Do you have questions?
If you don’t, then let us ask you a few to get the ball rolling. Every body asks a ton of questions before booking a safari – we are used to providing answers where we can. If we don’t know, we will find the answer for you. Here we list the most common questions and answers. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, please send us your questions and we will do our best to respond.
- All
- Bookings
- Flights
- Park Fees
- Pre-safari planning
- Product information
- Service providers
- Terms and conditions
- Vaccinations
Park Fees
National Park Fees are charged in addition to accommodation, vehicle hire, guiding fees, special activity fees and depending on the reservation, on meals and drinks. All fees are paid by safari operators to TANAPA – Tanzania National Parks Authority. The Tanzanian Government charges 18% VAT which is added to these fees.
All fees are subject to change without notice. In most cases, any increase will be passed along to the visitor, even after a booking has been confirmed. Click image to view the full fee schedule.
Click image to download
Other Fees
Visitors to wildlife areas outside of the National Parks may be subject to fees charged by Tanzania’s Wildlife Department (WD), a separate authority. Such areas include Game Reserves, Game Controlled Areas, Open Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, Forest Reserves and any other area where wildlife exists. More Info here.
Visitors to Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area pay fees charged by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).
Privately managed reserves may also charge additional fees from visitors at their discretion.
Yellow fever
is a serious disease that is monitored internationally and therefore classified by the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005 as a Public Health Emergence of International Concern (PHEIC). All PHEIC require specific monitoring procedures and measures that commensurate with and restricted to public health measures to meet the IHR, 2005 purpose.
Tanzania is mapped by the World Health Organization as a low risk country because no Yellow fever virus has been isolated in the country. However, the abundance of Yellow fever vector and other favorable ecological conditions pose potential risk for Yellow fever if the virus is introduced into the country. Furthermore, being bordered with Yellow fever endemic countries has also increased the vulnerability of Tanzania being infected with the virus….
We Book Private Charters
Many destinations are remote and not serviced by regular scheduled flights. Your best option to get to these destinations is often to book a private flight where your group are the only passengers. Usually, you will need a private charter to get to your destination and another to get back at the end of your stay. Private charters are more expensive as they have an empty leg in one direction, but if you fill all available seats, it sometimes makes sense to book a private charter even though there are available scheduled flights serving the route.
The most popular aircraft are Cessna Grand Caravan C408 (14 seats) and Pilatus P12 (6 or 12 seats). There may be smaller (6 seat) aircraft available in some locations. If your group is large, it is often possible to book a larger aircraft. The choice of aircraft may be determined by the landing strip, most of which are unpaved. We also arrange faster pressurized aircraft for certain routes and sometimes private jets for shorter international routes.
We Book Scheduled Flights
Popular destinations are usually serviced by a choice of operators offering regular scheduled flights. The frequency of flights varies according to season. Codesharing is common and operators may pool passengers to fill flights to reduce their operating costs. Seats are sold individually and you share with other passengers. Scheduled flights are usually the cheapest option. The most popular aircraft are Cessna Grand Caravan, with a seating capacity of up to 14 passengers. There may be smaller aircraft available at some locations and if your group is large, it is sometimes possible to secure a larger aircraft. The choice of aircraft may be determined by the landing strip, most of which are not paved.
We Do Not Book Intercontinental Flights
We do not handle intercontinental flight bookings, although we can assist you with locating good options that you can book yourself. These are often best booked online or through an agent. Be sure to use a search engine like Kayak, Expedia, EDreams to find the best flight option for you.
Reservations & Payment
Trips are booked and confirmed when Safaris & Expeditions, hereafter referred to as the Company, is in receipt of a 30% deposit of the total trip cost. The Company must receive the full balance of payments no later than 61 days prior to the start of the trip.
Cancellations & Refunds
Cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon its acknowledged receipt by the Company. In the event of the cancellation or postponement of a confirmed trip, you become liable for a percentage of the full cost, as set out below.
Cancellation:
- 61 days or more before the start of the trip: 30% of total cost
- 60 to 31 days before the start of the trip: 50% of total cost
- 30 days or less before the start of the trip: 100% of total cost
- If you are a “no-show,” the Company shall be entitled to treat your reservation as cancelled without notice and the total trip cost will be charged and forfeited
No refunds are given for:
- Circumstances beyond the Company’s control resulting in alternative arrangements of an equivalent quality, necessary to ensure the safety and / or further participation and enjoyment of your trip
- If you do not appear for any accommodations, service, sightseeing or trip segment without notifying the Company
- If you leave your trip after it has begun, or miss any scheduled sightseeing, activities or accommodations
The Company acts as a booking agent for other independent contractors providing accommodation, transportation, insurance and other services. Each of these companies is an independent corporation with its own management and is not subject to the control of the Company. Transportation, accommodation and other services provided by the independent contractors are offered subject to the terms and conditions contained in the tickets, exchange orders or vouchers issued by them and/or their suppliers. Because the Company does not have the right to control the operations of the independent operators and their suppliers, the Company CANNOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE which may arise out of these services.
The Company reserves the right to cancel any itinerary or any part of it, to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or to retain as a member of any trip any person at any time, and to pass on to trip members any expenditure occasioned by delays or events beyond its control. In case of any appreciable variation in its cost, the Company reserves the right to adjust its rates.
Risks
There are certain inherent risks involved in participating in the type of trips sold by the Company. You accept these at your own risk. It is your responsibility to take all appropriate medical advice prior to departure as to determine if you are fit enough to undertake the trip booked.
Insurance
The Company recommends you obtain insurance covering accidental death and disability, loss of personal effects, emergency medical evacuation, major medical and trip cancellation.
Surcharges
Although the Company hopes it will not need to levy surcharges, it reserves the right to do so on the invoice amount if this becomes necessary. The Company will endeavor to notify you in writing as soon as it is aware of any likely surcharge. Any refund made by the Company shall be at its sole and absolute discretion. Surcharges may result from, but are not limited to, unexpected increases in Park, Conservation or other Government fees and increases in taxes including VAT that were not in force at the time of billing. In case such increases occur, the company will do all in its power to minimize such increases.
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions govern the relationship between the Company and you, to the total exclusion of any other terms and conditions. No alteration to the terms and conditions may be made by any of the Company employees, authorized representatives or agents, unless in writing by an authorized officer of the Company. An authorized officer of the Company shall make all decisions and matters subject to the Company’s discretion.
Carriage by Land, Sea & Air
Carriage by Land, Sea and Air is subject to the terms and conditions of the carrier with whom you travel and to international conventions, some of which may limit liability. Land, Sea and Air travel are also subject to operational decisions of carriers and air and sea ports which may result in cancellations, delays or diversions, over which the Company has no control and for which the Company accepts no liability whatsoever.
Consent
The payment of a deposit or any other partial payment for a reservation constitutes consent to all provisions of the conditions and general information enclosed herewith. The terms under which you agree to take these trips cannot be changed or amended except in writing signed by an authorized officer of the Company.
Expect to pay at least $350 to $400, per person per day for a standard safari.
Quick Price Guide for Safaris (per person per day)
- Less than $350 -> Destinations that can be reached by road – standard larger camps and lodges / larger groups
- $350 to $500 -> Destinations that can be reached by road – better camps and lodges / smaller groups
- $500 to $750 -> Mixed accessible by road and air – good camps and lodges / small groups
- $750 to $1000 -> Flying safaris – small quality camps / couples and singles
- $1000 to $1400 -> Flying safaris – remote destinations and private groups / high end camps
- $1400 + ->
Top end camps and lodges / remote destinations and professionally guided safaris with private groups
Typically, good safaris range in price from $400 to $750 per person per day. Private mobile safaris and top of the lodges and camps, are priced at approximately $950 to $1500 per person per day. At this price range, most items are usually included – drinks, laundry, park fees and some activities.
Some of the best safaris are flying safaris that use inclusive properties. All inclusive means that the vehicle and guide and activities are included together with accommodation, meals, drinks and laundry. Flying Safaris are ideal for couples as the price does not vary with group size (although there are usually single person supplements).
Safaris priced at under $350 per person per day are available, but the product starts to become compromised. Safaris at this price are often based on sharing a vehicle and piling into a vehicle together with your camping equipment, cook and driver. It can get very cramped. These safaris make use of economy accommodation options (some very basic) and shared public campsites where you may join other travelers – each with their own setup. Expect to share public toilets and shower facilities. This kind of safari is an option for those on a budget, however we do not generally cater to this market.
From time to time, we do book lodge safaris using some of the less expensive lodges and camps. These can be good value, especially if you travel outside the high season when some lodges offer discounts to attract guests. Generally speaking, at $350 and below, safaris don’t include extras such as drinks, laundry or special activities.
Extra costs for your account
Larger groups command better prices. The cost of your vehicle and guide are usually fixed, so more people in the vehicle results in a lower price. Most operators offer 7 and 5 passenger vehicles. Filling the car results in lower prices, unless you are on a fixed departure scheduled trip where the operator gambles on filling the vehicle.