In terms of our self-drive safaris, we provide a complete service from picking up clients at the airport to planning itineraries and booking accommodation whilst on safari. We are not just a car hire firm in Tanzania but Destination Expert for Private Guided Safaris at a Very Discounted Price.

Our vehicles are all in good mechanical conditions and fully kitted out with all the camping equipment you need for 2 people. Each vehicle is equipped with a rooftop tent (sleep 2 only) and we also preapre 1 vehicle with 2 roof top tents. Extra camping equipment is rented out at US$20 per day, say for a family of 4, so they could take 1 roof tent and 1 ground or the vehicle with 2 roof tents (subject to availability). The vehicle includes a GPS, 240 volt invertor for charging cameras etc, stereo with  IPOD connection, and a fridge/cooler box. For a full list please refer to our website www.selfdrivetanzania.com  The vehicle comes with a full tank of fuel and needs to be returned with a full tank. These include unlimited mileage. Clients can also drive themselves and stay in lodges of their choice therefore are offered rates exclusive of the camping equipment. They still get the fridge/cooler box, tool boxes etc.

Before the clients leave for safari, we will send them a trip manual which covers everything from setting up camp, driving in the national parks and being aware of the animals to road conditions in Tanzania. They also receive a full briefing on the vehicle and all its equipment before they depart for safari, so that they are fully prepared, without spoiling the adventure.

We do ask to check the itinerary with you first, since some clients present unrealistic safari plans that involve a lot of driving. Too many hours behind the wheel make it unsafe and uncomfortable for a client. Being very aware of the distances involved, we don’t like clients to be driving long stretches between parks as it is very tiring due to the terrible roads and can cause accidents. There is no driving after dark and clients who drive in the night will be fined within the parks if caught. We also ask that if you prepare an Itinerary, that you put a contact number of all lodge accommodation on their paperwork. If we do not think an itinerary is realistic or safe for the clients, we reserve the right to withdraw the hire of the vehicle.

Potential clients should have experience of driving in Africa and better still, off-road driving skills. As you are probably aware the road between the Ngorongoro and Serengeti is VERY bad, corrugated and dusty! It has got much worse in the last year with no sign of improvement and you need to know how to handle the vehicle under such bad terrain. Driving too fast under these conditions will cause the vehicle to roll!

Our vehicles are regularly maintained and serviced, but due to the state of the roads some problems are un-forseeable. Things at times do rattle loose on the roads and due to the dust, door locks can become clogged up. Despite this, we make every attempt to tighten everything before  handing over the car to a client.

In the Northern circuit we have a network of people we can call on to assist you should a problem occur. The road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti is VERY corrugated and dusty and accidents occur if you drive too fast. When we say the road is bad, we mean really terrible so please prepare your minds for this! Some mechanical knowledge is essential. Self-drive is about independent travel and so clients need to be confident in the vehicle (and know their way around under the bonnet) and understand and respect the local culture.

While visiting the national parks, all clients use their own credit card to pay for the entrance and camping fees within the National Parks since they do not accept cash anymore.

I am sure you know this but just in case!! There are 2 sorts of campsites within the National Parks. Public campsites have a few amenities like toilets, showers and running water and cost US$50 per adult per night and $12 per child per night. These are paid for at the Park entrance gate along with your park fees. Then, there are special campsites which need to be pre-booked and cost about US$70 per adult per night, $20 per child. Here, you have no facilities at all and are completely on your own. They are just a clearing in the bush, in some very beautiful spots. Both campsites are unfenced and so you can expect wild game to enter the campsites at night.

We do offer collection of the vehicle from other areas such as Dar es salaam or the Serengeti for an additional charge depending on the distance involved. For both places we charge $300 one way pick-up or collection of the vehicle.

The vehicles are Tanzanian registered.

The vehicles are fully comprehensively insured, but should an accident occur and the vehicle gets damaged, the clients are liable for the 10% excess of the total claim (maximum US$5000). Tire and wheel damage is not included in the insurance. Clients will also be charged for damage to any equipment other than the vehicle due to wear and tear or loss of equipment and fuel replacement if the vehicle does not come back with a full tank. A refundable cash deposit of $500 is taken from the client before they leave for safari and returned to them once we have inspected the vehicle and equipment on their return. It is unfortunate that we have to add this on, but we have had clients accept responsibility for the damages they incurred and then refuse to pay when they get home. Most of our camp equipment is imported and not easy to replace in Tanzania.

To confirm a booking only 200 dollar deposit is required for self drive car hire. for a full safari, you will deposit 40% of total safari value as we shall have to make some other bookings that are beyond our control.