The practical part

June to October is the long dry season: cool mornings, easy game viewing, herds pressing north. Late July to October is the window for river crossings in the northern Serengeti.

January to March is green, warm and quieter, with calving on the southern plains and excellent predator activity. April and May bring the long rains, beautiful, empty and much better value, but some camps close.

Most guests fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 45 minutes from Arusha. There are no direct flights from the US, UK or most of Europe, so most journeys connect through Amsterdam, Doha, Istanbul, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar work well for journeys that end at the coast.

Internal legs are on light aircraft between park airstrips. We handle every transfer and airstrip meet.

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of travel is required for entry into Tanzania, with at least two blank pages.

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an e-Visa in advance. Requirements vary by nationality, so we recommend confirming with the Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your country well before departure.

Yellow fever: a vaccination certificate is a mandatory entry requirement if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Carry your certificate with you at all times while travelling.

Malaria: Tanzania is a malaria risk area. Consult your doctor or a travel health clinic well ahead of your trip to discuss appropriate anti-malarial medication. We also advise asking about Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid and Tetanus, and about your fitness to travel if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.

Vaccination and health requirements are the sole responsibility of each traveller, as regulations can change without notice. Every Hodari journey includes Flying Doctors AMREF emergency medical evacuation cover. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, cancellation and belongings is also a condition of travel with us.

Neutral colours, khaki, olive, stone, work well in layers. Mornings in the crater are cold, midday on the plains is hot.

Bush flights limit each passenger to 15kg of luggage, soft bags strongly recommended. If you need to bring more, Coastal's XL seat class allows up to 30kg, though it must be requested and confirmed by their operations team in advance and isn't guaranteed. Every camp launders daily, so pack less than you think.

Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream, insect repellent, a warm fleece, a light waterproof and comfortable closed-toe shoes. We provide the rest.

Most camps offer solar power and Wi-Fi in the main areas, so staying connected is easy if you want to. Mobile coverage is reliable in Arusha and Karatu, and patchier once you're inside the parks.

Every vehicle has charging points, so cameras and phones stay alive between game drives.

US dollars are the easiest currency to carry, ideally from 2009 or later and in good condition, as older, torn or marked notes are often refused. Larger notes, fifties and hundreds, typically get a better exchange rate. Tanzanian shillings are useful for small purchases and markets.

Tipping is customary and appreciated, though never obligatory. As a guide, USD 20 to 25 per day for your guide and USD 15 to 20 per day, shared, for camp staff is typical. We're happy to advise on this directly before you travel.

Every journey begins with a conversation. We listen to what you're looking for, then design an itinerary shaped around it, adjusting pace, routing and accommodation until it feels right.

Once confirmed, a deposit secures your dates and we handle everything from there: flights, permits, transfers and lodge bookings, so the only thing left for you to plan is what to pack.

Tanzania makes a wonderful family safari, though age policies and comfort levels vary by lodge and park, and some conservancies set minimum ages for game drives or walking safaris. We match itineraries and properties to the age of your children so the pace suits everyone.

Safari involves 4x4 vehicles, uneven terrain and remote camps, which can be challenging for guests with limited mobility. Not every lodge is fully accessible, so let us know your needs when enquiring and we'll recommend the properties best suited to you.