Question 1

Do you require travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for every trip - a safari, Zanzibar, or Kilimanjaro, not only for climbs. Kilimanjaro adds remote terrain and altitude, but a safari also takes you far from the nearest hospital. Please check that your policy explicitly covers adventure activities and safari in Africa (game drives, walking safaris, hiking, and optional activities such as a hot-air balloon flight) and includes emergency medical evacuation. Many standard travel policies exclude some of these, so read the small print or ask your insurer before you book. We're happy to recommend providers, though we don't sell insurance directly.

Question 2

Why do I need health/travel insurance for Tanzania, and what should it cover?

Accepted Answer

Tanzania's rural hospitals are limited, and serious cases are usually evacuated to Nairobi or further for proper treatment - which is expensive without insurance. We require every guest to carry travel health insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation (sometimes called medevac or flying doctor cover), for the whole trip - safari, Zanzibar, or Kilimanjaro - and that explicitly covers adventure and safari activities in Africa. We're happy to recommend providers, though we don't sell insurance directly.

Question 3

Is health insurance mandatory in Tanzania?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Foreign visitors to Tanzania must buy the government's mandatory inbound travel health insurance, and we recommend arranging it before you fly. It has applied in Zanzibar since October 2024 and in mainland Tanzania since 1 October 2026. At the time of writing it costs USD 44 (about CHF 36) per person, is valid for up to 92 days, and covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation, and lost baggage. You receive an electronic certificate with a QR code by email; keep it on your phone or print it. It does not replace your own travel insurance, which should also cover cancellation and adventure activities. Which provider you use depends on where you enter Tanzania: if you arrive first in Zanzibar, it is ZIC (Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, https://zic.co.tz); if you arrive via Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), it is NIC (National Insurance Corporation, https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz). Residents of East African Community and SADC countries are exempt. Please check the official portals for the current price and rules.

Question 4

Do we need a visa for Tanzania?

Accepted Answer

Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, available as an e-Visa online before travel or on arrival at the airport (on-arrival visas can mean longer queues, so we recommend applying online in advance). We'll tell you exactly what applies to your nationality once we know where you're travelling from, and can point you to the official Tanzania Immigration e-Visa portal (https://visa.immigration.go.tz) - but the visa fee itself is not included in our safari price and is paid directly by you.

Question 5

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

You book directly with EliNa Safaris in Switzerland: invoice by e-mail and a transfer to a Swiss bank account - no card details, no deposit paid to third parties, no hidden costs.
- Once your booking is confirmed (contract signature), we send you the invoice by e-mail.
- A 35% deposit is due at contract signature and is non-refundable once paid.
- The remaining 65% is due 14 days (2 weeks) before departure.
- You transfer the amount directly to our Swiss bank account in CHF - secure, traceable and without any detour through payment portals.
- What applies in full if you need to cancel is set out in the cancellation policy.

Question 6

Which airport should we fly into?

Accepted Answer

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the international airport in northern Tanzania and our usual arrival point, close to Moshi and Arusha. If you extend your journey with Zanzibar, you can also fly home from Zanzibar (ZNZ), and we can book the one-way domestic flight for you.

Question 7

Is Tanzania safe for travellers?

Accepted Answer

Safari travel in Tanzania is well established, and guest safety is our highest priority. Vehicles are carefully selected, our guides are professional and experienced, our accommodation partners are thoroughly vetted, and emergency procedures are set before every departure. On Kilimanjaro, daily health checks with a pulse oximeter and emergency oxygen are part of every climb. In towns, the usual common sense applies: keep valuables out of sight and follow your guide's advice. We brief you on everything before you travel.

Question 8

Do we tip in Tanzania, and who?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not included in our prices. It is how you show your appreciation to your driver-guide and the team on safari, and to the guides and porters on the mountain. The culture is different from ours: for many people in Tanzanian tourism, tips are a large part of their income, and many roles have no fixed monthly salary or daily rate, so tipping is simply part of travelling here. As a reference, around CHF 20 per person per day is a sensible minimum; if you are happy with the service, plan at least that, and there is no upper limit. Once your trip is confirmed, we send you a short tipping guide for your itinerary.

Question 9

Should I bargain in Tanzania?

Accepted Answer

Yes! At markets, souvenir stalls, with street vendors and at local shops, haggling is normal and even expected. The first price is usually just the start of the conversation. The only exceptions are places with fixed price tags, like malls, supermarkets and restaurants.
Our tips:
- Stay friendly and relaxed. Haggling here is a social exchange, not a fight. Smile, chat and take your time. As we say in Tanzania: pole pole, slowly, slowly.
- Use a few words of Swahili. "Bei gani?" (How much?) and "Punguza kidogo" (Lower it a little) often get you a better price and a big smile.
- Know when to stop. Agree on a price you're happy with, and remember that a small amount for you can mean a lot to the seller.
- Walk away politely if you don't agree, with a friendly "Asante" (Thank you).
Not sure what a fair price is? Just ask your guide. We're happy to help.

Question 10

Do I need special vaccinations?

Accepted Answer

We are not doctors, so please see this as a first orientation - your GP, a travel medicine specialist or a travel clinic will advise you personally, ideally 6-8 weeks before departure. Commonly recommended for Tanzania:
- Yellow fever: required at entry if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a yellow-fever country (e.g. via Addis Ababa or Nairobi) - the certificate can be checked at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), so keep it with your passport
- Hepatitis A and B: protect against infections through food, water or contact with blood
- Tetanus (with diphtheria and polio): standard protection, recommended to keep up to date
- Typhoid: often recommended because of food and water
- Rabies: worth considering, as medical care in remote safari areas can be far away
- Malaria: there is no vaccination, but please discuss prophylaxis and mosquito protection with your doctor
What is right for you depends on your health, your route and earlier vaccinations - so please discuss the details with your doctor or a travel clinic.

Question 11

Is malaria a risk, and what about children?

Accepted Answer

Malaria is rare in many places we travel, especially in the cooler highlands, but it does exist in Tanzania, and the risk is higher during the rainy seasons and in warmer, lower-lying and coastal areas. Children can be affected more severely, so it deserves attention for the whole family. We are not doctors, so please speak with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic about whether malaria prophylaxis (anti-malarial medication) makes sense for you and your children. Different medications can have different side effects, so we recommend seeing your doctor early, well before departure, so you can try and compare options and your trip is not overshadowed by side effects. Alongside medication, we provide mosquito nets and recommend long sleeves and repellent at dusk.

Question 12

How far in advance should we book?

Accepted Answer

For high season (June-October) or the January Ndutu calving season, we recommend booking 9-12 months ahead, as the best camps sell out early. Low season (November, March-May) offers more flexibility and lower rates.

Question 13

Is EliNa Safaris a big company?

Accepted Answer

No - deliberately. EliNa Safaris is founder-led by Nadja and Eli, which means every itinerary is personally reviewed by both of us. This is a feature, not a limitation.

Question 14

What's included in your prices, and what isn't?

Accepted Answer

Our quotes include:
- Private 4x4 vehicle with dedicated driver-guide
- Pop-up roof for wildlife viewing
- All park and conservation fees
- Accommodation per chosen tier
- Full board on safari days
- Soft drinks and water
- Maasai village visit
- Airport transfers
- Personal planning with Nadja and Eli
Not included, and explained clearly at quotation stage:
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities

Question 15

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If you cancel more than 90 days before departure, you receive a full refund of everything paid to EliNa Safaris (costs you paid directly to third parties, such as flights or visas, are not refunded by us, as we never received that money). Between 89 and 60 days, 25% of your outstanding balance beyond the deposit is refunded; between 59 and 22 days, 10%. The 35% booking deposit, due at contract signature, is non-refundable once paid; the remaining 65% balance is due 2 weeks before departure. Cancellations within 21 days of departure receive no refund. Full details are provided in your booking contract, and we always explain them clearly before you pay a deposit.

Question 16

Can you build a trip that isn't on your package pages?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - the packages on this site are starting points, not fixed menus. Tell us what you're imagining and we'll build around it.

Question 17

What should we pack for a safari?

Accepted Answer

Light, neutral-colored layers (avoid bright white and dark blue/black, which attract tsetse flies); a warm layer for early mornings and evenings, especially in Ngorongoro and at altitude; comfortable closed shoes; a hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen; your malaria prophylaxis and a small personal first-aid kit; binoculars if you have them; and a soft-sided bag, as space in the safari vehicle is limited. We send every guest a detailed, trip-specific packing list once your itinerary is confirmed.

Question 18

Do I need a professional camera for a safari?

Accepted Answer

No, it is entirely up to you. Good photos are possible with a modern phone camera, though never quite like those from a DSLR with a zoom lens. Don't worry: if you travel with our Head Safari Guide Eli, he will gladly capture the wildlife moments for you with his pro camera. Eli is a passionate wildlife photographer who loves Tanzania's animals and landscapes, so your photos are in good hands. After the safari, we share them with you via a link.

Question 19

How does pricing work for children on safari?

Accepted Answer

Roughly speaking: children aged 0-5 travel free of park fees on most of our routes and usually free or heavily discounted on lodge accommodation when sharing a room with parents. Children aged 5-10 are typically charged around 50% of the adult rate for park fees, and lodges commonly offer 50%-75% of the adult rate for this age when sharing with parents. From age 15 upward (sometimes from 12, depending on the park and the lodge), full adult rates usually apply for both park fees and accommodation. Exact percentages vary by park authority and by lodge, so we always confirm the precise child rates for your family once we know their ages and your chosen route.

Questions We're Always Happy to Answer.