Self Drive Safari in Tanzania
Self Drive Safari in Tanzania : Tanzania is a popular East African safari destination because it is home to the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration and Africa’s highest mountain peak, among other things. With a self-drive safari in Tanzania, you can independently discover the amazing landscape, variety of species, and ancient cultures.
Investigate Tanzania’s 4WD You can travel around Tanzania at your own pace with a Land Rover or Toyota. Since there won’t be anyone to give you advice on where to go, what to do, what to see, and a host of other activities, self-drive safari trips are the best option for travellers who want to feel the true adventure of a safari. In Tanzania’s national parks, self-driving is both guaranteed and allowed throughout the year.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN TANZANIA
RENTING A CAR FOR A SELF-DRIVE SAFARI
The first and most important step in organising your self-drive safari in Tanzania is renting a car, which also entails selecting a suitable vehicle for your safari. There are still dirt roads in the country, even though the majority of it has paved roads. Therefore, the best option is always a 4WD vehicle that can handle any kind of terrain to any destination of your choosing, like the Serengeti National Park, where the roads can be rather difficult. The rental cars have pop-up covers and four-wheel drive.
While some tour operators in Tanzania don’t, the majority do offer foreign visitors the option to rent cars for self-drive safaris. It is imperative to look for a reputable tour operator that provides vehicles of excellent quality that will fit your vacation needs without fail. Safari businesses like Safarihub offer excellent self-drive options, including standard-quality cars that can help with tour itinerary planning. A cheaper rate for your accommodations than what you would get if you made your own reservations will also be arranged by the tour operator.
ACQUIRE AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE PASSPORT (DRIVING PERMIT)
An international driver’s licence is required for any foreign visitor wishing to take a self-drive safari through Tanzania. A legal document known as an International Driving Permit (IDP) enables you to drive in another country and validates your licence abroad. Travellers with an international driver’s licence can rent a car for independent travel and get a permit to enter Tanzania’s National Parks, Game Reserves, and other Conservation Sites.
Travellers can obtain an international driver’s licence from the country they are visiting or from their destination.
HAVE ENOUGH MONEY ON YOU
Enough cash is essential when going on a self-drive safari in Tanzania. Make sure your credit cards have enough money on them, particularly if you have unpaid balances for services like park admission, camping, meals, and other extras. To access bank services nationwide, the credit card needs to be a VISA or Mastercard. If you have enough credit, you can also use it to do other optional things that aren’t on your tour itinerary, like taking rides in air balloons, purchasing specific drinks, and other extras that you might need to buy.
ACQUIRE THE REQUIRED MECHANIC AND NAVIGATION SKILLS
It also takes a certain degree of mechanic and navigational expertise to go on a self-drive safari in Tanzania. These are useful skills to have because you will be travelling alone, particularly in the event that your safari vehicle breaks down or you get lost. You ought to know the fundamentals of mechanics. If there is a minor issue with your car, you should be able to fix it yourself rather than waiting for a technician, who might take some time. Additionally, by using resources like maps, a compass, magnetic declination/variation, and the Global Positioning System (GPS), navigation skills may assist you in selecting the optimal path for your trip.
However, we advise using your travel map when on a self-drive safari in Tanzania, as Google Maps is not always able to distinguish between pothole-filled, undrivable dirt roads with sharp turns, which could lead to you getting lost in Tanzania’s rural areas. Furthermore, we strongly advise against taking any detours; even though Google Maps may try to direct you down shorter private roads, we want you to stay on the main roads.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
It is imperative that you make sure you are in good physical shape before starting a self-drive safari in Tanzania. Don’t forget to pack a first-aid kit with all the supplies you’ll need to treat minor illnesses and injuries, along with all of your necessary prescriptions. Make sure you have travel and medical insurance before you leave as well. This will enable you to get medical care anywhere in the vicinity of your travel destination, whenever you need it.
SAFETY AND SECURITY ON THE ROAD
Tanzania offers a safe environment for independent travellers, with well-maintained, clearly marked, and demarcated roads. But just like in any other foreign country, driving at night is dangerous in Tanzania, particularly in the remote safari areas that encircle the nation. Furthermore, it is challenging to see the road clearly at night on Tanzanian roads due to their numerous potholes. Consequently, driving during the day is safe.
Also, because Arusha Town has so many roundabouts, be ready for traffic when you visit. When it’s convenient, drivers in this town are courteous and will yield the right of way instead of trying to pass you. Make sure you utilise traffic signals.
ROUTES
All Tanzania safaris start in Arusha Town, from where you can access the majority of the nation’s National Parks and Game Reserves, depending on your destination of choice. However, once inside the parks, it’s imperative to know the specifics of the various game drive routes and the locations of the animals. It is, of course, impossible to know where the animals will be, so seeing them depends more on chance than careful planning. Fortunately, park rangers and guides—especially those leading guided tours—are radio-connected to one another, allowing them to share information about where specific park animals can be found.
PARK ENTRY FEES
It’s easy to pay the park entrance fee when on a self-drive safari in Tanzania. All you need is a regular credit card (Visa or Mastercard); you don’t need an exclusive credit card that needs to be recharged or anything. The entrance fees (per day, per night, and automobile) are paid with it. It’s crucial to keep in mind that cash payments are not accepted for park admission costs.
SERENGETI
ACCOMMODATION
Before the safari begins, possibilities for lodging, such as lodges, campgrounds, or mobile tents, can be reserved. However, depending on your car rental arrangements, some cars may have a view of the countryside, there may not be many street lights, and all cars use their high beams at night, which can be extremely dangerous in the event of an accident. In addition, on camping supplies and mattresses on dirt. Usually, the tour operator that handles the booking and planning of your Tanzania self-drive safari handles the accommodations. Making reservations for accommodation in advance helps allay worries about where you’ll stay once the trip is over.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN TANZANIA
Tanzania boasts a diverse landscape, ranging from urban areas and major thoroughfares to isolated, unpaved paths that lead to various safari destinations. The roads in Arusha and during the journey to the parks are difficult (left-hand traffic, fast driving), but if you adapt and pay attention to what other drivers are doing, you shouldn’t have any problems. While seated in your 4WD vehicle, we advise you to abide by the rules governing both the traffic and the various safari locations.
The roads in parks, however, are not at all like those on highways. Even though the roads are dusty and unclean, side streets are usually easier to navigate than main ones. Moreover, there is a significant decrease in traffic there. But you should be driving much more cautiously. Driving quickly (60–70 km/h) is usually preferable to driving slowly on extremely uneven roads.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A SELF-DRIVE SAFARI IN TANZANIA?
Tanzania boasts a diverse landscape, ranging from urban areas and major thoroughfares to isolated, unpaved paths that lead to various safari destinations. The roads in Arusha and during the journey to the parks are difficult (left-hand traffic, fast driving), but if you adapt and pay attention to what other drivers are doing, you shouldn’t have any problems. While seated in your 4WD vehicle, we advise you to abide by the rules governing both the traffic and the various safari locations.
The roads in parks, however, are not at all like those on highways. Even though the roads are dusty and unclean, side streets are usually easier to navigate than main ones. Moreover, there is a significant decrease in traffic there. But you should be driving much more cautiously. Driving quickly (60–70 km/h) is usually preferable to driving slowly on extremely uneven roads.
