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Scan the QR code or add our WeChat ID: TrueAfricaEscape
We'll respond to you within 24 hours for all booking inquiries and payment questions.
Our transparent, step-by-step booking system ensures your Tanzania safari or Kilimanjaro climb is organized efficiently with clear communication at every stage
Begin your Tanzania adventure by contacting our safari specialists through our online inquiry form, email at info@trueafricaescape.com, WhatsApp at +255 784 084 200, or WeChat at TrueAfricaEscape. During this initial consultation phase, we'll discuss your travel dates, preferred safari destinations (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara), group size, accommodation preferences (luxury lodges, tented camps, budget options), special interests (photography, birdwatching, cultural experiences), and any specific requirements for children, elderly travelers, or those with mobility considerations.
Start Your Inquiry
Within 24-48 hours of your initial inquiry, our Tanzania safari consultants will prepare a comprehensive, customized proposal outlining your complete itinerary day-by-day, including specific accommodation options with photos and descriptions, detailed inclusions and exclusions, transportation arrangements in 4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs, guide qualifications and experience levels, meal arrangements, park fee calculations, and a complete transparent price breakdown. Our quotations clearly distinguish between mandatory costs (park fees, conservation levies, government taxes) and optional upgrades (hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, cultural visits).
To confirm your Tanzania safari booking and secure all services including accommodations, park permits (which have limited availability especially during peak seasons), and guide allocation, we require a 30% deposit of the total tour cost. This deposit can be made securely through our PesaPal payment gateway using credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), bank transfer to our Tanzanian USD account, PayPal, or mobile money services for East African residents. Upon receiving your deposit payment confirmation, we immediately issue official booking confirmation documents, detailed pre-arrival information, packing lists tailored to your specific itinerary.
Deposit Requirements: A non-refundable 30% deposit is required to confirm all Tanzania safari and Kilimanjaro climbing bookings. This deposit secures your place on our scheduled departures and allows us to commit to accommodation reservations, park permit applications, and guide allocations. While non-refundable, deposits are fully transferable to alternative travel dates within 12 months of the original booking date, subject to availability and any seasonal price differences.
Final Payment Schedule: The remaining 70% balance is due 60 days prior to your scheduled arrival in Tanzania. For bookings made within 60 days of travel, full payment is required immediately upon confirmation. We accept final payments through the same secure methods as deposits, with bank transfer being the most cost-effective option for international travelers due to lower processing fees.
Cancellation Policy & Refunds:
We offer diverse, secure payment options with full transparency and financial protection for your peace of mind
Our primary and most secure payment method utilizes PesaPal, East Africa's leading PCI-DSS compliant payment gateway. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards from all countries. The PesaPal system provides instant payment confirmation, 3D Secure authentication, and comprehensive fraud protection. A 3.5% processing fee applies to cover gateway charges and currency conversion. All transactions are encrypted with 256-bit SSL security, and we never store your card details on our servers. Payment receipts are automatically generated and emailed immediately upon transaction completion. This method is ideal for deposits and final payments, offering chargeback protection through your card issuer if required.
Direct bank transfer to our Tanzanian USD account offers the most cost-effective payment method with zero processing fees from our side. We provide detailed banking information including our account name (True Africa Escape), USD account number, bank name (CRDB Bank Tanzania), SWIFT/BIC code, and bank address. International transfers typically take 2-5 business days to clear. We require that you email the transfer confirmation/receipt to info@trueafricaescape.com for immediate tracking. All bank transfer payments must include your booking reference number in the payment details. While this method avoids credit card fees, it lacks the chargeback protection of card payments, so we recommend it primarily for final payments after initial deposit by card.
For travelers who prefer using their PayPal balance or linked accounts, we offer secure PayPal payments with comprehensive buyer protection. A 4% processing fee applies to cover PayPal transaction costs and currency conversion. Payments can be made to info@trueafricaescape.com with your booking reference in the payment notes. PayPal offers 180-day purchase protection for eligible transactions, adding an extra layer of security. This method is particularly convenient for smaller deposits, last-minute additional services, or single travelers making partial payments. Instant payment confirmation allows for immediate booking confirmation and documentation issuance.
All credit card payments are processed through PesaPal's secure PCI-DSS compliant platform with 256-bit SSL encryption, 3D Secure authentication, and real-time fraud monitoring for maximum transaction security.
Payment Protection & Escrow: All payments for Tanzania safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs are held in a designated client trust account until services are delivered. We only release funds to accommodation providers, park authorities, and other suppliers after you have completed each segment of your itinerary. This financial protection ensures that your investment is secure even in the unlikely event of company insolvency.
Transparent Pricing & No Hidden Fees: Our quotations provide complete transparency with line-item breakdowns of all costs including park entry fees (which vary by nationality and age), conservation levies (Ngorongoro Crater fees, Serengeti park fees), camping fees (for budget safaris), accommodation costs (with specific lodge/camp names), transportation (4x4 vehicle with fuel and driver costs), guide fees (with qualification levels), meal plans (full board, half board, or bed and breakfast), government taxes (18% VAT on accommodation and transport), and our operational costs. We clearly distinguish between mandatory costs and optional upgrades.
Currency Options & Exchange Rates: All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD), the standard currency for tourism in Tanzania. We also accept payments in Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), and Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) at the current exchange rate plus a 3% conversion fee to cover banking costs. For bank transfers in alternative currencies, we use the prevailing interbank exchange rate on the day of transfer. We provide exchange rate guidance in our pre-arrival information to help you plan local spending money requirements.
Understanding appropriate tipping practices enhances your travel experience while fairly compensating the dedicated teams that make your Tanzania adventure memorable
Tipping, while not mandatory in Tanzania, is an established cultural practice that acknowledges exceptional service and supports tourism professionals whose base salaries are often modest. The tourism industry employs thousands of Tanzanians as guides, drivers, cooks, porters, and lodge staff, many of whom rely on tips to supplement their income and support extended families. Thoughtful tipping demonstrates appreciation for the knowledge, skill, and dedication that enhances your safari or climb experience. This guide provides current, realistic tipping recommendations based on industry standards, local economic conditions, and feedback from thousands of international travelers. Remember that tipping should always reflect your satisfaction with the service received—exceptional service deserves higher recognition, while basic service may warrant standard amounts.
Safari guides in Tanzania undergo rigorous training and certification through the Tanzania Tourist Board, requiring extensive knowledge of wildlife behavior, ecology, bird identification, photography techniques, and vehicle mechanics. Your guide's expertise directly impacts your wildlife sightings, photographic opportunities, and overall experience. For standard safari services, we recommend $20-30 USD per group per day for your driver-guide. For exceptional service demonstrating exceptional wildlife tracking skills, in-depth ecological knowledge, flexibility with itinerary adjustments, and outstanding client care, consider $35-45 USD per group per day. Tips should be given in an envelope directly to your guide at the end of your safari, ideally accompanied by a thank-you note. For private guides dedicated exclusively to your group, the higher end of the range is appropriate.
Kilimanjaro climbs involve extensive support teams including head guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters—all working exceptionally hard at high altitude to ensure your safety and success. We partner with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) to ensure fair treatment, proper equipment, and ethical wages. For a standard 7-day Kilimanjaro climb, we recommend: Head guide $25-30 per climber, Assistant guides $18-22 per climber each, Cook $12-15 per climber, and Porters $10-12 per climber each. These amounts represent industry standards and align with KPAP recommendations. Tips are typically collected from the group and presented during a ceremonial tipping celebration on the final morning, with the head guide distributing shares to the full team based on their roles and seniority.
Lodge and camp staff including waiters, bartenders, housekeepers, groundskeepers, and managers work diligently to ensure your comfort throughout your Tanzania safari. While many establishments include a 10% service charge on bills, this is typically shared among all staff and distributed monthly. For exceptional individual service, additional tipping is appreciated. We recommend $5-10 USD per room per night left in the communal tip box at reception (for distribution among all staff) or given directly to exceptional individuals. For butler service at luxury lodges, $10-15 USD per room per day is appropriate. Remember that staff at remote safari camps often work consecutive 6-8 week shifts away from their families, dedicating themselves entirely to guest service during their rotation.
United States Dollars (USD) in cash is universally preferred for tipping throughout Tanzania's tourism industry. Tanzanian Shillings are accepted but less convenient for recipients who may need to exchange them. Bring plenty of small denomination USD bills: $1, $5, $10, and $20 notes are most useful. Avoid $50 and $100 bills for tipping as they are difficult to break in Tanzania. Also avoid old series or damaged bills that may not be accepted by currency exchanges. You can obtain small USD bills from currency exchange offices at major international airports before departure, or from banks in Arusha or Moshi upon arrival. For precise tipping amounts, having exact change is appreciated but not essential—round up to the nearest convenient amount. Never tip with coins as they are difficult to exchange and have minimal value.
Tipping should always reflect your satisfaction with the service provided. For exceptional service demonstrating: extraordinary wildlife tracking resulting in rare sightings, exceptional ecological knowledge enhancing your understanding, flexibility accommodating special requests, outstanding client care during illnesses or difficulties, or exceptional vehicle maintenance ensuring smooth travel—consider tipping at the upper end of recommended ranges or even 20-30% above. For satisfactory but not exceptional service, the middle of recommended ranges is appropriate. For substandard service (repeated lateness, limited engagement, poor vehicle condition, minimal wildlife knowledge), the lower end of ranges or below may be warranted. In cases of genuinely poor service, consider providing constructive feedback to management rather than merely reducing tips, as this helps improve standards.
For group safaris with travelers who didn't previously know each other, we recommend discussing tipping as a group early in the safari (not on the last day when tensions may arise). Designate one person to collect contributions anonymously to avoid disparity concerns. Calculate the total recommended tip based on days and group size, divide by number of participants, and collect cash in an envelope system. Present the collective tip to your guide in a single envelope at the end, possibly with individual thank-you notes if desired. For pre-formed groups (families, friends traveling together), you can handle tipping according to your own dynamics. Remember that guides appreciate knowing that tips represent collective appreciation, so present them as from "the group" rather than listing individual amounts unless there are significant disparities in contributions that should be acknowledged separately.
5-Day Safari for 2 People: Driver-guide: $25/day × 5 days = $125. Lodge staff: $5/room/night × 4 nights = $20. Transfer driver: $10. Total: $155 USD in cash needed for tipping.
7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb for 4 People: Head guide: $28 × 4 climbers = $112. Assistant guides (2): $20 × 4 × 2 = $160. Cook: $14 × 4 = $56. Porters (12): $11 × 4 × 12 = $528. Total: $856 USD group tip pool for distribution.
10-Day Comprehensive Safari for Family of 4: Driver-guide: $30/day × 10 days = $300. Lodge staff: $8/room/night × 9 nights × 2 rooms = $144. Walking safari guide: $40. Cultural village: $20. Total: $504 USD in cash needed for tipping.
Our Tanzania safari specialists are available to answer all your questions about the booking process, secure payment methods, appropriate tipping amounts, and any other concerns you may have about planning your perfect Tanzania adventure. With over 10 years of experience organizing safaris in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Kilimanjaro climbs, we provide expert guidance and transparent information to ensure your complete confidence.
Why choose True Africa Escape for your Tanzania safari?
• Transparent booking process with no hidden fees
• Secure payment options through PesaPal with financial protection
• Expert guidance on appropriate tipping for all service providers
• Comprehensive pre-arrival information and support
• 24/7 operations team based in Arusha, Tanzania
• Licensed Tanzania Tourist Board operator with full insurance
• Ethical tourism practices supporting local communities
Contact us today for personalized assistance with your Tanzania safari booking.