Ultimate Sky Safari Northern Tanzania

We, GreenHippo Travels, are a safari company with a social and sustainable mission. We believe that tourism can make the world a little more beautiful if it is done responsibly.

But what is really done by GreenHippo Travels in Tanzania with respect to sustainable travel?

• We prefer to use small-scale accommodations located in beautiful locations. Often you sleep in Tanzania under canvas, in a so-called tented camp in the National Parks, which is of course much more sustainable than sleeping in a permanent hotel and it is also more special. We select the accommodations on the basis of how: they care for their people, how plastic is handled, their waste policy, how energy and water are handled, whether child labour is protected, whether local suppliers are used, if they support local communities and of course the charm and location of the accommodation. We visit the accommodations we use in our itineraries at least once a year in order to make sure these standards are upheld.
• At most accommodations in Tanzania, it is common for drinking water to be provided in the rooms to brush your teeth. Drinking from the tap is not safe. Most of the lodges and tented camps we use have glass water bottles in the rooms. We discourage plastic water bottles in the rooms. We don't always succeed, but we do our best and send an email every quarter to the accommodations that have not yet introduced a none plastic bottle policy.
• We ask our travellers to bring their own refillable water bottle for use during their trip. Each of our safari vehicles has a 20-liter container with clean drinking water equipped with a tap so it is easy to refill your drinking bottle.
• Entrance fees for the National Parks in Tanzania are relatively high. However, it is good to realize that these entrance fees contribute to the conservation and upkeep of the parks and its wildlife. In addition, it generates income and stimulates the population to protect nature.
• During a trip to Tanzania, you'll leave the accommodation in the morning to go on a game drive. Generally you are given, by the accommodation, each your own cardboard lunch box. In this lunch box there is plastic cutlery that is also wrapped in plastic, the lunch itself is often wrapped in plastic. After lunch, there's a whole pile of trash left. GreenHippo Travels does it differently, On our safaris we use pick nick boxes containing a tablecloth, plates, cutlery and so-called iron hot pots containing your lunch. After lunch, there is no waste (especially no plastic). The dishes are cleaned in at the accommodation in the evening and the next morning the pick nick box is re-filled with nice fresh food. In the pick nick box, there is also hot water to make your own coffee or tea on the go. Sustainable and so cosy! It doesn't work everywhere yet, but where possible we replace the standard cardboard lunch boxes with our own pick nick boxes.
• We pay fair salaries and have good working conditions for our colleagues and guides.
• We do not organize tours were guest are encourage to closely interact with animals (swimming with dolphins, petting, touching etc).
• We would like local people to benefit from tourism. In this way, not only the burdens (pressure, pollution, use of facilities such as water, electricity), but also the benefits (employment, development, income) end up with them. Small-scale projects give you the opportunity to get to know the local population, really interact with them and understand more about each other's world. Isn't that just one of the important reasons to make a long journey?
• Visiting children's homes and schools is always a difficult consideration in whether these visits have a positive impact on the children staying there. However, we are happy to support lodges such as Rhotia Valley and Kiboko Lodge by booking them for our guests. The revenue of these lodges goes directly to the support and education of street children and orphans. This way,  through your stay at these lodges, you  support these children in a responsible way.
• Who knows their own country best? Of course the local population! That's why it's highly recommended to go out with a local guide. He can tell you all about the culture, the sights and everyday life.

How can you help during your  journey?

• Bring your own refillable water bottle on your trip, which avoids a lot of plastic water bottle waste.
• Bring your own shopping bag. Plastic bags are prohibited in Tanzania. In the supermarket or at the shops you can buy fabric bags. Of course, it is better and cheaper to bring your own folding carrier bag from home.
• Do not use the free water bottles in the hotel rooms. Some hotels put plastic bottles of water on your bedside table as a service.
• Refuse plastic straws in drinks (maybe bring your own reusable one). A straw seems small, but straws contribute to a large part of the plastic soup in the oceans.
• In your hotel room there are often toiletries in plastic packaging. Please use your own soap and shampoo if the hotel is not using the refillable packaging.
• If you buy a bottle of soda on the way, a glass bottle is better than a plastic bottle.
• Of course, we respect the local culture and traditions. Sometimes that requires custom clothing, for example in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Local custom asks of the ladies, covered shoulders and legs when walking in public areas. You’ll notice that this is much appreciated.
• We ask of you to not hand out pens, balloons, toys and candies to children, this prevents them from learning that begging pays off. If you want to give something, donate it to a project that benefits the whole community. It is also good to buy items in Tanzania, so you indirectly also support the local economy.
• Buying souvenirs in local shops, eating and drinking in the local bars and restaurants and doing excursions with local guides ensures that the Tanzanian people benefit from your stay.
• Don't forget to turn off the light and air conditioning when you leave your room. It doesn't always happen by itself, sometimes you have to look for the buttons, but they are there.
• Water is scarce in Tanzania. Do not shower too long and do not let the tap run while brushing your teeth.
• If you stay in one spot for several nights, it is a small effort to hang the used towels so that they do not need to be washed every day. Good for the environment!
• Learn some words of Swahili, which makes it easy to make friends.
• Be respectful in taking photos of people. Always ask permission.
• If you notice that some things in your accommodation or place you visit are not so environmentally friendly or sustainable, please help us to address this. Explain to the waiter why you don't want a straw, ask the hotel why you can't refill your water bottle etc.. If many travelers do this, then the message will definitely come across!

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."

Terms & Conditions

General

GreenHippo Travels organizes safaris, beach holidays, mountain climbing expeditions and complete private safaris and tour packages in Tanzania. Please read the below terms and conditions carefully, because they apply to all agreements that you enter in with GreenHippo Travels.

The booking

Bookings and subsequent agreements shall be deemed to have been concluded in Arusha, Tanzania and shall be interpreted according to the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Deposit & Payment

• A deposit payment of 30% of the total invoice amount has to be paid within 14 days after the invoice date.
• The remaining amount is due 60 days before arrival.
• Once we have received the amount on our bank account we will send you a confirmation.
• Please note that bank transfer costs should be covered by the sender. The amount shown on the invoice is the amount that needs to reflect in our account and should bank charges have been conducted, we would have to invoice you subsequently.

Booking amendments

For amendments of existing bookings done by the client a handling fee of USD 100 per booking applies.

Insurance

A comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and we recommend you to insure for cancellation of your trip as well. If you already have a travel insurance, we strongly advise you to check your coverage.

Cancellations

In case you may need to cancel your trip please notify us by email. Cancellations shall be effective on the date that we receive your cancellation request. The following cancellation fees apply:

• Cancellation up to 60 days before the day of arrival: 30% of the total amount
• Cancellation from 60 to 45 days before the day of arrival: 50% of the total amount
• Cancellation from 45 days to the day of arrival: 100% of the total amount
• No refunds will be given for any unused services, late arrivals or no-shows.

Passports, Visas and other travel papers

• It is the client’s soles responsibility to ensure that passports, visas, health certificates, proof of vaccinations and any other documentation required are all in order.
• GreenHippo Travels cannot be held responsible for any consequences, damages or claims if the client does not attend correctly to the client’s documentation and related matters prior to commencement of the tour.

Transportation

Every effort is made to ensure that the safari vehicles are provided in a roadworthy condition but no liability can be accepted for a puncture, breakdown, damage or delay as a result of the poor road conditions.

Wildlife

It is a privilege to see animals in their natural habitat but we cannot guarantee the spotting or viewing of a specific animal. You must take caution when viewing wild, keep a minimum distance and carefully follow the instructions given by your tour guide or ranger.

Complaints

Complaints must be reported immediately to the GreenHippo Travels head office and to the supplier of the service, who will do their utmost best to resolve the matter. If the problem is not solved to your satisfaction, your complaint should be reported in writing, not later than 2 weeks after completion of your tour.

Liability

Whilst GreenHippo Travels will exercise utmost care in dealing with you as our esteemed guest and your belongings, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings, personal injury or death. It is therefore mandatory to have a comprehensive travel insurance when traveling.

Marketing

GreenHippo Travels reserves the right to use any photographs and videos taken during tours for marketing or any other advertising material.

Force Majeure

Unforeseen circumstances including but not limited to war, mechanical breakdowns, weather, riots and other unforeseen reasons beyond the control of GreenHippo Travels may cause delays or alterations to the tour. GreenHippo Travels shall not be held liable in any way for any of these possible occurrences or any consequences, which may arise as a result of this.

Change in rates

We reserve the right to make changes and adjustments to our rates at any time. In the event of a change in government taxes, concession fees, wildlife management fees or others, we reserve the right to pass these on to our clients, even if the trip is already fully or partly paid for.

Further information

If you have any questions, please contact office@greenhippotravels.com