Everything You Need
to Know

We use custom-built Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4s with pop-top roofs for 360° game-viewing. Each vehicle carries a maximum of 6 guests (we recommend no more than 4 for a more intimate experience), has a fridge for cold drinks, charging ports, first-aid kit, and communication equipment. Photography-dedicated vehicles feature beanbag rests and no roof bar obstructions.

Our maximum group size is 6 guests per vehicle. Most of our itineraries are booked privately (your vehicle, your guide, your schedule). We do offer shared budget departures for solo travellers or couples where groups of 4–6 share a vehicle and costs. Private bookings offer the best experience and most scheduling flexibility.

Tanzania is home to the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa. The "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) are all present. Beyond these, you'll likely see cheetah, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, over 1,000 bird species, and much more. The Ngorongoro Crater is the only place where you can reliably see black rhino on safari. We never guarantee specific sightings, but Tanzania's densities mean incredible wildlife encounters are almost inevitable.

Value-focused safaris use simple lodges or bandas. Mid-range uses permanent tented camps with en-suite bathrooms and included meals. Luxury uses premium lodges and camps with private plunge pools, gourmet dining, and personalised service. The wildlife experience is equally superb at all levels — the difference is entirely in accommodation comfort and exclusivity.

Key items: lightweight clothing in neutral colours (khaki, olive, brown — not white or bright), one warm layer for early morning drives, wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, good sunglasses, binoculars, and your camera. A soft-sided bag (not hard suitcase) is essential for bush flights. We send every guest a detailed packing list after booking.

No technical mountaineering experience or special equipment is required. Kilimanjaro is a trekking mountain — no ropes, harnesses, or climbing skills needed. However, you must be in good physical condition and able to hike 6–8 hours per day on steep terrain. We recommend a minimum of 3 months of regular hiking and cardio training before your climb. On longer routes (Lemosho, Northern Circuit), fitness requirements are more forgiving due to better acclimatisation.

We recommend the Lemosho Route (8 days) for most climbers — it has the best acclimatisation profile (~95% summit success rate), stunning scenery, and manageable crowds. The Machame Route (7 days) is also excellent and slightly more challenging. For the very best experience with maximum acclimatisation: the Northern Circuit (9 days, ~97% success rate). The Marangu Route ("Coca-Cola Route") is the only route with hut accommodation but has the lowest summit rate (~85%) due to insufficient acclimatisation time.

Kilimanjaro climb quotes depend on route length, group size, season, park fees, and inclusions. Our packages include all park fees, crew wages, meals, mountain equipment, porters, and guides. Avoid extremely cheap operators — they often underpay porters and cut corners on safety equipment.

Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness / AMS) affects a percentage of all climbers regardless of fitness. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Our guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid and carry pulse oximeters to monitor blood oxygen levels throughout the climb. We always follow the "climb high, sleep low" acclimatisation principle. We can also arrange a prescription for Diamox (acetazolamide) from your doctor at home if desired.

There are two options. By air: Coastal Aviation, Zanair, and Precision Air operate short (~25 min) domestic flights from Arusha (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR). By sea: fast ferries run 2–3 times daily from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Town (Stone Town) — the crossing takes approximately 2 hours. We include either option in our safari-and-beach combo packages and handle all arrangements.

Zanzibar's beaches vary by season (the tides shift the best swimming spots). For year-round swimming: Nungwi and Kendwa in the northwest are the most consistent. For kite-surfing: Paje on the southeast coast. For seclusion: the northeastern beaches around Matemwe. Stone Town is a must-visit for its UNESCO World Heritage architecture, spice tours, and seafood. We match you with the right area based on your preferred vibe.

Yes, Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and is culturally conservative, particularly in Stone Town. We advise: dress modestly outside of beach and resort areas (cover shoulders and knees), avoid public displays of affection, and be respectful during prayer times. On the beach and at resorts, bikinis and swimwear are perfectly acceptable. Alcohol is available at hotels and most restaurants. Ramadan brings additional considerations which we brief you on if relevant to your travel dates.

We recommend booking 6–12 months in advance for peak season (June–October) travel, especially if you have specific accommodation preferences or are travelling during the Great Migration. For shoulder season travel (November–December, January–March), 3–6 months is usually sufficient. That said, we can sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings within 4–6 weeks — contact us to check availability.

We require a 30% deposit to secure your booking, with the remaining 70% due 60 days before departure. For bookings made within 60 days of travel, full payment is required at booking. We accept bank transfer (major currencies), major credit cards (2% surcharge applies), and Wise transfers. Final details are confirmed in writing before booking.

Cancellation terms are confirmed in writing with each itinerary. 60–90 days: 30% cancellation charge (deposit forfeited). 30–60 days: 50% cancellation charge. Less than 30 days: 100% cancellation charge. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation cover. We're happy to suggest reputable insurers.

Absolutely — customisation is at the core of what we do. All itineraries in our packages are starting points, not rigid templates. Tell us your interests (photography, birding, walking, luxury, budget, family-friendly, honeymoon), your ideal trip length, and your travel dates, and we'll design a bespoke experience. There's no extra charge for custom itinerary design.

A Yellow Fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country (most of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America). We recommend visiting a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for personalised advice. Commonly recommended vaccines include: Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, Cholera, Rabies (for longer stays/rural travel), and a Tetanus/Diphtheria update. All recommendations should come from your doctor or travel health specialist, not from us.

Yes — malaria is present in Tanzania, particularly at lower altitudes and near water. We strongly recommend taking prescription anti-malarial prophylaxis (Malarone, Doxycycline, or Mefloquine — consult your doctor). Additional precautions: use DEET insect repellent, sleep under mosquito nets (provided at all camps and lodges), and wear long sleeves/trousers after dusk. Zanzibar and low-elevation areas carry the highest risk; at altitude on Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro, risk is minimal.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Katambuga Expedition safaris. Your policy must include: emergency medical cover, emergency evacuation/repatriation (essential in remote safari areas), trip cancellation/interruption cover, and ideally baggage/flight delay. For Kilimanjaro climbers, your policy must explicitly cover "high altitude trekking to 5,895m." If you need help finding suitable cover, we can recommend specialist safari travel insurers.

Do not drink tap water in Tanzania — drink only bottled or filtered water (provided throughout your safari). All food prepared at your camps and lodges is safe and hygienic. In towns, stick to established restaurants — our guides will recommend trusted spots. Fresh fruit that can be peeled is safe. We provide bottled water throughout your safari.

All Katambuga guides are Wilderness First Aid trained and carry emergency communication equipment (satellite communicators in remote areas). We work with AMREF Flying Doctors — East Africa's premier emergency air evacuation service — who can extract clients from virtually any location in Tanzania within hours. Our Arusha office maintains 24/7 emergency contact throughout your trip.