Dates: August 2-10th, 2024

Where: Tanzania

What: Private Family Safari

About your safari

You’ll be driven around in your own open roof jeep with your own private guide, guaranteeing you a superb safari experience with many opportunities to take great photos. The jeep also has seven window seats, which gives everyone a beautiful view of the animals and landscape.

Your private guide will advise you of the best time to start each outing, but as it’s a private safari the final decision will be yours. Let him know anything you need or want, and he will do his best to accommodate you! 

You have an amazing trip ahead of you!

In Tarangire National Park you’ll move amongst ancient baobab trees looking for big herds of elephants. And in the famous crater of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, if you are lucky you will see the almost extinct black rhino. In the renowned Serengeti you will see lions and hopefully witness to the great wildebeest migration!

You will require vaccinations for your trip. As we are not medically trained, we are unable to give

detailed advice on vaccination requirements. We recommend that you consult your doctor or a

travel clinic at least three months before you travel.

The following vaccinations are generally recommended for Tanzania:

Covid (2 doses), Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever*, Malaria **

*Yellow Fever is compulsory when you are entering Tanzania from a country that has Yellow

Fever. Vaccination certificates are often checked at immigration. If you are entering Tanzania

from a country that does not have Yellow Fever, vaccination is not needed. Please visit the World

Health Organisation website for an up-to-date list. 

WHO Yellow Fever Information 

If you are transiting through a country that has Yellow Fever, e.g., Ethiopia & Kenya, vaccination is not needed, as long as your transit is LESS THAN 12 HRS.

** Malaria. In some of the areas we visit, there is a small risk of contracting Malaria. You must be

aware that whatever malaria tablets you are taking (if any) only offer partial protection. They

must be coupled with your own physical efforts against being bitten - which is the best prevention. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes come out at sunset, so from this time, you should wear long sleeves and trousers. Exposed skin, especially ankles, should have insect repellent containing Deet or Picaridin applied to them.

COVID-19 Entry Requirements

All travelers are advised to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (this is not compulsory, and

you will not be asked to show proof of vaccination). You may have your temperature checked upon arrival

Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. The majority of visitors need an Ordinary Tourist Visa

(~$50). Visitors from the United States need a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (~$100). We do not

know why!

Visas can be obtained in advance online (recommended) or upon arrival. If you apply on

arrival, you have to complete a simple form, and there may be additional queuing time. You

pay the fee in cash. Please note that Tanzania only accepts dollar bills printed in 2007 or after.

Online visas: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/

There are a number of online organisations who will apply for your visa on your behalf.

They charge an additional fee to do this. We recommend that you use the official website,

which is listed above.

We recommend you allow at least 15 days for the visa to be processed. If you do not

receive the visa before you travel, you will have to apply for one and pay the fee again upon arrival.

Make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your trip and has at least three clear pages.

Ideally, a day of safari begins with an early morning rise at the sounds of the African savannah. After a healthy breakfast, you head out in a safari vehicle with your guide. Morning is the best time to see animals, who are most active just after sunrise (and just before sunset). 

You will explore the savannah until it’s time for a packed lunch from the lodge, which you can enjoy at one of the picnic areas in the park. You will continue exploring the savannah until just before sunset when you stop at a beautiful spot or go back to the lodge for the famous safari sundowner. Watch the sunset while you nurse your favorite drink and reminisce about the day. The day ends with a lovely shower, a sumptuous dinner, and an early night. 

Both the car and the driver are at your disposal completely, meaning you can adjust the above in any way you like. Do you prefer to go back to the lodge early for a relaxing afternoon with a sundowner and a view over the savannah? By all means do so! Chances are you spot some fantastic wildlife from the comfort of your tent. On the other hand, if you don’t like early mornings, you can decide to take it easy and start your game drives a bit later because also, during the day, there are plenty of animals to see. Whether you are fascinated by big cats, birds, photography, or elephants, you can adjust the game drive to your liking. So, if you prefer to observe the same animals for hours on end, nobody will push you to drive on. 

To make the best use of this freedom, we advise you to discuss all your wishes with your guide during the first briefing and at any time during your safari. He is the expert on game drives and might be able to come up with suggestions to make your day even better. Together, you can create your personal and perfect safari day! Just know that the only limit is the park curfew. National parks only allow game drives from 6 am (sunrise) to 6 pm (sunset) and expect guests to be back in the lodge outside of those hours.

Examples: Game drive days can be as packed or relaxed as you wish. Below, we made two examples: 

The ultimate game drive day:

06:00 Breakfast in the lodge 

07:00 Pick up from the lodge 

07:00 - 12:00 game drives 

12:00 lunch in the park 

12:30 - 17:30 game drives

18:00 back in the lodge

19:00 dinner 

A relaxing day of game drives:

08:00 Breakfast in the lodge 

09:00 Pick up from the lodge 

09:00 - 13:00 game drives

13:00 lunch in the park

14:00 - 16:00 game drives 

16:30 back in the lodge 

19:00 dinner 

What does a full board look like on safari? 

When booking a safari, the meal plan will always be full board. Once you are on safari, it looks like this: 

For Breakfast, most of the food will be served buffet style, with coffee/water/juice/tea. 

Lunch -The packed lunch usually has a sandwich, pasta salad, potatoes, e.g., some fruit, a muffin, and a drink pack. 

Dinner -Buffet or à la carte.

Drinks are not included in the dinner price. Prices are usually 3 USD for soft drinks, 3 to 5 USD for a beer, and 25 USD for a bottle of wine. During the day, Our jeeps always have bottles of water in the fridge. Other drinks and snacks can be booked for a small additional charge per person per day.

Between July and August, the wildebeest move en masse into Kenya's Maasai Mara, crossing the Mara River in staggering numbers. For travelers, river crossings rank among the most sought-after moments of the Great Migration.

The Great Migration is today one of the natural world's most astonishing phenomena. Each year, nearly two million wildebeest and accompanying large numbers of zebra and smaller numbers of Grant's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle, eland, and impala trek from the Serengeti to the Maasai Mara and back again in search of fresh grazing. Viewing these vast herds on the move is always an unforgettable sight. This experience is rated as one of the most spectacular natural events.

Please note that you are not guaranteed to see the Great Migration. The Migration is entirely dependent upon rain, with the herds constantly searching for fresh grasses. As a result, it is a challenge to predict with any confidence where the herds will be during any particular week and, therefore, to decide where best to stay.

Luggage

If possible, you should bring a duffel bag or soft-sided bag. These are easier to carry and pack

inside the safari vehicle. Ideally, the fabric should be hardy and waterproof, and the bag should be lockable. Put anything that is of any value in a separate day pack, such as a backpack. Anything of real sentimental or monetary value should ideally be left at home.

Clothes

Pack for hot days and cool nights. Tanzania can be hot and dusty by day, but it is often cool and

crisp at night. Layers are ideal for safari days. Pack clothing that is able to keep you cool but

protect you from the sun and biting insects. Choose mid-tone colors, avoid white or bright

colors that may distract the animals, and dark colors like black and blue, as these can attract

tsetse flies. The best colors are the safari classics: olive, green and khaki. For evenings at lodges,

you can stay in your casual gear as even the luxury lodges do not expect smart wear out in the

bush. Check the temperature before you travel to make sure you have clothing that is warm

enough for the season. It is always a good idea to bring a waterproof coat, whatever the season.

Tanzania is quite a conservative culture, so please avoid wearing ‘short’ shorts or low-cut tops.

These can attract unwanted attention and can sometimes cause offense.

The weather varies greatly depending on where you are. Because of the high altitude, it gets really cold in some places, especially in June, July, and August. It can also get very hot. We advise dressing in layers. Typically, the long rains are in March, April, and May. The short rains are in November / December.

Shoes

You want to be careful not to overpack, so you need to think carefully about what shoes to take. As long as you are not going on a safari that requires a lot of walking, you will be fine with sneakers and some sports sandals (sandals are also great for walking around the camp at night). You may also want to take flip-flops for the showers.

Sun Protection

The African sun can be brutal, so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses to protect your

eyes. You’ll also need a hat that shades your face and covers your ears and neck, so you have

maximum sun protection. Of course, take plenty of high-protection sun cream and lip salve.

First Aid 

This is a suggested list of first aid supplies:

 Antiseptic ointment

 Antihistamine cream & tablets

 Nurofen or equivalent painkiller

 Eye-drops

 Anti-diarrhea treatment

 A couple of bandages

 Medication for personal allergies/asthma, etc.

 Insect repellent containing Deet or Picaridin

 Rehydration sachets/vitamin tablets

 Assorted plasters

Photography & Electronic Devices

We recommend you bring:

 Strong bag/carry case to protect the camera - zip lock/plastic bags are helpful for dusty

conditions

 Spare/extra batteries

 Memory/Storage media (2 x memory cards in case one gets corrupted)

 Binoculars. These will be essential when you are out spotting wildlife.

Electrical charging & power supply

All our safari vehicles have power/charging points. Please bring travel adaptors to ensure they are suitable for your appliances/devices. 

Phones / Wi-Fi

 Most lodges and tented camps have Wi-Fi

 Some campsites have Wi-Fi, but this should not be relied upon

 The signal strength is variable at all locations and is often weak, especially in the

Serengeti. You may be able to check WhatsApp and Social Media, but you will not be

able to stream Netflix movies!

 It is possible to buy a SIM card with data that can be used during your safari. You will

need to purchase this in Arusha, and it will need to be registered using your passport. If

you want to use it on your phone, you will need to make sure the phone is unlocked.

Your safari consultant will be able to advise you further on this process.

Binoculars

We advise that you bring your own binoculars. Lion King can provide binoculars on request, but regular exposure to dust means that the condition of the equipment is not as good as when it is new.

Money

The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. US Dollars are widely accepted. Tanzania only accepts US dollar bills printed in 2007 or after. USD is widely accepted, but please make sure the bills are crisp, new, and without any imperfections. Make sure you haggle/ barter for things you want to buy. The store owners start high, and you should plan on paying about half the price they start with. You can take out money in local currency at a local ATM. These are available in Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport, and other big towns. They allow you to withdraw local currency.

Credit and Debit cards are also widely accepted. To avoid being blocked, we recommend that you inform your bank that you will be using your card abroad.

Tipping

Since you will be on your own and not part of a retreat, you will be responsible for tipping your guide at the end of your trip. Tipping for services is not obligatory, but it is widespread in Tanzania. Your tip is highly appreciated and can make a big difference to your guide and lodge staff. Of course, you should only give a tip if you are satisfied with the quality of the service.

Most of the accommodations where you stay have people who carry your baggage. You could give them a small tip of $1 per person (Shilling 2,500). It is also possible to leave a tip for the entire staff since most accommodations have a tip box at the reception. It is advisable to carry a quantity of one-dollar bills with you for the smaller tips. You can also give a small tip in the local currency (Shilling).

It is customary to leave a tip for your guide/driver at the end of your trip. What you choose to give is entirely up to you, but our advice is to tip your guide around $8-10 per person per day.

It is forbidden in Tanzania to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts, and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or prepare to have your film/camera confiscated. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people—it is always better to ask first before you snap away!

All towns and cities have their share of petty crime, and sensible precautions need to be taken.

Wearing expensive-looking jewelry/watches and carrying cameras will draw unnecessary

attention. You may find a simple money belt is more discrete than a bag. Always be aware of your surroundings, and when approached by people you do not know, use common sense. At night in towns, it's best to use a taxi rather than walking around the streets. Single women in particular need to be careful & we suggest that it is safer to be in a group.

Accommodations:

Most places will have a safe inside the room. If they do not, there is usually a secure area at the reception. While theft from inside rooms is very rare, we do recommend that you use these to store valuables.

Tanzania is 945,000 sq km; therefore, it is almost 23 times the size of the Netherlands. The country consists of 38 National Parks, and you can imagine how endless some plains are. In the Maasai language, Serengeti literally means "endless plain." 

During the trip, you will be able to cross a piece of the Serengeti, and you will be overwhelmed by its nature. The roads in the National Parks are unpaved. This sometimes makes it look like a short distance on a map, but the journey takes longer than expected. When booking a trip to Tanzania from home, it is sometimes difficult to imagine how big the country is and what the distances to be covered are. Even Google Maps sometimes misses the mark completely.

To give you more insight into this, we have indicated what the distances are between the most visited National Parks in Tanzania:

Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha (1h 15 min, 50 km) 

Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi (1h 15 min, 50 km) 

Arusha – Kilimanjaro (2h 30 min, 100 KM.) 

Arusha - Lake Manyara (2 hours, 115 KM) 

Arusha - Tarangire entrance North (2 hours, 105 KM) 

South Tarangire - Ngorongoro (2h 15 min, 135 km) 

South Tarangire (Sangaiwe) - Central Serengeti (5 hours, 285 km) 

Tarangire - Lake Manyara (50 minutes, 60 KM) 

Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Crater (1 hour, 50 KM) 

Ngorongoro Crater - Ndutu Area (2h 30 min, 100 km) 

Ngorongoro Crater - Central Serengeti (3h 30 min, 135 KM) 

Central Serengeti - North Serengeti (4 hours game drive pace, 90 KM) 

Lake Manyara - Lake Natron (3 hours, 100 KM) 

Lake Natron - North Serengeti (4h 30 min, 150 KM) 

Arusha - Zanzibar (1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes flight) 

Why is it essential to be aware of these distances before your safari? 

A safari aims to have as many game drives as possible. The people at our company know all distances and challenges that might occur and plan your safari accordingly while ensuring enough time for high-quality game drives without mileage limits. This might seem obvious, but we know of many commonly offered routes that are almost impossible to carry out. And this can happen because tour operators know that most visitors have no clue about the reality on the ground.

If you cancel your trip before the 90-day deadline, 25% of the total trip price is non-refundable, as are any airfare, train tickets, or ferry tickets purchased as part of your trip package due to the strict cancellation policy by foreign carriers (if applicable).

Trip cancellations requested after the final payment deadlines listed above are non-refundable, and guests are encouraged to file a claim with their travel insurance for reimbursement. 

In the unlikely event Walker Wellness Retreats cancels the retreat, guests will be provided a full 100% refund of their booking. 

Lastly, we partner with several third-party booking platforms that have separate deposit and cancellation policies. If you book through a third-party partner, please refer to their specific cancellation policies.

Questions about refunds or cancellations? Click here to view our payment and cancellation policy.

The deadline to book an international retreat is 30 days before the retreat begins; however, some exceptions can be made based on availability. Please email us at contact@walkerwellnessretreats.com to inquire about booking after the deadline has passed.

Before you go

 Learn some of the local language and read up on the local history/culture before you go

 Pack some pens/pencils and exercise books in your bag, and they can be donated

to a local school or project while you're away. These items can also be purchased locally and

will help local businesses

 Bring a water bottle with you from home that you can re-use throughout your trip

 Plastic Bags: Since 1st June 2019, most plastic bags have been prohibited from being imported,

exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied, and used in Mainland Tanzania. Visitors to

Tanzania is advised to avoid bringing plastic bags into Tanzania. This new initiative has

been introduced to protect the environment and keep our country clean and beautiful.

Travelers often use plastic bags to separate/organize certain items in their luggage. You may choose to do this, but be prepared to answer questions if your luggage is searched at Customs. You can explain that these bags are used in your packing and will return to your home country with you when you leave (please make sure they do!). If you meet a Customs Officer who does not accept this explanation, you may be asked to pay a small fine (approximately U$D 15). Remove unnecessary packaging before you leave home

While you're traveling

 Please don't waste water. It is a valuable and often scarce resource in many of the areas we

visit

 Never buy endangered species or endangered habitat products. Apart from the fact that

it's illegal; it also encourages the trade to continue

 Buy locally made crafts and products helping to support the local economy

 Don't feel when bargaining that you have to get the lowest price possible just for the

sake of it. Pay what the item is worth to you, and don't worry about what someone else has

paid

 Try the local food and drinks - this will help to support local farmers and food sellers

 Dispose of litter appropriately on your trip. This includes cigarette butts. Not only does

litter looks unsightly, but it can be lethal to wildlife

 When game viewing, do not encourage your guides to get too close to the wildlife so that

their natural behavior is impeded

 Respect the local customs, traditions, and beliefs of the people in the different regions that you

travel through

 Do not take photos of people, ritual events, or unique places unless you have asked first

 Dress appropriately according to local codes and show respect around religious festivals