Will I see the Big Five?
Probably four of them. Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard all live on the northern circuit, and leopard is the uncertain one. Rhino is realistic in the Ngorongoro Crater and unlikely anywhere else, and it's often a long way off. Anyone promising you all five is promising something they can't control.
Is it safe?
Tanzania is a well-established destination, and safari travel here is routine. In the towns, the usual precautions for any unfamiliar country apply. In the parks, the rules are there for a reason: stay in the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise, and don't walk between tents at night without an escort. Do check your own government's current travel advice before you book.
Do I need a private vehicle?
You don't need one, but everything we run is private anyway. The difference is control: when you leave, when you come back, how long you stay at a sighting, and whether the whole vehicle has to agree.
Is the water safe to drink?
Stick to bottled or filtered water. Every vehicle carries a supply, camps provide it, and bringing a refillable bottle is easier and better. Single-use plastic bottles are banned in the national parks.
Will there be phone signal and wifi?
Mobile signal is patchy across much of the Serengeti, and reasonable around Arusha and the crater rim. Most camps have wifi in a shared area, and it's usually slow. Plan on being partly out of touch, and let people at home know.
Can I charge my camera?
Yes! Vehicles have charging points and camps have power, though some of the smaller ones run a generator at set hours instead of around the clock. Bring a spare battery either way.
What's the most common regret?
Trying to see too much. Almost nobody comes home wishing they'd visited a fourth park. Plenty wish they'd spent one more night where they already were.