Go where eternal plains stretch as far as the eye can see.
Time seems to stand still in the wilds of Tanzania, yet every day on this small group Safari Tour is thrilling and new. Experience the best of this beguiling country, from untamed Tarangire to glimmering Lake Manyara, and the legendary Serengeti to the “Garden of Eden” at Ngorongoro Crater.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
8 lunches
10 dinners with beer or wine
4 sightseeing tours
8 game drives
Expert Tour Director & local guides
4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle
Included highlights
Shanga River House
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Maasai boma visit
Anti-poaching talk
Serengeti National Park
Olduvai Gorge Museum
Ngorongoro Crater
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Kilimanjaro today.
Arusha1 night
Day 2: Arrival in Kilimanjaro & transfer to Arusha
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Tanzania! Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and make your way to Arusha, where you’ll enjoy an included dinner.
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
This stylish hotel is located in the heart of Arusha just outside of the Arusha National Park. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and beautiful manicured gardens. Nearby you'll find the Central Market, the Arusha...
Tarangire National Park - Tarangire Sopa Lodge
This lodge-style hotel is located in Tarangire. Guests enjoy a gymnasium, swimming pool, and outdoor dining. Nearby, you'll find Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.
Kanyara Region - Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge
This luxury hotel is nested on the rim of the African Rift Valley. Guests enjoy a pool, a fine dining restaurant, and lounges. Nearby, you’ll find Ngorongoro Crater, Oldeani, Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Serengeti - Embalakai Authentic Camps
This luxury tent campsite is located in the Serengeti. Guests enjoy the on-site restaurant, bar, and sun terrace for admiring the scenery and keeping watch for roaming wildlife.
Ngorongoro Region - Karatu Country Lodge
This rustic hotel is located in Tanzania’s green belt district in the highlands. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and sprawling gardens of tropical flowers and plants. Nearby, you’ll find the town of Karatu, coffee plantations...
Stone Town - Tembo House Hotel
This beachfront hotel is located in Zanzibar City. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, private beach area, and uniquely designed rooms. Nearby you'll find the Old Fort of Zanzibar, the Hamamni Persian Baths, and the Jamhuri Gardens.
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Tanzania, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania (U.S. citizens must apply for a multiple entry visa). While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed 2 hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website and follow our application walkthrough guide. You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral—however, these services charge a fee in addition to the cost of your visa. You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
Beginning October 1, 2024, all travelers entering Zanzibar on the tour extension must purchase mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Proof of a policy purchase must be presented upon entry.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TWS.
You will walk less than 1 hour daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance while the vehicle is parked and in motion.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Kilimanjaro Airport (or from Dar es Salaam on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari land cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Vehicles are fitted with a mini-fridge or cooler box. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
A flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Stone Town, Zanzibar and a flight from Stone Town, Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are included in the price of the tour extension.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements:* A soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted)
Your bags can be no larger than 34” W x 17” H x 15” L
The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag)
Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
We recommended bringing a cushion or pillow to be comfortable in the safari vehicles during long transfers.
Pack a swimsuit as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
The Tanzanian government has a strict ban on plastic bags. As of June 1, 2019, it is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Travelers should be prepared for exposure to the elements including intense heat, sun, and rain.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TWS.
Spicy foods are common in Tanzania, and many dishes are infused with coconut milk. Meals consist of maize, tender grilled meats, maize porridge, and local vegetables. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by the many Indian immigrants.
Tanzania operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.
Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
Tanzania is three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Tanzania does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
From November through March, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 8pm on tour. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.
You’ll use the Tanzanian shilling on tour.
Please note, travelers cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania.
We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Driver Guide (and Tour Director if your group has one) a gratuity in US dollars.
We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Driver Guide and $2USD to $3USD per person per day for your Tour Director (if your group has one).
If applicable, we also recommend tipping $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.
For the duration of your tour you will be assigned to your own Driver Guide and their vehicle in groups of four-six. There will also be one Lead Driver Guide for the whole group.
You will have the same Driver Guides leading your group throughout your journey of mainland Tanzania.
Your Driver Guide will provide commentary during your game drives which builds on each days activity of the course of your tour.
The role of the Lead Driver Guide is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
On some departures, you will have a dedicated Tour Director in additional to your Driver Guides if your group size is over twenty.
You will have a different Tour Director in Zanzibar on the tour extension.
You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.
This Tanzania safari was the adventure of a lifetime. Our guide was amazing, and was able to find some incredible sights for us. From the very start of our trip we began having encounters with the Big Five. Our first sighting was of elephants (including several babies)...
Lions, Leopards and... Wildebeasts
3 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Leanice, traveled in Apr 2014
The African company that runs the tour in Tanzania is highly professional and did a great tour. They clearly know what they are doing. Kevin and Emmanuel, the guide and the tour director respectively, were terrific and went out of their way to make sure things went according...
Big 5... and hundreds more!
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Amy, traveled in Jan 2015
Had an amazing time and saw more than I could imagine. We saw lion cubs eating a zebra hoof. We heard a lioness call her babies - and watched her babies come running. I wrote down every animal we saw, and the list was over 200 animals long! We saw SO MANY ELEPHANTS including...
All Inclusive Safari
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Susan, traveled in Jan 2015
It was everything I expected and more. Much much much much more. Not many vacations are like that - when you exceed expectations. Saw thousands of animals - 96 lions, 4 leopards, 8 rhinos, thousands of elephants... if you're a birder, it's a birder's paradise. Our guide was...
Best Tour Director/Driver
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Angela, traveled in Jan 2015
Wolfugan was the greatest Tour Director/driver a person could have. Completely in unison with nature he never failed to provide answers to any questions a person might have. He was a pleasure to be with. I can only highly recommend him to anyone going on a safari in Tanzania....
Trip of a Life Time
5 out of 5 stars
4th-time traveler Teresa, traveled in Jun 2016
Third trip with GoAhead Tours and my FAVORITE! From arrival to departure the people were wonderful, the safari guide John, and the fabulous areas we visited Taragire National Park - Lake Mangara National Park (5 star accommodations) - Serengeti National Park- Ngorongor...
