Questions about Flights

  • What is the best way to get to Tanzania?

    If you are coming from North America or Europe, we recommend flying KLM to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). If you are coming from Australasia, Emirates has the best deals and fly into Nairobi and Dar es Salaam daily. Kilimanjaro Airport is a one hour drive from Arusha while Dar es Salaam and Nairobi are a one hour flight or several hour bus ride from Arusha. If planning a visit to Zanzibar or Pemba during your Tanzanian holiday, consider flying into Dar es Salaam and then flying to Kilimanjaro for your safari and climb.

  • Can you book my flights?

    Africa’s Pathways books East Africa internal travel, including flights, bus rides and shuttles. Your tickets will be kept in the office for you or mailed to you, depending on your first destination. For international flights, please contact MW and we will provide you with contact information for our travel agent in South Africa and Australia – who will look after you.

  • Are there any airport taxes to pay in Tanzania?

    All airport taxes are now included with most flights, both domestically and internationally.

  • What is the best way to get from Serengeti/Kilimajaro/Arusha to Zanzibar?

    Charter companies like Regional Air, Flightlink, Coastal Aviation and commercial airlines like Precision Air are the best way to get to Zanzibar. There are many daily flights departing from mid-morning to early evening and MW can help you book any of those to fit in with your itinerary.

Travel Information and Seasons

  • Reading Material - Guides, Books & Maps

    Kenya is a popular subject for writers! However compared to the wealth of information available on some other Africa countries, only a limited number of books have been written about the wider aspects of life and travel in Tanzania. Here is a small selection of recommended titles on both countries to provide background information or to get you in the mood before you leave. For more choice visit a good book shop.

  • What are the best months to go on safari?

    For the best wildlife viewing, visit Tanzania during the dry seasons of November/December to February, and July to September. To avoid the crowds, visit in May, June or November.

  • When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

    The driest month to climb Kilimanjaro is September. However, it is also one of the coldest and busiest. Because Kilimanjaro is such a large mountain, it has its own weather pattern and it often rains on Kilimanjaro when it is not raining elsewhere. You should prepare for rain and have your rain gear with you at all times while on the mountain.

  • What are the seasons like in Tanzania?

    Late March through late May represents the period of long rains in Tanzania. This is usually not an ideal time to plan a safari because of the potential for sudden downpours. Directly after the long rains, however, is a wonderful time to visit Tanzania’s national parks due to the abundance of wildflowers and vegetation. It is also a wonderful time to go on safari because the level of dust and the number of tourists is minimal. July through October is Tanzania’s dry season and also the high season for tourism. This is the best time to view wildlife as grasses are virtually nonexistent. It is usually very dusty and can be cold at higher elevations such as Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania’s short rains occur from late October through mid December. This is a low season for tourism in Tanzania. December through March is Tanzania’s “summer” and many tourists visit during late December and January for optimal game viewing.

  • What immunizations do I need before visiting Tanzania?

    For current immunization recommendations and requirements for travel to Tanzania, please check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site.

Reservations & Cancellations

  • Can I pay with a credit card?

    We do offer deposit payments via Paypal, using credit cards online. We just need an email address to send an online invoice to, and you would receive a link to follow to make the payment. We can also accept some balance payments via credit cards – but Paypal will charge a service fee of 3.4% for that. However, we recommend bank transfers directly to our account for payments so that all treks and safaris are paid for six weeks advance as per booking terms. This reduces any risk you may have by travelling large amounts of cash.

  • Can Africa Pathways Expeditions help me with my Zanzibar hotel reservations?

    Yes, we can arrange flights and hotels for Zanzibar. We can also arrange airport transfers directly with most hotels. We have a great selection for you and liaise directly with the owners who will look after you like we do!

Money Issues

  • Will I be able to use ATM/credit cards in Tanzania?

    You can withdraw Tanzanian shillings using a Visa/MasterCard in Arusha, Moshi, Karatu, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Most restaurants/hotels do not accept credit cards, and the ones that do usually charge a commission of at least 3-5%. Please call your credit card company before you leave for Tanzania to notify them of your travel plans. Some companies will put a block on your card if you try to use it at a Tanzanian ATM. There is a withdrawal limit of 400,000/- per transaction (approx US$280) at ATMs but you can withdraw several times according to your personal limit with your own bank. Plan ahead if you have something in particular that you need to pay for.

  • Should I change money to Tanzanian Shillings or can I pay in foreign currency?

    We recommend changing some money to shillings to pay for small items during your trip. Local stores and restaurants charge in shillings, and if you pay in dollars you will pay a higher rate. At souvenir stores in Arusha. US$100 and US$50 dollar noted attract a better exchange rate than US$20, US$10, US$5 and US$1 – however these smaller notes are handy sometimes for buying souvenirs enroute during safari.

  • Should I bring travelers cheques?

    We do not recommend bringing travelers cheques to Tanzania as banks require you to have the receipt of purchase as well as the cheque. We recommend bringing USD cash and using an ATM machine to withdraw shillings.

  • Are old USD notes accepted?

    NO, not at all and Tanzania is very strict on this. Please travel with notes dated 2005 or newer if you want to use them anywhere in Tanzania. Prior to that year, Africa was hit with an epidemic of counterfeiting and people are extremely weary to accept older notes, and banks simply will not accept them at all.

  • What about purchasing souvenirs?

    You will have many opportunities to purchase souvenirs in Arusha and while on safari. The souvenir market with the best prices is located in the center of Arusha town approximately 500 meters southwest of the central post office/clock tower on Sinoni Road. You will have to bargain at this market;you should pay about 50% of the asking price. There will also be many opportunities to purchase souvenirs while on safari. Most hotels have souvenir shops, and there are a couple of large souvenir shops along the way: Oldonyo Orok and Cultural Heritage (expensive). If you are interested in buying Tanzanite, please let us know so we can deliver you to certified gemologists who mine and wholesale Tanzanite (among other precious stones) – this will ensure good value and good quality. You will also be issued with a certificate.

While on Safari: Lodging and Food

  • How does Africa Pathways Expeditions choose lodges and tented camps in Arusha and on safari?

    APE matches the type of experience you desire with the most appropriate lodge arrangements. Available lodging ranges from private luxury tented lodges to adventure camping. There are both mid and high-end private lodges so we can accommodate any budget.

  • How rugged is a camping safari?

    On a camping safari, guests and staff sleep in private tents in designated campsites in or near the national parks. Africa Pathways Expeditions  staff setup the camp and prepare all meals while you relax, read and eat snacks. APE camps consist of tents set up around tables and chairs. Whenever possible, Africa Pathways Expeditions  uses more remote campsites to make your camping experience more private.

  • Are all types of diets catered for?

    Of course; just let us know in advance so we can make necessary arrangements.

  • Do I need to bring a water filter?

    We provide 2 x 1L bottled water per person per day on safari, and unlimited drinking water on Kilimanjaro/Meru.

  • What is a typical menu on a camping safari or Kilimanjaro climb?

    7 Days Safari Menu

    Day 1

    • Picnic Lunch
    • Mango packet juice
    • Chicken and Cheese Sandwiches for non-vegetarian OR pancakes
    • Tomato or egg Sandwiches for vegetarian.
    • Deep fried cold Chicken (non-veg) or Vegetable cutlet for vegetarians
    • Boiled egg
    • Snacks: Potato crisp, Chocolate bar, Biscuits
    • 1-2 Fruits in season
    • Dinner
    • Soup: Cream of mushroom soup
    • Main course: Bolognese sauce
    • Vegetable burger pattie for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: cheese spaghetti, Onion fried snow peas and buttered carrot/peas
    • Dessert: Fruit cuts
    • Tea or Coffee.

    Day 2

    • Breakfast
    • Assorted Fruit plate
    • Cereal with milk
    • Oat porridge.
    • Squash juice (pineapple flavor)
    • Plain omelet eggs, sausages and baked beans, Pancakes, breakfast potatoes and Toast.
    • Tea, coffee, chocolate
    • Lunch(served hot)
    • Soup: Brown onion soup
    • Main course: Breaded fish fillets for non-veg
    • And vegetable burger for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: Buttered parsley potatoes. Kales and carrot fingers
    • Dessert: Fruit salad
    • Tea or coffee.
    • Dinner
    • Soup: Cream of leak onion soup
    • Main course: Stir fried beef in gravy for non-veg
    • And vegetable Spring rolls for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: Roast potatoes, Buttered greens and onion fried spinach.
    • Dessert: Banana fritters in custard Tea and coffee.

    Day 3

    • Breakfast
    • Assorted Fruits plate
    • Squash juice (orange flavor)
    • Muesli natural cereal with milk
    • French toast, breakfast potato, Sausage, scrambled egg and Toast.
    • Tea, coffee, chocolate
    • Picnic Lunch
    • Apple packet Juice
    • Cheese/tomato and Ham sandwiches for non-veg
    • Cucumber and lettuce sandwich for vegetarians
    • Beef Burger for non-veg and Vegetable Burger for vegetarians
    • Scotch egg for non-veg and vegetable Samosa for vegetarian.
    • Snacks: Potato crisp, Chocolate bars, cake
    • 1-2 Fruits in season
    • Dinner
    • Soup: Cream of tomato
    • Main course: Steak in pepper sauce for Non-veg and Brown beans stew for vegetarian
    • Accompanied with: Chapati, Risi bisi Rice, Aubergine in garlic sauce (egg plant), tossed cauliflower and onion fried French beans.
    • Dessert: English Triffle and banana fritters (both with custard)
    • Coffee or tea.

    Day 4

    • Breakfast
    • Early morning coffee or tea with Madazi and biscuits
    • Full breakfast
    • Fresh Mango juice and Fruit platter
    • Muesli natural cereal with milk and millet porridge
    • Vegetable/cheese omelet, Ngwachi (sweet potatoes), baked beans, salami and toast
    • Tea coffee or drinking chocolate
    • Picnic lunch
    • Passion packet Juice
    • Cold boiled mutton and ham slices for non-veg
    • Carrot/pea & macaroni salad for all
    • Vegetable spring rolls for vegetarians
    • Snacks: Arrow Root Crisps, Buttered bans, Chocolate bars, Biscuits
    • 1-2 Fruits in season
    • Dinner
    • Soup: Butternut cream soup
    • Main course: Onion fried chicken for non-veg
    • Vegetable pie for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: mixed vegetable masala, green gram stew, mashed potato and onion fried kales and steamed cauliflower.
    • Dessert: Orange caramel and assorted fruit cuts.
    • Tea or coffee.

    Day 5

    • Breakfast
    • Pineapple flavor squash
    • Assorted Fruit
    • Cereal and oat porridge
    • Mushroom on toast, fried egg, Bacon, Pancakes, Nduma (arrow roots) and toast.
    • Tea, Coffee or drinking chocolate
    • Lunch (served hot)
    • Soup: Mixed vegetable soup
    • Main course: Fish Ala Orly for non-veg
    • Cowpeas sauce for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: Lyonnaisse potatoes, cooked mixed vegetables and spicy Githeri (mixed of soft corn, bean and peas),
    • Dessert: Banana in warm mocca sauce
    • Dinner
    • Soup: Cream of carrot soup
    • Main course: Beef zingara in coconut sauce for non veg
    • Or rice/green lentils for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: Parsley Potatoes, Irio (mashed soft maize/beans/greens & potatoes), Fried French beans and steamed cabbage
    • Dessert: Glazed pineapple with honey sauce.

    Day 6

    • Breakfast
    • Orange flavored squash
    • Fruit plate
    • Muesli natural cereal with milk and millet porridge
    • Scrambled egg on toast, Sausage, Sweet Potatoes, Arrow Roots Spring rolls
    • Tea, chocolate, or coffee
    • Picnic Lunch
    • Pineapple Juice
    • Cheese sandwiches for non-veg
    • And Egg /tomato and mixed vegetable sandwich for vegetarians
    • Chicken for non-veg and Vegetable pie for vegetarians.
    • Snacks: Potato crisps, cake, Chocolate bars, Biscuits
    • 1-2 Fruits in season.
    • Dinner – African Night (if possible)
    • Vegetable soup
    • Grilled Goat, beef and chicken for non-vegetarians
    • And grilled banana and vegetable balls for vegetarians
    • Accompanied with: Brown bean sauce, Matoke (bananas and potato stew), ugali (maize meal bread), carrot peas sauce and sukuma wiki (kales).
    • Dessert: Fruit salads

    Day 7

    • Breakfast
    • Assorted Fruit plate
    • Cereal with milk
    • Oat porridge.
    • Squash juice (pineapple flavor)
    • Plain omelet or eggs, baked beans, Pancakes, breakfast potatoes and Toast.
    • Tea, coffee, chocolate

  • What is Tanzanian food like and will I get to try some?

    Staple foods found throughout Tanzania include ugali (maizemeal), chapati (thick naan-like bread), kachumbari (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper salad), nyama choma (barbecued meat- goat, chicken, beef) and mchicha (green vegetable stew). Dishes specific to Northern Tanzania include ndizi nyama (banana beef stew) and mahindi maharage (maize and bean stew). If you would like to try Tanzanian food, let us know prior to your climb or camping safari and we’ll include some local dishes on your menu.

  • What precautions should I take to avoid stomach problems?

    Be sure to wash your hands often with soap and avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits. Before meals, wash and dry your hands before touching your food. Do not eat food sold by street vendors. Wipe the mouth of soda and alcohol bottles before drinking and ensure that water bottles are sealed properly before purchasing. Also, eat fruit that can be peeled, such as bananas, unless it is fruit prepared by Africa Pathways Expeditions . If you unsure of any food, ask our cooks and guides.

Driving On Safari

  • What are Africa Pathways Expeditions vehicles like?

    APE uses 4WD Land Cruisers, Land Rovers and 4WD Hiaces on all safaris and all vehicles are owned and maintained by us. We have made our vehicles safari ready by including comfortable seats and an open roof that allows for better animal viewing. Each passenger is guaranteed a window seat.

  • What are the road conditions in Tanzania?

    Although the roads between cities and the national parks are generally well-maintained, the roads inside the national parks are rough and dusty, and hence, often muddy. During game drives, we drive slowly for a more comfortable drive.During the dry season you will get very dusty, so bring some moist cleansing cloths to clean up before meal times. The road from Arusha to Ngorongoro is now tarmac so the driving time to the park is approximately one and a half.

Photography on Safari

  • Is it possible to recharge a digital camera on safari?

    APE’s cars are outfitted with inverters that allow you to charge your camera batteries or laptop right in the car.

  • Should I bring extra batteries for my camera or will they be available in Tanzania?

    You can find AAA-D batteries in Arusha including Energizer and Duracell brands in an emergency but batteries are probably cheaper in your home country, so you may want to bring them with you. It is difficult to find high quality batteries outside major cities.

  • Will I be able to charge rechargeable batteries while in the bush?

    Most lodges have outlets so you will be able to recharge batteries. However, because the lodges are run on generators, the electrical current is not as strong as traditional electrical currents. Some lodges turn off their generators at midnight. Keep in mind Tanzania uses 240v electricity and you will need to bring necessary converters and plug adaptors. Try to take as few electrical powered tools as possible.

  • I'm planning to use a film camera. How much film should I bring?

    It really depends on the passion you have for photography. As a general guideline, plan on shooting three to four rolls with 24 exposures per day; this is adequate for most people. Remember also that animals often move just when you want to shoot and don’t pose for you so you may waste some pictures.

  • What sort of film should I use?

    Much of the time you will be in bright sunlight so ISO100 speed will give you the best quality. However, some of the best times to see animals is in the late afternoon or early morning and the light may be low. In this case, ISO 200 or ISO 400 would be better.

  • What lenses should I bring?

    This will depend on the type of photography you do. If you are interested in vegetation, you may want a macro lens. For animals, because you will be photographing from a distance, you will definitely want a long lens, at minimum 300 mm and up to 500 mm if possible. A zoom lens will provide you with the best flexibility.

Wildlife and Other Information

  • Who travels with us during safari?

    During your safari, you’ll be accompanied by a trained wildlife guide. All of our guides have at least five years of experience on safari and have taken several language and wildlife courses. If you choose an adventure camping safari, youll also travel with a APE chef, who will prepare all of your delicious meals while in the bush. As with any MW-arranged trip, we will only combine tourist groups at the clients request. You can expect a private vehicle with your very own Africa Pathways Expeditions wildlife guide.

  • What are the Big Five?

    The Big Five were originally the animals most sought after by hunters. They were the fiercest animals, the animals that hunted the hunters. They include rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and cape buffalo and today are the animals that tourists most want to see when visiting Tanzania’s national parks. You can see all five of these animals during a visit to Northern Tanzania.

  • What is the wildebeest migration?

    The wildebeest migration is the annual movement of approx 1.2 million wildebeest and 600,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomason gazelle from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Masai Mara. The migration offers excellent opportunities to view animal behavior, especially the predators! Although the migration is usually in the Serengeti from December through June and then again from August again, the rains in recent years have kept the wildebeest in the Serengeti longer than normal and the exact migratory paths and times are never an exact science.

  • When is the famous wildebeest migration in Tanzania?

    The wildebeest migration is usually in the Serengeti from December through September. During the dry months of December, January and February, it is common to see the migration as a mass of several hundred thousand animals. During the long rains in March, April and May, the migration often splits up into several sub-groups and roams in different areas of the Serengeti following the fresh grasses. The migration remains in these smaller groups throughout much of the remaining season until it returns to the Kenya in October. Having said that – the global seasons are consistently changing, so contact us in advance to find out the latest updates.

  • What is a bush walk?

    A bush walk is a nature walk or walking safari inside or near a national park. We can tailor a bush walk to your interests. If you are a bird lover, we’ll take you on a bird walk. If you want to be near big game on foot, we’ll arrange a bush walk in a national park. (These walks require an armed guard.) If you’re interested in Tanzanian culture, we’ll arrange a cultural tour. A bush walk can be a leisurely stroll or strenuous hike and ranges in length from thirty minutes to six hours.