Safari FAQ

Your Pristine Trails safari guides are among the best in the business with comprehensive knowledge and a passion for sharing Tanzania with you.

They are wildlife experts, trained to provide you with a wealth of information about everything you will see – the animals, environments, ecosystems, Tanzanian culture and more. Trained in academic coursework, complemented by years of practical experience, your guides are sure to find wildlife for you off the beaten path and create a lively and fun experience with you.

Pristine Trails safaris are experienced in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped for the rough roads and boasting pop-up roof hatches through which you will get the best game viewing opportunities. They are also outfitted with a cooler box, VHF radio and charging system so you can charge your electronic accessories along the way.

Pristine Trails has done away with one-use plastic bottles on safaris and day trips.

This decision is in line with our commitment to preserve our environment. We ask that you bring a reusable bottle that will be refilled with filtered drinking water throughout your trip.

All trash and waste are disposed of properly in designated waste containers. No waste is left behind on any Pristine Trails trips.

At all lodges and tented camps, you will be served both continental dishes and traditional Tanzanian and African fare, in addition to fresh fruit and salads, all safe to eat. Some properties offer buffet-style meals while others individual plated meals.

On all safaris, various dietary needs can be accommodated, such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten intolerance. You will be asked about your preferences upon booking your trip.

You will have filtered drinking water available to you throughout your safari. Please bring a reusable water bottle that can be refilled during the trip. At the lodges and tented camps, you will be able to purchase soft drinks, juices and alcoholic beverages.

On most days, you will wake up early and head out on a game drive when the animals are most active.

When you have multiple days inside of the same national park, you can choose to take a packed lunch and stay out all day, or you can game drive in the morning and late afternoon, enjoying your lunch and a rest back at your lodge or camp.

There is flexibility in each day’s schedule; the following day will be discussed with your guide the evening beforehand, allowing you a personalized safari experience that caters exactly to your preferences and comfort.

All of our safaris are private, tailor-made experiences crafted together with you and our experts.

In your safari vehicle, you will be traveling together with your travel companions and your guide, who also serves as your driver. We can accommodate parties of any size, ranging from one person traveling solo up to large groups.

The idea behind a private tour is to provide you an intimate and flexible experience. Not only are you able to craft your own itinerary from the outset, but you have the opportunity to make certain choices throughout your safari, such as how long to game drive on a given day. This flexibility and the relationship built with your guide lead to a more rewarding experience.

Tanzania is a world-class safari destination year-round. Our planning staff will work with you to craft an itinerary that hits all the right spots during the time of year you plan to travel.

There are two seasons that cycle through northern Tanzania each year – dry season and rainy reason. The two dry seasons are the most popular times to travel, when tourist numbers are high and you can find game congregating around watering holes, lakes and riverbeds.

Late December through March and June through October are the two dry seasons. The period of June through October sees cooler temperatures, especially at night.

April through May & November are the rainy seasons, dubbed “green seasons,” when the parks bloom, the hillsides turn green and many young are seen. The advantages of traveling during these months are lower prices and fewer crowds.

Bird watching is excellent year-round.

Tanzania is known for the famous migration of wildebeest in the Serengeti, during which six million hooves pound the plains as zebra and Thomson’s gazelle travel alongside over a million wildebeest.

The migration cycles through the Serengeti throughout the year in a clockwise motion, in search of better grazing. The exact timing of the migration patterns are dependent on the year’s rainfall, but there is a general predictability.

From late December through March, the herds are typically spreading out across the southern Serengeti plains where the grasses are long, with calving season occurring in February, typically within a two-week window.

From April, the calves have grown enough that the herds start moving north into central Serengeti. By May they are typically moving west, bunching together before some cross the Grumeti River, a harrowing experience laden with hungry predators and deep waters.

By July, some herds start heading north and continue north, where there are several more major river crossings that test their strength and perseverance as they spread out into Kenya’s Maasai Mara as well.

As the short rainy season begins in November, the herds start heading southeast as the cycle begins again.

It is customary to tip your crew on safari and staff at lodges.

You may tip your personal safari crew directly at the completion of your trip.

You will find tip boxes in the reception area of the lodges and camps, in which you can deposit tips for the staff upon check-out.

For more specific information about recommended tipping amounts, please see the individual safari itineraries.