How to Book a Safari in Tanzania

You do not need to know every detail before contacting us. If you are unsure which parks to visit or how many days you need, our local team can help you design an itinerary based on your interests, budget, and available time.

Your travel dates influence the type of safari experience you may have, accommodation availability, and the overall cost of your trip.

Tanzania offers excellent wildlife experiences throughout the year, but different seasons offer different advantages.

The best time for your safari depends on what you want to experience.

For example, a traveller interested in the Great Migration may need to plan differently from someone who wants a quieter safari or a specific combination of destinations.

Planning tip: If your travel dates are flexible, tell us. Even a small change in your dates may provide more accommodation options.

When Should You Book a Tanzania Safari?

The ideal booking time depends on your travel season, itinerary, accommodation preferences, and group size.

Booking early is especially important if you want a specific lodge, camp, travel date, or migration-focused itinerary.

However, a last-minute Tanzania safari may also be possible depending on current availability.

Tanzania has several major safari regions, each offering a different type of experience.

Northern Tanzania Safari

The Northern Circuit is the most popular choice for first-time visitors to Tanzania.

It includes some of the country’s best-known destinations:

Serengeti National Park

Famous for its expansive plains, exceptional wildlife, and the Great Migration.

Ngorongoro Crater

A spectacular wildlife destination with a remarkable concentration of animals within the crater.

Tarangire National Park

Known for elephants, baobab trees, diverse landscapes, and abundant wildlife.

Lake Manyara National Park

A varied ecosystem featuring woodland, open areas, and lake environments.

For many first-time visitors, a Northern Tanzania safari provides an excellent combination of wildlife, landscapes, and iconic destinations.

However, the best route depends on your interests and travel dates.

The number of days available will influence the destinations you can comfortably visit.

A longer safari does not necessarily mean visiting more parks.

In many cases, spending additional nights in one destination allows you to enjoy a more relaxed experience and spend more time on game drives rather than driving between locations.

Your accommodation preference is one of the main factors affecting the safari experience and price.

Budget Camping Safari

Budget camping safaris are designed for travellers who want to experience Tanzania at a lower cost while staying close to nature.

Accommodation may include:

• Dome tents;
• Public campsites;
• Camping equipment; and
• Safari meals depending on the itinerary.

Mid-Range Tanzania Safari

Mid-range safaris offer a balance between comfort and value.

Accommodation may include:

• Lodges;
• Permanent tented camps; and
• Comfortable safari camps with private facilities.

Luxury Tanzania Safari

Luxury safaris focus on premium accommodation and a higher level of comfort.

Depending on the property, this may include:

• Luxury lodges;
• Exclusive tented camps;
• Premium dining;
• Private experiences; and
• Additional facilities.

The most suitable accommodation category depends on your budget, travel style, and expectations.

Choosing the right safari company is one of the most important decisions when booking your trip.

A local Tanzania safari operator can help coordinate the practical details of your journey, including:

• Safari transportation;
• Professional driver-guide;
• Accommodation;
• Park arrangements;
• Airport transfers;
• Domestic travel arrangements where included; and
• Other services included in your itinerary.

Why Book Directly with Active Wonders Safaris?

Active Wonders Safaris is a Tanzania-based safari company operating from Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Tanzania safari circuit.

We help travellers plan private and tailor-made Tanzania safaris based on their:

• Travel dates;
• Budget;
• Interests;
• Group size;
• Preferred accommodation; and
• Desired travel pace.

As a local safari company, we can help you plan your itinerary around practical conditions such as travel times, destinations, accommodation availability, and seasonal considerations.

How to Check a Tanzania Safari Operator

Before confirming a safari, you should check that the company is properly registered and legally authorised to operate.

You may wish to check:

• Business registration;
• Tourism licensing;
• Contact information;
• Physical location;
• Independent reviews;
• Payment information; and
• Clear booking terms and conditions.

Active Wonders Safaris is a registered Tanzanian business and holds a tourism licence for tour operator activities.

We provide clear safari proposals and booking information so you can understand the services included in your trip before confirming.

You do not need to create the perfect itinerary before contacting us.

Simply send us:

• Your preferred travel dates;
• Number of travellers;
• Safari duration;
• Preferred accommodation level;
• Approximate budget;
• Destinations you are interested in; and
• Any special requirements.

If you are unsure where to go, tell us what you would like to experience.

For example:

“We have five days, want to see as much wildlife as possible, and prefer comfortable mid-range accommodation.”

From this information, we can recommend a suitable itinerary.

The inclusions depend on the itinerary and accommodation selected.

A private safari proposal may include:

• Private 4x4 safari vehicle;
• Pop-up roof for wildlife viewing;
• Professional driver-guide;
• Park entry fees;
• Conservation and applicable destination fees;
• Accommodation;
• Meals according to the selected itinerary;
• Bottled drinking water during safari;
• Airport transfers where included; and
• Government taxes and applicable levies.

Your personalised quotation should clearly explain what is included and excluded.

Common Safari Exclusions

Depending on your itinerary, exclusions may include:

• International flights;
• Tanzania visa fees;
• Travel insurance;
• Personal expenses;
• Tips and gratuities;
• Optional activities;
• Alcoholic drinks unless specifically included; and
• Services not listed in your quotation.

Always review your quotation carefully before confirming your booking.

Once we prepare your itinerary, review the details carefully.

Check:

• Travel dates;
• Number of safari days;
• Destinations;
• Accommodation;
• Room arrangements;
• Meals;
• Safari vehicle;
• Included activities;
• Excluded services;
• Total price; and
• Payment terms.

If you would like to make changes, we can discuss adjustments before the booking is confirmed.

You may wish to:

• Add or remove a destination;
• Change accommodation;
• Extend the safari;
• Reduce the safari duration;
• Add Zanzibar;
• Change the accommodation category; or
• Adjust the itinerary to suit your travel pace.

Once you are happy with the itinerary, the next step is to confirm your booking.

Our standard booking terms require a 30% deposit to confirm a safari, unless different terms have been agreed for your specific booking.

The remaining balance is payable according to the agreed booking and payment terms.

For bookings made close to the travel date, different payment arrangements may apply depending on the time remaining and the services that need to be secured.

Your booking is confirmed once the required payment has been received and the necessary arrangements have been confirmed.

Payment instructions are provided through official booking documents.

Depending on the booking, payment options may include:

• Bank transfer;
• Secure online payment; or
• Cash payment by prior arrangement.

Always verify the payment details provided in your official booking documents before making a payment.

Any applicable bank charges or online payment processing fees should be confirmed before payment.

Once your booking is confirmed, you receive the relevant confirmation details for your trip.

Depending on your itinerary, this may include:

• Confirmed accommodation;
• Safari dates;
• Safari vehicle arrangements;
• Transfer details;
• Domestic flight details where included;
• Accommodation information; and
• Other relevant travel information.

After your safari arrangements are confirmed, complete your remaining travel preparations.

International Flights

For many Northern Tanzania safari itineraries, Kilimanjaro International Airport is a convenient arrival airport.

Depending on your itinerary, you may also arrive through Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Tanzania Visa

Check the current visa requirements that apply to your nationality before travelling.

Visa requirements and procedures can change, so use the latest official information when preparing your trip.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Your policy should be suitable for your trip and should cover relevant risks such as medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, and other applicable travel situations.

Travel Health

Consult a qualified travel-health professional regarding health advice relevant to your personal circumstances and itinerary.

Yes.

Many travellers combine a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday.

A common travel plan is:

Safari → Flight to Zanzibar → Beach Holiday

Depending on your itinerary, you may spend several days exploring destinations such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro before continuing to Zanzibar for relaxation.

We can help arrange a combined Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday based on your travel dates and preferences.

There is no single price for a Tanzania safari.

The cost depends on:

• Safari duration;
• Number of travellers;
• Accommodation level;
• Travel season;
• Destinations;
• Park and conservation fees;
• Vehicle arrangements; and
• Activities included.

The most accurate way to receive a price is to request a personalised quotation based on your actual travel plans.

Booking online can be straightforward when you choose a legitimate and properly registered safari company.

Before making a payment, check:

• The company’s legal and tourism registration;
• Its contact details;
• Independent reviews;
• Its payment information;
• Its booking terms; and
• The details of the safari proposal.

You should also make sure the name of the payment beneficiary matches the official information provided by the company.

You do not need to have every detail decided before contacting us.

Tell us:

• When you want to travel;
• Who is travelling;
• How many days you have; and
• What you would like to experience.

Our team will help you design a Tanzania safari itinerary around your travel plans.

Request Your Personalised Tanzania Safari Proposal

Contact Active Wonders Safaris today with your travel dates and requirements.

We will help you explore the available options and prepare a safari proposal based on your trip.

Active Wonders Safaris
Arusha, Tanzania

Email: sales@activewonderssafaris.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +255 744 172 366

Start planning your Tanzania safari with a local team that knows Tanzania.