What clothes should I bring with me?
Will it be hot or cold?
What about malaria and other health issues?
Will we have to share a car with other people?
How much does a Planet Africa safari cost?
Why pay more for this safari than I would for other holidays?
Do we need Flying Doctors insurance?
What about safety – is it dangerous to go on safari?
Can I fit sports, culture or beach into my safari experience?
How do I get a visa?
How much cash should I take with me on safari?
Is it guaranteed that I will see the migration?
Are there mosquito nets in every lodge or camp?
Can my children take part in activities?
I want to bring my children on safari – what age is suitable?
Can Planet Africa plan a family safari?
What is the custom regarding tipping on safari?
What about my dietary restrictions?
How can Planet Africa help me put a safari together?
How can my safari be a really great experience?
What clothes should I bring with me?
You don’t need to be smartly dressed on safari. The most important thing is to be comfortably and practically dressed. “Safari colors” - green, khaki, brown or grey – are really useful, because white, red and other bright colors might scare away the wildlife! Some ladies may want to consider packing a sports bra – the roads are bumpy. Open sandals or other comfortable shoes may be useful to wear in the car when it is hot.
Will it be hot or cold?
Please bring some warm clothes! It gets really cold in some places because of the high altitude, especially in June, July and August. Of course it can also get very hot. It is probably best if you dress in layers, that way you won’t be chilly in the morning, and as the day gets hotter, you can just take off your layers and stay cool in the lighter clothes you’re wearing beneath.
What about malaria and other health issues?
Be sure to bring special and personal prescriptions and medications. Please let us know of medical conditions that may require special attention on safari. Malaria is not to be taken lightly. All travellers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic about 3 months before departure. Ask your doctor about vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Will we have to share a car with other people?
If you go on a private safari with Planet Africa Adventures, you won’t have to share the car with anyone. You and your partner / friends / family will have your own vehicle and driver guide. This allows you to explore at your own pace rather than being tied in with a group schedule. It is not advisable to travel after dark, and the national park regulations need to be adhered to. But if you want to stop and look at the giraffe for half an hour, or you decide you’ve had enough for the day and want to go back to the lodge and rest, you can do so.
How much does a Planet Africa safari cost?
Our prices start at about 350 US$ to 400 US$ per person per day. If you are coming with a group - your family or friends perhaps - the price can be 350 US$ or slightly less per person per day (depending on the itinerary). It is important to understand that these are high quality safaris. We offer a range of different safaris at varying price levels.
A high-end safari will cost approximately US$500-$750 per person per day, or more. If you choose a high-end safari, you will spend much time in remote areas, staying in exclusive luxury camps or lodges, located in beautiful pristine and remote wilderness. You will be able to avoid crowds and enjoy the bliss of a private and personal experience in the African bush. In order to reach these very beautiful and remote locations, flying will be necessary.
A mid-range safari will cost approximately US$350-$500 per person per day. You can have a really nice safari if you choose to go for the mid-range price. Traveling in a private safari vehicle (four wheel drive Land Rovers and Land Cruisers) you will be accompanied throughout by your very own private guide who is knowledgeable about wildlife and fluent in English. On a midrange priced safari, you will not stay in over-the-top luxurious camps, but you will always have clean, comfortable and pleasant accommodation.
Why pay more for this safari than I would for other holidays?
The logistics involved in traveling to remote wilderness areas are costly. Consider this – eating a delicious meal beneath African night skies is magic – but just try to imagine what it takes to organise something like this in the middle of nowhere! Tanzania is also a huge country, and traveling around from one park to the next is also a big cost factor.
Tanzania would probably not be able to protect and maintain its national parks without the revenue from entry fees that each visitor has to pay. Tanzania is one of the few countries that actually has a policy of extending the areas that are protected, even though it already has some of the largest national parks in the world.
When visiting Africa, it is extremely important to go with a reputable tour operator. Planet Africa Adventures is more expensive than some other tour operators but the difference in the level of service you will receive is worth the extra cost.
Having your own vehicle and guide makes a huge difference because it gives you the chance to explore at your own pace. Staying in fantastic locations in great lodges and camps gives you a much better “bush experience” – as opposed to staying in an anonymous hotel room. Traveling in comfort and efficiently will leave you with the energy you need to appreciate everything that you see.
With Planet Africa you can rest assured that your African adventure will be planned according to what you want, and will be properly executed with back-up plans in place on the slim chance something doesn’t work out as anticipated.
Do we need Flying Doctors insurance?
As a precaution, we choose to insure all of our guests with a Flying Doctors service called FIRST AIR RESPONDER, the most effective medical emergency response available in Tanzania.
This service is NOT to replace any medical scheme you already have but to act as an immediate response to medical emergencies in Tanzania. There is a gap that insurances and even international evacuation companies don’t always cover - transport from the scene of an accident to a hospital of international standards. With FIRST AIR RESPONDER insurance, a patient is stabilised and transported by the most swift and efficient means to the regional centre of medical excellence, using a medically equipped plane or vehicle. The cost for this insurance is a price worth paying and we include this insurance for every person going on safari with us.
What about safety – is it dangerous to go on safari?
Many people worry about wild animals on safari. This is partly what your guide is for. He will make sure that you always keep a safe distance. If the animal feels safe, it is extremely unlikely that it will attack you. If an animal feels threatened, however, the situation can become dangerous. You should never shout or disturb the animals with loud noises. Do not try to approach or touch them, and do not throw any objects at them. This may sound like the most obvious advice, but extremely rare accidents occur due to people behaving incorrectly.
Many people also worry about animals coming into their tents while they are sleeping at night. This fear is understandable, but it is also unfounded. Even though you may hear a lion or hyena somewhere in the distance, they most certainly will not try to chew their way into your tent! However, keeping open and loose food-stuffs in your tent is not recommended as it may attract monkeys.
Can I fit sports, culture or beach into my safari experience?
Viewing wildlife from the vehicle is one way of experiencing Africa. If you are a more active person, a Planet Africa safari may be just the right thing for you. Our options of walking, biking, canoeing and a variety of cultural excursions give you the opportunity to see Africa from a different perspective. Our activities are described in detail on this website.
A safari can be tiring. A few days on the beach is a great way to relax at the end of your trip. Tanzania has a beautiful coastline – wash off the dust of your safari with a dip in the Indian Ocean and take some time to chill on the beach. We have been to Zanzibar ourselves numerous times and have selected some really great places.
How do I get a visa?
The cost of a tourist visa is US$50 per person and $ 100 for American citizens, to be paid in cash. We recommend buying the visa upon arrival in Tanzania - it is not necessary to arrange everything beforehand. Buying a visa upon arrival does not take much time at all and can be done no matter what day of the week you arrive. Forms can be obtained at the airport/ at the border upon arrival. All you need to do is fill out the form and pay the fee, and you will get a visa stamped in your passport.
Please make sure you have all the necessary jabs. A Yellow Fever jab, for example, is one legal requirement for being allowed to enter the country. It is not necessary to bring any pictures to get your visa, but please be aware that your passport has to be valid for another 6 months after departing from Tanzania.
How much cash should I take with me on safari?
Make sure you bring some cash, but not too much. Do not carry amounts in your pocket that you would feel uncomfortable with at your local supermarket, and try to keep your money out of sight and safely tucked away.
There are some Barclays Bank branches where you can withdraw cash from the ATM – a few in Arusha, and another branch in Zanzibar (Stone Town). The official currency here is Tanzanian Shillings, however US dollars are widely accepted, though preferably not the old ’93 or ’96 notes. You can use your credit card in the large hotels and lodges (to pay for your drinks for example). You won’t be able to use your card in remote places in the bush. There are many bureaus where you can exchange money in Arusha.
Is it guaranteed that I will see the migration?
We can’t guarantee that you will see the migration. We do have excellent knowledge of which area you should visit and at what time of year, in order to maximise your chances. However, weather patterns (which influence wildlife movements) are unpredictable, especially with ongoing climate change. Tanzania has had some atypical rain patterns for example, and that can have an impact on wildlife movements.
We do our utmost to ensure you have the best game viewing possible, but you do need a bit of luck. The animals in national parks are wild, and there are no boundaries to restrict their movement. You may or may not see a leopard, or a cheetah, or the wildebeest. Your guide will certainly make a huge effort to provide you with excellent animal sightings, but there is never a guarantee.
Are there mosquito nets in every lodge or camp?
Just about every lodge or camp provides mosquito nets in their rooms. Usually, a room attendant will prepare the bed (while you are having dinner) by folding down the mosquito net and spraying insect repellent. If you are worried about the mosquitoes in your room, you can always ask for insect spray. Many places located at high altitude have little mosquito activity during the night because temperatures can be very cool. Mosquitoes tend to be most active in the early evening, so wear repellent on your exposed skin, and protect yourself by wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks.
Can my children take part in activities? What age is suitable?
You know your child best. Can your son or daughter walk for several hours? Does he or she have enough stamina for a hike? Can your child swim or has he/she ever gone paddling or canoeing before? Is your child good at cycling and has he or she ever done any mountain biking? We do have some children’s bikes, but it depends on how tall your daughter or son is. As a general rule, we do not recommend our activities for children under six years of age, but feel free to get in touch if you are in need of more information.
I want to bring my children on safari – what age is suitable?
Going on safari is not suitable for children under six years of age, in our opinion. There will be some long hours in the car, and constant animal sightings are not guaranteed. It can be hot and dusty and the roads may be bumpy, which is tiring even for adults. If you are staying at an exclusive, small-scale tented camp, you may find that the evening candle lit dinner is not exactly child friendly.
Sometimes it’s necessary to remain in one spot for an hour or more, waiting quietly in the car for a cheetah to go hunting, or until the wildebeest cross the river. Wildlife watching takes patience and we don’t need to tell you how unlike a zoo a national park is. If you want to bring your small children on safari, please get in touch with us so that we can help to design a child friendly itinerary.
Can Planet Africa plan a family safari?
Planet Africa can indeed help you to plan a family safari. We have a lot of experience when it comes to family safaris, because our activities make a safari much more family friendly.
Energetic teenagers or active children will probably enjoy their safari a lot more if they can get out of the car once in a while to go canoeing or biking or walking. We will design a private itinerary for you, and depending on the size of your family, we will ensure you have enough vehicles so that space is not cramped, and have enough guides to ensure individual care and attention.
What is the custom regarding tipping on safari?
First of all, tipping is completely at your discretion. If the service is not good, you do not need to give a tip. Some camps or lodges have a staff tip box. At other camps and lodges, it may be appropriate to give the head waiter or manager a lump sum for your entire stay.
Generally speaking, tips are appreciated by camp or lodge staff if you feel you want to – a lump some is usually the best way. Separately from that, you may want to tip your guide.
When you book your safari, you will receive a comprehensive information package, including guidelines on giving tips. When we meet you for the safari briefing, we can also tell you more about this.
What about my dietary restrictions?
Generally speaking, a dietary restriction does not prevent you from going on safari. Please make sure that you inform us as early as possible. If your children prefer to eat pasta and tomato sauce for lunch, or if they want their dinner at 7 so they can go to bed early, let us know and we can try to accommodate your needs.
Your guide will be with you throughout the entire safari and he can also assist you by speaking to the kitchen management should this be necessary. If you are allergic to wheat, or dairy products, we will do our best to make arrangements with all the lodges or camps that you will be staying at. However, you need to understand that the logistics of running a lodge or camp in the middle of nowhere are complicated. If your dietary restriction is very unusual and complex, it may not be possible to accommodate you. Seaweed soup is generally not available in the middle of the Serengeti, for example, and if you need to have a yeast supplement with every meal, then it would be a good idea to bring your own. As long as your dietary restriction is not too complicated, we can help you to get what you need.
How can Planet Africa help me put a safari together?
We always take the time to get to know you in order to design a tailor-made itinerary. We try ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for. Rather than imposing our ideas on you, we prefer to collaborate with our clients. The most important thing is for you to be able to make an informed decision. So how does this process work?
You may already have a rough idea of the places in Tanzania that you really want to see. Or you may have no idea whatsoever. Just send us an email and we can take it from there.
We pay attention to the price range you choose (for more information, read the heading “How much does a Planet Africa safari cost?”) and we try to build an itinerary around your preferences and interests. This way, you end up with a customized itinerary that is designed to suit your personal preference.
How can my safari be a really great experience?
For a good safari a really good guide, a reliable vehicle, good accommodation and a well- planned itinerary are probably the most important elements.
A good guide is the most crucial person on your safari. We send our guide on extensive training programs every year. Our guides have no less than ten years of experience, they speak fluent English and they know the national parks and roads like the back of their hands. Your guide will make sure you travel safely and in good time. He will also make your experience more profound by sharing his knowledge about the wildlife and culture.
Our 4x4 vehicles are comfortable, reliable and well maintained, with all the necessary equipment for tackling the varying terrains of the bush. All our vehicles have “safari roofs” – a hatch in the roof, which can be opened for better viewing and superb photographic opportunities.
For more information about accommodation, please see the “Accommodation” menu and take a look at the camps and lodges described on this website.
Why is a good itinerary so important? If you want to travel to several national parks and have a varied experience, you need a good itinerary to help get your timing just right.
Otherwise you risk being on the road too much, rushing from one park to the next, without really stopping anywhere long enough. Your itinerary will allow for enough time to be able appreciate every park you visit and have enough time to relax, take in the phenomenal sights and have an exceptional holiday.
