Plan with confidence before you land in East Africa
Whether this is your first Great Migration safari or a return trip to Ruaha and the coast, good preparation makes every game drive smoother. Use this guide as a practical checklist—from visas and vaccinations to packing, flights, and life in camp—curated by the Extenterra Safari’s team in Arusha.
Need a tailored itinerary? Browse our safari packages or contact us for a private quote.
Safari style
Choose season, route, and private vs group travel.
Documents
Passports, e-Visa, insurance, and lodge confirmations.
Health & visa
Clinic visit, malaria advice, and yellow fever rules.
On the ground
Packing, tipping, photography, and camp etiquette.
Choosing Your Tanzania Safari
Start by deciding how you want to experience Tanzania: a private guided safari with your own vehicle and schedule, a small-group departure, or a custom itinerary that links the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and a Zanzibar finale. Extenterra Safari’s builds around your dates, budget, and comfort level rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all route.
Match the season to your goals. Dry months (June–October) favour wildlife concentration and migration viewing; green season (November–May) brings lush landscapes, calving in the southern Serengeti, and often lower lodge rates. Tell us whether Kilimanjaro trekking, cultural visits, or beach time should sit before or after your game drives.
Pick your season first
Migration, predators, and lodge availability all follow the calendar.
Private vs group
Families and photographers usually prefer private 4×4 safaris.
Combine regions
Northern circuit, southern parks, or bush-and-beach in one trip.
Documents folder
Passport, insurance, e-visas, and lodge vouchers in one place.
Cash & cards
Small USD notes for tips; notify your bank before travel.
Communications
Local SIM or eSIM helps on long drive days between parks.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
Work backwards from your arrival airport—usually Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam. Confirm passport validity (six months beyond travel), lodge confirmations, domestic flight windows, and transfer times between parks. Share dietary needs, mobility considerations, and celebration dates with your planner early.
Budget for park fees, tips for guides and camp staff, visa costs, travel insurance, souvenirs, and a contingency card for delays. Download offline maps, save PDFs of e-tickets, and keep a printed copy of your day-by-day itinerary in case of patchy signal in remote areas.
Health & Vaccinations
Consult a travel-health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure. Yellow fever vaccination may be required if you arrive from an endemic country; malaria prophylaxis is commonly advised for many safari regions. Pack personal medications in original containers plus a short letter from your doctor.
On safari, use insect repellent, long sleeves at dusk, and high-SPF sunscreen at altitude. Camps provide meals with dietary notice—mention allergies when booking. Drink sealed bottled water unless your lodge confirms filtered supply.
Yellow fever certificate
Keep it with your passport if transit rules apply.
First-aid basics
Antihistamine, plasters, rehydration salts, and stomach remedies.
Altitude awareness
Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro crater rim sit high—pace yourself.
Apply early
e-Visa processing can take several business days.
Print confirmations
Screenshots and paper backups speed up airport queues.
Check onward rules
Kenya or Rwanda extensions may need extra visas.
Visa & Entry Requirements
Most visitors apply for a Tanzania e-Visa online before travel or obtain a visa on arrival at supported ports—verify current rules for your nationality before flying. Ensure your passport has blank pages for entry stamps and any onward travel proof requested at immigration.
If your itinerary includes Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania, confirm whether single or multiple-entry coverage is needed. Keep return flights and accommodation details accessible on your phone for border officials.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for Tanzania safaris. Your policy should cover medical evacuation from remote areas, trip cancellation, delayed baggage, and activity limits if you trek Kilimanjaro or dive off Zanzibar. Declare pre-existing conditions honestly to avoid claim disputes.
Save your policy number, emergency hotline, and insurer email in your phone and share them with your lead traveller. Confirm coverage for scheduled light aircraft between parks if your route includes bush flights.
Medical evacuation
Verify helicopter or road evacuation limits in policy wording.
Gear cover
Camera and binocular value may need a rider.
Activity add-ons
Kili climbs and diving often need explicit cover.
Soft bags
Duffle-style luggage fits roof racks and tent rooms better.
Layered clothing
Fleece at dawn, breathable shirts by midday.
Buffer night
Rest before the first long drive into the bush.
Travel Day & Flights
Long-haul flights to East Africa often arrive early morning or late evening. Build a buffer night near Arusha or Dar es Salaam before starting park drives—jet lag and road safety improve dramatically. Pack a carry-on with one change of clothes, toiletries, medications, and chargers.
Label checked luggage clearly; soft bags are easier in safari vehicles than hard suitcases. Confirm baggage allowances on small domestic planes (often 15–20 kg). Wear comfortable layers; temperatures swing from cool dawn game drives to warm afternoons.
Arrival & Airport Tips
At Kilimanjaro International Airport, your Extenterra representative or driver will meet you with a name board when transfers are pre-booked. Keep cash for visa-on-arrival if applicable, and have USD in small, unmarked notes. SIM cards are sold at the airport—set up data before leaving town.
Change money only at official counters or wait until Arusha where rates are transparent. Avoid unsolicited porters without agreed tips; use official airport trolleys when available.
Meet & greet
Confirm WhatsApp contact for your driver before landing.
SIM on arrival
Data helps with lodge ETAs and family check-ins.
Official forex
Skip street changers at the airport exit.
Neutral colours
Greens, khaki, and brown—avoid bright blue and black for tsetse.
Binoculars
8×42 is the sweet spot for most travellers.
Respect culture
Ask before photographing people in villages.
On Safari in Tanzania
Respect wildlife distances and your guide’s instructions—never exit the vehicle unless at designated areas. Dawn drives often deliver the best predator activity; bring binoculars, neutral-coloured clothing, and patience. Tipping guides, cooks, and camp staff is customary; ask Extenterra for current guidelines.
Photography: fast shutter for moving animals, spare batteries, and dust protection for lenses. Mobile coverage is limited in parks; enjoy disconnecting. Evenings are social at camp—review the next day’s route and weather with your guide over dinner.
Ready to plan your Tanzania safari?
Tell us your travel dates and interests—we will craft a private itinerary with lodges, guides, and park fees handled end to end.
