Tanzania Safari Tips

Tanzania Safari Tips

We firmly believe that planning a Tanzania safari can be just as much fun as going on the trip itself. But we also know that organising a trip can be confusing and even a little bit frustrating – and that’s where we come in. Below, we’ve put together our top Tanzania travel tips, from the right airports to fly into, to the best time of year to travel – and a few nuggets of knowledge in between. And if you’re still debating the finer details of your trip to Tanzania, have a look at our other guides on where to go here, and when to go, here.

Choose Right Safari Tour Company

Among the different ways to stay safe during a safari or traveling to Tanzania is by booking an organized safari with a licensed tour operator. This ensures that the safari is taken care of right from pick up, to visiting the various destinations and also finding a comfortable and safe place to stay while on the safari in Tanzania. Despite the busy city life of Tanzania, travels to Tanzania are memorable and getting around the country with the help of a guide who is knowledgeable about the locations to go to and also advising the tourists on what to expect during their visit is an added advantage.

Upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania such as Kilimanjaro international airport, the different ways to get around Tanzania include using road transport which includes private and public means of transport.

Another way to get to different destinations around Tanzania is by flying to the destinations. Tanzania has airlines which offer charter and scheduled flights across the country and they include coastal aviation, Air excel, Air Tanzania, precision air and many others.

Check Your Airports!

Next on our list of Tanzania travel tips is a reminder to have a look at the different airports in a country. Don’t assume that the only option is to fly into the capital city which in Tanzania’s case is Dar es Salaam. KLM have just launched a direct flight from Europe to Kilimanjaro, which is 30 minutes outside Arusha and the perfect connection for anyone heading to the Serengeti and the parks in the north. Also look at ‘open-jaw’ tickets, for example flying in to Kilimanjaro but flying out of Dar. This is the perfect combination if you’d like to head down to the coast after your safari.

Ranger Guides

When visiting the wildlife viewing destinations wildlife viewing destinations Serengeti national park , tourists stay in lodges or tented camps which are located inside the national parks and as such wildlife species freely roam around the lodges.

Tourists are briefed about what to expect during their safaris to Tanzania and the different ways they can stay safe during their stay at the lodges inside the national parks. Guests staying at lodges inside the national parks are kept safe by being accompanied by their guides or escorted by lodge staff during their stay at the accommodations at the destination.

Following Rules And Regulations Of Wildlife Viewing In The National Parks

During a wildlife viewing experience in the various national parks in Tanzania , tourists are briefed on the different rules they are expected to follow as they engage in game drives and other activities at the destination such as staying inside the car during a game drive, avoiding noise during the game drives among others.

This also helps to keep the tourists safe as they drive around the wilderness in the national parks as they look out for various wildlife species such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes, gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, zebras, hyenas, dik dik and many others.

Keeping Valuable Items In A Safe

Tanzania is a safe country to visit for a safari however crime is not completely absent as there have been some incidences when tourists are targeted and their valuable items such as money are stolen. A way to avoid losing valuable items is by keeping them in a safe at a hotel where you are staying during the safari.

Respecting Local Traditions

Another way to stay safe during safaris around Tanzania is by respecting the local traditions such as dressing decently while moving around the different destinations in the country especially in public places since a big population in the country is Muslim.

Avoiding Crowded Areas

Crowded places around Tanzania are a risk during a safari since it increases the possibility of pick pocketing hence avoiding such areas is recommended as a way of staying safe while traveling in Tanzania.

How Long Should I Go For?

First on our list of Tanzania travel tips is this golden question and one that we get asked a lot. Our most common answer? It’s totally up to you. Seven to 10 nights for a multi-park or multi-country safari is a good starting point with two nights minimum in each camp (but we rather like three). Less than that and you’re in and out before you can say, ‘There’s a lion in that bush.’ But even if you’ve only got four nights then we can make it work – stay in one place with a variety of activities and maximise your wildlife viewing time. If you want to stay for seven nights in one place and make the most of the swimming pool and the down time, then that’s fine too. Play around with our trip designer and discover what works best for your time and budget.

When Should I Travel?

The weather in Tanzania is fairly easily divided into different seasons. The main dry season runs from July to September and you can expect warm days and clear, blue skies as well as excellent game viewing. No surprise, then, that it’s the most popular time to visit. There is however another shorter dry season that runs from the end of December (just in time for Christmas!) to February. The rain tends to fall from March to May, and then again briefly in October/November time. But our Tanzania travel tip would be to not let the rain put you off! There’s no northern hemisphere drizzle here, and thunderstorms tend to be short, sharp and spectacular. Game viewing in places like the Serengeti is phenomenal (think lots of babies being born and beautiful, emerald plains), and plenty of migratory birds in places like Ruaha and Tarangire.