How Long in Advance Should You Book Your Tanzania Tour

Longing to go on a Serengeti safari, scuba dive off Zanzibar, or trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro? Tanzania tours come in many forms crafted to suit travelers of all ages and interests. But they fill up, so it’s crucial that you plan early.

Tanzania continues to grow as a tourism destination. In 2016, 1.2 million visitors traveled to Tanzania marking an increase by 12.9 percent over 2015. And travel’s projected to continue spiking into 2018 and beyond.

So, how far in advance do you need to plan your next vacation to Tanzania? Read on for everything you need to know about booking Tanzania tours.

Go Wild in Tanzania

Before booking, it’s important to figure out exactly what you’d like to do in Tanzania. These decisions will help you narrow down the time of year you’d like to travel and where.

Tanzania and Kenya are the only two places in the world where you can watch the Great Migration. The Great Migration involves more than 1.4 million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebra. This annual cycle is driven by the quest for food, water, and safety.

Vast herds move from the Serengeti of Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again. The volcanic caldera of Ngorongoro Crater is a prime safari location. It contains the highest density of big game in Africa.

Tanzania’s national parks offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Whether on safari or in a national park, here’s where the legendary “Big Five” live. So, get outside and scan the landscape for lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffaloes.

Other Activities in Tanzania

Apart from wildlife observation, Tanzania also draws tourists anxious to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. A dormant volcano with three volcanic cones, Mt. Kilimanjaro rises 19,341 feet above sea level, making it one of the major climbing destinations in the world.

Tanzania is also known for its pristine mainland beaches and for recreation on the island of Zanzibar. Zanzibar offers spectacular views and excellent scuba diving. That’s why it’s known as Africa’s Caribbean.

Besides beaches and diving, Tanzania boasts two of the oldest Stone Age sites in the world dating to 30,000 years ago. These sites see little tourist traffic. They mark off-the-beaten-path treasures with immense histories.

Finally, Tanzania boasts Lake Victoria. It’s the largest lake in Africa and second largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Victoria’s unique ecosystem offers many wildlife watching opportunities. It’s also a great place to relax and swim.

Getting to Tanzania

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to do in Tanzania, it’s time to figure out how to get there. Direct flights to Tanzania can be few and far between, which means little competition between airlines and few discounts or sales. Major flight destinations in Tanzania include Kilimanjaro, Dar Es Salaam, and Zanzibar.

Airline reservations become available for booking up to 330 days in advance. Yes, that’s nearly a year out. But you should start thinking about purchasing your flight around this time. If you wish to apply airline miles to your flight, timing is even more crucial.

Mid to late December through early January mark the peak season for Tanzania tours. Flights often book out nine months before departure. So, don’t procrastinate when choosing flights. The major airlines that fly into Tanzania include KLM, British Airways, Oman Air, Emirates, and Swiss Air.

Buying seats on major airlines can prove nearly impossible two months before departure. Even during the off-season.

Here’s the takeaway. Planning a trip to Tanzania only requires a few weeks of actual research and booking. But be sure you do this prep work well in advance of your ideal departure date.

Booking Tanzania Tours

Plane tickets aren’t the only accommodations that you need to nail down in advance. In fact, booking tours and lodging can be even more competitive.

If you’re hoping to schedule a safari during the peak season, consider booking up to a year in advance. On the off season, you should have less trouble, but still make your purchase at least six to eight months ahead of time.

During the height of safari season in December, the best safari camps book out up to a year in advance. Since luxury safari camps cater to small groups, you’ll need to book well in advance. This holds even more true if you’re looking to reserve multiple rooms.

When booking your Tanzania tours, be familiar with cancellation policies and refunds. Many cancellation policies require 45 days or more of notice. So, be sure to research cancellations and refunds before your purchase.

Final Travel Preparations

Travel to Africa involves special medical preparation. At least three months before departing, be sure to visit a travel clinic.

There, medical staff will provide you with the right immunizations for your destination. They’ll also give you malaria prophylactics.

At least three months before departure, get all your papers in order. Make sure that you and your travel companions have met all passport and visa requirements.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your arrival date in Africa. You’ll need to find out whether or not an additional tourist visa is required, too.

After your flights and tours are booked, dive into learning more about Tanzania. That way, you’ll be fully prepared to enjoy your vacation.

Learn as much as you can about the destinations you’re going to see. Dive into books, movies, and documentaries about Tanzania. Make a list of top sights you wish to see and photograph.

Decide which camera(s) you’re going to bring and practice shooting photos. If you live near a zoo, practice photographing its animals. That way, you’ll get a feel for how best to capture wildlife digitally.

You’ll also want to invest in safari clothes that are practical, versatile, and durable. A safari wardrobe should feature colors that blend in well with your surroundings such as beige, green, and brown. Finally, invest in a high quality, comfortable pair of safari boots.

Are you in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Tanzania? Not sure how to choose the best safari company?

Contact us today to learn more about the Tanzania tours that we offer. With more than 12 years of experience in the travel sector, we’re your experts for African safaris and more.