Frequently asked
questions.

Tanzania is in East Africa, beside the Indian Ocean. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is convenient for safaris starting in Arusha. Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) serves Dar es Salaam, and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) serves Zanzibar. Your best arrival airport depends on your itinerary; transfer times vary with traffic and your accommodation.

Tanzania welcomes visitors from around the world. Take sensible precautions: keep valuables discreet, follow your guide’s instructions, use arranged transfers and check your government’s current travel advice before departure. Conditions differ by region, and no destination can be guaranteed risk-free.

Kiswahili is widely spoken, and English is commonly used in tourism. Asili can arrange English-, French-, Spanish-, Italian- or German-speaking driver-guides, subject to availability. Tell us your preferred language when enquiring.

Both offer remarkable wildlife experiences. Tanzania combines the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and other parks with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Kenya offers the Maasai Mara and other varied safari regions. The Great Migration moves with rainfall and grazing conditions, so it does not follow a fixed border-crossing date. We can help choose a route around your dates, interests and budget.

Tell us your travel dates, trip length, number of travelers, interests and approximate budget. We will shape an itinerary and proposal, then refine it with you. The website planner lets you save your ideas; downloading a plan does not send an enquiry or confirm a booking.

We recommend booking six to twelve months ahead for the widest accommodation choice, especially for June–October and December–February. Last-minute trips may be possible, depending on availability.

Your price depends on the number of days, accommodation style, season, route and number of people sharing the vehicle. Your tailored quote will set out the exact price and inclusions.

The herds move throughout the year as rainfall and grazing change. Northern Serengeti is a popular focus for migration trips around July–October, while other seasons favor different areas. River crossings are unpredictable and never guaranteed; we plan around your dates and current conditions.

No particular animal or bird can be guaranteed. Your guide will use local knowledge to give you the best opportunities, but wildlife moves freely. Rare species such as black rhino may be difficult to find.

Yes. Private or shared shuttle transfers between Nairobi or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Arusha can be arranged at extra cost. Schedules, fares and border requirements must be confirmed for your travel date. Share your flight details when booking. At collection, check that the driver is your arranged Asili representative before departing.

It depends on your arrival time, flight delays, transfer distance and park opening hours. An early arrival may allow a visit to a nearby park. Later arrivals usually work better with an overnight stay in Arusha or near your first park, followed by a fresh start the next morning.

On suitable itineraries, domestic flights can reduce long road journeys. Fly-in, fly-out or combined options cost extra and depend on schedules, airstrip access and luggage restrictions. Ask us to include these when planning.

Your agreed itinerary and quote define your inclusions. A typical safari includes the listed accommodation and meals, park entrance fees, a driver-guide, game drives in a 4×4 vehicle and bottled water during game drives. Airport transfers and any domestic flights must be specifically listed in your quote.

Unless your quote says otherwise, allow for international flights, visas, travel and medical insurance, tips, drinks, laundry, phone use, souvenirs, optional cultural visits, balloon flights and other extra activities. Domestic flights and emergency evacuation services are included only when specifically arranged and stated.

A 30% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remaining 70% must be paid 30 days before arrival. For bookings made less than 30 days before arrival, full payment is required when booking.

We accept credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express, and direct bank transfers. Use the payment instructions supplied with your official Asili invoice.

Credit-card payments incur a 4% processing charge. Bank-transfer charges are paid by the traveler; any applicable receiving-bank charge will be shown on your invoice. Confirm the total before paying. Transfers can take five to seven working days to arrive, and confirmation follows receipt of funds.

This depends on your personal spending and what your package includes. Budget for tips, drinks, laundry, optional activities and shopping. Plan ahead for remote areas where ATMs and card payments may not be available.

Many larger hotels and lodges accept Visa or Mastercard, but smaller businesses and remote camps may not. ATMs in towns such as Arusha normally dispense Tanzanian shillings. Withdrawal limits and fees depend on the bank and your card; arrange sufficient funds before traveling into remote areas.

Tanzania’s local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Carry some shillings for everyday purchases and confirm the accepted currency with your accommodation or operator. Exchange money through licensed banks or bureaux de change, retain receipts and avoid street exchanges. Check current guidance from the Bank of Tanzania before travel.

During booking, we will ask for traveler names as shown on passports, nationality, arrival and departure details, pick-up and drop-off locations, dietary requirements and any special occasions. Share relevant health or accessibility needs privately with your trip coordinator so arrangements can be discussed.

Asili uses Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 safari vehicles, normally with a maximum of six guests and a window seat for each. Equipment includes a pop-up roof, communication radio, cooler box, charging facilities, guidebooks and shared binoculars. Confirm the specific vehicle arrangements with your itinerary.

Private tours have exclusive use of the safari vehicle for the booked party. Small-group departures share a vehicle with other travelers booked on the same departure.

For road safaris, pack one soft-sided duffel and one carry-on bag per person. Hard-shell suitcases are difficult to store in safari vehicles. If your itinerary includes light-aircraft flights, check the airline’s separate weight and size limits before packing.

Luggage storage can be arranged without an additional charge during your tour. Let us know ahead of time; we will complete a luggage record and agree where and when your bags will be returned.

Expect stretches of rough, uneven and dusty road, especially inside parks. Tell us in advance about back problems or mobility needs so we can discuss suitable routes, comfort measures and possible flight alternatives.

A typical early start is around 6:00 am, subject to park rules and the day’s plan. Your guide can coordinate a packed breakfast with the lodge so you can spend the cooler morning hours watching wildlife.

Yes, balloon safaris can be arranged on suitable Serengeti itineraries for an additional charge. Tell us at booking so availability, the current price, eligibility requirements and transfer arrangements can be confirmed. Flights depend on weather and operator conditions.

Our preference is usually to prioritize daytime game drives. Night drives may be shared, operated by a third party and subject to dust, limited visibility and unpredictable sightings. If you are interested, we will explain the location, vehicle, duration and additional cost before you decide.

Please avoid handing out money, sweets or gifts at random, as this can encourage begging and create expectations. If you would like to contribute, ask us about an appropriate community-led project or coordinated donation and what would be useful.

Common choices include beadwork, paintings, textiles and woodcarvings. Tanzanite is a well-known local gemstone. Buy from reputable sellers, request receipts and check export and home-country import requirements before purchasing antiques, wildlife products or other restricted items.

Choose from Basic, Comfort, Comfort Plus and Luxury options, depending on your route and budget. Basic camping uses public campsites with shared bathrooms. Lodge and tented-camp options generally offer private bathrooms; exact facilities vary by property.

Options may include single rooms, doubles, twins, triples, family rooms and interconnecting rooms. Some luxury properties offer villas. Availability and occupancy limits vary, so tell us the ages and room preferences of everyone traveling.

Yes, subject to availability and a single-room supplement. Let us know when requesting your quote, as safari prices are commonly based on two people sharing.

Safari lodges are normally booked on full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner. An initial Arusha stay may be bed and breakfast, with dinner charged separately unless arranged. Local and international dishes are common. Your itinerary confirms the meal plan at each stop.

Tell us about vegetarian preferences, allergies and other dietary needs well before travel. We will check arrangements with each property. For serious allergies, discuss preparation and cross-contact risks directly with the accommodation; not every remote kitchen can meet every requirement.

Many safari camps are unfenced, so wildlife may move nearby or through the grounds. Follow the camp briefing, supervise children closely and use staff escorts when instructed, especially after dark. Never approach or feed animals; raise any concerns with the camp team.

Facilities vary by camp and lodge. Ask us to confirm the arrangements at your selected properties. Use insect repellent and follow medical advice about bite prevention and malaria protection; nets or room spraying alone are not complete protection.

Many lodges have hot showers, while some tented camps heat water at set times or on request. Ask the camp team how the system works when you arrive. Your chosen property’s facilities can be confirmed during planning.

Many properties offer laundry for an additional charge. Remote camps may wash by hand and dry in the sun, so allow at least two nights and check turnaround times. Some delicate items may need to be washed yourself.

Power arrangements vary. Some remote camps use generators or solar systems and limit electricity to certain hours. Tell us if you need dependable power for medical equipment or another essential device so we can check each property before booking.

Pack comfortable, lightweight layers in neutral tones such as khaki, olive, beige or grey. Add a warm layer for early starts and cool highland evenings, plus a light rain jacket. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses. Safari dress is generally informal.

Bring your passport, flight details, itinerary, insurance information, any required vaccination certificate, payment cards and suitable cash. Useful essentials include sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, toiletries, hand sanitizer, tissues, a small towel, a flashlight, camera equipment and spare batteries or memory cards. Keep essential medication, valuables and a change of clothes in your carry-on, within airline restrictions. Use reusable packing pouches and check current baggage rules.

Shared binoculars are available in the safari vehicle, but your own pair gives you more flexibility. Bring a camera or phone with enough storage, spare batteries and chargers. A protective bag helps keep dust away from equipment.

Bring a travel adapter suitable for UK-style three-pin Type G sockets and check your accommodation’s outlets. Mains supply is around 230 volts, 50 hertz. Check that each device supports this voltage; a plug adapter does not convert voltage.

Malaria occurs in parts of Tanzania. Before travel, consult a travel-health clinician about your route and suitable prevention. Use mosquito-bite protection throughout your trip. Seek prompt medical care for fever during or after travel, and tell the clinician where you have been.

Requirements depend on your travel origin and transit route. A certificate may be required for travelers aged one year or older arriving from a yellow-fever risk country, including certain airport transits over 12 hours. Do not assume age alone provides an exemption; discuss vaccination and any medical waiver with a travel-health clinician. Check the latest official requirements before departure.

Arrange a travel-health appointment before departure to discuss vaccinations, malaria prevention and any existing conditions. Carry your prescribed medicines, a small first-aid kit and items such as blister dressings, antiseptic, bandages and oral rehydration supplies. Ask a clinician or pharmacist which medicines are appropriate for you; do not self-prescribe antibiotics.

Use Tanzania Immigration’s official eVisa portal. Requirements depend on nationality, passport and purpose of travel. Apply well in advance, review the official document checklist and avoid treating a safari booking as a guarantee of visa approval.

Many tourist visitors use an ordinary visa; US passport holders generally use the multiple-entry category. Tanzania Immigration currently lists the ordinary visa fee as US$50 and the multiple-entry fee as US$100. Check your eligibility, permitted stay and current fee directly with Immigration before applying.

Visa on arrival is available to some eligible travelers at designated entry points. It is not available to every nationality or visa category, and queues are possible. Check your eligibility with Tanzania Immigration and obtain advance approval when required.

Visa application fees are generally non-refundable, including when an application is refused. Read the official application conditions carefully before paying.

Visa exemptions can change. Use Tanzania Immigration’s current visa-exemption list rather than an older copied list, and check the rules for the passport you will travel on.

Common entry points include Kilimanjaro, Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume international airports, plus border crossings such as Namanga and Tunduma. Check that your chosen entry point and visa arrangements are suitable before traveling.

Some nationalities and travel-document holders need advance referral approval. Check the current list and instructions with Tanzania Immigration before making firm travel arrangements, and allow substantial processing time. Ask Asili about supporting itinerary documentation if needed.

We strongly recommend cover for trip cancellation, medical treatment, emergency evacuation and lost or damaged baggage. If climbing Kilimanjaro, confirm that trekking to your intended altitude and evacuation are explicitly covered. Check exclusions and keep your insurer’s emergency contact details with you.

Climbs can be arranged throughout the year, but wetter periods can make the trek more challenging. June–October and January–February are commonly favored. March–May is generally wetter, and short rains can occur in November. Weather on the mountain is always variable.

Prepare for consecutive days of walking, changing weather and high altitude. Build endurance with regular walking and hikes, ideally carrying your daypack, and discuss your health with a clinician before booking. Fitness helps with effort but does not prevent altitude illness; time for acclimatization matters.

Tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell. The guide will assess the situation and arrange descent or emergency assistance when needed. Rescue arrangements depend on your condition, location, weather and available services. Confirm the emergency plan and insurance cover before departure; reaching the summit is never guaranteed.

Yes. Bring blister dressings, simple bandages, antiseptic, lip balm and your prescribed medicines. Discuss any pain relief, stomach remedies or altitude-related medication with a clinician in advance. Your personal kit complements the mountain team’s supplies; it does not replace medical assessment.

The mountain team provides treated water for daily use, with bottled water typically supplied at the start. Bring suitable refillable bottles or a hydration system, and confirm capacity and cold-weather needs with your packing list. Drink only properly treated water and discuss any personal purification preference with your guide.

Facilities vary by route and camp. Many are basic shared long-drop toilets; some huts have more developed facilities. A private portable toilet may be arranged for an additional charge. Ask what is included in your specific trek.

Machame is a popular, scenic camping route with demanding walking days and a long summit day. A seven-day itinerary gives more acclimatization time than a six-day version. The Barranco Wall involves a guided scramble, and the route can be busy. Discuss the schedule and demands with us before choosing.

Lemosho approaches from the western side and crosses the Shira Plateau. It is commonly planned over seven or eight days and offers varied scenery and time to acclimatize. Later stages connect with other routes; the exact camps and summit approach depend on the itinerary. Accommodation is camping.

Rongai approaches from the north and is often quieter in its early stages. The northern side is generally drier, but acclimatization still needs careful planning. A typical itinerary uses camping and descends via the Marangu side. Confirm the number of days and camp sequence in your proposal.

Marangu offers shared hut accommodation rather than camping and uses the same general route for ascent and descent. Its shorter itineraries allow less acclimatization time; hut accommodation does not make the climb easy. Discuss a schedule with enough time to adjust to altitude.