FAQ`S

We are a locally owned, Moshi-based operator built on a triple-benefit model: Good for you as a traveler, good for the communities you visit, and good for the ecosystem. Our guides come from the local community, porters and crew are paid above the Kilimanjaro National Park minimum wage, and we are based in Moshi, Tanzania

We own our safari fleet and employ our driver-guides and mountain crew directly, year-round — we don't subcontract your trip to a third party. This matters because if something goes wrong mid-trip (a breakdown, an injury, a schedule change), we can fix it directly rather than waiting on a broker's third-party supplier.

We are a locally owned Tanzanian company headquartered in Moshi. Book directly with us instead of through an international platform, and you will typically save 20–40% on the same itinerary, since the parks, guide, and vehicle are identical — the difference is just resale markup.

Three connected things: Mount Kilimanjaro treks on all major routes, Tanzania wildlife safaris across the Northern and Southern Circuit parks, and Indian Ocean beach holidays in Zanzibar, Pangani, and Mafia Island. We also build cultural itineraries rooted in Chagga heritage, and combining all of these into one seamless trip is our specialty.

Sure, we can provide references from recent guests and point you to verified reviews on TripAdvisor and Google. Ask this of any operator you're considering, not just us; a company with nothing to hide will readily provide it.

The ideal length of your Tanzania trip depends on the experiences that matter most to you. If you're dreaming of a classic safari through Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti, plan for 6–8 days. Adding Zanzibar creates a relaxed 10–12 day holiday, while an 8-day Kilimanjaro climb typically takes 10–12 days with arrival and departure. If you would like to combine Kilimanjaro with a Northern Circuit safari, allow 16–18 days. Cultural experiences such as visiting Chagga communities, coffee farms, and local villages can easily be added to most itineraries with an extra 2–3 days.

If your time is limited, it's usually better to focus on the experiences you will enjoy most rather than trying to fit everything into a single trip. A well-paced itinerary gives you time to appreciate Tanzania's wildlife, landscapes, culture, and people without feeling rushed. Tell us what inspires you most, and we will design a journey that makes the best use of your time while matching your interests and travel style.

Yes, and we usually recommend mountain-then-safari-then-beach, because it lets your body recover gradually: altitude first when you're freshest, safari is gentle on a post-climb body, and the beach is pure recovery. We'd steer you away from reversing the order (beach then Kilimanjaro), since that works against acclimatisation.

Book 3–6 months ahead for peak season (June–October), and 6–8 months ahead for January–February calving season or July–August migration season, when the best lodges and Kilimanjaro permit dates sell out first. Green season travel (March–May, November) can often be booked just 4–8 weeks out.

A typical safari day is designed around wildlife activity rather than a rigid timetable. You'll usually wake between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. for coffee or tea before setting out on a morning game drive, when animals are at their most active. After returning to camp for a leisurely breakfast, the hottest hours of the day are reserved for lunch, relaxation, or enjoying your lodge. In the late afternoon, you'll head out again for another game drive that often extends into sunset, before returning for dinner and a briefing about the next day's plans. While this rhythm is common, your guide adjusts each day based on wildlife sightings, weather, and park conditions, ensuring every safari follows nature's schedule rather than a fixed itinerary.

Absolutely. Tanzania is an excellent family destination, with experiences that can be tailored to different ages and interests. Children aged 6 and above generally enjoy safari adventures, especially in parks like Tarangire, where large elephant herds and abundant wildlife often provide rewarding game viewing close to camp. For families with younger children, we recommend comfortable lodges with family-friendly facilities and a relaxed pace rather than more remote camps. Zanzibar is well suited to travellers of all ages, while Kilimanjaro is best reserved for older children. Although Kilimanjaro National Park allows climbers from age 10, we generally recommend waiting until 12–14 years old, when most children are better prepared for the physical and altitude challenges of the climb.

Absolutely. Tanzania is a rewarding destination for solo travellers, and we can create a private itinerary tailored entirely to your interests, travel style, and budget. Because you will have your own guide, safari vehicle, and accommodation, a single supplement typically applies, usually adding around 20–40% to the trip cost. If keeping costs lower is your priority, we can also recommend scheduled group departures with 4–8 travellers, allowing you to share transport and guiding while reducing or, in some cases, eliminating the single supplement.

Yes, it’s entirely possible to combine both countries in a single journey. The Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya form one continuous ecosystem, which means wildlife movement flows naturally across the border. We typically design itineraries that begin in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit before continuing into Kenya, especially during July to October when the river crossings are at their most dramatic. Because you’ll be crossing international borders, both Tanzania and Kenya require separate visas, which should be factored into your planning.

A Tanzania safari typically ranges from about $250 to $2,000+ per person per day, depending on the level of comfort and how private your experience is. Most first-time travellers booking a quality private safari usually spend around $380–$600 per day, which includes a private 4x4 vehicle, professional guide, accommodation, meals, and park fees. Shared group safaris are more affordable, while luxury itineraries with premium camps and fly-in transfers sit at the higher end. Costs exclude international flights, visas, insurance, tips, and personal expenses such as drinks.

Kilimanjaro trekking is priced differently, usually based on route length, group size, and support crew. Most climbs range from mid-budget to high-end depending on whether you choose a group trek or a private expedition, but all standard packages include park fees, guides, porters, meals, and camping or hut accommodation on the mountain.

Cultural experiences such as Chagga village visits, coffee farm tours, and local community encounters are generally lower-cost additions and can be included as part of a broader itinerary. Beach extensions in Zanzibar vary widely depending on resort style, from simple guesthouses to high-end beachfront resorts, making it easy to tailor the final cost to your travel style and comfort level.

At Kijani Tours, Kilimanjaro climbs typically range from $2,200 to $4,500 per person, depending on route length, group size, and the level of support on the mountain. Our 7-day Machame and Lemosho routes generally fall between $2,800 and $3,200, while the longer 9-day Northern Circuit ranges from $3,200 to $4,500. These prices reflect a fully supported expedition with professional guides, trained porters, quality mountain equipment, park fees, meals, and safety systems that ensure a responsible pace and proper acclimatisation.

A significant portion of this cost is reinvested directly into the ecosystem that makes the climb possible. This includes fair wages for guides and porters, national park conservation fees that protect Kilimanjaro’s fragile environment, and contributions that support local communities living on the mountain’s lower slopes.

 Our approach is built around a triple-benefit model: your journey supports your safety and experience, protects the mountain environment, and sustains the livelihoods of the people who carry, cook, guide, and maintain the route. At Kijani Tours, we prioritise ethical standards and safe operations over cost-cutting, ensuring the climb remains responsible for both people and mountain.

A Kijani Tours safari is designed to feel seamless from the moment you land. Your package includes a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for unobstructed wildlife viewing, an experienced English- and Swahili-speaking driver-guide, all national park and conservation fees, full-board accommodation, and meals throughout your journey. You will also have bottled water in the vehicle, airport transfers, and thoughtful pre- and post-safari briefings to help you prepare, understand the landscapes you’ll explore, and reflect on your experience afterward.

To keep things transparent, there are a few costs not included in the package. These are typically international flights, Tanzania eVisa fees, any required health certifications such as Yellow Fever, travel and emergency evacuation insurance, alcoholic drinks, optional experiences like hot air balloon safaris, as well as personal expenses such as tips and laundry. We share this clearly so you can plan responsibly and avoid unexpected costs, while still keeping your journey flexible and fully in your control.

Yes, we can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-related dietary requirements across all our lodges and mobile camps. What matters most is that you inform us as early as possible when booking. This gives us time to coordinate directly with the lodges and camps we work with and ensure the right arrangements are made in advance—especially in remote areas where everything has to be planned carefully before your arrival.

The best time to visit Tanzania is generally during the long dry season from June to October. This is when wildlife viewing is at its most consistent, as animals gather around rivers and waterholes, roads are easier to navigate, and Kilimanjaro climbing conditions are at their most reliable. If you're hoping for quieter safari experiences and excellent wildlife action, January and February are also a strong choice thanks to the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti.

Tanzania’s travel year is shaped by four distinct seasons, each offering a different experience. The long rains from March to May bring fewer travellers and lush landscapes but can make some routes less accessible. The short rains in November and December are generally lighter, with green scenery, good wildlife viewing, and better value on accommodation. From June to October, conditions are at their peak for both safari and trekking, while January and February balance great wildlife with fewer crowds.

It’s worth noting that nature doesn’t follow a fixed schedule. The Great Migration moves across the Serengeti ecosystem depending on rainfall patterns, so timing can shift each year slightly. We always plan itineraries based on real-time conditions to give you the best possible chance of meaningful sightings and smooth travel.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is happening all year, but the most dramatic moments depend on where the herds are in their cycle. If you’re hoping to witness the Mara River crossings, the best window is usually July to October, when massive herds gather in the northern Serengeti and attempt the dangerous crossings into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. For a very different but equally powerful experience, January and February bring the calving season in the southern Serengeti around Ndutu, when thousands of wildebeest calves are born within weeks.

From March to May, the herds gradually move through the central Serengeti as the long rains begin, while June marks their arrival in the north. By November, they start heading south again with the short rains, completing the cycle.

It’s important to know that river crossings are never guaranteed on specific dates—they depend entirely on rainfall, river levels, and herd instinct. What makes the difference is being in the right place at the right time with experienced guides who understand the movement patterns and adjust daily in response to the herds.

The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is generally during January to March and June to October, when conditions on the mountain are more stable. These months usually bring drier trails, clearer skies, and better summit visibility, all of which make the ascent more comfortable and rewarding.

Kilimanjaro is open year-round, so climbs are still possible outside these windows. However, April and May are the long rainy season, when trails can become wet and slippery, cloud cover is heavier, and visibility is often limited. December is also a busy period due to holiday travel, but conditions can be more mixed, with varying summit views.

If you prefer a quieter experience with good weather balance, January and February offer a strong combination of clear skies and fewer crowds on the mountain’s lower slopes.

The best time to visit Zanzibar for a beach holiday is generally June to October, when the weather is dry, humidity is lower, and the Indian Ocean is calm. These conditions make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, with clear visibility over the coral reefs. July and August tend to offer the most consistent all-round beach conditions.

From March to May, Zanzibar experiences the long rains. This is the quietest period on the island, with lower prices and fewer visitors, but weather can be unpredictable, with heavier downpours and reduced visibility for water activities. October to December brings the short rains—usually brief afternoon showers rather than full-day rain—alongside warm temperatures and a greener landscape.

Zanzibar stays warm throughout the year, with temperatures typically between 25°C and 33°C. The ocean remains swimmable in every season, so the main differences are in rainfall, sea conditions, and wind rather than overall warmth.

Tanzania has two rainy periods: the long rains from March to May and the short rains from November to December. The long rains are heavier and more consistent, and they can affect access to some remote parks and change safari driving conditions. The short rains are usually lighter, often arriving as short afternoon showers that rarely disrupt travel plans in a meaningful way.

Travel is still very possible during both seasons. From March to May, the landscapes are at their greenest and most atmospheric, but some roads can become challenging, a few lodges may close, and wildlife can be harder to spot in thicker vegetation. Kilimanjaro climbs during this period are wetter and colder. November and December, by contrast, remain relatively accessible, with good wildlife viewing, fewer crowds, and softer travel rates.

Because rainfall patterns can shift each year slightly, it’s always wise to check updated forecasts from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency when planning your trip. With the right timing and routing, even the rainy seasons can offer a quieter and more reflective way to experience Tanzania.

A Tanzania safari offers genuine Big Five wildlife sightings: lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo, and black rhinoceros. Tanzania is also home to cheetah, wild dog, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra, hyena, and over 1,000 species of bird. In Serengeti National Park, you can encounter wildlife densities found nowhere else on Earth.

Big Five reliability in Tanzania's major parks:

•     Lion: Highly reliable in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Common in Tarangire and Ruaha.

•     Leopard: Present in all parks but elusive. Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti offer the best sighting rates.

•     Elephant: Tarangire National Park has the highest elephant density in Tanzania. Also common in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

•     Cape buffalo: Very common in all major northern and southern parks.

•     Black and white rhinoceros: Endangered. Ngorongoro Crater offers the most reliable rhino sightings in Tanzania, with a protected population of approximately 30 individuals.

Tanzania is also one of the few places in Africa where you can track wild chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

If it’s your first time in Tanzania, the Northern Circuit is the most balanced starting point. It brings together Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Tarangire National Park, with the option to add Lake Manyara for more variety. This combination gives you a strong chance of seeing the Big Five while also experiencing very different landscapes within a single journey.

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s classic safari landscape—vast open plains, year-round wildlife, and the stage for the Great Migration. Ngorongoro offers a completely different experience, with a wildlife-dense volcanic crater where sightings can be concentrated in a single day, including the rare black rhino. Tarangire is quieter but rich in character, especially during the dry season when large elephant herds gather around the river. Lake Manyara adds forest, lake, and escarpment scenery, along with flamingos and the famous tree-climbing lions.

For travellers who want something more remote, parks like Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mahale offer a deeper sense of wilderness, fewer vehicles, and more time in untouched landscapes. These areas often require fly-in access but reward you with a more private and immersive safari experience, from chimpanzee trekking on Lake Tanganyika to vast predator country far from the main routes.