Serengeti FAQs

IMPORTANT:

All travellers to Tanzania and Zanzibar, regardless of their Country of origin, should have yellow fever inoculations and carry their Yellow Fever Certificates. The requirement haws been reintroduced by [i]The Health Authorities in Tanzania (including Zanzibar)

The requirement is primarily intended for visitors that are arriving from or have visited any Yellow Fever listed countries (including those in transit through Kenya)[/i]

What makes the Serengeti so unique and so special? The annual migration for which the Serengeti is so famous leaves few visitors unmoved. Evidence suggests that wildebeest have grazed in the Serengeti for more than a million years, so as you watch the herds travelling their migratory route - followed by numerous predators - you are watching a natural phenomenon that has played out for millennia. This is a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime-experience.

When is the best time to go?

The entire region has spectacular game viewing all year round, though the low grass and thin vegetation of the dry season (July - October) makes it the best time to see predators.

The wildebeest migration patterns, however, vary according to local conditions and are difficult to predict. Certain areas of the Serengeti are better at certain times for seeing the migration, but as a general rule the southern Serengeti is best between December to March while the western region is the place to go from April to September.

The period October to November/early December sees the wildebeest in Kenya's Masai Mara.

Click here for more information about the migration.

How do we get there?

The main entry point into Tanzania is Kilimanjaro Airport to which there are direct flights from Amsterdam and several easily connecting flights from other points in Europe.

Another common route to Kilimanjaro is to fly direct from Europe into Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and from there fly into Kilimanjaro. From Kilimanjaro, it's about an hour road transfer to Arusha from where you can either take a light aircraft flight into the Serengeti, or alternatively take a road transfer.

The distances, flying times and driving times vary depending on where in the Serengeti you are actually going, as the region is so massive. The drive from Arusha to the Serengeti gate is 4 - 5 hours (2 hours on good roads; 3 hours on poor ones).

What are the luggage restrictions?

Most scheduled flights have a luggage restriction of 20kg which is standard in Africa. Luggage on charter flights is restricted to 15kg per person and must be carried in the form of soft bags only. Excess luggage and hard shell cases can often be stored with our suppliers at their offices in Arusha.

Does the Serengeti have the Big Five?

Yes! Although it can be hard at times to see rhino - they are rare and somewhat shy. Find out more about the wildlife of the Serengeti.

Will our guide carry a firearm with them?

The rangers on safari walks in the private parks will carry firearms with them. However, these are only used in the most extreme circumstances, if in the unlikely event, safety comes into question. Guides and driver guides in the national parks generally do not carry rifles with them.

Can I bring my children on safari to the Serengeti?

Yes. Many lodges do accept children, and children of virtually any age are welcome on game drives because in East Africa all of the game drives in the national parks are done in closed vehicles with pop-up roofs (as opposed to open vehicles in Southern Africa).

We do however recommend if you are traveling with children that you travel by air as opposed to by road. Roads tend to be dusty and bumpy with long distances between points.

Is it safe to drink the water?

No. We recommend that you drink bottled water which is readily available at all of the lodges and hotels.

Will there be electricity for me to charge my camera? What kind of plug will I need?

Apart from a few of the bush camps and mobile safaris, all accommodation has some form of permanent electricity (solar power or generator), although the supply is sometimes erratic.

The supply is generally 220-240v and plugs are three-pin square or round. If you have a video or digital camera, make sure your battery charger is of the same voltage.

What is the local currency and how should we manage carrying our money?

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, but we recommend that you rather carry small denominations of US dollar cash with you instead of exchanging your money. Try to ensure that any US currency you bring over is post-1996 issue: pre-1996 US dollars are often not accepted due to a large number of counterfeit notes in circulation worldwide.

Major credit cards are accepted at many of the larger lodges and hotels, but should only be used as a back-up plan because power failures or credit card machine errors are not uncommon.

Plan to carry enough money to cover your expected expenses, plus a small reserve. Our experience shows that between $50 & $100 per person per day is sufficient for all expenses.

What is the standard tipping procedure?

Tipping in Tanzania, and East Africa as a whole, is entirely at your discretion. However, we suggest the following as a reference guide:

• Game rangers, specialist guides - US $5 - 10 per guest per day • Trackers - US $5 per guest per day • Game lodge/ hotel staff - US $5 per guest per day placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally • Tour guides - US $5 half day, US $10 per person full day. • Transfers - US $2 per person • Restaurants - 10% for good service, up to 15% for exceptional service

What is the standard of accommodation like in the Serengeti?

The Kenyan accommodation that we sell ranges from 3 - 5 star accommodation. However, accommodation in East Africa has lower quality standards than lodges in Southern Africa and internationally. A 5 star in East Africa is often similar to a 4 star in Southern Africa. Click here for more information about accommodation in the Serengeti.

What can one expect to pay for accommodation in the Serengeti?

This varies drastically depending on where you are staying and the level of luxury and exclusivity you are looking for. For lodge accommodation, one can expect to pay anything from US $250 per person per night upwards. The upper limit for extremely up-market accommodation in the Serengeti goes up to $1200 per person per night.

The cost of accommodation generally includes all meals. At certain lodges it will include various activities and certain drinks as well.

Is there a dress code?

There is no set dress code on safari in Tanzania; however most lodges and hotels will expect their male guests to at least wear long trousers to dinner and women to wear a dress, skirt or long pants. It is a fairly conservative country so very revealing clothing is not recommended.

What kind of activities can one do in the Serengeti?

This varies greatly depending on where you are travelling. In the national parks, game drives during the day are offered in closed vehicles with pop-up roofs, but no night drives or walking is permitted for safety reasons.

In the private conservancies, many lodges offer both day and night drives as well as safari walks. Game drives in the private reserves are also sometimes in open vehicles.

Click here for more information about activities in the Serengeti.

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