Ask just about anyone you know if doing a safari in Africa is on their bucket list, and they say YES.
The thing is, most of these people wait until they’re retired before they even think about going on a safari. Why? It’s primarily a cost thing. When people think of a safari, they think EXPENSIVE — upwards of $10,000 per person.
Yes, there are safari packages available for that much money (and considerably more), but it doesn’t have to be that way.
That’s why I decided to hack the system, starting my own safari company in Tanzania in 2010, Pamoja Safaris. I wanted to introduce a younger demographic to the awesomeness of seeing some of the most majestic animals on earth in their natural habitats.
Sure, no matter how you slice it, it’s not an inexpensive trip. But, if you want to do a safari in Tanzania anytime in the near future—with an awesome group of people to boot—this will be your best bet.
This trip is scheduled into two parts:
- SAFARI: November 4 – November 11, 2023
- must arrive in Tanzania by November 4th (preferably earlier in the day), but can arrive earlier
- extra pre/post-trip nights with meals can be arranged at cost ($150/night)
- 12 spots available
- KILIMANJARO: November 13-21, 2023
- you may participate without doing the safari portion if you’d like
- must arrive in Tanzania by November 12th, but can arrive earlier if you’d like
- extra pre/post-trip nights with meals can be arranged at cost ($150/night)
- 12 spots available
It’s gonna be some FUN times. But hey — don’t just take my word for it!
Danielle T.
Our safari was the trip of a lifetime! My dad and I both fell in love with Tanzania and our experience would never have been the same without our guide, Josh. He was so knowledgeable, kind and easy going, and we feel lucky to have gotten such a unique perspective of Tanzania, it’s people, the animals and life, in general!
Heather O.
Imagine thousands and thousands of zebras and wildebeests as far as you can see in just about every direction! Words cannot describe just how truly incredible this whole experience was! The 800+ photos do a better job, but there’s nothing like being there and living the dream for yourself. Thank you Pamoja Safaris, you’ve made this a trip I will never forget!!!
Kate H.
I woke up to giraffes outside my tent at sunrise, was eyeballed by an elephant from two metres away, had a zero-metre experience with a cheetah on our truck, learned the sheer fun of truck surfing, watched six-week-old lion cubs play, and saw a lioness scare off a male lion right in front of us (she roared at him and we all nearly wet our pants). Massive thanks to Scott for making all this awesomeness happen!
Derek P.
My favorite moment was when a cheetah literally jumped on our car. I never thought I’d see such a majestic creature, just three feet away from me. Pamoja Safaris took us to all kinds of different places — it was definitely one of the best vacations of my life.
Maneesh S.
My trip with Pamoja Safaris was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never imagined I would get to be up close and personal with animals I’d only dreamed of—lions, leopards, cheetahs, and more! Scott and his team were incredible guides, and made the trip better than I ever imagined. If you have the opportunity to travel with Pamoja, do it!
Louise C.
I was completely blown away by my incredible trip with Pamoja Safaris. As a world traveler, I knew I wanted to do a safari someday, so when I had the chance to go with a small group led by Scott, Josh, and Jonas, I jumped at the chance. But I didn’t realize just how amazing it would be. I’m already thinking about my next visit!
Rochelle N.
Seeing animals is a given, but what I wasn’t expecting were the incredible guides that Pamoja Safaris has working for them. They were so knowledgeable and friendly, and went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. We were also able to experience the local culture; I have wonderful memories of meeting the Maasai tribe members. I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience what I did.
Kevin C.
Scott put on a really incredible safari. The entire trip blew my mind—it was more than I expected. Take what you’re expecting, forget all of that—it’s going to be WAY better than you ever expected. The attention to details, the way they cater to your every need, the most knowledgeable guides you could imagine—we’re definitely going to come back again with Scott and his team.
Mallory B.
I absolutely loved my Pamoja safari. The Serengeti is beautiful. The Pamoja team was incredible! Josh went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our time–even driving extra hours to show us the great wildebeest migration. Scott made the entire process smooth and easy-peasy. I’d recommend this trip a million times over!
Domino I.
Going Pamoja is first-rate–you’ll feel like family. A well-planned, well-executed, well-experienced adventure trip. THANK YOU for making it happen.
Julie K.
The entire experience was way more than I expected. The lodging, the food, the guides—even the vehicles were great! I really appreciated the friendly and knowledgeable guides, they made the trip that much more special. Several times we found ourselves in remote areas with no other people around, seeing animals within a meter of our vehicle (or on our vehicle in one instance). It really was the trip of a lifetime!!
Kim H.
WOW! What an incredible experience with Pamoja Safaris! I had always wanted to go on an African safari “some day”, but had no idea where to even begin planning such a trip. Pamoja Safaris took care of everything, from seamless airport transportation, to perfect accommodation, to the delicious meals, and everything in between—including some unexpected surprises that really made the trip extra special!
Joe P.
Pamoja Safaris enabled me to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the African wildlife up close in its natural habitat. Our guide did everything possible to ensure our experience would stand out as one of the greatest of our lifetimes. Mission Accomplished!
Ryan S.
Having gone on safaris in southern Africa, I’ve always dreamt of going on one in Tanzania. Pamoja Safaris was not only able to fulfill that dream but exceeded my expectations for what a safari should be like. Their professionalism, knowledge of the parks, and what they taught us about the Maasai people and culture made the trip one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Table of Contents
The Mission
Your mission is to spend an all-inclusive week in Tanzania with a curated group of awesome people, exploring the wildlife, nature, and inhabitants of this amazing country. We'll hit up all of the must-see spots that you've heard about before — the never-ending plains of the Serengeti, the caldera of Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the great wildebeest migration, Kilimanjaro* — and a few that are totally off the radar.
And, the best part? We'll do it all in style.
That means premium accommodations from start to finish. We're talking super-buffet breakfasts, comfy beds, and elephants grazing just outside of your bedroom (please do not pet them).
EVERYTHING will be taken care of — from airport pick-up to drop-off. Three meals per day, guides, transportation via Land Cruisers, park fees, accommodation, tips, etc., etc.
You don't even need to bring any money with you at all if you don't mind skipping souvenirs and alcohol, because those are the only things not included in the package.
Make no mistake — this is some real epic Lion King-type adventure you're getting into. In fact, I challenge you to not have the theme song to the movie playing in your head as you see the sunrise over the Serengeti.
In a word? EPIC.
The Group
There will be up to 12 spots open for the December trips on a first-come, first-served basis (initial deposit payment secures your spot — see Money Stuff below).
You'll be accompanied by yours truly, along with my friend and business partner Josh. Josh has 20+ years of experience guiding visitors through his country and is an absolute master of animal behavior and identification. We will also be joined by Endrew (depending on availability), our head guide who also has many years of experience leading safaris.
We'll be traveling in two Land Cruisers, and will be with each other every day on a pretty fixed schedule. There won't be a ton of opportunity to go off and do your own thing, as we will be together most of the time — whether it be on safari in the parks, or at the lodges, relaxing or enjoying meals.
Accommodation will be in twin rooms, and you'll be paired with another participant of the same sex (single-room supplements available — see Money Stuff for more information). This person may change throughout the trip, as we will be staying in four different lodges throughout our time together.
I'm primarily reaching out to friends and family for this particular promotional trip, and you know you're all cool humans, so half the fun will be making new friends and the time we spend together (but if you don't know me — but are an awesome person — you are invited as well).
My Story
In the summer of 2010, I traveled to Africa for the very first time, alongside my father. It had always been a dream of his to go on a safari, and lucky for me, I was invited to come along. We were in a group of sixteen Americans, and spent the next twelve days exploring everything there was to see and do in northern Tanzania.
Our group was assigned three guides, and I quickly became friends with one of them — Josh. Josh was by far the most outgoing, friendly, and humorous one of the three. In fact, everyone wanted to ride in his Land Cruiser every day, as his knowledge of the animals was unmatched. He would see a predator looking in a specific direction and know what was going to happen, circling around slowly to get us a better view of the action once the chase was on. It was an amazing time.
I had elected to stay in Tanzania an entire month, solo, visiting Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro after the safari tour had ended and my father had gone back to the U.S. Throughout the rest of my time in the country Josh stayed in touch and assisted me multiple times when it came to anything I was looking to do (bus bookings, etc.).
After I summited Kilimanjaro, on my last day in the country, Josh invited me over to his house to meet his wife and kids. He picked me up at my hotel and we drove a while to his house, situated just a ways from Arusha city (the starting point for most safari trips in the country). It was during that car ride that the idea hit me: I was an entrepreneur that was used to starting up businesses, I loved animals and nature in general, and I was looking for a new venture after doing web development for much of the past decade. He was a proficient, personable guide with many years of experience. I wonder...
"Josh, have you ever thought about starting your own safari company?", I asked.
"I was thinking of maybe opening up a shop near my home..." he replied.
"Hmm...what if we opened our own safari company together? If we combine your strengths and mine, I think we could make something great...", I asked.
And with that short car-ride conversation, Pamoja Safaris was born.
Since 2011, Josh and I have been sending our guests on the trip of a lifetime, and have had an amazing experience doing so.
Accommodation
Just because you're on safari doesn't mean that you have to rough it! We'll be staying in some of the best lodges and luxury tented camps Tanzania has to offer, complete with comfy beds, buffet breakfasts, warm-water showers, and gorgeous views. You might even be able to see some of the animals from your lodge, as they feed on the grasses and trees outside of your balcony.
We will be securing a number of twin rooms for everybody to share at each of the locations we'll be visiting (Arusha city, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, and Serengeti National Park). If you're traveling solo you'll be matched up with somebody of the same sex, or, you can pay a bit of additional money to grab a room all to yourself for the duration of the trip (see Money Stuff, below).
Days can stretch long at times when you're out on the Serengeti chasing animals all day — it's nice to have somewhere cozy to lay your head at night.
Our Rides
We use only the most comfortable, feature-equipped, custom Toyota Land Cruisers available. Some days we'll be spending upwards of eight hours inside of these steel beasts, so it's of utmost importance that you're comfortable the entire way.
Another way that we make sure that you're enjoying the safari to the max is not over-packing each vehicle! Many safari providers will put a person in every seat, but that doesn't allow much room for backpacks, camera equipment, etc. For our 7+1 seat configuration vehicles (seven-passenger seats plus one driver seat), we never put more than five or six passengers inside, leaving enough room for your belongings and to easily move around when you want to grab that perfect shot.
While on game drives, much of the time you'll be standing on the seats with your head poking out the top of the vehicle (which allows a 360-degree view of what's around you). To allow this, the roof pops up if you push on it, and the covering stays above your head, shielding you from the sun.
Finally, there are multiple charging points in each vehicle to keep your batteries filled, and there's even a fridge to store your drinks and food in if you'd like.
Itinerary
We'll be together for eight days total, including an arrival day, a departure day, and six full days of safari. The safari itself will encompass three separate parks (Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Serengeti National Park), and one conservation area (Ngorongoro Conservation Area).
Most days we will wake around 7:00-8:00 am, have breakfast, then do a morning safari while the animals are still active. Around noon we will either head back to the lodge or have a picnic lunch, then rest or drive around for a couple of hours afterward, as the animals are their least active during the midday sun. At around 3:30 pm we will head out again on a late afternoon-till-dusk game drive, returning back to the lodge at sunset (it is not permitted to drive at night in the parks). You'll have a bit of time to wash up and change clothes, then it's time for dinner. After dinner, you may hang around the bar for some drinks and conversation, or head to bed to relax, as you see fit.
For more information, a detailed day-by-day itinerary can be found below.
Detailed Itinerary
Dates are set for November 4 - November 11, 2022 (for the safari portion of the trip).
Day 01: Arrival in Arusha (A) (Saturday, November 4)
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) via air, where we will pick you up. After that, you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Arusha city. Enjoy some downtime after the long flight, and then we'll reconvene for dinner in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, meet with your guides. We will go over the schedule for the next few days in general, focusing primarily on the itinerary for the next day. After dinner, retire to your room and get a good rest, as we'll start early the next day.
Day 02: Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu (B) (Sunday, November 5)
Wake up around 7:00 am and head to the restaurant for breakfast. We will be trying to leave the city around 8:00 am on our way to Tarangire National Park (approx. two hours driving). We will spend the late morning doing a game drive in the park, stopping for lunch at our next lodge in the afternoon. After lunch, we will do another game drive, heading to our lodge in Karatu town in the late afternoon. After dinner, we will do a recap of the day, and a presentation on what to expect the next day. After that, you're free to go back to your room and rest or hang out with the other guests at the lodge.
Day 03: Karatu to Serengeti National Park (via Ngorongoro) (D) (Monday, November 6)
After breakfast at the lodge, we will make our way towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After receiving our entry permits and passing through the gates, we will stop at the top of the now-extinct volcano to grab some photos from the top. We'll make our way out of the conservation area onward to Serengeti National Park, where we will stop for lunch and registration. After receiving clearance, we will make our way to your lodge (game drive on the way), arriving just before nightfall. Dinner at the lodge, followed by the day's briefing. (Total driving time this day is about five to six hours, so we'll be sure to make as many stops as needed for restrooms and to stretch our legs on the way.)
Day 04: Serengeti National Park (D) (Tuesday, November 7)
An optional sunrise hot air balloon safari and bush breakfast is available today for $600/person. Otherwise, sleep in a bit, eat breakfast, then head out for a game drive until lunchtime, which will be back at the lodge. We'll then spend a few more hours out on the plains, looking out for leopards, cheetahs, and lions that are all over the area. Dinner is back at the lodge, after which we will talk about the schedule for the next few days in the Serengeti.
Day 05: Serengeti National Park (D) (Wednesday, November 8)
This is the day when we will try to catch up with the wildebeest herds. This time of year they are (usually) in the northern part of the park, so not the easiest to get to. We'll make things easier by lodging in the general area, allowing for shorter drive times. Depending on how the herds are moving, we may opt for a picnic lunch to be able to spend more time out on the plains in search of the wildebeest. Long day with plenty of driving, so we'll make sure to advance at a comfortable pace with as many breaks as needed. Dinner back at the lodge after returning around dusk.
Day 06: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Karatu (C) (Thursday, November 9)
After breakfast, we will make a departure towards Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (while looking for animals on the way, of course). Arrive at our beautiful destination, overlooking the 12-mile-wide crater at around 10:00 am. We will spend the entire morning driving through the crater, after which we will have a picnic lunch at a designated area within the park around 1:00 pm. After lunch, we will continue our game drive for a few more hours before heading back to our lodge in Karatu for the evening.
Day 07: Karatu to Maasai Village to Arusha (C) (Friday, November 10)
After breakfast at the lodge, we will head towards Arusha, stopping at a souvenir shop or two, and making time to visit a couple of Maasai families so that you can learn a bit more about what it's like to live in the area as a local. We'll arrive back in Arusha in the late afternoon, with enough time to rest up before a special farewell dinner that evening to cap things off.
Day 08: Arusha to Home / Rest Day (Departure) (Saturday, November 11)
Although the exact timing depends on your departure schedule, generally we will wake up, have a leisurely breakfast, and then relax at the lodge until it's time to drive you to the airport for your flight. (Those joining us for Kilimanjaro will have the entire day as a rest day at the lodge.)
Post-trip: Summit Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro — at 19,341 ft high (5,895 m), it is Africa's highest peak — and one of the world's magnificent Seven Summits.
Summiting Kilimanjaro has been a trophy of many a visitor to East Africa, and rightly so — the extinct volcano towers above everything else as far as the eye can see, top encrusted in a glaze of glacier ice that has slowly been melting since the last ice age.
After a couple of days of rest in Arusha post-safari, we will be leaving in the morning to begin our six-day ascent and two-day descent along the Lemosho route — the longest, most scenic way up.
This will all be taking place after the December safari has finished, from November 13-21, 2023.
Gear & Porters
It is recommended that you bring all of the gear you can, as you know what feels best, is warmest, and fits properly. You may, if necessary, rent some gear (jacket, insulated pants, trekking poles, hat, gloves) in Arusha if needed. The only absolutely necessary component is to bring a pair of worn-in boots for hiking, as tennis shoes won't be sufficient (or warm enough) — and if they're fresh out of the box you'll get blisters on day one.
We'll provide tents, sleeping pads, and pillows. Sleeping bags may be rented from us at the cost of $50 per climb, or you may bring your own (just make sure it is rated for 15 degrees Fahrenheit or lower).
Kilimanjaro National Park requires the use of porters, and for every one of you, there are at least three of them (they carry food and water, camping supplies, and any larger packs you have).
Our Guides
Our guide and assistant guide both have many years of climbing experience — this is what they do for a living. Usually one will follow in the rear while the other leads us from the front.
These people are "captains" of our proverbial ship, so what the guides say goes. If they decide someone has had enough and shouldn't proceed any further, we listen to their judgment (see Notice, below).
We will also be accompanied by two chefs who cook meals for us and the rest of our staff every morning, afternoon, and evening. You need as many calories as you can get when hiking up and down the side of Kilimanjaro all day!
Route & Schedule
Day 01: Post-safari/pre-Kilimanjaro Rest Day (November 12)
This will take place after Day 8 of the safari trip, so in effect, it will count as Day 9 of your trip if doing the safari. We will be relaxing at our lodge in Arusha and making preparations for the climb, including talking over the plans for the days ahead, and grabbing any rental gear, after which we will have dinner together.
Day 02: Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, and start the climb to Forest Camp (3.7 mi/6.0 km) (November 13)
After breakfast, we will drive from Arusha to the Park Gate, then begin a gentle climb up through the mountain forest, carpeted with unique flowers, begonias, and ferns. The first camp is situated among the giant heather plants at 9,500 ft (2,896 m). (Total ascent: 1,700 ft/518 m during 3-4 hours of hiking.)
Day 03: Forest Camp to Shira Camp I (5.0 mi/8 km) (November 14)
Emerge from the giant heather zone and hike through fine open moorland to camp at Shira Camp I at 11,500 ft (3,505 m). Herds of eland antelope sometimes graze up here, and there are fascinating geological features in the old volcanic caldera that can be viewed during a half-hour optional walk in the afternoon. (Total ascent: 2,000 ft/610 m during 5-6 hours of hiking.)
Day 04: Shira Camp I to Shira Camp II to Moir Hut Camp (8.7 mi/14.0 km) (November 15)
We hike along the Shira plateau for the duration of the day. Begin with a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, winding across the plateau that leads to Shira II camp on moorland meadows. We'll then continue to Moir Hut, a little-used site on the base of the Lent Hills. A variety of optional walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. (Total ascent: 2,300 ft/701 m during 6-7 hours of hiking.)
Day 05: Moir Hut Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Hut Camp (4.4 mi/7.0 km) (November 16)
From the Shira Plateau, we'll continue up a ridge, passing the trail junction towards the Kibo peak. As we continue we'll arrive at the Lava Tower geological formation, called the "Shark's Tooth." After that, we'll come to a second trail junction, which brings us up to Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft/4,877 m. We'll then continue down to Barranco Hut Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft/3,964 m. Although you'll finish the day below the elevation you started at, this day is an important step for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for the summit. (Total descent: 800 ft/244 m during 5-6 hours of hiking.)
Day 06: Barranco Hut Camp to Karanga Camp (3.1 mi/5.0 km) (November 17)
After breakfast, we'll leave Barranco Hut Camp and continue on a steep ridge passing the steep Barranco Wall, and ending at the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization. (Total ascent: 100 ft/30 m during 4-5 hours of hiking.)
Day 07: Karanga Camp to Barafu Hut Camp (2.5 mi/4.0 km) (November 18)
We'll leave Karanga Camp and hit the next junction, which connects with the Mweka Trail. We then continue up to the Barafu Hut Camp, which completes the South Circuit trail. Here we'll make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit morning/day. (The twin peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.) (Total ascent: 2,200 ft/671 m during 4-5 hours of hiking.)
Day 08: Barafu Hut Camp to Kibo Summit to Mweka Camp (10.6 mi/17.0 km) (November 19)
A 12:00 am start to climb the steep, frozen scree up to the summit. This is unavoidable on any route, but we want to aim to reach Stella Point (on the crater rim) for sunrise — another 40 minutes later and magically you’re at the highest point on the continent, bathing in the sun's warmth (which is much appreciated at that elevation). After reaching the Kibo summit and snapping the prerequisite photos, we then return via the Mweka descent route. Total walking time will be around 7 hours (4,265ft/1,300m ascent) to the summit, then a 6-8 hour (9,186ft/2,800m) descent to Mweka camp, set in a clearing amongst the giant heather. This is a long and hard day — you’ll feel extremely tired, but also absolutely ecstatic that you’ve actually done it. Enjoy your sleep — you've earned it! (Total ascent: 4,045 ft/1,233 m during 7-8 hours of hiking, followed by 9,345 ft/2,848 m of descent over a period of 5-6 hours.)
Day 09: Mweka Camp to Mweka Park Gate to Hotel (6.2 mi/10.0 km) (November 20)
We finish up with a four-hour descent through the forest to Mweka Gate to collect our completion certificates and meet with our vehicle. Return to Arusha, arriving early afternoon, and check into our hotel for some R&R and a celebratory dinner. (Total descent: 4,600 ft/1,402 m during 4 hours of hiking.)
Day 10: Hotel to Airport (November 21)
Have breakfast at the hotel and chill until your flight back. You'll be transferred by the hotel to the airport approximately 2 hours before your flight departs.
Time & Money
The Kilimanjaro post-trip extension will require two nights post-safari (on the 2nd and 3rd), six days of ascent, two days of descent, and one last night post-climb, making it ten days and ten nights in total.
The final cost will be $3,490 extra for the entire adventure (all ten days, from November 12 until the morning of November 21, including meals, transport, park fees, guides, and accommodation).
There will be 12 spots open for the Kilimanjaro trek. In order to secure your spot, there will be a non-refundable $1,000 deposit required. First come, first served. (The deposit will be applied to the trip balance.)
The rest of the money ($2,490) will be due along with your final safari payment, no later than August 6, 2023. (Even if you are not joining the safari, it will still be due on August 6, 2023.)
Payment Methods include cash, check, money order, PayPal (fees are on you), ACH, Venmo, or Chase QuickPay/Zelle. If you need my address to send a check/money order please contact me.
The Cancellation Policy and Terms of Service may be found here.
Notice
Although Kilimanjaro does not require any previous mountaineering experience, nor does it require any technical skills, do not let that fool you—it is a long, strenuous climb at a high elevation. You should be in reasonably good physical shape, and training is advised prior to coming over to Tanzania (at a high elevation, if possible).
Even with all the training and physical fitness in the world though, the altitude can still get the best of you. If one of our professional guides decides you should not continue, you'll need to stop ascending (and most likely start descending). Hypoxia (altitude sickness) can cause vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, and even death in the most serious cases, and is nothing to be messed with. (Rest assured though, no one has gotten seriously injured in any of our trips up and down the mountain in the past.)
Money
THIS IS NOT A BUDGET TRIP. If you're looking to do the cheapest safari possible, you can find that in other countries with less expensive park fees (e.g. South Africa, Kenya, etc.), or by joining a scheduled group tour, or a rough camping tour. There are also many managed game reserves in places such as Kenya where they fence in a large area and carefully manage wildlife numbers—like an open-air zoo.
This, however, is not a game reserve—this is 100% natural, as nature intended it. Animals come and go as they please, there are no fences, and the land area is HUGE — nearly 5,800 sq. mi (15,000 sq. km) for Serengeti National Park by itself.
That being said, the trip is not prohibitively expensive (especially with the $1,500 discount we are providing), and is actually a great deal if compared to other all-inclusive, private Tanzanian safari packages. (Not even factoring in the huge bonus that you'll be with an amazing group of humans, along with yours truly.)
Please be aware that I am putting this together at discounted pricing, in part because I'm looking to take photos and videos during the trip to use for promotional purposes. If you don't want to be photographed and/or videotaped, this may not be the best tour for you to join. Also, all guests will be asked to provide a testimonial to our online review portal(s) after the trip has ended.
There will be 12 spots open for the safari trip. In order to secure your spot, there will be a non-refundable $1,000 deposit required. First come, first served. (The deposit will be applied to the trip balance.)
The balance for the entire trip — one more payment of $2,490 (plus the entire amount of the Kilimanjaro climb, if you're joining us) — will be due 90 days before the start date of the trip, on August 6, 2023. If your payment is not received by that day you may lose your initial deposit/place on the trip (I will inform you when the date is approaching if I haven't heard from you yet).
Total pricing will be raised to $3,990 at 12:00 am ET on August 7, 2023 (for those that have not paid their full balance yet).
What the $3,490 payment includes:
- 8 days/7 nights of accommodation in luxury lodges and tented camps from November 25th-December 2nd (see Accommodation above)
- Double Occupancy in twin bedrooms. If you are not traveling with a companion you will be matched up according to gender. If you want your own room this can be arranged for an extra $700.
- Guide services the entire time
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- 3 meals per full day
- Unlimited bottled water, during the game drives and at your lodging
- Guide & staff gratuity
- All taxes and surcharges
- All park and vehicle fees
- Transport via Land Cruiser to/within parks, incl. gasoline, driver meals, and accommodation
What the $3,490 payment does NOT include:
- Flights to/from Tanzania (closest international airport: Kilimanjaro, JRO)
- Alcohol & beverages other than water
- $50-$100 Tanzanian visa fee (see Visa, below)
- Souvenirs
Payment Methods include cash, check, money order, PayPal (applicable fees to be payable by you), ACH, Venmo, or Chase QuickPay/Zelle. If you need my address to send a check/money order please contact me.
The Cancellation Policy and Terms of Service may be found here.
Weather & Packing
Tanzania in late November/early December is quite temperate, partially owing to the fact that the spots we are going to visit are well above sea level. Daytime is generally in the high 70's/low 80's Fahrenheit (25C-30C-ish), and the evenings are cool enough that you'd want a hoodie or windbreaker with you just in case you get cold. Rain is usually infrequent and brief, and the grasses that cover the plains are at the lowest growth point of the season, allowing for easy spotting of game.
We also have the added bonus that it's one of the least busy parts of the year when it comes to tourism, so we won't have much competition when it comes to jockeying for position with other vehicles to spot the best animal sightings.
In short, this is the perfect time of year to go on a safari.
What to wear? Well, you'll want to bring muted colors, as animals can sometimes react aggressively toward bright colors (think of bulls and the color red). You'll also want to stay away from dark colors, such as dark blue or black, as flies can be attracted to you that way. So, the best thing to wear? Unsurprisingly, khaki and earth tones.
As mentioned, a windbreaker jacket and hoodie or fleece are recommended for nighttime, but during the day jeans, khaki shorts/pants, T-shirts, etc. are all fair game. Dress comfortably, because there won't be any formal occasions during this trip.
Safety
Tanzania is one of the most stable, crime-free countries in Africa. In the rare event crime happens, it is almost always only crimes of opportunity by the poor to make some extra money — e.g. grabbing a bag or camera when someone isn't looking. Violent crime is exceedingly rare, especially against tourists (making the country much safer than the U.S., for instance).
Because we will be on safari for most of the trip (and on the side of Kilimanjaro for those doing the post-trip), we really won't have to worry about theft at all. The employees at the lodges wouldn't risk their jobs stealing anything, and the other tourists usually aren't culprits. Sometimes have to watch out for baboons though... (Only half-joking.)
Regardless, I do recommend you purchase travel health and trip protection insurance, just to be on the safe side (see Disclaimer, below). (Note: for anyone doing Kilimanjaro, travel medical insurance with the extreme sorts option is mandatory.)
As far as the animals go, they don't bother anybody unless you bother them first, so just use common sense and everything will be fine (e.g. do not lean out the window and try to pet the animals).
Getting There
The airport you will be flying into is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
No matter where you are coming from, getting to Arusha, Tanzania is a bit of a journey. If coming from Europe (besides Amsterdam, which is direct) you can manage it with just one stopover (usually in Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or UAE/Qatar), but if you're coming from the U.S. be prepared for a long flight with one to three stopovers. Be sure to check Google Flights, or Skyscanner for the best available routes and prices.
If leaving from the U.S. it will take you the better part of an entire day to arrive in Arusha, so I would look for flights leaving on November 24th (just make sure to get in at the very latest the evening of November 25th).
Once you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport you'll be picked up by us, after which we'll drive you the hour or so it takes from there to your lodging in Arusha.
Visa
Visas for U.S. citizens cost USD$100 (other nationalities: $50), and can be purchased via the e-Visa service (a sample form to use when applying for your visa is available here). Be sure to have a pen handy to fill out the arrival card and health form you'll receive on the flight prior to landing.
Immunizations
Tanzania doesn't really have any more communicable diseases than many of the other developing spots you may travel to.
There is a slight risk of malaria, however, it is more along the coast of the country than inland where we will be (4,500 ft/1,400 m above sea level for most of the journey). Please talk to your travel medical specialist if you would like to bring anti-malarial medication with you (there are a few different types, but they all have their side effects — I personally choose to go without and just use longer clothing at night along with some bug spray on exposed skin).
Zika prevalence is low (lower than the U.S.). Ebola is non-existent (there have never been cases of Ebola in Tanzania, even during the 2014 outbreak).
If you're coming straight to Tanzania from a yellow fever-endemic country such as Kenya or Brazil (click here for a full list), you may be required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival at the airport.
For those doing Kilimanjaro, it may be worth talking to your licensed medical professional about taking Diamox to combat potential altitude sickness during the trek.
As far as immunizations go, just make sure you are up-to-date on your usual foreign travel stuff — tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, etc.
Make sure to connect with a qualified medical professional to go over what you might need or want while in Tanzania.
COVID-19
In addition to the updated policy above, here is some information regarding the history of the pandemic in Tanzania thus far:
- Tanzania has been open to tourism, including Americans, since June 2020. The number of reported cases in Tanzania has been relatively low (as it has been with much of sub-Saharan Africa, barring South Africa).
- Travelers coming into Tanzania are screened for Coronavirus via a temperature check and all travelers must either show proof of full vaccination (at least two doses of a government-approved vaccine), or proof of a negative RT-PCR coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before entering Tanzania.
I'll be updating this section with the most up-to-date information going forward.
Disclaimer
This is travel, and unexpected things may happen. Although I will do everything to assist if something goes wrong, you get sick, etc., I nor Pamoja Safaris is in no way legally responsible for your well-being during the duration of the trip. By signing up for this trip you are acknowledging this fact. Medical facilities for routine visits, prescriptions, etc. are few and far between in Tanzania, so you may want to buy travel medical insurance (and think about the emergency evacuation option possibly) just in case something more serious befalls you.
This also goes for the itinerary as listed above. Although we are pretty set as far as the schedule because hotels are pre-booked, there may be things we may not get to see because of weather, migration patterns, bad luck — who knows.
Sign Up
This is a first-come, first-served opportunity. We only have 12 spots for the safari and 12 for the Kilimanjaro trek, and once those are gone we are not planning on adding any additional spots.
Secure your spot by clicking the button below and then filling out the form, after which you need to send the initial payment of USD$1,000/per person/per trip segment to me (payment details to be provided upon submitting the form).
Once we reach a maximum of people the trip will be closed to new sign-ups, and I will refund any money sent my way (and you'll be added to a waitlist if you wish).
Questions?
If you have any questions please send me an email through my Contact Page.
Photography Credits
Some photos on this page (1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11) were taken by the amazing John Russell, professional photographer. See more of his work here.
