Park Fees
Park entry fees differ per national park. The fees listed are valid for a single day. Some parks also require you to take a guide and that fee is usually around USD 10. Tanzanian nationals are allowed to pay fees in Tanzanian shillings; everyone else needs to pay in US Dollars.The current rates (2006/7) for the Serengeti are USD 50 per person per day; Tarangire and Lake Manyara are USD 35; Katavi and Ruaha are USD 20 per day. The Ngorongoro Reservation Area is a mixed up bundle of fees and regulations where it costs USD 50 per person to enter the Conservation Area, but another USD 100 per vehicle entering the Crater (for 6 hours). Kilimanjaro National Park charges USD 60 per day, so if you're hiking up the mountain, be prepared to pay at least USD 300 in park fees.
Naturally, these rates are all subject to change. For a more comprehensive list of fees, click here
Getting to Tanzania
If you're planning a safari in Northern Tanzania, the best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways also fly into KIA.If you're planning a safari in the south and west of Tanzania, most itineraries will start in Dar es Salaam. European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam include British Airways, KLM and Swissair (which codeshares with Delta).
Regional flights to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and parts of northern Tanzania regularly fly from Nairobi (Kenya Airways, Air Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines).
Click here for a map of Tanzanian Parks
Tanzania to Kenya by LandIf you wish to combine a Tanzania safari with a Kenyan safari, there are several border crossings available. Buses regularly go from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi to Arusha, and Voi to Moshi. If you're on a tour that combines the two countries, transport will be included and usually involves a bus drive from Nairobi to Arusha (5 hours).
Getting Around on Safari in Tanzania
Many tourists on safari in Tanzania will be on a tour which will include transportation. The most common safari vehicle is the jeep. Most safari jeeps are open and you'll get nice and dusty while bouncing along the dirt roads. The open roof gives you better opportunities to photograph the animals. The cheaper your safari, the more likely you'll be traveling in small minibuses around the game parks.Flights Within Tanzania
To get from northern Tanzania to the capital Dar es Salaam, or to fly to Zanzibar, there are several scheduled flights you can take.
Precision Air offers routes between all the major Tanzanian towns, as does the national airline, Air Tanzania. Regional Air Services offers flights to Grumeti (Serengeti), Manyara, Sasakwa, Seronera, Dar es Salaam, Arusha and more. For quick flights to Zanzibar from around Tanzania, check out ZanAir
Africapoint offers services for flights between some of the major game reserves as well.
If you're booking a safari with a tour operator the flights between reserves will usually be included, especially if you're on the southern or western circuit.
Ballooning Safaris
You can enjoy a hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti and Selous National Parks. Flights include breakfast and a champagne toast at the end of the flight. Prices start at USD 450 per person. (No children under 7).
Self-Drive Safaris in Tanzania
If you're planning to see the major parks in Northern Tanzania, then renting your own car is well worth it. The road from Arusha to the Serengeti takes you to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It's in reasonable condition too, although getting to your campsite may not be as easy once you're within the park gates.
For the rest of the country, renting a car isn't highly recommended just because the roads aren't very good to say the least, petrol is expensive and the whole experience may take some of the pleasure off of enjoying your beautiful surroundings. If you have friends with a car who live in Tanzania, let them drive you.
Car rental information and rates: Green Car Rentals; Africapoint; South Travels.
Safari Lodging
Most safari tours operators will have set lodgings they use per itinerary. If you're planning your safari independently, below is a list of various hotels and companies that operate lodges and tented camps around Tanzania. These are all fairly luxurious and certainly spectacular in their settings.
- Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps are located in Arusha, Serengeti, Lake Natron, Lake Manyara, Stone Town and Fumba Beach.
- Elewana Afrika Luxury Lodges and Camps are located in Arusha, Serengeti and Tarangire.
- Serena Hotels and Safari Lodges are located in Arusha, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Serengeti (including 2 tented camps) and Zanzibar.
- Sopa Lodges are located in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire National Parks.
- Nomad Tanzania is a safari tour operator which owns exclusive camps in Katavi, Mahale and Selous. They also run several mobile-tented camps in the Serengeti and Tarangire.
For more lodges in Tanzania see this comprehensive list of accommodations.
What to Pack for your Tanzanian Safari
This is a basic packing list. It's important to remember to pack light especially if you're taking charter flights between parks because the baggage weight is limited to 10-15 kg's (25 - 30 lbs) maximum.
- Camera (with spare film), camcorder
- Binoculars
- Flashlight
- Spare Batteries
- Suntan lotion and insect repellent
- Spare glasses (it's very dusty so avoid contact lenses if you can)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- US Dollars (foreigners need to pay park fees and lodging in USD)
- Personal medications
- First Aid Kit
- Lightweight clothing (no bright colors) and shoes
- Sweater for early morning and evening
- Swimsuit
- A good book to enjoy between drives
Tipping Your Drivers and Guides
Tips are normally given for good service in Tanzania. In restaurants and hotels a 10% tip is normal. For guides and drivers USD 10-15 a day is acceptable. If you're not sure who to tip or how much, ask your tour representative for advice.
