FAQ

We have…

• the most iconic, world-famous parks, such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Masai Mara
• unrivaled diversity and number of flora and fauna to be found here, as well as the near guarantee that you will catch a close-up glimpse of all of the “Big Five” (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo), probably many times
• the only existing place to view the migration of millions of millions of wildebeest
• the only place to view or climb the “Roof of Africa”, Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain on the continent and one of the world’s “Seven Summits”
• the ability to combine many wildlife adventures in one—game drives on the Savannah, unparalleled birding, gorilla treks, chimp treks, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more
• the ability to combine your safari with an amazing beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean
• the unique cultural experience of interacting with and learning the customs of the region’s hundreds of tribes and ethnic groups, including the iconic Maasai people near the parks and the vibrant Swahili culture in the coastal region
• our region’s excellent customer service which has been honed over decades of leadership in the tourism trade

A private safari/trek/beach holiday is a customized tour created by the Adumu Safaris team based on the desires, preferences, dates and budget of you and the people travelling with you. Whether you are a party of one or a large group of 30, you will only be travelling with members of your group.

A group safari is a safari/trek/beach holiday with a pre-established itinerary that departs set dates and puts travellers together in the same 4×4 vehicle, lodging, activities etc.

Great reasons to choose a private safari:

• You have specific dates during which you would like to travel
• You want to have freedom and flexibility with daily activities
• You are a photographer who requires long stops for photo opportunities during game drives and other activities
• You are interested in luxury/ultra-luxury options
• You are interested in budget (basic camping and the equivalent) options
• You want to include volunteer/give back visits or unique cultural activities in your itinerary

Great reasons to choose a group safari:

• This choice is usually more economical for single travellers and small parties
• These provide a great opportunity to meet other travellers and share experiences from around the world

At Adumu, we specialize in creating unique, customized itineraries through our private safari option, but we also take great pride in having created memorable group trips with excellent value that highlight the best of our region and bring travellers together, often creating lasting friendships for years to come.

Safaris are available all year round. If you prefer wildebeest and zebra viewing, migration takes place from November/December to August/September in the Serengeti and September/October/November in Masai Mara. Please note that our seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere: Summer runs from December through March and winter, the dry season and the peak season for safaris runs from late June through August. Spring brings the short rains, and the rainy season is from April through May (sometimes into early June).

For our scheduled group safaris, go here.

To check pricing and availability on a private safari/trek/beach holiday, simply fill out our request form. You can also call us at (530) 574-9519, Monday-Friday from 9:00AM to 8:00PM (Pacific Standard Time) or Saturdays from 9:00AM to 3:00PM, or you can email your request to . Safari prices range quite a bit depending on your length of stay, activities, and type of lodging. We customize according to your desires and budget. See above for our pricing guide as well as examples of pricing on our sample itineraries.

Yes, we are happy to customize safaris for families with children of all ages. We know the best activities, lodging options, and destinations for families with children, and we look forward to creating something truly magical and memorable for them. We do not recommend children under 18 to attempt a Kilimanjaro trek because of altitude sickness.

Most scheduled flights have a luggage restriction of 20lb, (9.1kg), but various charter flights differ in the amount of luggage you can take from (5.5lb-9.1Lb), (12kg -20kg) per person. For this reason, it is safer to pack light.

Yes! Groups, students, and families are subject to discounts. Please inquire about these.

We also offer promotions at certain events and for those who sign up for our mailing list and follow us on social media.

Your safari adventure drivers should get a total of $20 per couple per day. We also emphasize that such tips are not expected and entirely depend on the service. Tipping your cook (if applicable) about $10 per day and other staff who assist you $1-2 dollars is also a kind gesture and much appreciated.

On safari, we use modified 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers that seat 7 people comfortably in captain’s seats. We generally only put a maximum of 4 or 5 people per car for maximum comfort. The vehicles have pop-up roofs so that you can stand and view the wildlife. Our vehicles have outlets for charging your devices and most have minifridges to keep your beverages cool. In some areas where it is allowed, open-air vehicles may be available.

In Zanzibar, we use minivans and minibusses, as the roads are paved and easy to navigate.

Occasionally in Uganda and Rwanda, smaller 4x4s are used if going only to the Gorilla trekking areas without additional safari activity.

Yes, our guides speak English, French, German, Italian and Spanish

Traveling to any county in the world does involve a certain amount of risk, but East Africa is a very safe destination. Tanzania in particular has always been and remains one of the most stable countries in Africa. The people of Tanzania are very friendly and hospitable. Clients feel safe here and find Tanzanians warmly welcoming of tourists. As with any other big cities, one should be careful in certain areas of Dar es Salaam and Arusha, especially at night. We recommend all our clients to have a guide/local person accompany them after hours. Currently, all of the countries where we travel are enjoying political stability are very safe and welcoming places to visit.

Most of the animals in protected wilderness areas and parks may not seem to be concerned by your presence. However, they are wild animals, and they are very dangerous. The greatest dangers on your trip are out in the wild, and travelers should adhere to the rules when visiting parks. You should never get out of your vehicle unless your guide says it is ok to do so. Also, you should not walk outside the limits of your campsites/lodges/hotels without your guide. If you abide by these rules, you should feel completely free to enjoy the nature around you!

We do not recommend self-driving if it is your first time in Tanzania. However, Adumu Safaris can provide services for self-driving. Driving is on the left side of the road. The national speed limit on the highway roads is 80 km/hr (50 m/hr). In all national parks, the speed limit is 40- 50km/hr. Also be aware of wild animals on the roads and unpredictable driving habits of the local drivers. The road conditions in Tanzanian protected areas (national parks) are extremely rough and dusty. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, as are good driving skills to negotiate these roads in the wild. Yes, your normal driving license is accepted in Tanzania.

See HERE for our average weather charts in farenheit and HERE for metric.

Your guides are native Tanzanian professional guides who we have known for years. Each having climbed the mountain over 60 times, they are indeed trusted experts who have seen hundreds of trekkers reach the summit.

You will only carry your personal backpack with water, lunch (provided), extra layers, and camera. Our strong porters carry the rest of your luggage for you.

Porters can carry up to 28-30 pounds of your extra baggage.

The most popular route is Machame, and it is an incredible way to access Kilimanjaro. This particular route is in fantastic shape which make the climb easier. Rongai is the second most popular route. It is a bit rougher trail with fewer people. Lemosho is the third. It is the most gradual and thus considered the easiest route.

We recommend minimum of $10- $20 per person per day for your mountain guides, and minimum of $10 for porters per person per day. We emphasize that such tips are not expected and are entirely optional.

Our delicious and healthy meals will sustain you well during your journey. Breakfast and dinner are served hot in our dining tents, while most lunches are cold and consumed en route. We provide plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and we can accommodate clients who have special diet restrictions. Please specify any allergies or restrictions when booking your trip so that we may best serve you.

We utilize a 3-person expedition tent made by North Face for every 2 travelers, so there is plenty of room.

Solo guests will have their own room in hotels and their own tent. We do not charge extra for singles.

Yes. We provide this private amenity for our clients.

We want to assure all our clients that Kilimanjaro is not hard to climb and does not require technical climbing skills—the main challenge involves the distance and altitude of the climb. Maintain your pace slowly and use your walking poles for good balance; communicate with your guide about your pace; and after many “pole, pole, pole” (slow, slow, slow) steps, you will experience the roof of Africa on the peak of Kilimanjaro with the world’s best 360 degree view!

We recommend training by running, biking, and swimming. The more you exercise the better chance of overcoming the challenges more easily.

Yes. Sleeping bags, hiking poles, down jackets, duffle bags, and packs are available for rent.

People under 18 are more likely to have altitude issues.

You can climb the mountain year round. With global climate change, there is a less defined wet and dry season, and the temperatures are pretty constant. June through August is the busiest time on the mountain.

No more than 7 people and often only 4 to 6. We believe in ecotourism, and small groups help reduce impact. Also, the group size is one of the most important factors determining the kind of experience our guests will have.

Groups of 4 or more receive a 5% discount. Groups of 6 or more will be treated as a private trip and no one outside the group will be added to the trip. These groups can also choose any dates that work for them and are not limited in size.