Frequently asked questions
Last updated: January 2022
We aim to answer all your questions so you feel confident any time you book with us.
When is the best time to visit?
January to February is a wonderful time to enjoy Tanzania at its best. After the short November-December rainy season the landscape is lush and green, and it’s the best time to spot various baby animals - very cute!
In Tanzania the Great wildebeest Migration can be seen during most of the year – though you’ll need to travel in June-Sep to catch the famous Mara River crossing where millions of wildebeest make the daring crossing to find new pastures, an incredible sight to behold. Our top tip is to avoid the school holidays if you are able; there are fewer crowds.
Which plugs do they use in Tanzania?
Tanzania uses the three pin UK plug sockets.
What happens if we need to cancel?
We understand that circumstances can change, so for more information on our cancellation policy please read our terms and conditions. If you have any further questions one of our lovely team would be happy to help.
How do i book and pay?
To make a booking, simply get in touch by filling out our enquiry form, with as many details as possible, or pop us an email at hello@redbananatours.com. Once you are happy with your itinerary, you can pay by bank transfer. Our team will send you all of the payment details once your itinerary is confirmed.
I don’t speak English, can we come on safari?
Of course! Our guides speak English, French, German, Spanish and Italian and we have Mandarin and Russian translators too (they are a very talented bunch!). Simply get in touch and we will provide a guide who speaks your language!
I am travelling alone, can i join a group?
We try where possible to find a group that you can join when you’re travelling solo. If this is a priority for you, keeping your dates and itinerary a little flexible is always good and helps us to slot you in with some of our other lovely travellers. Alternatively, we offer very good rates if you want to do a private tour or safari.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, you will need to purchase comprehensive travel and health insurance before leaving for Tanzania, which includes emergency health assistance. We recommend keeping a copy of your policy with you at all times for your reference.
What should i wear on safari?
For a safari, we recommend wearing neutral earthy colours like light grey, khaki or cream. It is best to avoid bright colours which can distract the wildlife and attract insects. White clothing is also more visible and picks up a lot of dust very quickly!
You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe, just get a couple of neutral-coloured t-shirts or shorts and mix and match these with your normal casual clothes. Remember that a lot of time on safari is spent bumping around in a vehicle and/ or in the hot sun, so dress in loose, comfortable clothes. Long sleeves and trousers will protect more from the sun and insects.
Red Banana top tip:
To minimise any bites from pesky tsetse flies, you should avoid blue and dark colours, as this attracts them.
Lightweight safari trousers that unzip to become shorts are a great option. For early morning and evenings, when temperatures can drop, we suggest that you take a fleece with you and it's always good to have a warm hat or a scarf to keep you toasty and warm!
Unless you are doing some major hiking, you will just need a good pair of trainers – hiking or proper walking boots aren’t necessary.
What about tips?
Tipping is commonplace across Africa and it's a good idea to keep a supply of small bills with you (either in US Dollars or the local currency).
Tipping is not included in the cost of your trip and below are suggested tipping amounts, but you may decide to tip more, depending on the level of service you receive.
US$15 per person per day to your guide during safari or city tours
US$10 total tip per day per person for the safari lodge communal tip box – this covers all the people behind the scenes
US$1 per piece of luggage for porters at airports and hotels
US$5 per person per transfer for a transfer driver (e.g. airport pickups)
Can children come on safari?
Yes absolutely, we recommend you travel with children from the age of 4 upwards so they can fully embrace and enjoy the experience. Many of our clients have had wonderful trips with their families. Tanzania is a magical place for your children to explore and our guides can cater for all of their needs. Please bring along your own car booster seats as required.
Can I further support the charities you work with?
Yes! We are proud to partner with three organizations close to our heart which support local communities, children in need and the restoration of the environment. Just let us know when you are booking and we can pass on any donations directly or connect you to the Forever Angels Babyhome, World Vision Tanzania and One Tree Planted.
What should I pack?
Here is a list the essentials to take on safari to Africa:
Soft bag with no wheels for all main luggage packing (if taking internal flight on light aircraft)
Backpack/day bag
Passport (valid for at least 6 months from when you depart Africa)
Visas
Print out of your travel insurance (policy number & 24 hour emergency contact)
Proof of vaccinations and anti-malarial medication (if taking)
Cash – US Dollars (or you can withdraw Tanzanian shillings from ATMs in Arusha)
Clothing in neutral tones (khaki, green, brown or grey)
Warm jumper for early morning/evening game drives
Comfortable sturdy walking shoes (trainers)
Sun protection - hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Lip balm or Vaseline- a great defence against the humidity
Mosquito repellent
Camera
Binoculars
Toiletries (most safari lodges provide basic toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and towels), though of course you can bring your own.
Hand sanitizer and a face mask
A basic personal first aid kit
A sense of humor and heart for adventure are two of the most important things to bring with you!
Can I do laundry when I am on a trip?
All of the hotels and lodges we use provide laundry services. It tends to take 24 hours to return laundry, so bear this in mind if you need to get some done before you leave a property.
What about toilet stops?
We’ve all been on a long car journey when you’re desperate to go and there are no stops in sight - a bad moment! No need to panic when you’re with Red Banana Tours though, our drivers will make loo stops a priority. There are toilet facilities at the park entrance and on your journey. Once the safari starts, if nature calls, our guides will find a safe ‘natural toilet’ to stop at.
Is there a luggage limit?
When it comes to luggage limits it’s important to check if you are taking any light aircraft flights – and if you are, check what the luggage allowance is. The majority of East Africa’s planes have a limit of 15kg including hand luggage. It is also worth stressing that you will need to have a soft-sided bag that can be manipulated into a small hold in the plane. Airlines can be very strict on baggage limits, so it’s important to double-check your limit before you travel to avoid extra charges.
Is it safe to go on holiday in Tanzania?
Tanzania is a reasonably safe country. In fact, it’s regarded as one of the safest African countries, both for locals and tourists. Your safety is of utmost importance to us at Red Banana tours and we would never send you to any destination where we thought you might be exposed to any type of unnecessary danger. We stay on top of the regular updates from the UK Foreign Office, which provides up to date safety information on the areas where we operate our tours and safaris. If any safety issues were to arise, we would take steps to make you aware of them immediately and put necessary steps in place to keep everyone safe. A great way to stay safe during your trip is to make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
The sun is strong, and you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Pack high-factor sun cream and remember to re-apply when necessary. Good-quality sunglasses are also essential and make sure to drink plenty of water which we provide on all trips!
Red Banana top tip:
Pack hats with a wide brim and chin tie so you don’t lose them while on board a safari vehicle.
Have you got safety tips for our safari?
For anyone going on safari, the issue of safety is always important. Here we offer some advice on the main concerns, and you should also be aware that a safari takes you into the habitat of wild animals, where there is always a degree of risk.
Our safaris do venture into the domain of large and potentially dangerous animals such as elephants, buffalo, rhino, and lions. It’s important to remember that our tours take us into these animals' natural habitat so being alert and aware of the dangers and how to stay safe is vital.
When in Tanzania, always remember that you are stepping into the animals’ home and you are in their environment. The resident game has the right of way in every occasion regardless of the situation, which means you must always listen to your guide and camp manager/s – they’re familiar with all aspects of animal behaviour and they know what to do in the event of a close encounter.
Here are our top tips for when keeping safe on your Red Banana adventure:
Listen to the guides at all times; do not ignore them. They are professionals and they know how to keep you safe.
Do not get out of the vehicle at any point without your guide’s consent.
Don’t stand in the vehicle while it’s moving, or you could get seriously hurt.
Do not try to feed the animals, as you will attract unwanted attention that may cause injury.
Keep noise to a minimum. Talk calmly and quietly, and don’t shout. If you make any loud noise, you might startle or aggravate the animals. Remember to put your phones on silent at all times on safari. A digital sound can trigger an animal response.
Never leave your children unattended.
Take plenty of drinking water with you, as the African sun is deceptively strong! Take sun cream with you and regularly apply it to protect your skin from sunburn and sun damage.
Carry a small first aid kit with you. All of our vehicles are fitted with these but it is an item that can come in very handy when you are out on safari and it’s a good back-up to have!
Do not drink the tap water. Only drink fresh water that is bottled and supplied for you. Tap water is generally not filtered, so it’s safe to wash in but not to drink.
Make sure you take anti-malaria pills before going on safari to protect yourself.
Be careful near water. Though standing close to a lake can make a lovely photo, make sure you have the all-clear from your guides. Crocodiles, hippos… much better to observe them from a safe distance!
Wear mosquito protection. The accommodation we use will always include mosquito nets over the beds and/or be mosquito proof. In the evenings and early mornings, make sure your kids wear clothing that protects their ankles, calves, wrists, and necks.