How to Choose a Safari Company in Tanzania

If you are planning a safari in Tanzania, a quick Google search for safari companies will surely leave you feeling overwhelmed.

I knew safari tours book up way ahead of time so I was eager to get planning as soon as we booked our flights.  It was a very time-consuming process so I’m hoping by sharing my experience it will save some time for you!

Step 1: Figure out what season you want to visit

We chose based on when we could find the best flight deals.  That ended up being in November which is low season in Tanzania.  High season is from around June to October, during the dry season when it is easier to spot wildlife.  This is also when you will be able to witness the great migration during June/July.

Low season is March-May when rains are heaviest.  November to February is also considered low season but you will only experience some short rains.  December can also see a spike in tourism due to people taking holiday trips.  If you want to see tons of predator action then January-February is the ideal time to visit during wildebeest calving season.

If you plan to visit during high season you may want to book your tour first before booking your flight.  It depends how flexible you are with your dates and how far in advance you are booking.

Step 2: Determine your safari budget

You probably already know that a safari does not come cheap.  There are a range of options to suit varying budgets but there’s no way around it – you are going to be spending much more than your average trip.  Even a “budget safari” won’t be cheap.

At the very lowest end you will be looking at about $200/person per day and that is for a very basic camping safari.  At the highest end you could be looking at $1500/person per day!  Remember you are likely not just going for a day or two, either.  The shortest safari is usually 3 days.

Be realistic and be prepared for the costs!

Step 3: Start researching!

Once you have your budget in mind, you can start looking for a safari to match.  I read my Rough Guide book, Googled, and checked Trip Advisor reviews.

Keep in mind, some operators specialize in certain types of safaris.  Once you’ve found a handful that sound along the lines of what you are looking for start emailing them!  Let them know your approximate dates, preferred length and what you would like to see.

I ended up emailing around 15 safari companies.  Most do not advertise their prices on their website.  You really have to email them to find out the prices as it depends on the time of year and availability.

I focused mostly on mid-range safaris around one week in length.  From the 15 operators I was in touch with the price ranged from $1380 USD/person (4 night camping safari) to $2350 USD/person (4 night in mid-range lodges).  More than half the companies I contacted quoted the price based on private safaris, including the 2 quotes above.  The ones that offered shared safaris were comparable in cost so we figured might as well go for private.

Keep in mind that prices are quoted based on 2 people.  If you are traveling alone they will add a single-person supplement fee.

Also keep in mind that there are additional fees on top of the safari cost.  All the safari companies I contacted included different things.  Some included transportation from and to the airport, some didn’t.  Some included accommodation before and after the safari, others didn’t.  You also have to factor in tips for your driver and guide as well as payment fees, ie wire transfer fee or credit card fees.

I noticed some safari companies only worked with certain lodges.  If you have certain lodges in mind that you absolutely want to stay at make sure you mention it to the safari company to see if they work with that particular lodge.

Other things to ask: how does the safari company accept payment?  Do they accept credit card?  Wire transfers only?  Bank drafts?  Is the safari private or shared?

Step 4: Create a spreadsheet to compare all your options

After hearing back from all the safari companies there were a number of itineraries I liked.  To help narrow it down I created a spreadsheet comparing cost, activities, duration, transportation to and from the airport, additional fees, accommodation, etc.

Seeing your top options side by side will help you weigh the pros and cons of each.

Make sure you check multiple reviews of the company you choose to ensure they are legit and have a good reputation.

Below is an example of the spreadsheet I used to compare companies:

Step 5: Book!

Once you’ve made your top choice, email the safari company and provide them with the dates you would like to book and they will verify if they are available.  If they are, then they will send you a contract with the payment terms.  Most require you to pay a deposit around 30-50% of the full cost and then the remainder is due about a month or two before the safari.

Step 6: Count down the days and get excited!!

We ended up booking our safari with Shadows of Africa.  Check out our full review of our experience with them!

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Going on safari?  You might also be interested in:

What To Wear On A Safari in Tanzania

Hotel Review: Kubu Kubu Tented Camp

Shadows of Africa Safari Company Review

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