General Overview
- Location: East Africa, bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Indian Ocean
- Capital: Dodoma (largest city Dar es Salaam)
- Official Languages: Swahili and English
- Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
- Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT), UTC +3
Top Tourist Attractions
- Serengeti National Park: Famous for the Great Migration and abundant wildlife
- Ngorongoro Crater: Unique volcanic crater with dense wildlife populations
- Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa's highest peak, popular trekking destination
- Zanzibar Archipelago: White sandy beaches, rich culture, and historic Stone Town
- Tarangire National Park: Known for large elephant herds and baobab trees
- Lake Manyara National Park: Famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos
- Selous Game Reserve: One of the largest faunal reserves in the world
- Ruaha National Park: Untouched wilderness and large prides of lions
Best Time to Visit
- Dry Season (June to October): Best for safaris and trekking (cooler, less rain)
- Short Rainy Season (Nov-Dec): Wildlife viewing remains good
- Long Rainy Season (March-May): Less ideal for travel due to heavy rains
Visa Requirements
- Most visitors require a visa (can be obtained on arrival or online e-visa)
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry
- Visa fees vary by nationality
Health & Safety
- Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries
- Recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Malaria prophylaxis
- Use insect repellent and mosquito nets to prevent malaria
- Drink bottled or purified water only
- Basic medical facilities available in cities; carry travel insurance
Transportation
- Air: Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam)
- Road: Well-connected by buses and private transfers; roads can be rough in rural areas
- Safari Vehicles: 4x4 vehicles common for game drives
- Boats: Used for Zanzibar and lake tours
Accommodation
- Options range from budget hostels and campsites to luxury lodges and resorts
- Popular safari lodges offer all-inclusive packages
- Zanzibar has a wide range of beachfront resorts and boutique hotels
Currency & Payments
- Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency
- US Dollars widely accepted, especially in tourism areas
- Credit cards accepted in major hotels and lodges but carry cash in rural areas
- ATMs available in major towns
Culture & Etiquette
- Tanzania is culturally diverse with over 120 ethnic groups
- Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and Zanzibar (predominantly Muslim)
- Greetings are important—shake hands or use local greetings
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially in villages
Useful Tips
- Learn basic Swahili phrases like "Jambo" (Hello), "Asante" (Thank you)
- Carry photocopies of passport and travel documents
- Respect wildlife and follow park rules
- Bargaining is common in markets and small shops
- Tipping guides and drivers is customary
Safari Planning Guide
Tanzania Best Parks to Visit:
- Serengeti National Park: Great Migration, Big Five
- Kilimanjaro Mountain
- Ngorongoro Crater: High wildlife density in a unique ecosystem
- Tarangire National Park: Elephants, baobabs, fewer crowds
- Lake Manyara: Tree-climbing lions, flamingos
- Selous & Ruaha (Southern Circuit): Remote, untamed wilderness
Recommended Safari Duration:
- 4-5 days: Short safari
- 7-10 days: Full Northern or Southern circuit
- 12+ days: Luxury or photographic safaris
Safari Types:
- Budget Camping Safari
- Mid-range Lodge Safari
- Luxury Fly-in Safari
- Private Family or Honeymoon Safari
- VIP
- Special Groups Convoys
What to Pack:
- Neutral-colored clothing
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Binoculars, camera with zoom
- Refillable water bottle
- Insect repellent, travel insurance
Cultural Tour Guide
Top Cultural Experiences:
- Maasai Village Visits (Arusha/Ngorongoro): Learn traditions, dance, crafts
- Hadzabe & Datoga Tribes (Lake Eyasi): Ancient hunting & blacksmithing
- Chagga Village Tour (Moshi): Coffee-making, caves, waterfalls
- Zanzibar Stone Town Tour: Swahili-Arabic culture, food, historic sites
- Bagamoyo & Kilwa Ruins: UNESCO heritage and old slave trade ports
Tips for Cultural Tours:
- Always ask before taking photos
- Dress modestly in villages and religious areas
- Support community-run initiatives and local guides
Zanzibar Beach Holiday Guide
Best Beaches:
- Nungwi & Kendwa (North): Great for swimming, luxury resorts
- Paje & Jambiani (East): Kitesurfing, beach bars, relaxed vibe
- Kizimkazi (South): Dolphin tours, cultural experiences
- Stone Town (West): Cultural base, museums, and spice tours
Activities:
- Snorkeling & Diving (Mnemba Atoll)
- Spice Farm Tours
- Jozani Forest - Red Colobus Monkeys
- Prison Island - Tortoises & snorkeling
- Sunset Dhow Cruises
- Sandbank Picnics
Ideal Length of Stay:
- 3-5 days: Stone Town & beach combo
- 7+ days: Full relaxation, water sports, cultural tours
True Africa Escape Booking Policies
We want your safari or holiday experience with True Africa Escape to be seamless and stress-free. Below is a summary of our booking policies to help you plan with confidence.
Booking Confirmation
- A 30% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your trip.
- The balance (70%) is due 30 days prior to your arrival in Tanzania.
- For bookings made less than 45 days before the trip, full payment is required at the time of booking.
What's Included
Our trip prices typically include:
- Accommodation as outlined in your itinerary
- All park and conservation fees
- Game drives and transportation with a private 4x4 safari vehicle
- All meals during the safari
- English-speaking professional guide
- Airport transfers (if part of your package)
- Bottled drinking water on game drives
Note: Flights (international and domestic), visas, travel insurance, tips, and some optional activities are not included unless specified.
What's Not Included
- International and domestic flights (unless arranged by us)
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
- Alcoholic beverages and optional excursions
Booking Changes
- We allow one free itinerary change if made more than 30 days before your trip.
- Additional changes may incur administrative or third-party charges.
- We do our best to accommodate last-minute adjustments but availability cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellations & Refunds
- More than 45 days before arrival: Deposit is non-refundable but the balance (if paid) will be refunded.
- 30-45 days before arrival: 50% of total trip cost will be refunded.
- Less than 30 days before arrival: No refunds, but we may offer trip postponement or partial credit.
- No-shows or early departures are non-refundable.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays, or unforeseen emergencies.
Travel Insurance
All guests are required to have valid travel insurance that covers:
- Medical emergencies
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Lost or delayed luggage
- Emergency evacuation
Children & Family Policy
- Children under 3 years: Free (on request)
- Children aged 3-12: Discounted rates available
- Children must be accompanied by an adult during game drives and activities
Payment Methods
We accept:
- Bank transfers (USD/EUR/TZS)
- Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard - with a small processing fee)
- Mobile payment (M-Pesa for local bookings)
Private vs. Group Tours
- We offer both private tailor-made safaris and shared group departures (if available).
- Group tours are subject to minimum traveler numbers and fixed dates.
Need Help?
Our team is always available to answer questions before or after you book. Reach out via:
- Email: info@trueafricaescape.com
- WhatsApp: +255 784 084 200
- Website: www.trueafricaescape.com
True Africa Escape - Trip Cancellation Terms & Conditions
These cancellation terms apply to all tours, safaris, and travel services booked with True Africa Escape. By confirming a booking, the client agrees to these conditions.
Booking Confirmation & Deposits
- A 30% deposit is required to confirm your reservation.
- The remaining 70% balance must be paid at least 30 days before the start of the tour.
- For bookings made less than 30 days before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellation by the Client
If the client cancels their booking, the following cancellation fees will apply:
- More than 60 days: Full refund minus 5% bank/processing fees
- 31-60 days: 70% refund of total tour cost
- 15-30 days: 50% refund of total tour cost
- 1-14 days: 25% refund of total tour cost
- Less than 1 day: No refund
Note: The 30% deposit is generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated.
No-Shows & Early Departures
- No-shows (guests who do not arrive) are not eligible for any refund.
- If a traveler leaves the tour early, no partial refunds will be issued for unused services.
Cancellation by True Africa Escape
We reserve the right to cancel a tour in the unlikely event of:
- Natural disasters
- Political unrest
- Global health emergencies
- Force majeure (events beyond our control)
If this occurs, clients will receive:
- A full refund, or
- The option to reschedule or apply the payment as credit for a future trip
Date Changes & Rescheduling
- We allow one free date change if requested more than 30 days before departure.
- Changes requested within 30 days are subject to availability and may incur extra costs.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend all clients purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering:
- Medical emergencies
- Trip cancellations
- Delays
- Lost luggage
True Africa Escape is not responsible for additional costs due to missed flights, illness, or other disruptions.
Refund Processing
- Refunds are processed within 15-30 business days.
- All refunds are made to the original payment method.
- Bank fees or exchange losses are the responsibility of the client.
Contact & Support
If you need to cancel, reschedule, or discuss your booking, please contact us as early as possible:
- E-Mail: info@trueafricaescape.com
- WhatsApp/Phone: +255 784 084 200
- Website: www.trueafricaescape.com
True Africa Escape's Safari Vehicles
At True Africa Escape, your comfort, safety, and immersive safari experience are our top priorities. We use custom-built 4x4 safari vehicles specifically designed to handle the unique terrains of Tanzania while delivering panoramic views of the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
Our Safari Fleet Features:
4x4 Land Cruisers - Safari Customized
- Pop-up Roof: For unobstructed game viewing and photography
- All-Terrain Tires & Suspension: Built to navigate rough roads and national park tracks
- Extended Body: Seats up to passengers comfortably with window access for all
Modern Comfort & Amenities
- Reclining Seats with Seatbelts
- Charging Ports (USB & Inverter) for phones, cameras, and devices
- Cooler/Fridge Box with bottled water and refreshments
- Onboard WiFi (on select vehicles)
- Reading Lights & Air Vents
Luggage Storage & Roof Racks
- Sufficient space for large safari duffels and gear
- Additional roof racks for tents or group travel items (on request)
Expert Drivers & Guides
- Trained, licensed, and multilingual safari guides
- Deep knowledge of wildlife, geography, and local cultures
- First aid certified and equipped with radios for real-time park communication
Special Vehicle Options Available
- Luxury Upgrades: Fewer seats, premium interior, champagne onboard
- Photography Vehicle: Open sides, beanbags, and swivel seats for pros
- Family-Friendly Options: Child seat, booster seat, and private-use arrangements
- Group Convoy Support: Coordinated multi-vehicle communication for large groups