Planning
When to Book a Tanzania Safari
The complete planning timeline — what to book when, and how far in advance to secure the best camps.
Advance Booking
The Advance Booking Window
Tanzania safari camps — particularly the best ones — book months in advance. Understanding the booking window is the most important planning step. The earlier you start, the more options you have.
Peak Season
July – October
Wildebeest migration crossings in the northern Serengeti. Highest demand, highest prices. Best camps book 6–12 months ahead.
Availability
Limited — best camps fully booked 12 months ahead
Book
Book 9–12 months in advance
Shoulder Seasons
June & November
Good wildlife viewing, fewer crowds, better value. June: start of dry season. November: short rains begin, green landscapes return.
Availability
Good availability — book 3–6 months ahead
Book
Book 3–6 months in advance
Green Season
December – February
Wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti. Predator action at its most dramatic. Green landscapes, lower prices.
Availability
Moderate — popular camps book 4–8 months ahead
Book
Book 4–8 months in advance
Low Season
March – May
Long rains, some roads difficult, some camps closed for maintenance. Lowest prices, fewest visitors, exceptional birdwatching.
Availability
Good — most camps available, lower prices
Book
Book 1–4 months in advance
The Timeline
Your Safari Planning Timeline
Contact Safari Kilimanjaro
The first step. Tell us your travel dates, group size, budget level, interests, and any special requirements. We will assess availability at your preferred camps and give you an honest indication of feasibility. If your preferred camp is unavailable for your dates, we will suggest alternatives with similar character.
- →Identify travel dates and group size
- →Confirm preferred safari length (3–14 days)
- →Discuss budget level and accommodation preferences
- →Share any special requirements (dietary, mobility, photography)
- →Receive initial availability assessment
Confirm Itinerary
With availability confirmed, we build your itinerary. This includes: which parks to visit, how many nights in each, which camps in each location, the route, and the logical flow. We explain what is included (vehicle, guide, park fees, accommodation, meals) and what is not. You have the opportunity to review and adjust.
- →Review and approve the draft itinerary
- →Understand what is included and excluded
- →Confirm any optional activities (balloon safari, cultural visits)
- →Discuss combined options (Kilimanjaro climb, Zanzibar extension)
- →Approve the final route and camps
Lock In Camps
Confirm and pay deposits to secure your camps. At this stage, the itinerary is finalised. We also recommend booking international flights — particularly for peak season travel, when flight prices rise significantly as departure approaches. Start the process for any vaccinations that require multiple doses.
- →Confirm and pay deposits for all camps
- →Book international flights to/from Kilimanjaro (JRO)
- →Begin vaccination course if needed (e.g., yellow fever)
- →Apply for Tanzania e-visa
- →Confirm travel insurance provider
Confirm Logistics
All major bookings are confirmed. Internal flights (Arusha to Serengeti, etc.) are booked. Visas are approved. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is confirmed (mandatory for Kilimanjaro climbs, strongly recommended for all clients). Review your vaccination status.
- →Confirm internal flight tickets
- →Confirm travel insurance with medical evacuation
- →Check vaccination status and get boosters if needed
- →Review packing list and begin gathering items
- →Notify Safari Kilimanjaro of dietary requirements
Final Preparations
The final phase of planning. Finalise your packing list. Arrange USD cash for tipping (guide, driver, camp staff). Confirm dietary requirements with each camp. Inform your bank of travel dates to avoid card issues abroad. Print copies of travel insurance, visa, and booking confirmations.
- →Finalise packing — check clothing, camera gear, medication
- →Withdraw USD cash for tips
- →Confirm dietary requirements with camps
- →Notify bank of travel dates
- →Print travel documents (insurance, visa, confirmations)
- →Charge all devices and bring power bank
Final Check
In the days before departure. Charge devices overnight. Pack carry-on with essentials: medication, passport, travel documents, camera gear, binoculars, sunscreen. Confirm airport transfer with Safari Kilimanjaro. Check the weather forecast for Arusha — and pack accordingly.
- →Charge camera batteries and power banks
- →Pack daypack with essentials for the flight
- →Check weather forecast for Arusha
- →Confirm airport transfer time
- →Pack appropriate clothing layers for Kilimanjaro if combining
Key Decisions
The Four Key Planning Decisions
How many days?
A minimum of 3 days is viable for a brief northern circuit visit. 5–7 days gives you time to cover the key parks without rushing. 10–14 days allows you to add southern circuit parks, more luxury camps, or a Zanzibar extension.
Which parks?
The northern circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) is the standard Tanzania safari. 5–7 days covers the highlights. Adding the southern circuit (Selous, Ruaha) requires additional time and a domestic flight.
Which season?
Peak season (July–October) offers the most dramatic wildlife and highest prices. Shoulder seasons (June, November) offer the best value and good wildlife. The green season (December–February) is compelling for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
Budget level?
Budget: $150–250/person/day (camping, shared vehicle). Mid-range: $250–500/person/day (en-suite lodge, good guiding). Luxury: $500–1,200+/person/day (premium camps, private vehicles). Accommodation level is the biggest cost variable.
FAQ
Safari Planning — Common Questions
How far in advance should I book a Tanzania safari?
6–12 months in advance for peak season (July–October). The best camps — particularly in the Serengeti's northern reaches — are fully booked 12 months ahead for peak season. For shoulder seasons (June, November), 3–6 months is usually sufficient. For the green season (March–May), 1–4 months may be enough, though popular camps still book ahead.
What if I need to book last minute?
Contact us — availability varies. Some camps have last-minute cancellations, and we have relationships with properties that give us access to availability that does not appear on booking platforms. For peak season, last-minute availability is rare at the best camps. For the green season, last-minute bookings are more viable. Always contact us before assuming availability is gone.
Is travel insurance really necessary for a Tanzania safari?
Yes — and for Kilimanjaro climbs it is mandatory. Medical evacuation in Tanzania, if required, can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage protects you from this cost. It also covers trip cancellation, lost baggage, and other contingencies. We recommend a policy that explicitly covers safari activities and, if applicable, mountaineering/trekking above 3,000m.
Do I need vaccinations for Tanzania?
Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. It is not required for travellers arriving directly from Europe, North America, or Australia. However, yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most travellers as it may be required for re-entry to your home country. Hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for all travellers. Hepatitis B and rabies are recommended for longer stays or those with significant animal exposure. Consult a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.
What is the Tanzania e-visa process?
Most nationalities can apply for a Tanzania e-visa online at the Tanzania Immigration Services portal. The process takes 2–10 business days. The visa costs $50 for most nationalities (US citizens pay $100). You apply online, receive approval by email, and present it on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or another port of entry. Apply well before your departure date.
Can I combine a Kilimanjaro climb with a safari?
Yes — the Safari Kilimanjaro combination is the most popular itinerary we offer. The standard pattern is a Kilimanjaro climb (5–9 days) followed by a safari (3–7 days), or vice versa. Both depart from Arusha, making the logistics straightforward. Allow at least 10–16 days total. The physical challenge of the climb creates a natural narrative: summit day, then recovery on safari. Discuss your fitness level and preferences with our Arusha team.
Start Planning
Ready to Start Planning?
Our Arusha team has been planning Tanzania safaris for years. Tell us your travel dates, group size, and priorities and we will give you honest advice on feasibility and timing.