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Tanzania Shared Group Safaris

When going on a Tanzania safari, you can either join a group tour or book a private safari. Being part of a group can be a lot of fun, especially when you’re a single traveler. Groups can be small (up to six people) or larger. Even large groups are often split up in smaller groups occupying a maximum of six to eight people per vehicle. Every vehicle will have a knowledgeable driver-guide. If the group is split up, a head guide or tour leader might move between vehicles throughout the trip. You’ll have game drives together and all meals are shared. Single travelers might have an opportunity to share accommodation to avoid the single supplement.

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5 Questions About Tanzania Group Safaris

 
 

5 Questions About Tanzania Group Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

What are the pros and cons of a group safari in Tanzania?

“When deciding whether to go on a group safari in Tanzania, it’s good to be aware of the pros and cons before making your choice. The main consideration is arguably one of budget. If you are a single traveler or part of a couple, joining a group will be cheaper than booking a private safari. Some of the costs on safari are shared, for example the guide fees and the vehicle. An operator might also decide on a smaller profit margin per person when putting together group tours. Many people enjoy the social element of a group tour, especially if the alternative is traveling alone. Some group tours come with a tour leader as well as a local guide. Their task is to make sure everything runs smoothly, and that all your needs are looked after. In some cases, the tour leader might bring their own expertise to the safari, such as photography or bird watching. This adds value for those who share that interest. The main negative of a Tanzanian group safari is that you’ll have to fit around set dates, and that you won’t have any flexibility in the program.”

1

What is the maximum group size recommended for a safari?

“The ideal group size is one that fits into one vehicle, so six to eight people. Having said that, a tour consisting of two or three vehicles (up to 18 people) should be fine as well. Independent of group size, most safari packages in Tanzania are conducted in 4x4 vehicles with a pop-up roof. The terrain doesn’t really allow for larger vehicles. These vehicles typically take up to six guests in three rows. At a push they sometimes take an extra guest in the front seat. Customized stretch vehicles have an extra row and can take up to eight people. Larger group sizes are usually split up over more vehicles. With these seating arrangements, everybody gets a window seat. There are advantages of joining a small group tour. The logistics at check-in and check-out are less chaotic, and less time is spent getting everybody together at various stops or briefings. A smaller group size allows the operator to choose smaller lodgings, which have a different feel to big hotels. The group tours described above differ from one other type of tour conducted in big converted overland trucks. These mostly aim for young clients on a tight budget. Participants might have camp duties, and camping tends to be very basic.”

2

Are there specialized group safaris for bird-watchers and photographers?

“Aside from general group safaris, specialized tours are also on offer, the most popular aimed at bird-watchers and photographers. For people with a particular interest, a targeted tour is an excellent option. Such tours often have expert leaders sharing their experience. Bird-watching tours will usually be led by an ornithologist with experience in local conditions, while photography tours might enjoy the expertise of a professional photographer. The choice of destinations, the duration of each stay, as well as the best time to be out and about will be designed with these interests in mind. Even professional photographers and very good birders benefit from these tours. Aside from the local expertise of the tour leaders, most individuals delight in sharing a tour with like-minded people. Such a group can be highly productive in helping you achieve your goals, whether it is ticking off a long list of birds or taking amazing photographs.”

3

Is there a minimum age for a group safari in Tanzania?

“Some group tours do have a minimum age. The main reason is that children might become a burden on the group. Not all travelers are child-friendly, and having young children in the group might create friction. It might also be that age restrictions apply to some of the lodges you’ll stay at, or to the activities you’ll undertake. That said, if your children have successfully been on safari before and you know they will do well in the group environment, there is no reason not to take them on a group safari, age limitations permitting. However, if you intend to take small children on a first safari, it might be better to book a private tour, which will give you more flexibility to cater to their needs. A safari can be a wonderfully enriching experience for children, but as their attention span is relatively short, a Tanzanian group safari might just be too demanding for them.”

4

How full will the safari vehicles be on a group safari?

“How full the safari vehicle will be will depend on your operator and you should check this prior to booking. The group size of a safari is important, but even more important is the number of people in a vehicle when on a game drive. And most important for the best wildlife viewing is that all guests have a window seat on a game drive. There are two types of group safari, a road safari or a fly-in safari. If you travel by road, your vehicle for the trip is also your game-drive vehicle. These are usually pop-up-roof 4x4 vehicles, and they can usually seat six or eight people in three or four rows (which means that everybody gets a window seat). The operators will usually try to fill the vehicle, but if they don’t have enough bookings, they might still run the tour with a vehicle at half capacity. This will then give you a lot of extra space. If you book a fly-in tour, your group will be flown around from park to park where you’ll probably be picked up in open-sided 4x4 vehicles. These vehicles usually take up to 10 passengers (three rows of three people and the front seat). That means that not everybody will have a side seat when at full capacity. The lodges use their discretion in how to fill up the game-drive vehicles, and your party or group might have to share a vehicle with other guests. However, chances are that they will allocate a vehicle for your group. So you might be sharing the 10-seater with only six or eight people. Many top lodges will not fill up their vehicles to full capacity, but try to give everybody a side seat (two people per row). It is a good idea to clarify these arrangements before booking a tour.”

5

Tanzania Reviews

4.8/5 1,757 Reviews
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Africa’s Greatest Safari Destination
5/5

There is arguably no better safari destination than Tanzania. And, to be honest, I’m not even sure I should be using the word ‘arguably’ here! Tanzania’s superb network of wildlife reserves (including 22 national parks) is the most...

Full Review

Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

East African Landscapes at Their Best With the Enticing Additions of a Kilimanjaro Climb or Zanzibar Beach
5/5

Most itineraries in Tanzania are designed around the world-famous Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, and for good reason. The fabulously impressive African landscapes and sheer concentration of game are the reasons they’re so popular,...

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John Nielsen  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Dec 16, 2024
The beautiful cradle of humanity
5/5

Tanzania was a fantastic experience - the safari on the Serengeti, in Ngorongoro Crater and by Lake Manyara. The people we met were friendly and accommodating, and with very good reason proud of their country. We have visited both Zanzibar...

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Luciano  –  
Spain ES
Reviewed: Dec 12, 2024
Awesome
5/5

My recent trip to Tanzania was a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. I started with a thrilling safari in Serengeti National Park and Gorongoro where I was immediately awed by the vast landscapes and abundant wildlife. The highlight...

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Jackie M  –  
Canada CA
Reviewed: Dec 11, 2024
incredible
5/5

Tanzania was amazing start to finish. The people were friendly, it was easy to travel into and out of the country. I felt really safe, although I was with my tour operator the entire time. The food was great and most fruits/vegetables are...

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Laura & Marc  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Dec 10, 2024
Incredible safari experience from Zanzibar to Tanzania
5/5

We had an incredible honeymoon safari experience in Tanzania! Despite the short rainy season at the end of November, we had almost only sunshine and just a few rain showers. A special highlight was our driver Simon, whose expertise and...

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