Question 17

Is it safe to send a deposit to a Tanzanian operator before my trip?

Accepted Answer

It is normal and safe when dealing with a registered operator that issues a contract and invoice. Pay via traceable methods (bank transfer or a card payment gateway), keep all written confirmations, and verify the company's TATO registration and physical address first. Avoid sending money to personal accounts of someone you cannot verify.

Question 18

I am over 40 and not very fit. Can I still climb Kilimanjaro?

Accepted Answer

Many people reach the top in their forties, fifties and sixties, and plenty are not athletes. What decides it is time and preparation, not youth: choose a long route (seven or eight days), train with hills and long loaded walks for at least two or three months, and walk slowly on the mountain. If you have a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition, see your doctor before you book.

Question 19

Is it worth the extra day: 7 or 8 days on Lemosho?

Accepted Answer

Climbers who write trip reports often say the eighth day made summit night feel more manageable, because you spend an extra night near 4,000 m. If you are nervous about altitude, are older, or have spare days, take the eight. If you are fit, have recent altitude experience and are short of time, seven works.

Question 20

Does the moon matter for summit night?

Accepted Answer

It helps. Around a full moon the trail is visible without a head torch for much of the climb, and it feels less lonely and less cold. It also means more people choose those dates, so book earlier. Check the moon calendar for your month; you can still summit on a dark night with a good head torch.

Question 21

How do I know a Kilimanjaro operator is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Ask for the company's Tanzanian business licence and TATO membership, check them on the official register, and read recent reviews on more than one site. Ask how many people are in the crew and how porters are paid and equipped. A fair operator answers these quickly and writes the answers down.

Question 22

Is a small deposit a good or bad sign?

Accepted Answer

A deposit that secures the date is normal. What matters is that the rest is paid by a clear rule, the receipt names exactly what is included, and the company is registered and reachable. Be careful with anyone who asks for the full price by bank transfer to a personal account.

Question 23

How much should I tip the crew, and when?

Accepted Answer

Tips are a normal and important part of crew income. Guides, cooks and porters are tipped in a pooled way at the end of the climb, in local or US currency, with the group present. Ask your operator for their written tipping guideline before you go, so you can budget; see our tipping guide.

Question 24

Should I take Diamox?

Accepted Answer

Acetazolamide is a prescription drug that some doctors recommend for altitude. It does not replace a slow ascent. Talk to your own doctor well before the trip, try it at home first if they prescribe it, and tell your guide you are taking it.

Question 25

What about toilets, showers and charging phones?

Accepted Answer

Camps have basic long-drop toilets and many groups carry a private toilet tent on request. There are no showers; wet wipes and a small washing bowl brought by the crew are the norm. Bring a power bank, since charging points do not exist on the trail, and keep electronics warm so batteries last.

Question 26

How cold does it really get?

Accepted Answer

At the high camps and on summit night it is usually below freezing, and wind makes it feel colder. Layers matter more than one thick coat: a base layer, fleece, insulated jacket, a waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves and a sleeping bag rated well below zero. See packing for Kilimanjaro.

Question 27

Can I climb alone, or join a group?

Accepted Answer

You cannot walk the mountain without a licensed guide, but you can book as one person and still have a full crew. Whether you join a group depends on whether other climbers are going on your dates; ask us and we confirm before you pay. See group climbs.

Question 28

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Choose a policy that explicitly covers trekking to 6,000 m and emergency evacuation. Standard holiday cover often stops at a lower altitude. Read the exclusions before you buy and carry the policy number with you.

Question 29

Can I do Kilimanjaro, a safari and Zanzibar in one trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is a common sequence: climb first, safari second, beach last, so your legs recover in a vehicle and then on sand. Allow about two weeks for all three. See the combination trips.

Question 30

Which route should I choose if I have only 6 days?

Accepted Answer

Six days works best on Machame, Rongai or a six-day Marangu, if you are fit and have recent altitude experience. If you can find a seventh day, Machame or Lemosho gives your body a much easier ride. See six days or seven.

Question 31

Which vaccinations and visa do I need?

Accepted Answer

Requirements change, so check your own government's travel health advice and Tanzania's immigration site close to your travel date. Many visitors need an e-visa; see our visa guide. Ask a travel clinic about vaccinations well ahead.