Kilimanjaro Safari Holidays is a reputable safari booking company in Tanzania. Tanzania is among wildlife safari destinations in the African continent. Nevertheless, Tanzania is a famous beach holiday destination boosting Zanzibar beaches, Tanga coastal beaches, Bagamoyo and Lake Victoria beach. Tanzania is located in East Africa between longitude, 29 degrees and 41 degrees east and latitude 1 degree and 12 degrees south. 

Some of the top African travel destinations include Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro crater, Selous game reserve, Etosha park, Kruger Park, Moremi and Okavango Delta. And among all these destinations, the natural wonders and world travel award winner safari parks are located in Tanzania. Serengeti, and Ngorongoro crater have won the best national parks travel awards in recent years. 

Travel tips to book Tanzania safari include what is the best time to go for African safari. Our specialist wildlife safari guides tell us that dry season animals can be seen easily because grasses are short. And also it is easier for Lions to spot its prey.  According to the weather, the dry season is from June to October. These months concur with the great wildebeest migration which lasts in Tanzania from June to End of September. And also, wildebeest migration returns to Serengeti via Bologonja and proceeds to the South in November. From December, the wildebeest stays in South Serengeti Ndutu, and Ngorongoro Conservation area in Ndutu. Eventually calving season starts in Mid January to Mid March. We can help you get a real time migration location through the Serengeti track.

Apart from wildlife safaris, several other things to do in the parks are balloon safaris, camping, photographic tours and adventure walking safaris.  

Safety

Tanzanians are well known for their friendly attitude. In most cases you will be humbled by their hospitality despite the fact that most people are a lot poorer than you. 

Basic Safety Rules for Travelers to Tanzania
• Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage.
• Don’t walk on your own at night in the major cities or on empty
beaches especially in Pemba and Zanzibar.
• Don’t wear jewelry.
• Don’t carry too much cash with you.
• Wear a money belt that fits under your clothes.
• Don’t carry a lot of camera equipment especially in the major
cities.
• Beware of thieves posing as police officers.

Safety on Roads:

Self drive car hire is available, especially safari campers car rental. Make sure you have an international driving licence if you want to rent a self driver car. In most cases, safari jeeps are rarely available on self drive rent. When driving in Africa there are a few simple rules, drive carefully and slowly (speed kills), remember animals and humans can cross the road at any time (quite often just in front of you), try never to drive at night, stay alert as roads are often poorly maintained and pot holes are to be found. Another fairly common occurrence are vehicles with missing headlights. Always wear you seat belts. If you are renting a car, keep the doors and windows locked while driving in the major cities. Car-jacking occurs fairly regularly but may not end
in violence as long as you comply with demands made. 

Safety on Safari:

Always listen to your guide! There are tsetse flies in the wilderness, carry your insect repellent jelly. When visiting wildlife areas do not walk into the bush without your guide! Do not approach any wild animals: It is dangerous. Do not swim in any rivers (presence of crocodiles and hippo’s. Never feed any animals, however inquisitive they may appear to be!

How to get in to Tanzania;

Several major Airlines get into Tanzania; KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines),Edelweiss Airlines, Qatar Airways, Delta Airlines,Euro Discover and Ethiopian Airways get into lands at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA/JRO) and Dar es salaam International Airport (DIA) daily. British Airways and Swiss Airlines lands at DIA at least twice a week. Other Airlines are Emirates, YEMENAIR,Oman Air, Qatar Airways, and Kenya Airways.

We have a domestic flights network covering all tourists’
destinations in East Africa.Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Flight Link, Coastal Aviation, Regional Air and other small charters.

Souvenir shopping and Tanzanite gems. In Moshi Kilimanjaro and Arusha there are wood crafts workshops and flea market places which sell affordable souvenirs. Local arts make tingatinga paints art work pieces, available for your sitting room.  Tanzanite is a famous and most beautiful blue gemstone found in one place and only in Tanzania. Tanzanite jewel is found sold in many places in most countries in the World. When a Traveler gets a chance to visit Tanzania it is high time you have good luck to purchase Tanzanite at relatively low prices. Just consult your Tour Operator to help you find registered Gemstone Dealers or Jewel Agents.

Immigration: An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Visas required by all visitors except citizens of the Commonwealth, Scandinavian countries and the Republic of Ireland. It is very easy to get a visa at any Tanzanian embassy abroad. The visa fee depends on the type of passport held. A visitor’s pass is required for all travelers. This can be obtained free from any Tanzanian diplomatic mission or point of entry. It is advisable to get one before you leave home.

Temperatures

in northern Tanzania range between 60 – 70 degree Fahrenheit during the day and 40 -50 degree Fahrenheit at night from May to October.

From November to March, the day –time temperatures varies from70-90 degree Fahrenheit and from 60 – 75 degree Fahrenheit at night.The ‘long rains’ are from March to May and the‘short rains’ are between October and December. The hottest months are between October and February. On the coast, it rains in November and December. From March to May, Coastal areas are hot and humid although sea breezes cool the area pleasantly between June and September.

 Tanzania, Safari Dress; Safari packing list, helps you to go to Tanzania safari, and have an enjoyable vacation experience. In wildlife lodges and country hotels, the emphasis is on comfort and informality. For ladies light, easy to wash, drip –dry blouses, skirts dresses, light khaki trousers and bush jackets go well. For evenings, light dresses or trouser suits are suitable. For men, drip –dry casual shirts, short khaki trousers and bush jackets are ideal. Evening attire in towns can consist of light suits or long sleeved shirts and tie.Bright colours should be avoided while viewing wildlife. Visitors to Ngorongoro are advised to carry a pullover as it can be chilly after sunset. A bush hat or a scarf for protection against the sun and dust is a must. It is very useful to carry a pair of sunglasses, insect repellent, suntan lotion and a flashlight.

Photographing; It is advisable to ask permission before photographing any event relating to certain tribes
like Maasai, Hadzables, Datoga. These tribes are very conservative and have maintained their original traditional customs. They still do primitive pastoralism, wild fruits gathering and wearing local made materials covering part or half of the body. Some Government Institutions and Organizations don’t allow any photographic action to them or near to them. These are Military Camps and the Bank of Tanzania just for security purposes. When on the road and hear traffic hail don’t continue driving or walking, if you have the car park aside or if walking step aside. This is the signal that the top Government Leader is passing like President, Vice President and Prime Minister.

Health: A yellow fever vaccination certificate

is essential if arriving from yellow fever infected areas. Anti-malaria tablets are recommended. Take prescribed drugs a few days prior to arrival, during your stay, and for a short period after returning. Boil or sterilize drinking water and milk. Cook or peel vegetables. Private health insurance
is recommended.

Currency; There is no restriction on the importation of foreign currency. Foreign currency can be changed at the bureau de change which offers a better rate than the banks. Insurance; you are strongly advised to have your own insurance cover to cover baggage, personal accident and medical expenses.

Tipping; Tipping is not obligatory.
Tipping is at the discretion of the visitor and the following should only be used as a guideline.

Driver Safari Guide; US $ 25.00 per day.
Mountain climb Guide; US $ 25.00 per day.

For outstanding personal service, you may decide to give
a higher tip. Helpful travel tips; Tanzanians are generally very friendly people. We would like you enjoy your stay in this country therefore

i) Don’t change money in the streets even if you
are given a good rate as you might be cheated. Go to bureau change.

i) Don’t go to cheaper Tour Operators. The services
might be too disappointing or vehicles used can break in the middle of safari, or poor accommodation or any mishap pens like any cheating.
Just try to compare prices, and choose, accept the standard prices.

iii) Always ride in registered taxis

iv) Don’t take the fastest buses.

v) Never walk unaccompanied at night in poorly –lit
streets or along deserted streets.

vi) When shopping in street bazaars, always bargain.
However some prices e.g in restaurants are fixed and you might be mistaken for miser if you start bargaining.

vii- Always choose a guest house or lodge that
has a working telephone. I hope above information will give you hint on how to ask specific questions

Our Mountain climbing guides tips for Kilimanjaro help you to get the best experience. KILIMANJARO is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the World. It is a mountain where you can hike for more than 90 kilometers, gain 4 000 meters in altitude, traverse rain forest, moorland, alpine desert, snow fields and ice cliffs, all virtually on the equator! Kilimanjaro trekking tips include choosing trails, picking proper hiking gears, and acclimatization. Rongai route, Marangu route, and Lemosho route are recommended trails for beginner climbers. 

Kilimanjaro budget packages are available in Machame route, and Rongai route. Usual hiking duration from the foothills to the summit ranges from  5 days to 9 days. Rongai route and Marangu route are the only Kilimanjaro routes with the 5 days climbing packages. First time hikers are advised to book Kilimanjaro packages with enough time to acclimatize. The standard 6 days is common, which should begin with the climbing training. However 7 days Machame route and 8 days Lemosho are better options for high chances of summiting Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro Topography

Geographically Kilimanjaro rises from plains at approximately 2000 meters, right up to 5 895 meters. An ancient volcano, it now lies dormant except for some tell-tale signs of fumaroles in the ash pit. Two other peaks, namely Mawenzi and Shira, flank the main peak of Kibo. These peaks form spectacular photographic backdrops when viewed from various vantage points along
the routes to the summit. The different routes to the summit pass through five ecological zones, being the cultivated lower slopes, Montane forest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and the ice capped summit. The lower slopes of the mountain are mainly used for agricultural purposes. The climate here is ideal for the production of coffee, an industry that Tanzania is famous for. Further up, a rain forest belt encircles the mountain up to about 2 00 meters. As you proceed higher, you pass
through the heath which changes into moorland, semi-desert at altitude,progressing into total desert and finally into an alpine region with permanent ice glaciers. The higher slopes are covered with screen, loose stones resembling gravel, making it more difficult to negotiate. The main glaciers edging their way down the slopes of Kibo are Heim, Rebmann,
Decken, Arrow and some smaller ones. 

The Climate in Mount Kilimanjaro

Being only 3 degrees south of the equator, Kilimanjaro is influenced by the passage of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone. There is a constant feeling of summer, and there are two rainy seasons to keep in mind. The highest rainfall occurs from March lasting until about the end of May. This is monsoon time. Slightly less rain falls during the short rainy period, which occurs from around October to November, but can extend into December. Apart from these factors, climbing Kilimanjaro
remains fairly constant throughout the year. The maximum rainfall occurs in the forest belt, where it can reach upto 2000 mm per year. At the summit, which can be, describe as a “high altitude desert”, the rainfall reaches less than 100 mm per year. Rain (and snow at higher altitudes) can however be encountered at any time of the year. The average temperature at the foot of the mountain is 25°-30° C and on the summit, it can range from minus 10° -20° C. At 3000m the day temperatures range from 5°-15° C, and at night frost is normally encountered. 

Best Season to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during dry and warm months.The warmest months with the clearest trekking days are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow. Don’t forget this tricky Kilimanjaro, the best month to summit Kilimanjaro is February. IN this latest years, January has continually experienced raining, and windly. So, please if you can push your trekking dates to February, will be better.

June through to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months are November and early December, where snow falls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout
the year. Many people like to arrange their summit around a full moon and Christmas and New Year are very popular.

Kilimanjaro route’s short description helps you choose the favorite one. 

Machame Route

This is probably the most scenic and most beautiful route to the summit. The 6-day route is however physically more challenging than the Marangu route. The day walks are longer and steeper, however the summit night is one hour shorter. The scenic traverse of the Western Breach offers some stunning views! Only tented accommodation available, which can be less comfortable and will require a good sleeping bag and hiking
mattress.

Umbwe Route

This route is one of the shorter but also one of the more difficult
routes to reach Uhuru peak–but quite spectacular. Umbwe is known for  its caves. The first night you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp with two more caves that can be visited on route the following day. Also sometimes used as a descending route.

Shira Route

The Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Kilimanjaro. Depending on the weather conditions you can drive by 4 wheel drive vehicles, within a 1/2 hours walk of Shira Hut (4000m). Even this drive is very spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the Great Rift Valley in general. Game is often sighted and the road features some striking vegetation changes ranging from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatisation, after which
It will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via the Barafu hut.

Mweka Route

This route can only be used as a descending route for all the western routes. 

Lemosho Route

It is a remote, unspoiled and very beautiful route to the Roof of Africa. The forest around the Lemosho Glades is rich in big game animals such as elephants and buffalo, which may sometimes require a game ranger to accompany climbers on the first day. This route is however a long route which requires 7-days for a comfortable completion, which also makes
it more expensive.

Rongai (Naro Moru) Route

Rongai is the second easiest and gentle to climb Mount Kilimanjaro after Marangu. Nalemoru route is the trail which offers you a chance to stay very close to Mawenzi peak, and explore the rugged volcano of Mount Kilimanjaro.  You can start this route from both the Tanzanian side of the border or from Rongai in Kenya, but all park fees and arrangements must be
made at the Marangu gate. The route may only be used for ascend and the Marangu route must be used for descent.