TATO Membership vs Tour Licence: How to Check an Operator

Quick answer

Two different things get mixed up here. A tourism licence is what makes a Tanzanian tour operator legal. It's issued by the government under the Tourism Act. TATO membership is voluntary. TATO, the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, is the industry's trade association, not a regulator.

So the useful check is both: is the company licensed, and is it a TATO member? You can confirm membership yourself in a couple of minutes on tatotz.org. For the licence, ask the operator for their licence details and check that the company name matches the one on your invoice.

What TATO is

TATO was set up in 1983 to represent licensed tour operators. In its own words, it lobbies government for the industry, runs training and workshops for members, shares tourism research, and gives operators a single voice with policymakers. It's based in Arusha, like most safari companies.

What it is not: TATO doesn't issue operating licences and it doesn't inspect your vehicle before your trip. If someone tells you an operator is "licensed by TATO", that's a sign they've misunderstood how it works.

Who licenses tour operators

A Tanzanian company has to register with BRELA (the business registry) and the tax authority, then apply to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for a tourist agency licence. You'll see it called a TALA licence, after the licensing authority, or a TTLB licence, after the Tourism Licensing Board. The government's business portal lists the steps at business.go.tz.

Safari vehicles are a separate matter. LATRA, the transport regulator, verifies tour vehicles and registers tour drivers, and it has run checks across the country (The Citizen). Tour vehicles also have to carry "Tour Services" markings on the side.

How TATO membership works

Operators apply to the TATO secretariat in Arusha and pay a yearly fee. The fee depends on the size of the business, and the lower rates are only for operators who show a valid TALA or TTLB licence. Without proof of a licence, TATO charges its highest rate. You can read the full fee table on TATO's membership page.

TATO's member list is headed "TATO members, TTLB licensed", which tells you how the association sees its own membership.

How to check an operator in five minutes

1. Go to TATO's members list and use the A to Z index or the search.
2. Open the operator's listing and compare the company name, email and website with the ones you've been dealing with.
3. If the phone number on the listing differs from the one you were given, ask why. Small companies change numbers, but it's a fair question.
4. Ask for the company's licence details and its registered name. The invoice should be in that name.
5. Read reviews on an independent site such as Tripadvisor or SafariBookings, and look at the dates. A handful of recent, detailed reviews tells you more than a big number with no detail.

None of this proves a trip will be good. It does weed out the operators who aren't who they say they are, which is the risk that costs people the most.

Warning signs worth taking seriously

• A price far below every other quote for the same parks and the same number of days. Park fees alone are a big part of the cost, so very cheap usually means something has been left out.
• Pressure to pay a large deposit quickly by wire transfer to a personal account.
• No company name you can find anywhere: not on TATO, not on review sites, not on the invoice.
• Photos on the website that turn up on other operators' sites.

Where we stand

Bald Eagle Safaris Limited is a TATO member, listed under tour operators and mountain trekking operators. You can check our listing here. We're based in Arusha. If you want our licence details or company registration before you pay anything, ask us. It's a reasonable request and we're happy to send them.

Useful pages

• About us
• Reviews
• Safari packages
• What a Tanzania safari costs
• Choosing a Tanzania safari company
• Contact us

Frequently asked questions

Is TATO membership required for tour operators in Tanzania?

No. Membership is voluntary. What operators do need is a government tourism licence (TALA/TTLB), plus a registered business and properly licensed vehicles.

Does TATO license tour operators?

No. Licences come from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. TATO is the trade association that represents licensed operators.

How can I check if a Tanzania operator is a TATO member?

Search the members list at tatotz.org, using the A to Z index or the search box, and compare the listing's name, email and website with the company you're talking to.

Are operators who aren't TATO members unsafe?

Not necessarily. Membership is optional and costs money, so some legitimate small operators aren't members. For them, ask for the licence details and check independent reviews.

What should I ask an operator before paying a deposit?

Their registered company name, their licence details, who your guide will be, what the price includes (park fees especially), and the cancellation terms in writing.