Most comprehensive, custom safari packages include:

• Full-board accommodation at all selected Karibu properties.
• Three daily gourmet meals, including packed bush meals and snacks for full-day excursions.
• Soft drinks, local beers and wines.
• All daily game drives in custom 4x4 safari vehicles with professional driver-guides.
• Regional airport and airstrip transfers.
• Laundry services.

Packages typically exclude:

• International flights and entry visas.
• National park entry fees, concession fees, camping fees, and crater service fees.
• Premium international spirits, liquors, and champagne.
• Optional activities such as hot air balloon safaris and cultural village visits.
• Medical and travel insurance, including emergency evacuation.
• Discretionary gratuities for guides and camp staff.

Yes, many itineraries are structured as fly-in safaris that use scheduled light aircraft flights to connect properties across the northern circuit. These flights significantly reduce travel times between distant properties, maximizing time spent on game drives rather than in transit. Flight details and luggage limits can be managed and integrated into a custom package by the Karibu reservations team.

Park and conservation fees are not included in base room rates, but our reservations team can bundle them into your final package invoice. Tanzania's national park and concession fees are strictly regulated by government bodies including the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). These non-negotiable fees must be settled in advance. When booking a comprehensive Karibu safari package, the team calculates and integrates all relevant fees directly into the final invoice to ensure a seamless arrival at all park checkpoints.

Baggage is strictly limited to 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, and this must include all hand luggage and camera equipment. The limit is set by safety regulations on the small, light aircraft such as Cessna Caravans that operate out of bush airstrips. All baggage must be packed in soft-sided, flexible duffel bags without rigid frames or wheels.

Yes, the properties are highly regarded for hosting romantic celebrations. Custom packages can feature a range of romantic enhancements, including private candlelit dinners in the bush, surprise sundowners in scenic locations, flower petals and sparkling wine in-room upon arrival, and private, dedicated safari vehicles to ensure complete intimacy. Let us know how you envision your celebration, and we do everything in our power to make it a reality.

Most northern circuit itineraries range from 5 to 10 nights. A standard recommendation is a 7-day itinerary that includes 2 nights in Tarangire at Elephant Springs, 2 nights on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at Lion's Paw, and 3 nights in the Serengeti at Sametu, Woodlands or Mara River Camp. This structure ensures a relaxed, unhurried pace that allows guests to fully experience each distinct ecosystem rather than rushing between parks.

International travelers should book flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which serves as the primary gateway for the northern safari circuit. JRO receives daily flights from major international airlines, including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM, and Ethiopian Airlines. From JRO, it is a comfortable 60-minute drive to Arusha town for an overnight stay before starting the safari the following morning by car or plane from Arusha Airport.

A road-based safari features a dedicated 4x4 vehicle and guide that remains with guests throughout their entire journey, driving between the national parks. This approach offers a gradual appreciation of the landscapes and rural communities, making it highly rewarding for those who enjoy overland travel. A fly-in safari uses light aircraft flights to hop between bush airstrips, which significantly reduces travel times and is highly recommended for shorter itineraries or for reaching remote northern sectors of the Serengeti comfortably.

It is essential for all travelers to secure comprehensive travel and medical insurance before departing. This policy must include coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and emergency medical evacuation from remote bush locations to a hospital. Karibu properties can assist in coordinating local emergency medical evacuation insurance through the Flying Doctors (AMREF) service, which provides air ambulance support within East Africa.

Yes, families with children of all ages are warmly welcomed across the Karibu properties. Itineraries can be custom-tailored to minimize long driving times, incorporate child-friendly activities, and use spacious, interconnecting family suites. Due to safety regulations and the physical demands of long game drives, children under the age of 12 must share suites with an adult, and participation in guided walking safaris is generally restricted to guests aged 16 and older.

For travel during the peak migration seasons, specifically June to October for the Mara River crossings and January to March for the calving season, we recommend booking 9 to 12 months in advance. As Karibu properties are boutique-scale lodges with limited rooms, typically 14 to 21 suites per property, they fill up quickly during these globally popular events.

Yes, combining a wildlife safari with a relaxing beach stay in Zanzibar is one of East Africa's classic travel experiences. Karibu can coordinate a seamless itinerary that includes game viewing across the northern circuit, followed by a direct flight from the Serengeti, departing Seronera or Kogatende airstrips, to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for a beach holiday.