It’s very simple. If you really want to connect with the African bush, just put yourself right out there. Because we know the bush, and we know what’s safe and what’s comfortable, we can make this happen. We desert the lodge and walk with you into the big beyond. The further we go, the deeper the wilderness, the bigger it feels.
At some point, we come upon our camp-out spot and home for one night. There’s a murmur of voices, the fire is lit. It feels secure and cosy, though we know that only the finest line is drawn between us and wild Africa.
In our fly-camps we strip away all but the necessities to get you as close to the Africa wilderness as you’ll ever want to be. We give you safety and comfort, a proper, sweet sleep under the stars, and a major bucket-list experience.
Nomad could write a big book on “miles from anywhere”; fly-camping would dominate a couple of chapters. The point is to disappear…so we do just that, to some sweet spot near water like a sandy riverbank fringed with iconic Africa – trees full of monkeys, hippos snorting, fish eagles fixing you with their beady eyes.
A string of camps in some of the wildest places on the planet. A front row seat to the best wildlife in Africa. Backstage is the engine room for opportunity.
Fly-camping is very, very Selous. Exploring this area means being witness to the natural world at it most secretive. No better way to do this than by stealing away with a Nomad naturalist guide to a hidden part of the reserve to see what we can see.
Our needs, refined over our many years of doing this, are pretty simple: a bedroll, with fresh clean linens, laid out in a mosi-net tent; a swinging bucket converted into the best bush hot shower; something to sit on; something to eat off; a shady tree; a light breeze; and a night sky full of stars.
You’ll feel a genuine sense of adventure, as you go further and further away from the lodge, and deeper into the bush. It will feel like shedding a skin. Daytimes will be exciting: observing larger mammals on foot. While at night, there will be peace and the night calls of the bush, by a crackling fire.
Yes, some camps have minimum age limits, in camp and especially on walking safaris. But there are many brilliant private or family properties that can tailor the age restrictions.
The transport networks in Tanzania are very good with internal flight schedules across the country. It is possible to fly into the parks and land at one of the bush airstrips. From there, most lodges will arrange for a transfer journey from airstrip to the lodge. Depending on the lodge location, this can vary in journey time. Or, if you opt for a driving safari in northern Tanzania, your guide (included as standard with Nomad) will transport you from location to location.
Tanzania is a year round destination, especially in Northern Tanzania. So your visit often depends on family schedules or particular wildlife experiences on the bucket list. We love January to March in Ngorongoro and southern Serengeti Plains when the air is clear, nice temperatures and the migration arrives in town for calving season. This is an extraordinary time to be there.
We advise against drinking the tap water in Tanzania and as such, we provide safe drinking water in all camps and vehicles so guests can remain well hydrated throughout their trip.
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.
The cost of a safari does vary, from simple bush camps or tented camps to high-end luxury or private houses. In Tanzania, there is a wide spectrum of accommodation allowing travellers to mix and match, building tailormade itineraries to suit a budget. Specialist tour operators are able to advise on the best options for your budget. Included in the safari cost is access to the wild, expert guides and unique experiences.
Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible.
There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.
Not all travellers into Tanzania require a visa. You must have a single entry tourist visa or business visa, is the general rule but there are country exemptions from this. On the most part, single entry or business visas can be obtained on arrival but we recommend where possible, to process the visa online ahead of travel - just make sure you allow enough time to do so!
