Tanzania travel agency
Who are we?

Specialists of safari
and exceptional trips to Tanzania

Our professional guides support and accompany you throughout your safari, playing a key role in the success of your trip. Some of them have been with us since the inception of our travel agency in Tanzania in 1996, helping us preserve our expertise. They speak French and ensure that your journey runs smoothly. Always alert to wildlife and weather conditions, they are dedicated to showcasing the best of Tanzania while respecting your preferences and suggestions. They are also drivers and mechanics.

We can proudly say that our guides are the cornerstone of our travel agency’s reputation in Tanzania!

Tanzania Travel Agency

Our consultants are all French-speaking and available by phone and email. They are dedicated to listening to you and helping craft a tailor-made trip. They regularly test the trips themselves and have a deep personal knowledge of the destination. With their vast experience, they will not hesitate to give you their honest advice and personal opinions.

Meet the team
Short safaris

Gerard

Founder

At the heart of Corto Safaris and an enthusiast of the African continent… since 1981 he has travelled across wild open spaces in search of adventure and beautiful sceneries. He became a professor at the university of Dar es Salaam from 1987 to 1993 before his passions led him to becoming a true specialist of Tanzania.

Hellen

Founder

From the renown Chagga tribe in Tanzania, Hellen has lived at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro her whole life. She graduated from the University of Dar es Salaam in Political Science in 1991 before making the decision to share the beauty of her country with all those who are tempted by adventure. Sharing a mutual passion for Tanzania with Gerard, she joined him, and together, they founded Corto Safaris.

Marie

Deputy Director General

Marie has always had a passion for travel and spends all her free time exploring the world. Tanzania was her first discovery of Africa in 2012, and when she first stood before a sunset over the Rift Valley, she knew she would stay and work here.

Lilou

Director General

Born in the heart of adventure, Lilou grew up between the plains of Serengeti and the dense forests of Marangu. Her mother, of Chagga origin, conveyed to her a passion for the country. Meanwhile, her father a desire to lead a life of adventure. Second-last born of the Corto tribe, it is with pride that she is takes on the family’s tradition.

Laurene

Specialised consultant

Self-taught, it is after a few years of work in customer service that Laurene joined the team in 2012. She fell in love with Africa in the middle of a fragrant market somewhere in between Bobo Dioulasso and Arusha. She promised herself to keep a permanent link with this place she loves so dearly.

Anais

Operations Assistant

"Immersed in it" from a young age with her Tanzanian mother and French father, Anaïs is eager to introduce you to her country's culture. Fluent in French, English, and Swahili, she is ready to meet all your expectations in sharing the dreams and myths of her childhood.

Aggrey

Head Administrator

At Corto Safaris since 2008, Aggrey is one of the longest-serving members of the team. He works in the accounting and administration department. A key player in our Tanzanian travel agency, he knows the business inside and out. Aggrey is particularly responsible for complex national park tax payments.

Julius

Workshop Manager

Born in Mwanza, Julius has always been passionate about mechanics. His father drove a 'Dala Dala,' and Julius spent his free time repairing the minibus in their yard and after secondary school, he trained as a mechanic. Since 2012, he has been part of the Corto family. Before every safari departure, each vehicle is inspected under his expert eye.

Nicholas

Mechanic

A car enthusiast from an early age, Nicolas grew up with mechanics and drivers, observing their work. Since 2015, he has made a place for himself among them and prepares safari cars before your trips. Nicolas speaks French and Swahili fluently.

Wound

Mechanic

Duka is an exceptional mechanic with a genuine passion for keeping operations running smoothly. Years of experience have equipped him with valuable skills in vehicle maintenance and workshop management. His positive attitude and dedication make him an essential member of the team.

Ally

Safari guide

Ally is our longest-serving guide at Corto Safaris, and one of our ambassadors in the wilderness! Originally from Kilimanjaro, from the Pare tribe. He is an animal lover and more particularly of the majestic leopard, so much so that he has tattooed one on his arm. With his extensive knowledge, you will enjoy conversing with him.

Swedish

Safari guide

Born in Kigoma among the Muha tribe, Swedi began his career as a teacher. However, his passion for his country quickly pushed him to work in tourism and accompany visitors to discover his country. He began with the Mount Kilimanjaro ascensions and now, safaris.

Wilfred

Safari guide

Wilfred is one of our longest-serving drivers. He started out as a guide on Kilimanjaro, where he is originally from. He has always had a passion for machinery, and soon gave up his first job on the mountain to become a mechanic. Eventually, he became one of our best safari guides.

Mohamed

Safari guide

Mohammed embodies the joy of living! He was born in Mbulu between Lake Babati and Lake Eyasi and is part of the Zigua tribe, originally from the Tanga region on the east coast. Always in a good mood and a prankster, our national «Super Momo» knows Tanzania like the back of his hand and has plenty more surprises in store for you.

Godspeed

Safari guide

With a Chagga father (a tribe originating from Mount Kilimanjaro) and a Meru mother (a tribe originating from Mount Meru), Godlisten is a child of the region. With his exemplary kindness and seriousness, Godlisten will do everything in the realm of possibility to ensure that your trip is a magical one!

Madiba

Safari guide

Born in Dar Es Salaam but originally from the Nyakyusa tribe in south-west Tanzania, Madiba is a nature-enthusiast. It was for this very reason that he decided to become a professional guide, in order to share this passion with as many people as possible. He is always available and ready to listen.

Faraji

Safari guide

Originally from the Pare tribe at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Faraji started at a very young age as a porter on Kilimanjaro before becoming a safari guide with our travel agency in Tanzania. A lover of leopards, always calm and respectful of nature, he will help you enjoy the bush.

Bakari

Safari guide

Bakari will surprise you with his level of French and his cultural knowledge. He began his career as a guide on treks, particularly in Maasai counties of Empakai and Nayobi. After training as a driver in the bush and as a mechanic, he now also accompanies you on safaris all over the Northern Circuit.

Erasto

Safari guide

Hailing from Kigoma in western Tanzania, Erasto has been passionate about birds and wildlife since childhood. With his dynamic personality and infectious optimism, Erasto ensures that every safari is an unforgettable adventure.

Abeid

Mountain Guide

The King of Kilimanjaro. Abeid was born in the "Switzerland" of Tanzania: the Usambara Mountains. He still remembers his first ascension! Since then, Abeid has lost count of the number of his expeditions. His calm demeanour, experience, and skills reassures climbers at 5,895 meters.

Frequently Asked Questions

The price of a safari in Tanzania depends on a variety of factors. The number of participants, since some costs, such as the vehicle, are shared. The type of transport: 4×4, planes for certain routes, private charters, etc. And finally the type of accommodation.

The Tanzanian government controls park entrance fees. These taxes are very important in your budget. You can find the prices of these fees on the Tanapa website.

The habit of tipping is very ingrained in Tanzania and you should also take this into account in your holiday budget.

You can travel to Tanzania all year round as long as you adapt your itinerary. Each season will reveal a different but beautiful landscape.

The dry season runs from June to October,where you cand find beauty in the dry landscapes. Evenings can be cool, especially in July and August.

The main rainy season generally extends from April to May. The main concentration of rain falls over two months.

The short rainy season, which starts in mid-October and lasts until February,rains only in the form of short showers. This is when nature is at its most beautiful and verdant.

The hottest months are from December to February..

You can travel to Tanzania with children, the important thing is to adapt the itinerary. Our travel designers are used to this and will be able to recommend the best itinerary according to their age. We can offer you family rooms specially designed to answer the safety questions that all parents ask themselves before taking their children on safari.

Children are generally entitled to a discount on accommodation up to the age of 12. For park taxes, the reduction is up to the age of 16. There is no tax for children aged 4 and under.

Formalities and Visa: For European and Canadian nationals, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return + a Tanzanian visa. The Tanzanian visa can be obtained on arrival or online at least 3 weeks before travel. The cost of a visa for Tanzania is 50 US dollars.

Health: Vaccination against yellow fever is not compulsory for entering Tanzania directly from Europe or North America. Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A/B and typhoid vaccinations are recommended. Vaccination against rabies is also recommended.

Malaria is endemic to the country. Make sure you protect yourself against mosquito bites with repellents, mosquito nets and clothing that covers your arms and legs.
We advise you to make an appointment with your GP or a specialist for further information on this subject.

What to bring: Except for the coast and Zanzibar, it is essential to bring sweaters as the evenings and early mornings are cool. Avoid wearing black and blue on safari, as these colours attract tsetse flies.

You'll also get sunburn if you don't take precautions. Pack an anti-diarrhoeal in your first-aid kit. You should also take insect repellent and medication to combat travel sickness. And don't forget your camera, sunglasses and a pair of binoculars.

Currency and exchange: US dollars and Tanzanian shillings are the main currencies accepted. For US dollars, you will need banknotes dated after 2009.
MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are sometimes accepted in lodges, but not everywhere.

Dress code: On safari, shorts and short-sleeved clothing (T-shirts, blouses, etc.) are not a problem. Watch out for the sun!

On the coast and in the islands, the religion of Islam is predominant, so avoid clothing that could be perceived as an affront to the religion. Wear long sleeves and trousers. On the beaches, avoid any form of nudism or revealing clothing.

Safety: In order to adopt a few safety rules when travelling in town, we recommend that you consult your respective embassy website, under the 'Travelling abroad' tab.

Customs and traditions - Specific legislation: During Ramadan, do not eat or drink in public.
The Zanzibar authorities prohibit homosexual practices. Drugs and narcotics are severely punished. The import of plastic bags is prohibited.

Photographing and filming: When photographing people, do so sparingly and respectfully; try to put yourself in their shoes: how would you like to be photographed, how would you not like to be photographed? And always ask for consent!

You can photograph landscapes without limits! Please note, however, that it is forbidden to photograph military areas and buildings or officers in uniform. The use of drones is prohibited in Tanzania's national parks.

Tipping: Tanzania, like the rest of East Africa, is a country under Anglo-Saxon influence, and tipping has become a way of life here. We will suggest a recommended amount as a guideline only, but you should never feel obliged to give a tip.

It is customary to tip at the various accommodation establishments where you will be staying. Most lodges and camps have tip boxes at reception where you can leave US$10 per room, per night, if you are satisfied with the service. The money is then shared between the staff.

It is also customary to tip your safari team at the end of the safari. As a general rule, we recommend around US$25 per day of safari for your guide.

Electricity: 220 and 230 volts, 50 Hz. Power cuts are fairly frequent. Sockets have three plugs, two horizontal and one vertical. We advise you to bring an adaptor for your electrical devices (UK type) before you leave.
In the lodges, the electricity often stops working after 10 or 10.30pm and starts up again around 6 or 7am.

Time difference: +3h to the UK standard (GMT +4h) in winter, +2h in summer.

Languages: Swahili and English are the official languages. Swahili is of Bantu origin, originally from the coastal region, and includes many words derived from Arabic. Other African languages of Nilotic and Khoisan origin are also spoken.

Rift Valley

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