Questions Before Your Safari?

The best time depends on what you want from your safari.

June to October: Best for classic wildlife viewing. It is the dry season, animals gather around water, and game viewing is at its easiest.

January to March: Excellent for the calving season in the southern Serengeti, with strong predator action and beautiful green landscapes.

April to May: Quieter months with fewer crowds and lower prices, although some rain should be expected.

Sharubu approach: We recommend your travel window based on your priorities, not a generic rule.

It depends on how many parks you want to visit:

3–4 days: Perfect for a focused northern circuit trip (Tarangire + Ngorongoro, or Lake Manyara + Ngorongoro).

5–7 days: The sweet spot. Covers the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and one or two additional parks like Tarangire or Lake Manyara.

8–12 days: A broader safari with more time in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and options such as Lake Natron.

Our recommendation: We suggest at least 5 days to truly experience the diversity of Tanzania's wildlife and landscapes without feeling rushed.

Tanzania has over 20 national parks. Here are the highlights:

Serengeti National Park: Africa's most famous park. Home to the Great Migration, vast plains, and abundant predators. An absolute must-visit.

Ngorongoro Crater: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. Incredible wildlife density — you can see the Big Five in a single day.

Tarangire National Park: Known for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Less crowded and excellent value.

Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and a stunning Great Rift Valley setting.

Ruaha National Park: Remote, wild, and uncrowded. Tanzania's largest park with excellent predator sightings.

We'll recommend the best combination based on your travel dates, budget, and interests.

Yes. Tailor-made safaris are what we do best.

You can start from scratch, adjust one of our existing routes, or combine different destinations and experiences into one trip.

• Parks and destinations
• Accommodation level
• Trip duration and pace
• Special interests such as photography or family travel
• Add-ons such as Kilimanjaro or cultural experiences

No two Sharubu trips need to be the same. We design around your travel style, budget, and expectations.

Yes. We can build your safari around a wider Tanzania trip, depending on what you want to combine.

Popular additions include cultural experiences, hot air balloon flights over the Serengeti, or extra stops such as Lake Natron.

We focus on the safari itself, accommodation, and ground transport. We do not arrange international or domestic flights.

Yes, most nationalities require a visa. Tanzania offers both an e-Visa and visa on arrival at major airports.

Our recommendation: Apply online in advance to avoid delays and start your trip smoothly.

How to apply:

• Apply online at visa.immigration.go.tz
• Processing takes up to 10 business days — apply at least 2 weeks before departure
• Single-entry tourist visa: $50 USD (valid for 90 days)
• US citizens: must apply for a Multiple-entry visa at $100 USD

You'll need: A passport valid for at least 6 months with one blank page, return flight ticket, and proof of accommodation.

We guide all our clients through the visa application process step by step.

Make sure you have the following ready before travel:

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, with one blank page
• E-Visa confirmation — printed copy of your approved visa
• Yellow Fever certificate — required if arriving from or transiting through an endemic country (e.g., Kenya with 12+ hour layover)
• Travel insurance documents — comprehensive coverage is mandatory
• Return/onward flight tickets
• Accommodation proof — we provide this as part of your booking

Most of our safaris start from Arusha and travelers typically arrive via Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).

We arrange the safari ground transport and accommodation, but we do not book international or domestic flights.

If you already have your arrival plan, we build the safari around it and make sure the road transfers fit your itinerary smoothly.

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US Dollars are widely accepted in the tourism industry.

Our recommendation:

• Bring US Dollars in cash for tips, souvenirs, and small purchases. Bills should be from 2013 or newer.
• Credit/debit cards are accepted at larger hotels and lodges but not in remote areas or small shops.
• ATMs are available in Arusha and major towns. Your bank may charge foreign transaction fees.
• Euros are also accepted in some tourist areas, but USD gets the best exchange rate.

Tip budget: Plan roughly $20–25 per day (guide, per vehicle) $5–10 per day (lodge staff, per person).

Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required if you're arriving from or transiting (12+ hours) through a yellow fever endemic country. Not required for direct flights from Europe or the US.

Malaria: Tanzania is a malaria zone. Prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult your doctor or travel clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Common options include Malarone, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine.

Recommended vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Typhoid
• Tetanus / Diphtheria / Polio (DTP booster)
• Yellow Fever (recommended even if not mandatory for your route)

Important: Always consult your doctor or travel health clinic for personalized advice based on your medical history and travel route.

Yes. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every Sharubu safari.

Your policy should cover:

• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation (minimum $100,000 coverage)
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Adventure activities including safari game drives

For Dutch travelers: Check with your health insurer — many Dutch policies (e.g., via CZ, Zilveren Kruis) include worldwide coverage, but you may need supplemental adventure travel coverage.

Yes, safaris are generally very safe when they are organized properly.

We work with licensed guides, trusted local partners, and well-established safari routes and accommodations.

Before and during the trip: We stay available and make sure you know exactly what to expect.

In towns and transit: Standard travel precautions still apply:

• Use hotel safes for valuables and passports
• Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas
• Keep copies of important documents separate from originals
• Don't display expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash

Water and food: Drink bottled water (widely available). Food at lodges and established restaurants is safe and often excellent. We ensure all our accommodation partners maintain high hygiene standards.

Absolutely! A safari can be a magical, life-changing experience for children. We organize many family safaris and tailor them to different ages:

• Ages 3–5: Shorter game drives, lodges with swimming pools, kid-friendly activities
• Ages 6–12: Most parks and lodges welcome this age group. Children love spotting animals!
• Teens: Walking safaris, cultural visits, and photography can make the trip extra engaging

Good to know: Some lodges and camps have minimum age requirements (often 5 or 6 years). We'll match you with family-friendly accommodation. Children need their own passport and visa. If traveling with one parent, carry a notarized consent letter from the other parent.

Most Sharubu safaris include:

• Accommodation
• Private or shared 4x4 safari vehicle
• Professional safari guide
• Park and conservation fees
• Meals according to the itinerary
• Transfers within your destination
• Direct WhatsApp support before, during, and after your trip

Clothing:

• Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, olive, brown, beige) — avoid bright colors, white, and especially black
• Light layers — mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cool, especially in the Ngorongoro Crater
• A warm fleece or jacket for early morning game drives
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Swimwear (many lodges have pools)

Essentials:

• Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, and insect repellent with DEET
• Wide-brimmed hat and quality sunglasses
• Binoculars — essential for birdlife and distant wildlife
• Camera with zoom lens (200mm minimum recommended) and extra memory cards
• Power bank and universal adapter (Tanzania uses UK-type 3-pin plugs, 230V)
• Reusable water bottle
• Small daypack for personal items during game drives

Good to know: Black clothing is best avoided because tsetse flies are especially attracted to dark colors.

Tip: Pack light and use a soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase for easier travel between camps and lodges.

We offer carefully selected comfort and luxury safari camps with tented rooms, as well as lodges where they fit the route best.

We recommend accommodation based on what fits your safari best, not what looks good in a brochure.

Our selection focuses on:

• Location close to the right wildlife areas
• Reliable service and comfort
• Good value within your chosen level

Whether you want a comfortable camp experience or a more elevated luxury stay, we match the right properties to your trip.

The Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — are all found in Tanzania.

Best chances: The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Africa to see all five in a single day. The Serengeti offers excellent lion and leopard sightings year-round.

The honest answer: Lions, elephants, and buffalo are seen on virtually every safari. Leopards are more elusive but regularly spotted, especially in the Serengeti's Seronera area. Black rhinos are the rarest — the Ngorongoro Crater has a small population.

While no one can guarantee every sighting (it's wild nature, after all!), our experienced guides know exactly where to look and a 5+ day safari gives you excellent odds.

We keep the booking process personal and straightforward:

1. You contact us with your travel ideas, dates, group size, and budget.

2. We prepare a personalised itinerary and clear quotation.

3. We adjust it with you until it feels right.

4. You confirm your safari with a deposit.

5. We guide you through the remaining steps until travel.

Simple, transparent, and supported from start to finish.

We keep payment clear and transparent.

• Bank transfer in EUR or USD

Typical payment schedule:

• Deposit to confirm the booking
• Remaining balance before departure

We provide clear pricing and explain all costs in advance, with no hidden surprises.

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for the full cancellation policy.

Our terms include the applicable non-refundable amount on the deposit and the conditions that apply after booking.

Sharubu is built on local expertise and personal service.

We do not sell generic safari packages. Every trip is designed around your preferences, travel style, and expectations.

What makes us different:

• Tailor-made planning: no cookie-cutter itineraries
• Local expertise: trusted partners and real destination knowledge
• Direct support: before, during, and after your trip
• Transparent pricing: clear quotations without hidden markups

We are not a mass booking platform. We are a hands-on safari specialist.