Frequently asked questions

All visitors to the United Republic of Tanzania require a return or onward ticket, a passport with a validity of at least 6 months, and must obtain an appropriate visa, except nationals of the listed countries on the following link www.moha.go.tz. Visas can be obtained from any Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consulate abroad, and at the main entry points including international airports, seaports, and border posts. It is the customer’s own responsibility to timely obtain the appropriate travel documents and visa. Visas generally cost between USD 50 and USD 100.

Travelling to Tanzania is possible almost throughout the entire year. Depending on what you would like to see, it might be less advisable to travel from March to May.

The climate of Tanzania is tropical. However, due to its geography, the conditions vary among the different regions. In the Highlands, for instance, temperatures can range between 10° and 20°C.

The coastal areas, on the other hand, are warmer and more humid with an average day temperature of 30°C. The hottest period is between November and February; the coldest period is between May and August.

Tanzania has seasonal rainfalls, with the long rains from March to May and the short rains from October to December.

Visiting Tanzania means travelling to a tropical country. Before travelling, customers are advised to visit one of the travel clinics in their home country for a relevant personal travel advice, to ensure that they remain healthy whilst abroad. Travel clinics can advise over and provide the relevant vaccinations, medical examinations and certification, and anti-malaria tablets. Also, travel clinics can advise about appropriate precautions regarding hygiene, food, diseases, animals & insects, and the like. Our customers are responsible for the recommended comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Customers are advised to apply for a temporary AMREF Flying Doctor Membership to cover air medical evacuation from one of the camps in the national parks to Nairobi. You can apply for this coverage on the website of AMREF Flying Doctor, where you can also find additional information.

In case you need medical attention, please always contact your Driver Guide, who can ensure that you will be brought to the nearest medical facility.

Yes, you can. A family safari will certainly add value and offer memories for a lifetime. Many lodges are suitable for children as of the age of five. If you are planning to travel with your young (grand)children, please let us know in advance, so we can take this into consideration when making a proposal for your itinerary, lodges, and additional activities specifically aimed at children.

Ajubatus Safaris aims to offer its customers memories for a lifetime. Though we offer our service at a range of different prices – from budget to high-end luxury safaris – we realize a safari can be expensive, due to several reasons, such as:

• Park and other (government) fees: these fees are essential to protect, manage, and maintain the key wildlife areas in Tanzania. Sometimes, lodges will charge a small amount to support their local community and conservation projects.
• Lodges: When you overnight in one of the parks, lodges must often fly in food and other supplies to maintain their standards of service. Also, there are usually at least three staff to every guest with expert guides, chefs, waiters, housekeepers, mechanics, and other supporting staff.

Though the cost you pay upfront, can be quite high, there is very little you have to pay for when travelling. The accommodation costs are most of the time all-inclusive, including meals and some of the drinks. Therefore, the additional costs will be limited to tips and for example souvenirs.

There are ways to reduce the cost of your safari. We are happy to discuss the possibilities and experience when you travel outside the peak seasons. Also, for some of the parks we can adjust the itinerary for you to be able to stay outside of the park, which can reduce the park fees that you have to pay. Finally, booking early can provide opportunities to make use of special offers or lower rates.

The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but the US dollar and euro are also widely accepted in tourist areas. Please note that you bring dollar notes printed after 2009 (notes from before 2009 are not accepted in Tanzania, even though valid).

Foreign currency in cash may be exchanged at commercial banks, authorized dealers or at bureau de changes operating at the international airports, major towns, and border posts. You should get a receipt after each transaction.

If you need or like to use Tanzanian Shillings you can use one of the ATMs. Most banks in major cities operate ATMs. However, they do sometimes break down or run out of money. Be advised to only use ATMs located within a bank. For you to be able to use an ATM, your bank card profile should be set on “World”. Your Driver Guide can help you find a good location to use an ATM.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency, but as the Tanzanian is not a hard currency, it cannot be taken in and out of the country.

One of the most frequently asked questions is how much to tip on a Tanzania safari. For those working in a service industry in Tanzania, tips still form a relevant part of their income. However, as in every country, tipping is not mandatory and should always depend on the quality of service provided. Tipping is an admirable way to share your satisfaction with your Driver Guide and other staff service you will receive while on a safari in Tanzania.

For the staff of lodges and tented camps, like chefs, kitchen team, and housekeeping staff, many accommodations have a tipping box, the proceeds of which will be equally divided between all staff members. When you check out of your tented camp or lodge you can provide a general tip for all staff. Porters of your luggage may be tipped separately USD 1 up to USD 2 each time you use them.

Since an exciting safari depends mainly on your Driver Guide, there are different guidelines on how to tip them. Best practice is to tip your Driver Guide at the end of your safari. The amounts suggested here are just to give you an idea of what is seen as reasonable. Tipping is and will always be a matter of personal satisfaction and experience.

• Traveling as a family: USD 30 per day
• Traveling as a couple: USD 25 per day
• Traveling as a group: USD 10 per guest per day

The availability of Wi-Fi will depend on the lodge and the location of the lodge. However, it is good to note that Wi-Fi will not operate at the same speed your might be used to at home. Also, Wi-Fi may only be accessible in designated areas of the lodge or camp where you will overnight. Usually, if Wi-Fi is available, it is sufficient to check emails and keep in touch with your family back home.

Yes, dietary requirements can be considered with advance notice. Therefore, Ajubatus Safaris will always enquiry about any dietary requirements you might have.

Except in case of a camping safari, bathrooms are available in the main area of a lodge or camp, and if in every room ensuite. The bathrooms have normal flush toilets, and often a bucket shower. When on a game drive, there are no facilities in the bush – other than on dedicated picnic areas throughout the parks. Your Driver Guide will always explain to you how this works. In case you cannot make it to the nearest picnic area, your Driver Guide will stop at a suitable location, so you can walk behind a tree, a rock, or the car for privacy. Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are available in your vehicle but please note that no products can be left in the bush.

A bucket shower is a shower with a waterproof canvas bag at the bottom (outside of your ensuite bathroom), which is filled with warm water and then lifted up by the staff of your lodge. This way it is possible to enjoy a nice shower in a remote area, where plumbing and running water is not available. Furthermore, this type of shower is very eco-friendly, and very popular with our customers.

For clothing we advise lightweight cotton clothing for safari. Avoid bringing brightly coloured (easily seen by animals), blue and dark (might attract the tsetse fly) clothing. Camouflage clothing army-style is not allowed. In addition, it is advised to bring a lightweight wind and waterproof outer shell, a warm fleece and shirts and trousers with long sleeves and legs for protection against insects.

A sunhat is a must, and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Visitors are also advised to bring insect repellents, a pair of binoculars as well as good covers for cameras.

There are many memorable gifts and souvenirs you can bring from Tanzania for family and friends back home, ranging from spices from Zanzibar to excellent Tanzanian coffee, decorative items made of stone or wood, Tanzanite jewellery, paintings, local fabrics, and last but not least local hand-made jewellery from one of the Tanzanian tribes.

Please note, however, that you are not allowed to buy all local handicrafts. Customs officials on departure will check strictly for illegal wildlife trophies such as ivory, coral, wildlife teeth, shells, sea turtle products, handicrafts made of local hardwood or of wildlife skins. Make sure you keep cash sales receipts and – if applicable – ownership certificates for presentation to customs officials on departure. Also, the export of gold and diamonds is prohibited.

The national language of Tanzania is Kiswahili. English is widely spoken and is the language used in the tourist industry. Knowing a few common phrases in Kiswahili will enhance your travel experience, since Tanzanian people are very appreciative of guests making the effort to say hello in their own language. Your Driver Guide speaks English very well.