Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is approximately 60km (60 min) from Arusha city Centre. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the closest International Airport to Arusha. Arusha Municipal Airport (ARK) is on the outskirts of Arusha but only operates domestic flights (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Serengeti). Other options include flying to Dar es Salaam and then catching a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro or Arusha. You can also fly to Nairobi (Kenya). International flights to this destination are often cheaper. You can then fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro or take a bus from Nairobi Airport to Arusha (approximately 7 hours).

Accommodation inside NCA is limited and is significantly more expensive than staying outside. Many of the hotels and lodges are on the Crater rim and have spectacular views. Please note that you will be also able to experience this view from one of the view-points, so you will not miss out on this if you stay outside.

It is possible to do a night game drives in Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. Please ask your Safari Consultant for more information.

The weather varies greatly, depending on where you are. Whatever time of year you come, please bring some warm clothes! It gets really cold in some places because of the high altitude, especially in June, July and August. It can also get very hot. We advise dressing in layers. Typically, the long rains are March, April and May. The short rains are in November / early December.

Most lodges and tented camps have Wi-Fi. Most public camp-sites do not have Wi-Fi. In all places, the signal strength is variable and is often weak. It is possible to buy a SIM card with data that can be used (in Arusha). If you want to use it in your phone, you will need to make sure it is unlocked. There are Vodacom and Airtel shops in Arusha that will be able to help / advise with this.

Choose a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof and the bag should be lockable. Put anything that is of any value in a separate day pack such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.

As you want to be careful not to over pack, you need to think carefully about what shoes to take. As long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with some light hiking boots and some sports sandals (sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night). You may also like to take flip flops for the showers.

Please check with the relevant Embassy in your country for up to date visa and passport information. Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of your trip (i.e. if your trip is in September make sure your passport is valid until at least March of the following year) and that it has at least 3 clear pages. You can obtain your visa online https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/, or at the point of entry (border / airport). The time taken to clear immigration is roughly the same, regardless of whether you already have your visa. The cost of most tourist visas is IJ$D 50 per person and U$D 100 for American citizens, to be paid in cash.

are full service facilities with private rooms or cottages with private bathroom and have restaurants and lounges. Some have swimming pools. Many lodges are architecturally stunning made with local materials and inspired by local designs and the environment. Some lodges can accommodate up to 200 guests.

are permanent or semi-permanent camps sited in areas of excellent game viewing. These provide many of the comforts of a lodge within private spacious canvas tents on a solid permanent base with beds and private baths, and high-quality meals. Tented camps are more intimate than lodges as they generally accommodate 12 to 20 guests. On a basic camping safari guests sleep in private tents in designated campsites in or near national parks. Our safari crew sets up the camp and prepares all the meals. Washroom facilities are basic and are shared with other guests.

At the camps and tented lodges, chefs prepare fresh soups, breads, entrees and desserts daily, in most lodges, meals are served buffet-style. The food is often prepared with Western palates in mind (some local dishes are included). On a camping safari, you will have your own private Chef who will prepare all your meals. Your Chef will be able to cater for different tastes e.g. Western, Local, or a mixture.

Yes, in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Please ask your Safari Consultant for more information. If you book a Safari, this is the only place you will be able to do a walking safari. Specialist Tour Operators offer walking safaris in other National Parks e.g. The Serengeti.

We would recommend bringing (United States Dollars) with you and withdrawing Tanzanian Shillings once you arrive. There are many ATMs in Arusha. Most places that you will visit accept (United States Dollars) but it is always a good idea to have some local currency. Please note: Tanzania does not accept (United States Dollars) printed before 2006 (this information is printed on the front of the note).

The joint Safari Bookings and National Geographic ratings for 2015 placed Tanzania first in the list of countries for African Safaris. There are two factors that make Tanzania exceptional: hunting is strictly prohibited in all the National Parks, which makes for one of the highest densities of wildlife on the continent; and higher Park fees keep the number of visitors relatively low, making for a more exclusive experience. Moreover, unlike other countries, where one often finds small family cars on the road, all safaris in Tanzania are conducted using off-road vehicles, which enhances the sense of being in the wild.

We recommend leaving the lodge as early as possible (6:30-7AM). There are a number of reasons for this: mornings tend to be cooler, which is more comfortable for you and brings you to the bush when the animals are most active; you have a chance of getting to the Park ahead of other tourists; all the park fees in Tanzania are paid by the day, regardless of the time spent within the Park, with 6PM being closing time, so getting there early gives you more time to enjoy the wilds of Africa before you have to return to your lodge. That said, the above is but a recommendation. Our guides’ foremost concern is client satisfaction, and they will adjust all the schedules according to your wishes.

Tanzania National Parks regulations strictly prohibit leaving the vehicle within the Parks, both for the safety of the visitor and that of the fragile local ecosystem. However, this does not mean that you should expect to be cooped up in the car for a whole day. All the Parks are equipped with rest/picnic spots, where you can take a stroll and enjoy lunch in the shade.

This depends solely on the type of the tour that you choose to book. Joined safaris are cheaper, as some of the costs are spread out between the members of the group. This also means that you will be spending time with people you have not met before the safari. If you opt for an exclusive tour, the only person other than those you bring with you – be it family or friends – who will be in the vehicle with you is your English-speaking safari driver/guide. 

If your vehicle does break down and it cannot be fixed on the road, we will request a rescue jeep which will come for you so that you can continue your safari with minimum impact. Whilst every effort is made to prevent this from happening, the driving is rough and the vehicles do take quite a pounding!

Our Safari vehicles are Toyota Landcruiser 4x4s (with pop-up roofs). The vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very' high standard before, during and after every safari. The age of the vehicles in our fleet varies but most were built between 2008 and 2013.

According to National Park regulations, all photo and video recording is allowed without the use of specialized equipment. This means that you may use any photo and video cameras. Permits must be obtained for any recording that may later be used commercially. This does not apply to images and videos that may later be used in social media. Drones can only be used with permits, which must be obtained in advance. The procedure for this is rather involved and the permits only issued for projects of high social value. Make sure to inform your Tour Manager of the need for such a permit well in advance in order to give us sufficient time for formalities.

We highly recommend that you have your travel insurance regardless of what foreign country you may be visiting. If you are planning a Kilimanjaro climb, make sure that climbing emergencies are covered in your policy at height no less than 6,000 meters. If necessary your Tour Manager will assist with purchasing such insurance.

Yes, all the hotels our company offers provide safe water. Taking showers and brushing your teeth is never a problem and the water is actually potable. However, we still recommend that you only drink bottled water, which is always available at hotels and shops.