Taata Discoveries
FAQs
Common Questions About Our Safaris
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Who Guides our Adventure?
The staff at Taata Discoveries truly set us apart! On any adventure the guides are the most important factor in ensuring the safety, enjoyment and overall success of the trip. We consider our staff to be among the best in the industry. Our guides are historians, comedians, medics, chefs, drivers, storytellers and remain the single most complimented component of our company organization. Our staff is professional, playful and ever mindful of your wants and needs. Their enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious.
What if the Weather is Bad?
If the adventure of climbing the tallest mountain in Africa goes rain or shine unless the conditions are deemed to be unsafe. A full refund will be issued if a trip of climbing the mountain is cancelled but all other adventures are possible hundred percent. At Taata Discoveries, safety is our primary concern, so we do reserve the right to move the trip to a different program depending on changing issues that we agree together.
How is the Food?
Taata Discoveries takes pride in the food we serve on. The meals we serve on our adventures are hearty and healthy, complete with fresh fruit and homemade desserts. Our famous styles of cooking and serving dishes to our clients have something to offer for even the pickiest of eaters. We are happy to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, food allergies and other special dietary considerations as long as you tell us of your needs ahead of the trips departure. We serve food that is freshly made on local ingredients and that reflects local indigenous dishes. Your food is prepaid by our local chefs. They serve delicious food like meat, rice, potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables. Our chefs make fresh bread and pancakes every day. We cater for all diets; just let us know in advance if you have food restrictions.
Do you Provide Transportation?
Taata Discoveries provide complimentary transportation to and from all its adventures planned as our destinations of our guests. Our drivers are cautious, responsible and have all been trained to drive safely on the roads they navigate.
Are your trips safe?
We are committed to providing safe environment for you, while acknowledging the risks inherent in any travel. Your health and safety are the key drivers of any decisions. Before your trip, we send you an information letter that contains all vital information concerning safety on your trip. This information includes the most important emergency numbers, vaccination requirements and our safety instructions, among other things. Your responsibility is to follow any given instructions from us. U.S. Government provides safety and security information online for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. You can check the country information.
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How is your Accommodation?
On our trips, you may have a few nights in a 3 to 4-star lodges on your arrival and departure dates. At the bush, you sleep in a tent (single share). Tents are comfortable and big enough so you can stand inside your tent. We provide all camping supplies. We travel in remote areas where is no electricity but your tent is lighted up with solar lamps. Our bush camp is guarded 24/7. If we camp inside National Parks or Conservation Areas we have also a ranger.
How about sanitation and Hygiene?
While staying in the wild, we use a camping toilet. In some of our adventures you may have to use bush toilet, if there is no possibility to use a camping toilet. We have always a bucket of water and soap for hand washing. We don't have shower facilities but you have a bucket of hot water to wash yourself every day. During the day, a packet of wipes covers and a hand sanitizer help to cover your basic hygiene needs also.
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Is it dangerous to camp in the wild?
Camping in nature is generally safe and being in close contact with nature is good for our well-being. Your hosts are indigenous people who have deep knowledge of the area and they know it better than any other local. In Tanzania, you sleep in a tent that is set up in our bush camp. The bush camp is guarded 24/7 by our Maasai warriors or by a ranger if we camp inside a National Park. You should not leave your tent alone at night. A Maasai warrior or ranger will escort you if you need to go outside at night.
How to be safe with wild animals?
The Maasai and the Hadzabe have co-existed thousands of years with wild animals in Tanzania. There are a few rules you should follow.
1. Don’t swim or wash your hands in rivers or lakes because there can be hippos and crocodiles unless the river or lakes recommended to be safe for swimming. If you swim on fresh water you may get Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever and bilharzia.
2. Never try to pet, handle or feed animals. Any animal can bite, scratch, kick or otherwise injure you. Rabies virus infects domestic and wild animals and is spread to people through close contact with infected animals’ saliva via bites or scratches. The main threats come from dogs and cats but also from bats and monkeys.
3. Don’t leave your tent at night.
4. Always follow the instructions given by your Maasai or Hadzabe guides.
How do our Safaris impact Indigenous peoples?
Taata Discoveries protects the rights of the indigenous peoples. We work with Indigenous peoples who have an interest in sustainable Indigenous tourism. All out safaris are planned, designed and implemented by the Indigenous peoples themselves, like the Maasai and the Hadzabe. We support and embrace their languages, cultures, traditional dressing, beliefs, and traditional knowledge systems. Our mission is to support indigenous peoples’ economic development and human well-being.
Are your trips suitable for everyone?
We don’t have age limits on our trips. Our experiences are suitable for all travelers who enjoy being in nature and outdoors. The trips are not physically demanding and we have hosted families with young children too. The amenities are basic ones, such as a portable toilet and a bucket shower. All our trips take place in nature where there is no electricity.
Can I take photos on people?
On our trips indigenous peoples are your hosts, who open their homes for you. For them, you are a guest, not a tourist. Therefore you are allowed to take photos on people, animals and landscape freely. When you are in towns, cities or when you see other people than our hosts you should always ask permission before you take a photo.
Which payment do you approve?
You can pay your trip with a credit card or via bank transfer. When you book a trip, you need to pay a booking fee immediately to secure your place. The rest need to be paid 14-30 days before to departure depending on the trip.
What if I get sick?
Tell us immediately if you feel sick. You’ll be taken to the nearest hospital in case you need to see a doctor. Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your responsibility to acquire travel insurance before the stay. As we operate in remote areas, we recommend travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation plan so you get evacuated to modern medical care as soon as possible.
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Your responsibility is to take care of all vaccinations and medications needed on your trip. Antimalarial medication is recommended for travel in Tanzania. We’ll send you an information letter that includes health information.
How can I contribute more?
Taata Discoveries pays directly to the indigenous hosts but we also support the broader indigenous community. We give back to the projects that have been planned by the indigenous peoples themselves based on their needs. For example, we buy health insurances for Maasai women so women can take their children to all governmental clinics and other hospitals in Tanzania. We can help the communities on other various projects for their wellbeing. You can see how your trip helps local people. If you like, you can continue to give support on the project of your host family and community after you have returned home. Contact us for further details.
BOOKINGS & RESERVATION INFORMATION
Securing your space on Taata Discoveries with its adventure is easy. Simply call +255784954910 and speak to a member of our knowledgeable adventure consultant team, use our online information request by simply completing your reservation online. If you are unsure which adventure best fits your needs let our team of adventure consultants guide you through the process, ensuring you find the perfect adventure that fits your needs and desires. We can arrange the best program or itinerary for you. However, Taata Discoveries will do everything possible to accommodate last-minute reservations.