About Us
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Explore Tanzania Destinations with Shidolya Tours & Safaris
Shidolya Tours and Safaris is a premier tour operator with over 35 years of experience providing top-quality safaris and travel services in Tanzania and beyond. We are a fully registered company based in Arusha, Tanzania, and we are proud members of several reputable tourism associations, including TATO, TALA, TTB, and ATTA.
At Shidolya Tours and Safaris, we specialize in offering unforgettable safaris and tours to some of the most beautiful destinations in Africa. Whether you want to witness the great migration in Tanzania and Kenya, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru, trek to see gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda, relax on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, or experience the thrills of Victoria Rafting in Zambia, we have the expertise and experience to ensure that you have a safe, satisfying, and memorable holiday.
We offer a range of safari packages to suit every budget and preference, including budget, standard, and luxury options. Our safaris are available all year round, and we can also customize them to meet your unique needs, whether you are traveling for business, as an individual, or as part of a group.
At Shidolya Tours and Safaris, we also specialize in creating tailor-made honeymoon packages and romantic getaways for couples. We understand that your honeymoon or anniversary is a special occasion, and we strive to make it unforgettable.
Our modern office in Arusha is staffed by experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and ensuring that every aspect of your safari or tour is carefully planned and executed. We also offer logistical support for coastal extensions to destinations such as Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba, and Unguja, ensuring that you have a seamless and hassle-free travel experience.
At Shidolya Tours and Safaris, our mission is to provide our clients with an exceptional travel experience that exceeds their expectations. We are committed to providing high-quality service, exceptional value, and unparalleled attention to detail, and we look forward to welcoming you to Africa for your next adventure.
We are also represented on Safaribookings.com
Mission and Vision Statements
At Shidolya Tours and Safaris, we believe that travel is more than just visiting new places and taking pictures. We believe that travel is an opportunity to broaden your horizons, challenge yourself, and connect with the world around you. Our philosophy is rooted in the idea that every traveler deserves a unique and unforgettable experience that reflects their individual interests, preferences, and values.
We understand that every traveler is different, and we strive to create tailor-made safaris and tours that cater to the specific needs and expectations of our clients. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to providing exceptional customer service, and we take great pride in our ability to anticipate our clients’ needs and exceed their expectations.
At Shidolya Tours and Safaris, we are also committed to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices that respect the natural environment and local communities. We believe that tourism has the power to positively impact the places we visit, and we strive to ensure that our tours and safaris benefit the local economy and environment in a responsible and sustainable way.
Our mission is to provide our clients with a truly unique and memorable travel experience that reflects their individual interests, preferences, and values. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service, exceptional value, and unparalleled attention to detail, and we look forward to welcoming you to Africa for your next adventure.
Shidolya Tours’ vision is to provide unparalleled, authentic and personalized travel experiences to its clients, while prioritizing their safety, comfort, and satisfaction. We are dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and supporting local communities, and aim to offer our clients the opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions of the places they visit. Our team of travel experts are passionate and knowledgeable, and we strive to set new standards in quality and service, inspiring our clients to explore the world with confidence and create lifelong memories.
our story
We have been operating for over 35 years.
Shidolya Tours and safaris is a fully registered company operating in Arusha-Tanzania. We are a member of TATO (Tanzania Association for Tourism Operators), TALA (Tourist Agent license/Tourist Hotels & lodges), TTB (Tanzania Tourist Board) & ATTA (African Travel and Tourism Association).
Visit Africa anytime (Tanzania & Kenya- To enjoy Great migration, Mt climbing, Rwanda & Uganda for Gorilla Trekking, Zanzibar to relax at white sandy beaches and Zambia for Victoria Rafting) with us, assuring you maximum safety, satisfaction and a memorable holiday.
We offer top-quality Safaris either Budget, Standard or Luxury all seasons, all year round. Tailor-made, customizing it to your very needs be they business, individual or group travels.
We do wonderful Honeymoon packages for all the couples out there without forgetting all those who want to celebrate their Anniversaries; we offer the best Romantic get-away. (Find us at DWHA- Britain’s only magazine dedicated to getting married and honeymooning abroad).
Our modern office in Arusha is designated to manage all logistics involved in planning the highest standard of safaris, travel arrangements and coastal extensions (Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba, and Unguja) not forgetting Mt Kilimanjaro & Mt Meru climb
WHAT MAKES US BE THE BEST!
Being based in Tanzania, gives us many advantages over a foreign based company. We understand Tanzania, and are familiar with each of the places our customers go. We are able to frequently go out and inspect the quality of each places, site, hotel, and restaurant, which allows us to ensure that all of our tours are unsurpassed in quality.
We have an innovative and dynamic team of travel experts at your service. Our local suppliers throughout the country are carefully selected. On top of that, we keep a close eye on the quality of every single service they deliver. Our knowledge and experience enables us to identify the most suitable tours and activities for you, allowing you to make the most of your time away.
We have always said our strength is in our guides. We choose them very carefully, not only for the knowledge they bring, but also for their ability to share it with you. They are congenial, efficient and will make sure that you have a great time while making sure you get the insider’s view.
Our clients’ satisfaction is our priority. That is why we work only with the qualified tour-guides, hotels and restaurants. Wherever you need us, we are always there for you. You can easily contact us on e-mail or by phone, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook and other social media platforms. We are happy to have you as a part of our community.
USEFUL INFORMATION
BEFORE GOING TO TANZANIA!
To enter in Tanzania a valid passport for at least 6 months from the date of entry is required. Kindly ensure that you have at least 3 blank pages for the entry and exist stamps. A valid return ticket is also required. Visitor from the following Nationalities do not require visas; British, Danish, Irish, Finnish, Icelandic, Kenyan; Norwegian, Singaporean, South Africa, Swedish and Zimbabwean. For the other countries please consult with your nearest Tanzania consulate about visa requirements.
Travelling within Zanzibar is mainly facilitated by the initiations of the private sector small enterprises. Several companies operate shuttled transfers to and from the entry points. It is important to note that in self driving services you have to fulfill certain requirements including possession of a valid international driving license. Currently most of the roads are tarmac and are passable throughout the year. Zanzibar uses the left hand driving model.
Tanzania uses shillings (Tanzania shillings) as its National Currency, which is both, notes and coins. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the Bureaus, Banks and some Hotels. Credit cards including Traveler’s cheques are widely accepted in Zanzibar, most common Master Cards, Visa and America Express.
Being situated near the equator Zanzibar is generally warm and humid throughout the year and as such it is advisable to wear light and decent clothes. In winter time along the beach, the condition may be relatively cooler and sometime windy. Sun glasses are recommended especially to the first time visitor.
As an Island Zanzibar can only be reached either by air or water. It is connected to international World by several airlines directly or otherwise, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Air, Fly Dubai, Oman Air and Kenya Airways connected to the rest of the world. Zanzibar is also served by scheduled charter companies.
ZANZIBAR
A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND IN AFRICA
Zanzibar has lured traders, adventurers, plunderers and explorers to its shores for centuries. The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Some, particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle and rule. With this influence, Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic (97%) – the remaining 3% is made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century. The earliest building that remains on Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi, which dates from 1107, and is a present-day tourist attraction.
For centuries the Arabs sailed with the monsoon winds from Oman to trade primarily in ivory, slaves and spices. The two main islands, Unguja (normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, provided an ideal base for the Omani Arabs, being relatively small, and therefore fairly easy to defend. Indeed, in 1832, Sultan Seyyid Said, of the Busaid dynasty that had emerged in Oman, moved his Sultanate from Muscat to Zanzibar, perhaps making it easier to protect, where he and his descendants ruled for over 130 years. Most of the wealth lay in the hands of the Arab community, who were the main landowners at that time. They kept themselves to themselves, and generally did not intermarry with the Africans.
This was not true of the Shirazi Persians who came from the Middle East to settle on the East African coast. The story goes that in AD 975, Abi Ben Sultan Hasan of Shiraz in Persia (now Iran) had a terrible nightmare in which a rat devoured the foundations of his house. He took this as an omen that his community was to be devastated. Others in the Shirazi court ridiculed the notion, but Sultan Hasan, his family and some followers obviously took it very seriously and they decided to migrate. They set out in seven dhows into the Indian Ocean but were caught in a huge storm and separated. Thus, landfalls were made at seven different places along the East African coast, one of which was Zanzibar, and settlements began.