Tanzania

See the Serengeti from a Balloon!

Witness Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes from the sky

If you ask the average person the best way to enjoy a safari, the idea of flying over the wilderness in a balloon may not come up.

But, if you ask us, we will definitely tell you all about the wonderful and unique experience of taking a safari from the air!

See the natural wonders of the Serengeti or Tarangire with all the serenity and all the romance that a luxurious hot-air balloon offers. A balloon safari is truly an unforgettable experience.

Take a balloon ride in the African skies!

As you cross the plains at a comfortable altitude of 1000 feet, the landscapes will amaze you. This perspective also offers a unique view of the Great Migration in progress.

We can arrange a balloon safari on your trips to Tarangire, Serengeti, Maasai Mara, and Ruaha; four of the most beautiful natural places anywhere on the planet.

Rise from your bed and rise to the sky - the best time of day for a balloon safari is first thing in the morning. The rising sun illuminates a fantastic horizon, which you are able to see in full panorama from your balloon.

Watch the sun peek up over the horizon to greet all the wildlife down below. You will be able to see cheetahs, lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, hippos, hyenas, vultures, eagles, wildebeest, zebras, baboons, warthogs, monkeys, giraffes, and more - all right as they wake up and start their day!

If you thought this journey could not be more romantic, you will be pleasantly surprised upon touching down in the wilderness with a delicious champagne breakfast waiting for you. In our humble opinion, a luxurious meal surrounded by acacia trees and grassy plains in a peaceful corner of Africa is one of the best ways to start your day!

Nothing can quite compare to the experience of flying over Tanzania’s open plains at sunrise.

Find out more and get in touch to arrange a sky safari today!

See Kilimanjaro from the Sky!

Want to see the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, but not excited by a gruelling 7-day hike up the side of a mountain? There are options for every traveller to meet the top of Africa!

Everyone deserves to get the most out of their dream Tanzanian adventure. If long, difficult hikes are not your thing, you can still enjoy the sights of the Kilimanjaro and the gorgeous surroundings - from above!

Take a scenic flight around the Kilimanjaro and discover the beauty from the sky!

Of course, long, arduous mountain hikes are not for everyone, but the birdseye view of the highest free-standing mountain in the world is a treat for any traveller in its own right. The experience of the mountain is very different from the sky, with many unique views you can’t get on the ground.

From a height of 21,000 feet, you will catch glimpses of volcanic Kibo Peak and Reusch Crater, the hazardous Mawenzi Peak, glistening 197,000-year-old glaciers, and, of course, the famous Kilimanjaro summit, in all her snow-covered glory.

The route will take you from Arusha, flying over Ngurudoto crater and Shira plateau, where you will see the dramatic change in the landscape from forest to desert, before approaching the magnificent views of the mountain right in front of you. The trip includes a descriptive audio guide so you won’t miss any of the beauty the area has to offer.

There are two options to do your sightseeing in the sky:

Kilimanjaro by plane

In the more cost-effective option, you can join a regular flight with a group of adventurers equally enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to enjoy the mountain’s sights from above.

Kilimanjaro by helicopter

The helicopters that fly over the mountain are available for private flights, so they are perfect if you are after a more peaceful, personal experience for yourself or with your family or friends, to enjoy the sights in your own way.

Both the planes and helicopters depart from Arusha airport. Shadows Of Africa will pick you up from your hotel, take you to the departure point, and bid you farewell as you embark on your magical journey in the skies above Mount Kilimanjaro.

However you want to experience the famous UNESCO world heritage-listed mountain, we have you covered.

Find out more about your options for a scenic flight around the Kilimanjaro: Mount Kilimanjaro Scenic Flight.

Group Tour Safari Great Migration - Calving Season - in Ndutu

Every year, the Great Migration, in the heart of the amazing Serengeti National Park, puts on a magnificent show. From late January to mid-March about 8,000 wildebeest are born every day!! Few things compare to seeing a baby wildebeest take its first steps and start running just minutes after being born.

We are very excited to offer you the new Ndutu group safari, which will allow you the best way to witness the calving season (January - March) in all of its splendor. In this group tour, you will see beautiful animals in breathtaking landscapes, it will be a sight and an experience you will not soon forget. As we visit the Serengeti to witness the great migration we will go to the Ndutu region of the Serengeti, we will also visit Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and crater, all of which you can call yourself lucky to see.

Why join a group?

We all know safaris can be quite an expensive endeavor but some of the costs associated with safaris (including things like the vehicle, fuel, guide fees, Crater entry fees for the vehicle,etc.), can be shared with your fellow travelers and help your wallet.
Group safaris are also a good opportunity to meet some new, nice and interesting people and make friends.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR GREAT MIGRATION CALVING SEASON GROUP TOUR

There are some other advantages to this great offer:

• Ndutu area is the only area where the driver can drive off-road - so you are sure to get a good angle on all sightings!
• There is much less driving distance than when following the migration in the northern Serengeti - so you can expect more fantastic views!
• There is a maximum of six participants in one car - so you’ll stay in the same small group all the time.
  Spacious 4x4 vehicles with open rooftops offer not only a perfect 360° view but also endless opportunities for enthusiastic photographers.
• And, quite unparalleled, we offer the only budget-price tour to this magical event, and since there are no camping grounds available, we ensured budget-priced lodges!

Be a respectful witness to the miracle of life and see the predators at a hunt. Add sightings of all the Big Five, most of the cats, other mammals, an abundance of birds, and picturesque nature - this is an opportunity to grab!

Join one of our groups on one of the dates - there’s one departure each month - December, January, and February.

Departure dates GROUP TOUR SAFARI GREAT MIGRATION - CALVING SEASON:
26th of December 2021
10th of January 2022
7th of February 2022

MORE DETAILS OF OUR GREAT MIGRATION GROUP TOUR

For more details have a look at this link with day to day descriptions and photographs of the accommodation:

https://wetu.com/Itinerary/Landing/80053497-24d2-4e68-8c91-68f0dd7bd9db
Can’t wait to get a spot to this amazing event? Contact us today & book.

Latest Covid Entry Requirements Zanzibar

Last update: February 2023

Looking for the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS to Zanzibar? Shadows of Africa has got you covered. With our team living on the ground, we are always aware of the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. For a quick overview, see below. Our safari experts are ready to give you tailored advice.

Latest Covid Entry Requirements for Zanzibar
IMPORTANT: TANZANIA HAS NO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS

• As of February 2023 travelers no longer need a negative COVID-19 Certificate or vaccination to enter Tanzania and/or Zanzibar

Shadows of Africa makes every effort to ensure the information below is correct at the time of sending: but please note updates may occur. So although we provide you with information on the Covid entry requirements, this is provided as a guideline only. Shadows will not be liable if any information regarding the entry requirements provided by us is incorrect. Kindly ensure you check the latest requirements before departure applicable to your situation.

If you want to plan a safe and responsible trip to Zanzibar - don’t hesitate to contact us to start planning & dreaming.

For the full document please click this link: Latest COVID requirements for Zanzibar

’Join the Group’ - What Is It?

In general, we can say that safaris are amazing & unforgettable, but also quite expensive. The 4x4 car hire, and high fees for the parks, make a safari more expensive than a regular holiday. When travelling alone or with 2 pax, these costs of the car can’t be shared with other people, and that is exactly the reason why we provide group safaris. Each safari vehicle has 6 seats - so the groups still stay very small - but at least you can share the prices of the car with fellow travellers to decrease the price by almost half.

Why Shadows Of Africa?

The high quality of your game drive is guaranteed:

• Shadows Of Africa chooses the best camping accommodations, and you even have the chance to upgrade your accommodations for a small additional cost.
• The cars used for our group safaris have the same luxury quality compared to the vehicles we use for a private safari - which makes Shadows Of Africa unique. Other companies might not guarantee WiFi, charging panels, or a fridge on board, while the Shadows vehicles have it all!
• On top of that our guides are super experienced and you will know everything about wildlife and nature when you come back from your safari.

When?

From the 1st of August 2021 - we will provide a 4-day tour departing each Monday, and every weekend from Friday to Sunday another group will go on a 3-day safari.

You can book your own seat - for only $690,- per person for the 3-day tour and $1000,- per person for a 4-day tour. Our departures are already guaranteed with 2 participants!

The 3-day tours visits are:

• Friday: Departure from Arusha to Lake Manyara national park
• Saturday: Full day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
• Sunday: Game drive in Tarangire national park with drop off in Arusha

The 4-day tour:

• Monday: Departure from Arusha to Lake Manyara national park or Tarangire
• Tuesday: Transfer through Ngorongoro conservation area, afternoon game drive in Serengeti
• Wednesday: Full day game drive in Serengeti national park, afternoon transfer to the crater rim for overnight
• Thursday: A morning descend into the Ngorongoro crater, after lunch transfer to Arusha.

These tours are also doable when coming from Zanzibar! Shadows Of Africa can arrange flights for you that arrive in the morning on your first day of the safari, and return to Zanzibar in the afternoon on your last safari day.
Prices depend on flight availability.

I want to book my seat

If you want to book one of our safaris or you have more questions about this safari, you can contact us by email at info@shadowsofafrica.com or you can send a WhatsApp message to +1 585 213 5821

More specific info needed about the tours? Visit:
Three Day Northern Circuit Special
Four Day Tanzania Express Safari
Calving Season Safari - Five Days
Safari from Zanzibar - Mikumi Day Trip
Safari from Zanzibar - Mkomazi Day Trip
Safari from Zanzibar - Selous Day Trip
Safari from Zanzibar - Saadani National Park - Day Trip

Latest Covid Entry Requirements Tanzania

Last update: February 2023

Looking for the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS to TANZANIA? Shadows of Africa has got you covered. With our team living on the ground, we are always aware of the LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. For a quick overview, see below. Our safari experts are ready to give you tailored advice.

LATEST COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR TANZANIA
IMPORTANT: TANZANIA HAS NO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS

• As of February 2023 travelers no longer need a negative COVID-19 Certificate or vaccination to enter Tanzania and/or Zanzibar

Please be reminded to check the regulation of any country you might be transiting in.

Shadows of Africa makes every effort to ensure the information below is correct at the time of sending: but please note updates may occur. So although we provide you with information on the Covid entry requirements, this is provided as a guideline only. Shadows will not be liable if any information regarding the entry requirements provided by us is incorrect. Kindly ensure you check the latest requirements before departure applicable to your situation.

If you want to plan a safe and responsible trip to Tanzania - don’t hesitate to contact us to start planning & dreaming.

For the full document please click this link: Latest COVID requirements for Tanzania

Your Guide to Visit East Africa This Summer

Travelling to East Africa this summer - a great idea and a wise conclusion!

To realize your great idea support your wise conclusion with updated information on pros, cons, and of course the latest Covid regulations. Daily updated and thoroughly checked information will surely help you to get an informed decision.
Pros surely include fewer visitors, curious animals, a higher standard of service for a lower price, easily maintained social distancing, and more profound contact with nature.
Cons may be different Covid protocols when entering each country.

1. Tanzania

The undisputed queen of African safaris, Tanzania, is home to the Wildebeest Migration for ten months of the year, it is where the World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater shows off the unique wildlife, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain protrudes from the average, and the gorgeous island paradise of Zanzibar is being caressed by the sea.
One of the advantages is "front row seats" for the great migration spectacle - dare to fight the croc for its bite? Pre-covid times witnessed rows and rows of cars waiting to catch a glimpse of nature's wonders, now great views are on display.

Covid-19 regulations:
All travellers are now required to show a negative PCR Covid-19 test certificate not older than 72 hours. Upon arrival, all travellers will be subjected to rapid Covid-19 testing. The cost of this test is 25 USD and will be paid by the traveller on location. You are required to fill in the health form, available online, before travelling.

2. Rwanda

This green heaven in the heart of Africa invites with its unparalleled treasures. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekkings are always on the top, you can spot all of the big five here, and don't forget the amazing birdlife as well.
Volcanoes national park, Akagera, Nyungwe, or the newest Gishwati Mukura national park all have lots to offer, Lake Kivu shares a different perspective, just as a visit to the sombre Rwanda Genocide Museum in Kigali.

Covid-19 regulations:
All arriving travellers are required to have a negative PCR Covid-19 test certificate conducted within 72 hours before departure. Before arrival, you are required to fill in the Public Health Passenger Locator Form online and attach the PCR certificate. All passengers are required to stay 24 hours in quarantine, while passengers from India are required to complete 7 days in mandatory quarantine upon arrival at a designated quarantine hotel at their own cost.
All travelers departing from Rwanda must test negative for Covid-19. A PCR test must be performed within 72 hours before departure. The Covid-19 test is not mandatory for accompanied children under 5 years.

3. Uganda

No country in Africa can offer quite what Uganda does: world-class gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, terrific game drives, all big five, bustling birdlife, and the majesty of the mighty Nile.
Winston Churchill fondly called Uganda The Pearl of Africa, and we certainly agree with that sentiment, adding our cognition - Uganda's wild charm and variety of activities make it a great place to plan a safari.

Covid-19 regulations:
Arriving passengers will be subject to temperature checks and will be screened for infectious diseases by the Port Health Authorities. If a passenger shows signs or symptoms of any infectious disease they will be taken by ambulance to a local isolation center to undergo a COVID-19 test at their own cost. Test results will be returned within 24 to 48 hours; passengers will be expected to remain at the isolation center until the test results are returned. Passengers coming from India or being there less than 14 days ago, are not permitted to enter Uganda. Passengers from certain countries will have to undergo PCR testing on the border /airport at their own costs.
Departing passengers are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate, issued no more than 120 hours before travel. The 120 hours begin on the day the sample is collected for testing.

4. Kenya

Often referred to as "Africa's safari capital", home to the world-famous Maasai Mara and hosting the famed Wildebeest Migration in August and September as well as boasting the best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Kenya is also an affordable and well-developed tourism market that is great for families or people traveling on a budget. Many different options to choose from in every rank, for every taste.

Covid-19 regulations:
All arriving passengers must take the PCR test 96 hours before departure from the first embarkation point and present the negative test. You must complete the “Travelers Health Surveillance Form” online before departure.
Currently, flights from the UK and India to Kenya are suspended until June 2021.
Passengers who have been to or transited through India in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter Kenya.

What Camera to Bring on Safari

If you are wondering what camera gear to pack for your safari experience, look no further! Here is the comprehensive list of all the camera equipment and accessories you will need for your safari.

This photography gear list is brought to you by our resident photographer Giulia Cimarosti, safari specialist at Shadows of Africa and professional photographer. Guilia also leads groups on our special photographic safaris in Tanzania.
Generally speaking, depending on the device you use you can expect different results. Let’s go through some options:

Mobile Photography on Safari

You don’t have to own super pricey, professional equipment, however, it’s quite safe to say that using a mobile phone to take photos during your safari won’t make good close-up images of the wildlife possible, no matter the phone’s model or quality.

Mobile phones tend to have very poor zooming capabilities, however, they can be great for African sunsets, photographing a herd in the landscape, and of course to take the occasional short video for social media, when a curious cheetah decides to climb on the vehicle!

Keep in mind though that during your safari you won’t always get very close to the animals, so the best way to frame the subject is to use a zoom-telephoto lens on an actual camera.

Cameras and Lenses on Safari

If you want to take really good photos on your safari, make sure you bring your DSLR camera! A digital single-lens reflex camera will allow you to use manual settings, adapting them to the lighting situation, the distance to the subject and the effects you want to achieve.

Now you may be wondering what camera body is the best one, but the answer is not an easy one. There are cameras of all formats and brands, but they all have one thing in common: manual settings!

The thing you need to concentrate on when thinking about the right photography gear for safari photography is what lens - or better, lenses - to bring.

Zoom lenses

The must-have kind of lens for safari photography is zoom or telephoto. This is the kind of lens that allows you to zoom into the subject, making it appear closer. There are countless zoom lenses on the market, but make sure your telephoto lens has a focal length of at least 200 mm.

• Budget
  28-300 mm or 70-300 mm lenses are good budget options for beginners.
• Medium
  A 150-600 mm lens will allow you to shoot almost anything in daylight, taking your photography to the next level with a reasonable investment.
• Pro
  A 70-200 mm f/2,8 prime lens, although the focal length is not extreme, is an excellent lens that will not disappoint.
  There are other lenses such as 400 mm f/4 or even f/2,8 prime lenses which are top choices but at an extremely high price tag.

If there is a lens worth an investment when planning to go on a photographic safari, it has to be the zoom!

Medium and Wide Angle Lenses

Although zoom lenses are the first ones that come to mind when thinking about safari photography, a wide-angle lens also goes a long way when it comes to shooting the animals in their habitat, dramatic African skies and sunsets, and large herds moving during the Great Migration. Make sure you pack a wide to medium lens too!

• Budget
  The 18-55 mm “kit lens” that comes with most camera kits works perfectly for this kind of photo. As a budget option, any kit lens works perfectly, actually!

  Lenses in the 10-24 mm range are much wider - another good option that will allow you to take creative photographs during your safari.

• Medium
  A 15-30 mm f/2,8 wide lens is a high-quality choice for the landscape.
• Pro
  The 24-70 mm f/2,8 is a “classic”, very sharp lens that never disappoints, allowing you to shoot landscapes (or good quality files to stitch in panoramas later on) and zoom into the subject too.

Bear in mind that a good wide-angle lens also allows you to take wonderful nocturnal photos of the clear skies of the savannah.

Other accessories

Now that you know what to use to shoot your safari photographs, let’s think about the accessories you shouldn’t forget:

• Spare batteries. Although all our vehicles have charging stations to recharge your batteries during the game drives, having one or two extra batteries is always a good idea to keep shooting without a single worry!
• Memory cards. Believe it or not, I can guarantee you will find yourself shooting dozens and dozens of photos of the same animal or scene. It’s easy when you have lions posing for you, or a hunting scene taking place. So pack extra memory cards!
• Battery charger. There are regular battery chargers and also double battery chargers that work with USB and/or car power outlets. I like these, as you can charge 2 batteries at once.
• Protection for your camera gear. The savannah is dusty, and dust is the real enemy of cameras and their sensors. Try to keep everything protected from dust except what you are using. Camera bags or pouches/cloths will work great.
• Cleaning kit. A full kit includes the sensor cleaning kit and tools to remove dust and clean the camera. Try to keep everything clean by gently removing the dust every day after the game drives. Please note: the sensor tends to get dirty with all the dust of the safari, but at the same time cleaning the sensor is a very delicate task so don’t risk it if you are not sure how to do it!

Are you ready to embark on your photographic safari adventure? Please let us know if you need more suggestions and information about what camera gear to pack for your safari. We look forward to having you travel with us!

Personal Information for Your Safari Booking

On the 1st of January 2021 TANAPA — the Tanzanian safari parks authority — has implemented new administration rules. The updated regulations require that a copy of the passport of every visitor is digitally registered before visiting. This regulation is aimed at minimizing corruption and increasing efficiency.
This requirement is at odds with European laws on privacy and personal data — which do not allow you to send full passport copies. But of course, we want to spare you administrative delays at the park entry. Who wants to be stuck right at the edge of a National Park waiting for paperwork - while you could already enjoy a game drive?
So, therefore, we ask only the demanded information - with unnecessary information blocked out, to spare you delays at the gate of your chosen safari park — while not jeopardizing your privacy.
Tanzanian authorities require the following information to be visible:

1. Passport number
2. Age (birthdate)
3. Name
4. Photo

You can make a standard copy at home and blacken all the additional data and then scan & send that in a pdf to us.
Alternatively, we recommend this app, that works on Android supported phones:
KopieID.
With this app you can take a photo of your identity document, cross out privacy-sensitive information. In the picture you can indicate who the copy is intended for and for what purpose. This text and the date are added on the copy as a watermark. You can now send the copy, print it or save it safely for later use. Saving the copy is only possible if you have crossed out something.

We want to thank you for your cooperation, and we are looking forward to welcoming you in Africa!