How To Prepare For A Tanzania Safari

How To Prepare For A Tanzania Safari : If you’ve booked a safari in Tanzania, chances are you’ve got an ‘all-inclusive package,’ which means your meals and accommodations are already taken care of. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and go! 

There are a few more things you should consider before traveling to Tanzania, which we have outlined for you. This article makes it simple to prepare for your upcoming Tanzania safari tour, covering everything from important documents and vaccinations to a suggested Tanzania packing list.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is unquestionably Africa’s most beautiful national park. It is a place with stunning natural beauty, fantastic wildlife viewing, snow-white beaches, quaint old cities, and archaeological UNESCO world heritage sites. One of the most dramatic times for a traditional African safari is during Tanzania’s Great Migration, when massive herds of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras thunder across the Serengeti plains. The nation has a lot more to offer including Big Five safari, though. Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, rises 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level from its green, grassy plains. Its snow-capped peak dominates the surroundings.

Additionally, the majority of visitors to Tanzania will end their unforgettable safari and mountain experience with a tranquil and unwinding vacation on Zanzibar’s sugar-white, palm-fringed sands and alluring Spice Island. Tanzania is home to some of the most opulent hotels and lodges in the world, which go perfectly with the breathtaking scenery of the nation.

 A safari in Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your loved ones. No matter if you’re traveling alone, with family, or with a group of friends, you can be sure that this will be a magical experience. Make sure to research the best Tanzania safari, taking into account your interests and the parks or activities to partake in, before booking a safari vacation to Tanzania. The following are some things to take into account as you get ready for a safari:

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO ON A TANZANIA SAFARI?

Tanzania, which is near the equator, enjoys pleasant weather all year. No matter if you’re planning a safari in the national parks, a climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, or a beach vacation in Zanzibar, the amount of precipitation received varies by season, which will have an impact on your safari trip.

The long, dry season, which lasts from June to October, is the best time to visit Tanzania because most days are sunny and there is little chance of significant rainfall. The brief dry season, which runs from January to February and features dry weather with rising humidity, is another popular time to visit Tanzania. Tanzania’s primary rainy season, which lasts from March to May, is not the ideal time to travel there. In Tanzania, it’s typical to experience daily heavy tropical downpours, usually in the late afternoon. The short rains, which occur in November and December, are a different rainy season but are less intense, less frequent, and less dependable than the long rains.

The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti is most likely best viewed in February and March (the beginning of the long rains), when zebra and wildebeest gather and give birth on the vast, treeless plains. In addition to seeing young wildebeest, you can also see plenty of predators. In July and August, the great migration passes through Kenya’s Masai Mara; during this time, you can see breathtaking Grumeti River crossings where crocodiles are devouring their prey. However, it is challenging to forecast the precise timing of this event.

The best times to travel to Zanzibar for a beach vacation are during the long dry season (June to October) or the short dry season (November to March). During the brief rains, it doesn’t rain every day, but there are some days that can be cloudy and overcast. It is best to avoid Zanzibar during the protracted rains.

 On the other hand, July and August, as well as January and February, are the warmest and driest times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Safety is of utmost importance because climbing is significantly riskier when the weather is bad. The effects of cold, rain, mud, snow, and ice can be very taxing on the body. I advise traveling in July or February if you want to combine a safari, a mountain hike, and a beach vacation into one trip.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN TANZANIA

Exceptional wildlife viewing year-round

Tanzania is home to a diverse range of wildlife, intriguing cultures, and stunning natural scenery. It’s a dream location, with everything from the iconic, expansive savannah of the Serengeti to the shores of Lake Manyara lined with flamingos, the natural wonders of Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain). Additionally, it offers must-do activities like chimp trekking through the Mahale and Gombe rainforests and game viewing in the untamed areas of Katavi, Ruaha, and Nyerere National Parks (Selous).

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Tanzania’s most well-known wildlife attraction is without a doubt the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration, which annually involves nearly two million wildebeest and zebra migrating across the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem in response to seasonal rains.

 The majority of the migration is hosted by Tanzania, with two major events occurring in the Serengeti: the spectacular Grumeti River crossings and the mass calving season, when nearly a quarter million calves are born in the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

Tanzania Bush and Beach Vacations

Tanzania’s long tropical coastline and coral-fringed islands are ideal for safaris and beach vacations. You can easily fly from a safari camp to a powder-soft beach in time for sunset cocktails after breakfast. Tanzania’s most beautiful tropical islands for beach and relaxation includes:

ü  Zanzibar is one of the world’s most intriguing honeymoon destinations.

ü  Pemba Island has some of the world’s best diving.

ü  From October to April, Mafia Island is the best place to swim with migrating whale sharks.

Tanzania complements other East African safari destinations such as Kenya (home of the Masai Mara), Uganda, and Rwanda (exhilarating gorilla trekking expeditions). As a result, you can combine your Tanzania safari with either Kenya’s Masai Mara or Uganda’s gorilla trekking.

GETTING AROUND IN TANZANIA

Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania, which is easily obtained at the airport or border crossing point and typically has a three-month validity. However, check before you travel, as some nationalities might need to apply for one in advance. Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam both receive international flights every day, but Julius Nyerere is the country’s primary airport. Even the most remote resorts can be reached thanks to the many domestic flights, which is especially useful during the rainy season when national parks may become inaccessible by road. Many lodges have a local or private airstrip of their own.

Most tour companies such as Focus East Africa Tours offer a driver and guide to help tourists navigate the highways and national parks by car. The Tazara Railway is a breathtaking off-the-beaten-path journey that travels past towns and national parks on its route from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Moshi in Zambia. However, be prepared for delays; this is for people who don’t mind waiting. Nevertheless, it is probably among the best ways to explore and experience Tanzania.

How To Prepare For A Tanzania Safari
Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha

BUDGET FOR A SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Tanzania is regarded as one of the most expensive safari destinations in Africa, but it is also one of the most stunning. As a result, a safari in Tanzania must require a sizable budget. Prices increase along with the increase in lodging rates.  However, keep in mind that the majority of the money spent on a safari goes to the rental car, park fees, fuel, and lodging.

ACCOMMODATION IN TANZANIA

The kind of lodging you select for your Tanzania safari will influence the safari cost/price significantly. Numerous lodging choices are available, including:

Luxury Lodges

The most expensive type of lodging is luxury lodging. The most expensive options, for those who can afford them, will make the safari surpass all expectations, both when driving through the park and when you enter magnificent environments. In addition, the service is first-rate, and the rooms are tastefully furnished with premium materials. 

Standard Lodges

These are the standard lodges, which are comparable to three-star hotels. Some of these lodges have bars and swimming pools, and the restaurant serves meals. In addition to other amenities, each room has its own bathroom and air conditioning.

Permanent tent camps

Permanent tented camps offer a great compromise between traditional lodges and camping and are occasionally even better than conventional lodges. They offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the national parks’ natural beauty in an area “without fence.” There are beds, private bathrooms, and hot showers in these full-service tents. All campgrounds with tented accommodations have dining establishments, bars, and swimming pools.

PACKING LIST FOR A SAFARI TO TANZANIA

A waterproof bag is essential if you’re going somewhere dry because it carries your belongings and shields them from rain and dust.

If you’re going on a safari, shoes are absolutely essential! Bring some comfortable, lightweight, waterproof shoes with you, along with a spare pair of flip-flops or sandals for when you return from a day of sightseeing.

To avoid being bitten by a mosquito (which could carry malaria), bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and insect repellent.

Bring layers, including long pants, long-sleeved tops, and warm clothing for the chilly nights, in addition to the necessary tropical clothing. Avoid Dark hues like blue and black in clothing since they attracts tsetse flies. Avoid wearing white clothing, which can easily become dirty and dusty, and pack light, neutral-colored clothing instead.

In-car game drives are a great time to use binoculars. Bring extra binoculars or a camera with a powerful zoom since off-roading is not permitted in national parks.

GENERAL TRAVEL SAFETY ADVICE FOR TANZANIA

Tanzania’s official languages are Swahili and English.

The official currency is the Tanzanian shilling, which can be purchased at ATMs or through money exchange companies. Additionally, you can pay with US dollars or a credit card at safari camps and lodges.

Even if you are just asking for directions, always introduce yourself politely before starting a conversation. It’s customary to shake hands when meeting someone new, and hand contact may last longer than usual.

Prior to taking someone’s picture, kindly ask for permission.

In safari lodges and on Zanzibar beaches, shorts, t-shirts, and beachwear are acceptable, but dress modestly in urban areas by covering your shoulders and knees.

Travel to Tanzania outside of the peak season for the best deals, when lodges reduce their prices and there are fewer visitors to share your wildlife encounters with.

When preparing for your Tanzania safari, pack lightly. Small planes have strict baggage policies that typically only allow you to bring on one soft-sided bag that weighs no more than 15kg. In some campgrounds and lodges, laundry services are free.

Tipping is entirely optional in Tanzania, but the suggested amounts are US$15–20 per person, per day, for a guide (which you can give to your guide when you leave), and US$10–15 per person, per night, for camp staff (this is typically placed in a communal tip box and distributed equally among the staff). Furthermore, tips can be given in US dollars or Tanzania shillings.