Camping Safaris, Lodge Safaris

10 Days Unique Safari

Overview

Best time to visit:

Inclusions

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Exclusions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about your safari experience? Explore our most frequently asked questions to help you plan with confidence.

When is the best time to visit for a safari?

For Wildlife Viewing (Best Overall): June to October This is the Long Dry Season. As the land dries out, animals congregate around permanent water holes, making them incredibly easy to spot. The grass is short, so predators can’t hide as easily, and the weather is cool and clear.

For the Great Migration River Crossings: July to September If you want to see wildebeest and zebras braving the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River, this is your window. The herds are usually in the Northern Serengeti during these months.

For the Calving Season (Baby Animals): January to February This is the “Short Dry Season.” The migration moves to the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu plains) to give birth. You can witness thousands of calves being born daily, which naturally attracts high levels of predator action from lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.

For the “Green Season” (Value & Birding): November to May The “Long Rains” typically fall in April and May. While some lodges close, this is the best time for travelers on a budget.

What kind of vehicles do you use for safaris?

At Ishi Africa, we use custom-built 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers, specifically modified to handle the rugged African terrain while providing a premium viewing experience. We prioritize comfort and safety so you can focus entirely on the wilderness.

Key Features of Our Vehicles:

Pop-Up Roofs: Every vehicle is equipped with a roof that pops up, allowing you to stand and enjoy unobstructed, 360-degree views of wildlife and landscapes—perfect for photography.
The Window Seat Guarantee: Our vehicles are extended to ensure that every guest has a dedicated window seat. We never overcrowd our vehicles, so you’ll always have a front-row view.
On-Board Amenities: To keep you refreshed and connected, our cruisers include a mini-fridge stocked with cold water/soft drinks, power outlets/USB ports for charging your cameras and phones, and a set of binoculars for guest use.
Safety & Communication: Every vehicle is fitted with a high-frequency (VHF) radio to stay in touch with other guides and park rangers, a first-aid kit, and two spare tires.
Superior Suspension: Africa’s roads can be bumpy (often called the “African Massage”). Our vehicles feature heavy-duty suspension systems to make the journey as smooth as possible

Is it safe to go on safari with children?

Yes, Tanzania is a fantastic and safe destination for a family safari. Known for its friendly culture and spectacular wildlife, Tanzania offers some of the best-managed national parks in the world. At Ishi Africa, we specialize in “family-first” logistics to ensure a worry-free experience for parents and an adventure of a lifetime for kids.

Tailored Tanzanian Itineraries We design family routes that minimize long “transit” times on bumpy roads. For example, the Northern Circuit (Arusha, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro) is perfect for families because the parks are relatively close together, meaning less time in the car and more time seeing animals.

Expert “Child-Friendly” Guides Our Tanzanian guides are famous for their hospitality. They go beyond just spotting lions; they engage children by teaching them how to identify animal tracks, use a compass, or learn basic Swahili phrases like “Jambo” (Hello) and “Asante” (Thank you).

What’s included in your safari packages?

We aim to make our safaris as seamless and “all-inclusive” as possible so you can focus on the adventure. Most Ishi Africa packages include:

Expert Private Guides: A professional, English-speaking Tanzanian naturalist-guide who stays with you for the duration of your safari.
Custom 4×4 Vehicles: Unlimited mileage in a private Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, charging ports, and a refrigerator.
Park & Conservation Fees: All national park entrance fees, Ngorongoro Crater service fees, and government taxes.
Full Board Accommodation: All nights at hand-picked luxury lodges or tented camps, including breakfast, lunch (often a gourmet picnic in the bush), and dinner.
Airport Transfers: Meet-and-greet services and all transfers to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha (ARK) airports.
Water & Refreshments: Unlimited bottled water, coffee, tea, and light snacks inside your safari vehicle.
Emergency Evacuation: Enrollment in the AMREF Flying Doctors insurance for emergency medical evacuation to a Nairobi-based hospital.

What is usually NOT included?

To give you full flexibility over your travel, the following are typically excluded:

International Flights: Your flights from your home country to Tanzania.
Visas: The Tanzanian Tourist Visa (usually $50–$100 depending on nationality).
Tips & Gratuities: Tips for your safari guide and lodge staff (we provide a tipping guideline in your “Before You Go” pack).
Travel Insurance: Personal medical and trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended).
Premium Drinks: While water and coffee are included, alcoholic beverages and sodas are often extra, unless you book an Ultra-Luxury all-inclusive package.
Optional Activities: Extra adventures like Hot Air Balloon flights, Maasai village visits, or spa treatments.

Booking Tip: If you prefer a 100% all-inclusive experience (where even your laundry and premium cocktails are covered), please let us know when filling out your booking form! We can curate your itinerary using lodges that include every luxury in their nightly rate.

Do I need travel insurance for a safari?

Yes, we strongly recommend that every traveler has comprehensive travel insurance. A safari is a significant investment involving multiple flights, lodges, and remote locations. Having the right coverage ensures that “unexpected” moments don’t ruin your experience.

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Life happens. Whether it’s a family emergency, a missed flight connection, or an unexpected illness before you depart, cancellation insurance protects your investment. Most safari deposits and lodge bookings are non-refundable close to the departure date, so this coverage is vital.
Medical & Emergency Coverage While Ishi Africa includes AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation coverage (which gets you from the bush to a hospital), it does not cover the actual hospital stay, medications, or the flight back to your home country. Comprehensive insurance fills this gap.
Luggage & Equipment If you are bringing expensive cameras, binoculars, or specialized gear, ensure your policy covers theft or damage. Additionally, if your luggage is delayed, insurance typically provides a stipend to buy essential safari clothing so you don’t miss a minute of the action.

What should my policy include?

When shopping for a policy, look for these specific “Safari-ready” features:

Emergency Medical Evacuation: Minimum coverage of $100,000–$250,000.
“Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR): This offers the highest level of flexibility.
Adventure Activities: Ensure “safari” and “trekking” are not listed as exclusions (some policies classify these as high-risk).

Pro Tip: We recommend purchasing your travel insurance within 14 days of paying your initial deposit. This often unlocks better coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and “Cancel for Any Reason” benefits

A Note on the “Flying Doctors”

It is important to distinguish between your personal insurance and the Flying Doctors service included in your Ishi Africa package:

Flying Doctors: An emergency “ambulance in the sky” that gets you out of the wild and to a doctor.
Travel Insurance: The financial protection that pays for the doctors, the hospital, and your trip costs if you can’t finish your safari.

Can I customize my safari itinerary?

Absolutely. In fact, most of the safaris we design at Ishi Africa are 100% tailor-made. We believe that no two travelers are the same, and your journey should reflect your specific interests, pace, and budget.

What exactly can you customize?

The Route & Parks: Whether you want to focus on the famous Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) or escape the crowds in the Southern Circuit (Ruaha, Nyerere), we can build the perfect map for you.
The Pacing: Prefer a fast-moving adventure seeing as much as possible? Or a “slow safari” where you spend 3–4 nights in each camp to truly soak in the atmosphere? The choice is yours.
Accommodation Style: We can mix and match. You might choose a rustic, adventurous tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti and finish with an ultra-luxury villa on the white sands of Zanzibar.
Special Interests: We can layer in specific activities like hot air ballooning at dawn, walking safaris, or cultural visits to authentic Maasai or Hadzabe communities.
Transportation: Choose between a classic road safari in your private 4×4 (best for seeing the changing landscapes) or a fly-in safari using light aircraft to maximize your time in the parks.

How the customization process works:

The Discovery: You tell us your “must-sees” and travel style via our [Booking Form].
The First Draft: We send you a proposed day-by-day itinerary with hand-picked lodges.
The Refinement: We tweak the details—changing a lodge here or adding an extra day there—until the plan is exactly what you’ve been dreaming of.

Pro Tip: If you are celebrating a milestone—like a honeymoon, 50th birthday, or anniversary—let us know! We can customize the “little things,” from private bush dinners under the stars to surprise sundowners in the middle of the savannah

Need some inspiration?

Check out our [Sample Itineraries] to see how we’ve combined wildlife, culture, and relaxation for past guests. These are just starting points; we can’t wait to help you write your own story.

What are the luggage restrictions?

To ensure safety on light aircraft transfers between parks, luggage is strictly limited to 15kg (33lbs) per person, including carry-ons. Bags must be soft-sided (duffel style) without hard frames or wheels, as they need to fit into the small cargo pods of the planes. Don’t worry about packing light—most of our partner lodges offer daily laundry services!

The Wardrobe: "What colors should I wear (and avoid)?"

We recommend neutral ‘earth tones’ like khaki, tan, olive, and grey. Avoid dark blue and black, as these colors attract tsetse flies. We also suggest avoiding bright white (which gets dusty instantly) and camouflage patterns, which are reserved for the military in many African countries and can be illegal for civilians to wear.

Will I have Wi-Fi and power in the bush?

Most of our luxury lodges and camps offer Wi-Fi in the main lounge areas, though the ‘bush connection’ can be slower than what you’re used to at home—part of the charm is unplugging! Our safari vehicles are equipped with USB charging ports, and lodges have universal power strips, so you’ll never run out of battery for your camera.”

Do I need to know any Swahili?

While our guides and lodge staff speak excellent English, knowing a few Swahili phrases goes a long way in building connections. A simple ‘Jambo’ (Hello), ‘Asante’ (Thank you), and ‘Karibu’ (Welcome) will be met with the warmest Tanzanian smiles. We provide a small ‘Swahili Cheat Sheet’ in your digital travel pack!

How does tipping work?

Tipping is a customary way to show appreciation for excellent service in Tanzania. As a general guideline, we suggest $20-25 per guest, per day for your safari guide, and $5-10 per guest, per day for the general lodge staff (usually placed in a communal ‘tip box’). Tipping is always at your discretion and should reflect your satisfaction with the experience.

Can I drink the water?

It is not safe to drink tap water in Tanzania. However, Ishi Africa provides unlimited filtered or bottled water in all our vehicles and at every lodge. We even recommend using bottled water for brushing your teeth to ensure your health remains a top priority throughout the trip.