Qué revisar antes de reservar un safari en Tanzania

Before you pay for a Tanzania safari, check twelve things: that the operator holds a valid licence, what the price includes, the type of vehicle, how long you will drive each day, where the lodges are, whether park fees are in the quote, the group size, the payment and cancellation terms, the season, the insurance, the visa plan and the health advice. Most disappointments on safari come from a gap between what the quote implied and what it covered.

This checklist explains each point and tells you what a good answer sounds like, so you can compare quotes on equal terms and book with confidence.

Ask to see the business licence and the name of the registered company, and check that the company has a physical office and a reachable phone number. A licensed operator can answer simple questions clearly, offers a written itinerary and names the vehicles and guides it uses. Be wary of operators who only communicate through messaging apps, who cannot give a company name or who pressure you to pay quickly.

A trustworthy operator also welcomes questions about how the trip will run on the ground. Ask who will meet you at the airport, who your guide is and what happens if the vehicle breaks down. Read how to choose a tour operator: 10 questions to ask for the same method applied in Uganda.

Ask for a written list of what is included and what is not. The usual inclusions are accommodation, meals, park and conservation fees, the vehicle with fuel and a driver guide, airport transfers and bottled water. The usual extras are international flights, visas, insurance, tips, drinks and optional activities such as balloon flights. Two quotes with the same headline price can differ by hundreds of dollars once you add what is missing.

Look in particular at park fees, which are a large part of a Tanzania safari. A quote that leaves them out looks cheaper, but you will pay them at the gate or in a second invoice. Our tours state the fees in the inclusions, and the vehicle fuel is included.

A proper safari vehicle is a 4x4 with a pop-up roof, a window seat for every guest and a charging point. Ask how many people travel per vehicle, and make sure that the number of seats matches the number of guests. Ask whether the vehicle is private or shared. A private vehicle gives you control of the schedule, and a shared vehicle means a fixed timetable and other people's interests. Ask what happens in case of mechanical trouble, and whether a replacement vehicle is available.

Tanzania is large, and the distances between parks are long. Arusha to the central Serengeti takes a full day by road. Arusha to Tarangire is about two hours, Lake Manyara about two and a half and Ngorongoro about four. A realistic itinerary shows driving times day by day and leaves room for game viewing. If a quote promises Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti in four days, look closely at the hours in the vehicle.

Flying between parks is an option that saves time at a higher cost. Read Serengeti vs Ngorongoro for a first safari to decide how to use your days.

Location matters more than the name of the lodge. A camp inside the park or near the gate saves hours of driving each day, while a lodge outside adds a long commute. Ask where each lodge is, how far it is from the main game-viewing area and whether the quote names the property or says "or similar". If the lodge is to be confirmed after booking, ask when you will be told and what happens if your preferred lodge is full. Our itineraries describe the area and the standard, and we confirm the property after booking.

Ask how much is due at booking and when the balance is due, what forms of payment are accepted and what happens if you cancel or change dates. Reputable operators publish cancellation terms and give receipts for every payment. Be careful with requests to pay into a personal account. Ask what is refundable if the safari is disrupted by something outside your control. Read our booking policy for how we handle it.

Tanzania has dry seasons from June to October and January to February, and rains in March to May and November. Dry months are better for game viewing and cost more. The Great Migration moves through the year, so the north, south or centre of the Serengeti may be the best choice in different months. Read the Great Migration in Tanzania month by month before you fix the dates.

Take out travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation. Check visa rules for your passport well before you travel. Read the visa guide, and ask us about free visa application consultancy. Speak to a doctor about vaccinations and malaria, and carry a yellow fever certificate if your route requires it. Pack for the climate. Read what to pack for a Tanzania safari.

Ask for the maximum number of guests per vehicle, and compare it with the number of window seats. A standard safari vehicle has seven seats in the back, but comfort drops sharply with more than four or five guests. Overcrowded vehicles mean fighting for the window, awkward photographs and tired travellers. For a private safari, the vehicle is yours. For a group safari, ask who else is travelling, their ages and their interests. A group of birders and a group of families will want different things from each day.

The driver guide shapes the trip more than any lodge. Ask about experience, languages, training and certification. A good guide knows animal behaviour, reads the landscape, handles the vehicle on bad tracks and manages the pace. Ask whether you can know the guide's name before you travel, and whether they have worked in the parks on your route. Read the feedback of past guests, and ask for a reference. A good guide turns a standard itinerary into a memorable one.

Ask for the policy in writing, including what is refundable if you cancel, change dates or are affected by an event beyond your control. Check whether the deposit is refundable, how long before travel the balance is due and what happens if a lodge changes. Check also how the operator handles emergencies on the road. A clear and fair policy is a sign of an honest company. Read our booking policy, and compare it with any other you receive.

The usual extras are optional activities, premium drinks, tips, laundry, airport taxes for domestic flights and visa fees. Park fee increases can also be passed on. Ask the operator to state clearly what is and is not included, and whether any items can change after booking. If a price looks much lower than others, find out what is missing. A fair price with a full list of inclusions beats a low price with surprises. Read how much a Big Five safari in Tanzania costs for typical components.

• First-time safari travellers comparing several quotes
• Families and groups booking for several people
• Anyone who has seen a price that looks too good to be true

• Travellers who prefer to hand over every decision and ask no questions

• Choosing the lowest price. It often leaves out fees or fuel.
• Skipping the driving times. Long days mean less game viewing.
• Not asking about the vehicle. Window seats matter.
• Paying everything up front. Agree on a schedule.

Six to twelve months for July to October and the Christmas period, and a few months for other times.

A private safari gives you control of the schedule, and a group safari costs less.

Yes. Guides, drivers and staff rely on tips, and we give a guideline before you travel.

Yes. Tell us what you want, and we adjust the route and the nights.

You can call or video chat with us at any time, and we are happy to answer questions in detail.

Ask for names, locations and recent photographs. We confirm the lodge after booking and share the details with you.

Send us the quote you are comparing, and we will tell you plainly what is missing. Talk to Our Tour Specialist, or see the 8-day Tanzania safari.