Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year for a safari in Tanzania?
The popular northern circuit parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Manyara) are good for viewing animals all year long due to the grassy/plains area. The great wildebeest migration is an ongoing phenomenon.
At the start of the dry season in June, the wildebeest are in southern Serengeti. They slowly head west and north towards Maasai Mara, where there are the famous river crossings in July to October. In November, with new rains, they come back to central and south to prepare for the calving period, usually in Feb.
Inclement weather: The periods of long rains are in April-May when our lodge is close. The short rains in November to mid-December are sometimes muddy but still decent safari viewing.
| Month | Temp (Hi/Lo) | Humidity | Rain |
| Jan – Mar | Hot (32/18) | Mid to Low | Scattered |
| April – May | Warm (28/16) | High | Plenty |
| June – July | Cooler (25/14) | Low | None |
| Aug – Oct | Warm (29/17) | Very Low | Trace |
| Nov – Dec | Warm (30/ | Mid | Medium |
How long should we visit?
Depending on your interests, anywhere from 14 to 20 days is common (see our Classic 14-day and Deluxe 20-day sample itineraries). Here are a range of popular time frames:
Safari – 5 to 10 days Climb Kilimanjaro – 7 or 8 days Zanzibar – 4+ days
We also recommend a healthy dose of local excursions and culture – invariably an unexpected highlight for our guests – 4+ local excursions. These days also allow a bit of a slower pace to get over jet lag, safari bumping lag!, and get a great feel for everyday life with friendly Tanzanians.
Is it safe to travel in Tanzania?
Over a million tourists visit Tanzania every year with very few incidents. A big reason for our decision to move to Tanzania was specifically the reputation of its people for being friendly and peace-loving. We have found this to be overwhelmingly true. Be assured you will be well briefed on safety concerns and always be with a skilled and trusted driver/guide in your travels.
What does it take to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?
Climbing Kili (as we call it here) to its summit Uhuru Peak at 5895 m (19,341 ft), is a slow walk of 5 to 9 days that can be accomplished by almost anyone with a medium level of fitness and a healthy dose of mental determination. Yet, over 30% of people do not make it – including all ages from young to old. The central issue is breathing and time on the mountain; altitude acclimatization cannot be hurried. Therefore, we highly recommend an 8 day climb via the scenic Lemosho Route.
Which flights are best?
For a safari start and a Zanzibar finish, arrive JRO Airport (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and best to depart DAR (Das es Salaam).
JRO Airport is a 50-minute drive from Dashir Lodge. There are three airlines we can recommend that fly into JRO daily. From Canada and USA there are direct flights to Amsterdam and Addis Ababa.
| Int’l Airline | City of Origin | Flight | Arrival Time | |
| KLM | Amsterdam | daily | 8 p.m. | Recommended #1 |
| Ethiopian | Addis Ababa | daily | 1 p.m. | Recommended #2 |
| Kenya | Nairobi | daily | various | Recommended #3 |
How can we pay for things?
For bookings, we accept bank wire transfers and online credit card payments (4% surcharge).
In Tanzania, USD cash is king. You may readily take out local currency in Tanzanian Shillings from ATMs in most major centres. Visa and Mastercard are now accepted by many establishments along the tourist trail, usually with a 4-5% surcharge.
What are your rates?
For information on rates, please contact us. We will work with you to design your customized Tanzanian adventure!
Which vaccinations and medications will I need?
Nothing is required. You are in safe, hygienic surroundings. Please check your local travel clinic for detailed advice. Here are some guidelines:
Yellow Fever – not required unless you stay and come from a country where it is endemic.
Typhoid and Hepatitus A/B – not required but recommended
Polio, Diptheria & Tetanus – make sure you are up to date
Malaria – see your doctor (risk is higher near the coast). Malarone is recommended.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. Tourist visas lasting up to 3 months are readily obtainable at the international airport upon arrival for $50 USD per person ($100 for U.S. and Irish citizens). You may also choose to apply in advance for one from your local Tanzanian Embassy/Consulate.
Where is Dashir Lodge & Safaris?
Dashir Lodge & Safaris is located near Arusha, Northern Tanzania as shown in the map below:
What about Wifi and Phone?
Reliable WiFi is available at all lodges, except perhaps in the Serengeti. For most guests this is sufficient to have communication in the evenings and mornings.
For an emergency local call, you are always near the use of a local cell phone through your guide or lodge.
For 24 hr data and local talk time/text on an open cell phone, it is best to buy a local SIM card and load with a monthly bundle – all less than $10 for 1 GB.
