What Happens After You Book — Your Complete Safari Preparation Guide

Most safari operators disappear for weeks after you pay. We do not work that way. From the moment you confirm, we are in regular contact — every step of the way. For the operational version, see our after-you-book timeline.

Immediately After You Book

Within 24 hours of your deposit being received, you will receive:

• A written booking confirmation with your full itinerary — lodge names, camp names, daily schedule, and all inclusions and exclusions
• A deposit receipt with the exact amount paid and remaining balance due date
• The name and photo of your lead guide for the safari
• Your park entry confirmation numbers for each park on your route

This is not an automated email. It is a personal message from our Arusha office confirming every detail we agreed on.

Visa Support — We Handle the Paperwork

Every international visitor to Tanzania needs a visa. We make this straightforward:

• For the Tanzania tourist visa (applied for online at visa.immigration.go.tz), we provide the official invitation letter from our TATO-registered company — this is required for the application
• We guide you through the entire online application form — it takes about 15 minutes if you have your passport details and a digital photo ready
• For Kenya-Tanzania combined itineraries, we advise on the Kenyan visa and East Africa tourist visa option
• For US, UK, EU, and most other nationalities, the tourist visa is straightforward and we have helped hundreds of clients complete it successfully

4–6 Weeks Before Departure: The Preparation Pack

Six weeks out, we send you a comprehensive preparation pack including:

Flight Advice

We review your flight routing and advise on:

• Which international airline to use and which routes are most reliable
• Connection timing — how long to allow between international and domestic connections at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
• Whether to arrive a day early (we recommend it — it eliminates stress from flight delays)
• Our preferred hotel for the night before your safari starts, if you want to book through us

Packing List

Not the generic list you will find on ten different travel sites. Our packing list is written for Tanzania specifically, for your season, and for your itinerary. It covers:

• Clothing colours — why neutral earth tones are essential and what colours to leave at home
• Layers — morning game drives can be cold; afternoons are hot; the crater rim is cold at any time of year
• Footwear — what works for game walks, lodge wear, and long game drives
• Camera gear — practical advice on what lenses work best for wildlife photography from a Land Cruiser
• What NOT to bring — bright colours, strong perfume, cotton clothing that does not dry — these are the mistakes most first-time safari-goers make

Link: Full packing list here

Health Preparation

• Yellow fever vaccination — required only if arriving from a yellow fever country, but recommended for most travellers. We advise based on your routing.
• Malaria prophylaxis — Tanzania's Northern Circuit parks are at altitude and lower risk, but we give you the guidance to make your own informed choice with your GP.
• General health advice — staying hydrated on game drives, sun protection, first aid kit suggestions.

2 Weeks Before: Your Guide Calls You

Your lead guide will call you directly — usually via WhatsApp — two weeks before your safari starts. This call covers:

• A personal introduction — you will know who is picking you up before you arrive
• A walk-through of the final itinerary — any last adjustments can be made at this point
• Logistics — where to meet on Day 1, what time, what to have ready
• Any questions you have — this is your opportunity to ask anything, from the serious to the trivial

You will have their direct WhatsApp number from this point onwards. If you are in transit and something changes, you message them directly.

Arrival in Arusha

Here is what you can expect on arrival day:

• Airport pick-up — our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) with a sign with your name. The drive to Arusha is approximately 1 hour.
• Hotel check-in — we have partnerships with several hotels in Arusha, from budget to boutique. If you have booked through us, your first night is confirmed.
• Safari briefing — either that evening or the next morning, your guide meets you in person for a full briefing, vehicle inspection, and an opportunity to ask anything.
• Equipment check — we go through your packing list together and advise on anything you may need to purchase locally (e.g., binoculars, lens cleaning cloths, adapter plugs).

The Morning You Depart

Your guide picks you up at your hotel at the agreed time. From that point:

• The vehicle is yours for the duration — your group, your schedule, your interests
• Park entry fees are pre-confirmed — no queuing or payment at the gate
• Your first game drive begins on your schedule, not a tour bus schedule
• Water, snacks, and a first-aid kit are in the vehicle
• Your guide has the flexibility to follow wildlife and extend game drives as the morning unfolds

Tipping — We Give You Clear Guidance

Tipping is a sensitive topic for first-time safari-goers. We give you clear, specific guidance before you arrive:

• Recommended tip amounts per day for your guide, broken down by group size and safari tier
• Who to tip — your guide, the cook (on camping itineraries), camp/lodge staff, and any specialist guides at specific locations
• How to tip — envelopes, direct handoff, or through the lodge manager — we explain the local norms
• What not to feel pressured about — tipping is appreciated but never obligatory, and we make sure you understand that

During Your Safari

While you are on safari, we stay in touch:

• Our Arusha office monitors your progress — your guide checks in daily
• If anything needs to change (weather, road closures, wildlife movement), we adapt the itinerary in real time — that is the advantage of a private safari with a direct operator
• You have 24/7 WhatsApp access to our office in Arusha throughout your trip

After Your Safari

We do not disappear after you get back to Arusha:

• Transfer to the airport is arranged and confirmed
• We follow up after your international flight to confirm you departed safely
• We welcome your feedback — if something was exceptional or could have been better, we want to know
• We are happy to assist with post-safari travel in Tanzania — Zanzibar extensions, Kilimanjaro climbs, beach resorts
• Your photos from the safari — we love receiving them and, with your permission, sharing them

What We Do NOT Do

We think it is equally important to be clear about what is not our responsibility:

• We do not sell you international flights — we advise on routing, but you book your own flights so you have full flexibility
• We do not charge for visa support — the invitation letter and guidance are included free
• We do not disappear after the booking — our office is reachable 7 days a week via WhatsApp during your safari
• We do not use subcontractors without telling you — if another operator is involved in your trip for any reason, we disclose it before you book

Ready to Start?

If you have not yet booked and want to understand the full process before committing, use our checklist: How to Choose a Safari Operator — 22 Points.

If you are ready to talk to us, WhatsApp Kassim any time. We answer personally.

Related Reading

• Book Your Tanzania Safari — 3 Simple Steps
• Tanzania Safari Packing List — Full Guide
• How to Choose a Safari Operator — 22-Point Checklist
• Get a Custom Safari Itinerary in 24 Hours