FAQ

We provide unlimited beverages in our safari vehicle including bottled drinking water, soft drinks of your choice, French-press coffee, and tea. Snacks like biscuits will be provided. All of our safari vehicles are equipped with a small refrigerator to keep your drinks cold for you to enjoy during your trip.

It is important to assume that any of the animals encountered in a game drive are not tame. Though attacks by wild animals are unusual, nothing in the wilderness in Africa is predictable. While you are staying in our safari camps and lodges it is important to be especially cautious and aware of your surroundings as many of these areas are not fenced and contain wildlife roaming freely. If you have children keep eyes on them at all times and do not let them wander alone. At smaller tented lodges you will always be escorted to and from your tent for dinner or during the night. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to ask your staff or your guide.

It’s your safari trip, your adventure! You decide how you want to spend your time on this vacation. If you would like to spend a full day on a safari, you are definitely welcome to do so. Malaki Safaris does not restrict your mileage, fuel or how much time you want to spend on your safari. Sometimes you may decide to set out by sunrise, other days you can have a slow paced breakfast before starting your daily exploration, just sit down with your guide to plan your day and meals the night before. Your guide will have plenty of suggestions but of course the adventure is ultimately up to you.

Dust is no stranger in Tanzania safari. Dust conditions gets worse during the dry season from June to the end of October.  Even in the green season (December to May) dust can be aggravating during game drives so please be prepared for dusty roads when traveling to Tanzania. Especially between Ngorongoro and Serengeti. If you are particularly sensitive to dust, please inform your driver and guide, and they will advise closing all the windows & the roof and use air conditioning in the vehicle. Please be aware that electronics such as photography and video equipment may be particularly prone to dusty conditions, keep a few soft photo cloths on hand to wipe down dust from the lenses. Be sure to bring a small bag to store your equipment that can be opened and accessible. It is important to note that dust may affect contact lenses, as a result, be sure to plan accordingly and bring sufficient supply of lenses lubricant.

You will experience bumpy roads when traveling throughout the region and during game drives, this may cause problems for some individuals with back pain. Please inform us in advance, and we can provide additional back pillows for extra comfort. While our vehicles are customized and equipped for rough roads, we still recommend our guests always to fasten their seat belts at all times, and hold on when standing on their seat to enjoy the view through the popped up roof. Please make sure your cameras and other electronic equipment are safely stored at all times to ensure no damage due to bumpy roads.

Snakes are common throughout Africa, but they are seldom encountered on safaris. In bushy or wooded areas, wear boots, closed-toe shoes and long trousers to avoid insect bites and minimize risk. If you are staying in a mobile camp or canvas camp, please make sure that the canvas flap is zipped all the way down in order to prevent insect from entering your tent. The staff at each accommodation will spray your room while you are out for dinner and it should be as bug-free as possible upon your return.

Your private safari will allow the flexibility of how you choose to spend your time. A daily decision to be made is whether to have breakfast and lunch at the tented camp or lodge or a picnic box in the bush.  While early morning game drives with the sunrise can be a breathtaking, and highly encouraged, there will be likely occasions where you desire to stay in the bush and continue your adventure without returning to the lodge.

Picnic boxes for breakfast and lunch are prepared on a daily besis at each respective accommodation prefarable to your itinerary, the typical breakfast box may consist of combination of bread, pastries, juice, a banana, apple, hard boiled-eggs, bacon or sausages, your driver will also provide French-press coffee to get your morning started, the typical lunch boxes consists of items such as chicken, bread, sandwiches, bananas, apples, juice, muffins, and chocolate. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know and we will plan accordingly.

If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can advise the lodging accordingly. Most places will be able to accommodate to your preferred meals options, though sometimes vegetarian/vegan options may be limited and repetitive. If you require any special healthy supplements, please kindly bring it with you.

Most flights in East Africa have a luggage restriction of 15kg per person in luggage such as duffel bags. The 15kg per person includes all hand luggage and bags. Excess baggage may be subjected to $3 per kg if it can be accommodated. It is important to note that during the high peak season the pilot may refuse to carry extra weight. Please carry on all valuables and do not check-in any luggage containing expensive items such as camera equipment, laptops, iPods, etc., to avoid theft.

Our safari packages include emergency evacuation services with AMREF’s flying doctors’ (http//www.flydoc.org). This will cover a guest in case they require immediate evacuation from where they are to the nearest hospital (Usually in Nairobi). If you are feeling ill, but not having any serious symptoms of injuries, there are nearby hospitals and clinics in Karatu and Serengeti available. We strongly recommend our guests purchase excellent travel insurance.

Tanzania resides just south of the equator, where the sun hangs near its zenith for most of the day. The intensity of the equatorial sun can quickly lead to sunburns and sun poisoning. The solution is simple, use high-factor sun block. Wear a hat and stay hydrated, don’t forget your eyes also need protection and be sure to wear sunglasses.

It is recommended to stay inside your vehicles all times while you’re in the national parks, unless your drive guide finds a safe area to stop for lunch or to stretch your legs. If you are keen for hiking, there are guided walks that are available in Tarangire, Lake Manyara Ngoro Ngoro, within the Serengeti National Park. However, long walks are not permitted during the conservation seasons. Some lodges and tended camps will be able to organize if booked in advance.

All park fees and conservation fees have a 24 hour limit. We plan your itinerary according to the park permits paid and your safari driver guide will brief you the night before and make suggestions regarding your schedule. Please note that any penalty fee resulting from the client’s wish to extend their stay will be at the guest expense.

Through your safari, there are various areas with public bathroom facilities such as ranger stations, main gates, museums, visitor center, camps, lodges and picnic sites, since you will be on a private safari, there will be plenty of opportunities where no other vehicles are in view at any time your driver –guide can find a safe and private area where you may just exit to the rear of the vehicle, two large spare tires at the back of the vehicle, blocking the view from anyone else within the vehicle. Most guests are a bit reluctant at first but gradually adapt and become with comfortable in the convenient bush bathrooms. Other prefer proper bathrooms facilities, don’t worry, our driver-guides are extraordinarily professional and experienced to bathroom dilemmas and will ensure you are comfortable and accommodating to your needs.

When you are on safari, you may encounter the tsetse fly in the woodland of Tarangire and some regions of Serengeti, some more concentrated than others, tsetse fly resemble larger flies with a stinger, and while most have no adverse reaction to the bites, some may experience swelling and itchiness, a recommended medication for this would be Benadryl itch relief stick, tsetse fly is attracted to dark blue and black colors. Light natural colors such as khaki, brown, olive, beige and green are recommended and should be worn during the day, tsetse fly is most active during the day, and become inactive during the night and winter time.

Safaris are the casual vacation! Dress comfortably and park lightly, as you will be spending most of your safari viewing in the vehicle, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing are recommended, avoid dark colors,(black dark blue)as they tend to attract unwanted attention from the insect such as the tsetse fly.

• One pair of comfortable walking shoes (i.e sneakers, hiking shoes)
• One pair of sandals or flip-flops
• Casual, loose-fitting clothing.
• Swimsuit
• One warm fleece or sweater
• Extra cotton socks and underwear
• Hat
• Lightweight jacket or windbreaker.

• Passport, plane tickets
• Dollars (both large and small denomination and credit cards)
• Sunglasses
• Contact lens solution, extra contact lens, and spare glasses
• If you wear contact glasses, be sure to bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from the dusty
• Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
• Lip balm (SPF 45)
• Insect repellant (DEET 30%)
• Anti-bacterial hand sanitizers
• Camera and extra batteries
• Uk plug adopter
• Journal for recording daily observations and encounters
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate, if applicable

Small medical personal kit including aspirin, anti-malaria pills, cold and allergies medicine, cream of itches.(i.e., Benadryl itch relief) stomachache medicine, (i.e., Pepto-Bismol)antibiotic ointment (i.e., Neosporin) prescription antibiotic effective against abroad range of bacteria including travelers’ diarrhea, (i.e., ciprofloxacin or also known as Cipro)

When it comes to tipping at the safari lodge, camps and hotels in town our recommended tipping guideline are as follow :

1-2usd (or equivalent to 2000-4000tsh) for the porters, who will be helping you with your luggage upon arrival at the tented camp and lodges.

10-20usd (equivalent to20000-40000 Tsh) for each night stay
Typically the safari accommodation will have a general tipping box at the reception desk, where you can leave your tip at the end of your stay.

Out tipping guideline is 20-25 USD per client per day to the driver guide, though it is ultimately up to the client’s discretion to decide what amount is appropriate. For instance, for a 7 days safari for 2 guests the average tipping that is given to Malaki safaris to a driver guide are between 200usd -350 USD, or even higher, depending on the clients, overall satisfaction with their driver guide and their safari experience.

When you have a personal cook for a  mobile camp, the tipping guideline is between 5-10 USD per person per day which is also up to the client discretion,

The recommended currency for tipping is USD cash, and it is customary for the client to tip at the end of their safari