True vacations African Safaris offer three styles of travel – Basic, Standard and Luxury – cover a whole range of travel experiences. Among the three types of tour offered by True vacations African Safaris, you can choose which one will be suitable for you.

True vacations African Safaris offers a wide range of Family Adventures Wildlife Safaris, Beach holidays and cultural tours around the Country. The minimum age (for Family trips) varies depending on destination, and True vacations African Safaris has set minimum age limits to ensure that the included activities suit each age range. Additionally, you will notice that some of the more adventurous destinations have a higher minimum age.

True vacations African Safaris is for travelers with a desire to get off the beaten track. Whether you're travelling solo, with a group of friends, or are aged 12 or 80, there is an True vacations African Safaris tour to suit your interests and comfort level. Each True Vacations African Safaris tours has a physical and cultural grading to help you decide if the trip is right for you. No special skills are required for most adventures, just a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the world. Even on our camping safari no previous experience is required; our tents are easy to set up, even for first-time campers.

Good things come in small packages, which is why we keep our group sizes down. This means we’re small enough to remain flexible as we thread our way through communities without threatening the locals. On most of our trips you’ll be part of an intimate group of 2-6 people, though our group sizes are on average 10 people. Our trips are in purpose-built vehicles that can carry up to 6 travelers.

For the majority of our trips the minimum age is 15. An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. Our Adventures tours have a minimum age of 18. Younger children can join us on our Family trips and Short break Adventures. Most of our tours don’t have a maximum age limit, but pre information is required for all passengers’ ages so we can advise.

While True vacations African Safaris can’t tell you who your guide is prior to departure, we can tell you they will be awesome. Our guides are experts in their regions, some because they’ve been travelling there for years, others because they’re local to the region and can’t wait to show you around. On longer journeys, or ones that travel through more than one country, you may change guides part way through – but this just means double the awesomeness.

Although you won’t be refund for any portion of the trip unused, you can opt to sign off the trip if you need to leave a day or so earlier. If you let us know before travel that you’ll be arriving late or need to leave before the trips ends, we will notify our team on the ground to best accommodate your requirements.

Please make sure you are happy with your safari itinerary before booking because we are unable to change them for individual travelers if traveling in a group. However, if you and a group of friends, colleagues or even your school would like your own personally designed itinerary, get in contact with our very talented tout consultant; they can tailor an itinerary just for you.

Absolutely yes. You sure can. Just ask your travel specialist at the time of booking.

This is the beauty of the True vacations African Safaris style of travel: many of our travelers join because they are travelling solo and want to meet and share experiences and cost with like-minded people. 

True vacations African Safaris is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We ask that you carefully consider whether you are physically and mentally able to complete the itinerary you have chosen, recognising that on many trips you will be required to carry your own bags (assist with your specific needs) and use shared transport.

Where we can we will make reasonable adjustments to the operation of  our trips to facilitate the requirements of disabled travelers – such as booking ground floor accommodation, or having our guides communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Many travelers with disabilities have been able to enjoy our trips by travelling with a friend or companion who can assist with specific needs. If joining a group trip is not practical we may be able to provide you with a private departure. Please contact our sales team for further information on any of our itineraries.

Depending on the trip style you choose, our trips are organised on a single, twin, triple or multishare basis. As our bookings are made well in advance. Please contact our sales team for further information on any of our itineraries.

You can book pre and post accommodation on a single basis; however, throughout your True vacations African Safaris trip, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. A single supplement can be available on request. Please request this at the time of booking.

We will try our level best to accommodate all dietary requirements but in some out-of-the-way places it can be very difficult to guarantee. We will let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know at the time of booking of any food requirements or allergies and we will pass the information onto your Lodges/hotels. It is also a great idea to bring a card with your dietary requirements written in the local language for those times you are eating away from the group.

What you are served while on safari will depend on which part of Africa you are visiting

Most lodges have got buffet restaurants on site. Buffet is composed of grilled meats, seafood, starches and a few obligatory leaves and corn on the cob, so you can expect a lovely variety of dishes for lunch or dinner, complete with decadent desserts and fresh fruit, and there is bound to be something to suit everyone. Cuisines tend to be a mix of local, Western and Asian. Vegetarian, regular and gluten-free foods as well are offered. For Those with specific restrictions or other dietary requirements, simply tell us in advance when you book as sometimes it takes days to get new ingredient.

Avoid drinking water from the tap.  You can buy bottled water in most lodges and camps.  Soda, beer and other beverages can also be purchased at lodges and camps throughout the safari.

We do have daily departures as most of our tours are private. So that means, once you book your trip it’s confirmed to run, regardless of how many other travelers have booked. You can easily tell which departures are guaranteed by looking for 'guaranteed departure' next to your chosen travel date.

Yes. Travel insurance is compulsory for all True vacations African Safaris travelers and it is advisable that you buy a comprehensive medical / travel insurance in advance from your country before travelling to Africa

At a minimum, your travel insurance should be 'comprehensive', providing cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum coverage of US$....... We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

True vacations African Safaris can’t assist in the actual application of visas, but you can do this through the embassy or with the support of a travel agent. Please contact the relevant local embassy, or visit a travel agent, to organise your visa/s.

Yes, in case you need an invitation letter or other supporting documentation, you will need support documentation from True vacations African Safaris in order to apply for your visa. Information will include about what you need to send to us (scanned passports, employment letters etc.).

The safety of our passengers, guides and operators is a major priority for True vacations African Safaris. With this in mind, we monitor world events very closely and True vacations African Safaris makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources, in particular the level of the Tanzania Government Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisory. If this advisory is at Level of do not Travel, then True vacations African Safariswill either cancel the True vacations African Safaris Travel operated trip or reroute the itinerary to avoid the areas concerned.

While we take all the precautions we can to make sure your belongings are safe, we are travelling to some exciting destinations that are sometimes home to some pretty skilled thieves. Travel insurance is a must and a lockable bag or money belt will always help too. 

We recommend having access to money from a variety of sources – cash or Credit cards. Credit cards are only accepted by the major airline companies and by most of the bigger hotels and lodges. Do not rely on credit cards as a source of cash while in Tanzania. In some cases a surcharge will be added to credit card payments. We suggest that you take sufficient cash and use the credit card as a back-up only. You will be able to withdraw from your accounts in local (Tanzanian shillings) currency by entering your PIN. The daily withdrawal limit amounts to roughly $300 USD. Travellers checks not acceptable.

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 Cents. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings.

The small amount of local currency you may need during your stay can be obtained at authorized facilities (such as hotels, banks and foreign exchange bureaus). Clients going directly on safari upon arrival may exchange money at the airport currency exchange if they wish. In general, we suggest that you limit the amount of money you convert into local currencies and exchange only what you think you will spend before leaving any foreign country. Be aware that only paper currency will normally be accepted for exchange.

Availability of refrigeration cannot be guaranteed. As a general rule, many of our city hotels provide access to small fridges; however, outside of this, especially when trekking or in home stay environments, you cannot rely on access to refrigeration. Please be sure to advise True vacations African Safaris if you are travelling with medication that requires refrigeration.

Medical and vaccination requirements differ between nations and as we are not medical practitioners, we unfortunately cannot advise on this issue. Please see your local travel doctor for details and advice about current vaccination requirements.

Our guides are trained to deal with these situations and we will try to get you help as quickly as possible. If you must leave the trip early due to illness, our local offices will help you find appropriate medical care and ensure someone at home is aware of the situation. We will do whatever we can to get you home or on your onward journey. Your travel insurance, which is compulsory on all our trips, should cover any costs incurred if illness occurs.

Our Vital Trip Information include a section on ‘Spending money’. Please refer to this for an idea on budgets. Travelers’ cheques are not common practice anymore so it is a good idea to travel with a credit card and ATM card, or a bank issued ‘cash card’ specifically for travel. Having a couple of options will assure that you are covered if one doesn’t work. In certain countries it comes down to potluck if you can withdraw money. One day it’ll work, the next it won’t, but it will work for your friend! Visa cards are more widely accepted than MasterCard.

On most True vacations African Safaris trips you will be required to carry your own luggage, sometimes up stairs and on and off transport. While international flights from North America, Europe and most other parts allow the transport and handling of two large pieces of luggage per person, clients are strongly advised to travel with one medium-sized piece of checked in luggage, and a carry-on bag or camera bag if desired.

Most starting point hotels can store your excess luggage for you; however, this is at your own risk. Often a nominal fee is charged for this service. Of course, this is only an advantage if your trip is circular (i.e. returning to the same starting point).

We only have a handful of itineraries where sleeping bags are required and these are generally trips that involve camping. When we use Lodges/hotels, blankets are provided but some travelers feel more comfortable with their own sleeping bag or sleep sheet. This decision is a personal preference. Refer to your Vital Trip Information if you are unsure whether a sleeping bag is required.

On a more physical trip, hiking boots are definitely recommended. Many True vacations African Safaris treks will be hiking in near freezing environments so please be sure to research the climate and weather conditions at the time of year you will be trekking and pack accordingly.

It’s important that you always travel with your current passport, visas, travel insurance and True vacations African Safaris documentation. 

Check-in times can vary from hotel to hotel and region to region. Generally, they are between midday and 2pm. If you do arrive earlier, you’ll be able to store your luggage with the hotel and head out to explore for a couple of hours. Day room can be arranged on request and for extra cost.

We can’t confirm an early check-in, but our sales team can assist in booking you a night of pre accommodation at the same hotel. If you don’t wish to pay for the extra night, you can try your luck locally (they may let you in early if the room is free) or you can store your luggage.

Generally airport transfers are not included in your trip price unless you requested for it. You can normally add an arrival and/or departure transfer to most of our trips when you are booking your trip (or by contacting us if you have already booked). The cost of the requested transfer will inevitably be more expensive than a taxi, but it is important to remember that you are paying for a private service and a trusted driver who will offer the security travelers often desire when they arrive into a foreign country. 

This information can be found only if we booked your arrival accommodation.

Absolutely yes. If there are included or optional activities that you don’t wish to participate in, you can do your own thing instead. The exception to this is when we are trekking or travelling from one destination to the next. Please note that if you choose to opt out of an included activity, no refund can be made by True vacations African Safaris.

We provide truly 24 X 7 assistance. Our office is open 24 hours a day which means that you will always have someone to assist you even at any point of time. We shall also give you mobile nos. of executives who you may call in case of any need.

The beauty of travelling with True vacations African Safaris is that we encourage travelers to explore at their own pace. When you get to a destination, your guide will offer options on what you can do.

If you know in advance that you will be arriving late, please let our sales staff knows. We will notify your guide, who will leave instructions with the hotel reception as to where to meet your group that night or the following morning.
If you plan to arrive a day or two into the itinerary (and our group has moved to a different destination), it will be your responsibility to ‘catch up’ with the group. If this happens, we will provide you with the most up-to-date information as to where your group will be and at approximately what time. True vacations African Safaris cannot refund you for any portion of the trip unused, but this can often be claimed on your travel insurance.

We have a wide range of camping sites in or outside the park with limited facilities (though their amazing outlook makes up for this). Most camps will have basic facilities at a minimum.
On our mountain trekking and camping safaris we provide the tent and sleeping mats, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. Accommodation is mostly in modern, large two-man tents with a sewn-in ground sheet; with a comfortable foam mattress spread on the ground sheet.

Tent, table, chairs, and Mats are provided. Sleeping bags, blankets or Sheets and towels are not provided (clients bring their own sleeping bags).

Some trips have regular access to western toilets while others don't – it just depends on the types of accommodation – Lodge or Budget Camping and areas you’re travelling in. As a general rule, the more remote the place the less likely you are to find western bathroom facilities.

Along the way there are usually chances to do laundry, either through your hotel or using local services. Your guide will be able to let you know once you are on the trip.

The standard of accommodation depends on the Trip Style you have chosen. Lodge or Budget Accommodation.

Communication facilities are always improving globally. Many hotels and public places have Wi-Fi so it’s usually possible to keep in touch with home every couple of days, if you so desire. Your guide will usually give you the heads up before you leave a place so you can send quick emails. Local Phone cards are available, so you can buy them; just make sure your phone is unlocked before you travel.

If family and friends are unable to contact you in an emergency through email or phone, they can contact True vacations African Safaris directly or they can contact one of our Sales offices, who can pass on a message if required.

We can never guarantee your phone will work as desired, as many of our destinations are out of the way and you may have limited coverage. Chat to your phone provider before you leave about global roaming and the costs involved, and get their advice on the coverage you’ll receive in the places you’re travelling in. Alternatively, you can usually pick up a local sim card on the cheap (just make sure you phone is unlocked!).

Some places have Wi-Fi hot spots everywhere and other places will have no coverage at all. If you stumble into the latter, take the rare chance to just sit back and get to know your fellow travelers the old-fashioned way.

In most places you’ll be able to recharge your appliances at the hotel. We recommend you bring a travel adapter with you. On our trips, most vehicles are maintained with power supply and you should be able to recharge onboard. Be sure to bring an extra camera battery just in case.

As much of the expedition involves exciting, and sometimes long days on the trail of wildlife, the value of the ground vehicles is of the highest importance. All of our Safari cars are comfortable 4WD Land Cruisers with limited to six guests, thus affording everyone a window seat and access to the roof hatch as are fitted with pop-up roof, giving you the best views of the magnificent game animals, while providing fantastic photographic opportunities. We always guarantee excellent safaris of your dreams.

Yes, in most places tipping is expected. At your welcome meeting, ask your guide about the local custom and advice on how much is recommended at restaurants or with local guides