What You Need to Know: On a first safari in Tanzania, expect early starts (game drives from about 6:00 am), long hours in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, picnic lunches in the parks and evenings at your lodge. Four days is the minimum we suggest for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater; six days adds Tarangire and Lake Manyara without rushing. Our 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari costs from US$2,130 per person for 2 travelers.
A Typical Safari Day
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Coffee, then out on the first game drive, when cats are most active |
| 9:00 am | Breakfast at the lodge or a picnic breakfast in the park |
| Midday | Lunch at a picnic site or back at camp; rest in the heat |
| 3:30 pm | Afternoon game drive, until the park closes around 6:30 pm |
| Evening | Dinner at the lodge, then bed early; in unfenced camps, staff walk you to your tent |
Driving days, such as Arusha to the Serengeti, are different: most of the day on the road, with a game drive at the end. Night drives aren't allowed inside most national parks.
How Many Days Do You Need?
| Days | What fits | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One park near Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater day trip |
| 2–3 | Tarangire, Manyara and the crater, or the Serengeti by air | 3-day Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro |
| 4 | The Serengeti and the crater | 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro |
| 5–6 | All four main parks | 6-day northern circuit |
| 7–10 | Several Serengeti nights, following the herds | 10-day safari |
The Vehicle and Your Guide
You travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, a window seat for every guest (at most 6), Wi-Fi (patchy in remote areas), charging points and a fridge for drinks. The roof pops up so you can stand for 360° views. Our driver-guides graduated from the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka and have five years of safari guiding. They speak English, and we can arrange French, Spanish, German or Chinese-speaking guides. Your guide drives, finds the animals and explains what you see, and plans each day around recent sightings.
Lodges and Food
You choose budget, mid-range or luxury lodges; the vehicle, guide and parks are the same at every level. Most lodges have en-suite rooms or tents, hot water and electricity in the evenings. On the first day we pack a lunch box to your dietary needs; after that your lodge serves the meals, and lunch on game-drive days is a picnic box or a meal at camp.
What Will You See?
Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and hippos are seen on most northern safaris. Leopards need luck, cheetahs are on the open plains, and black rhino are best looked for in the Ngorongoro Crater. Nothing is guaranteed; more days make the biggest difference.
What Does a First Safari Cost?
From US$890 per person for 2 days and US$2,130 for 4 days (2 travelers, mid-range), including vehicle, guide, park fees, lodges and meals. Add tips (US$10–25 per person per day for your guide), visa, insurance and flights. See our safari cost guide.
Mistakes First-Timers Make
- Too few days, so most of the trip is driving
- Packing too much for light-aircraft flights (about 15 kg in a soft bag)
- Forgetting a warm layer for early mornings and the crater rim
- Expecting a guaranteed sighting: wildlife is never certain
- Not budgeting for tips
- Booking July–August late, when seasonal camps are full
Money on Safari
Bring US dollars in small, newer notes for tips and some Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Lodges accept cards for drinks and extras, though connections can fail in remote camps. ATMs are in Arusha and Moshi but rare after that. Your safari price already includes park fees, lodges, meals and the vehicle, so most of what you spend on safari is tips and drinks.
Phone, Wi-Fi and Charging
Our vehicles have Wi-Fi and charging points, and most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main area, though signal is patchy in remote parts of the parks. A local SIM card, bought in Arusha with your passport, works in most areas. Charge everything at the lodge each night.
Safari Etiquette
- Keep your voice low at sightings, and don't ask your guide to go off-road; it is against park rules
- Ask before photographing people, especially Maasai, and expect to pay a small fee in villages
- Dress modestly in towns and villages
- Share the roof space and window views in a shared vehicle
- Take all litter with you; plastic bags are banned in Tanzania
Combining Your First Safari
Many first-time visitors pair a safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar. A safari after a climb is a relaxing way to rest your legs; a few days on Zanzibar after the safari is the classic finish. See our Kilimanjaro climbs and the Zanzibar options on the safari pages.
First Safari Questions
How many days do I need for my first safari?
Four days for the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater; six for the four main northern parks.
Is a first safari suitable for children?
Yes, from 2 years old on our safaris, with family discounts. Routes with short drives suit young children best.
Will I get car sick?
Roads are rough in places. Sit facing forward, take breaks with your guide, and bring medication if you are prone to it.
Are there toilets on game drives?
Yes, at picnic sites and gates. Your guide plans stops; in an emergency, they find a safe spot.
When should I book?
Three to six months ahead for July, August and the holidays; a few weeks is often enough at other times.
Do I need a visa for a safari in Tanzania?
Most visitors do. US citizens pay US$100 for a multiple-entry tourist visa, best applied for online.
Can I use my phone on safari?
Yes, with patchy signal in remote areas. The vehicle has Wi-Fi and charging points.
The Bottom Line
For a first safari, give it at least four days, pack layers, budget for tips and let your guide plan the drives. The 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is the one we recommend most.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.