Tanzania Safari Faq’s

Where is the best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa?

Numerous number of tourists especially wildlife lovers visit this wild continent to witness its best wildlife views and unique flora and fauna. We are mostly asked in the Tanzania Safari Faq’s about the best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa.

• Maasai Mara hosts thousands of zebras, wildebeest, and gazelle that make make their annual pilgrimage from the Serengeti, following the green grasses that pop up after the rains.

• The Kalahari Desert, Botswana is a photographer’s delight with unrestrained rust-coloured valleys, sand dunes and an array of wildlife.

• Etosha is another wildlife lover’s paradise in Africa with the most beautiful and accessible wildlife sanctuaries, hosting 114 mammal species and 340 bird species.

• The Kruger National Park has the maximum population of the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo) in Africa

• Lastly, do not miss the Great Wildebeest Migration of Serengeti on your treasured visit to Tanzania.

What kinds of wildlife will I see on safari in Tanzania?

The varieties of wildlife are quite similar in most of the national parks in Tanzania. It vastly depends on the Tanzania Safari Packages that you choose with Lifetime Safaris.

• Wildebeests and Elephants: The major attraction of Tanzania is the Wildebeests of this country which are extensively found in the Serengeti National Park.

• Lions: Here you will find lions roaming in the parks in search of prey or shade throughout the year. The country offers a significantly healthy population of lions, lionesses and cubs.

• Giraffes: You will be amazed to see the incredible number of Giraffes that are spotted in Tanzania. Interestingly, this country has the largest Giraffe populations in the world.

• Hippopotamus: A part of the Big Five club in Tanzania is Hippopotamus which are found in enormousnumbers in Tanzania throughout the year.

• Zebra: This country has a huge density of Zebra population. You will get a beautiful opportunity to watch these stripped animals closely, drinking water and roaming on the lush green lands of Tanzanian national Parks.

What is the Great Migration?

The most attractive activity in Tanzania is the Great Wildebeest Migration which is an annual migration of giant herds of grazers across Northern Tanzania and Kenya.

• On an average over two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles move through the Serengeti and Masai Mara networks in search food and water.

This Great Migration in Tanzania can be witnessed all year round as the wildlife migrates in a circular motion around the Serengeti National Park.

What clothes should I bring on safari and items required for safari?

In your Tanzania Safari Packing List you must pack the right clothes, equipment and necessary documents.

The Clothes required for Tanzania Safari are:

• One light jacket

• One fleece

• Three pairs safari pants (one of them zip-off)

• One pair shorts

• One long-sleeve shirts (light, breathable)

• Four short-sleeve shirts

• One dress (for nice dinners)

• A set of pyjamas

• A pair of hiking boots

• A pair of sandals (or Keens)

• Underwear

• Sports bra (for women)

• Three pairs of socks

• Sun hat

• Swimsuit

• Sunglasses

• Vaccination card : You must take the necessary vaccinations and keep the vaccination cards for your destination a few months before the trip.

• First-aid kit : It is very important to make your first aid or safety kit before you start your travel. This medical kit could include all the necessary medicines that you take regularly. Consult your personal physician for any other medical requirements before visiting Tanzania. Lifetime Safaris advises you to bring the basic medical requirements like: Paracetamol, antihistamine for reactions to insect bites, diarrhoea medication for food poisoning, and cough drops.

• Insect repellent: In Tanzania you will not only be welcomed by varieties of insects, but also bugs and mosquitoes if you are camping outside in any national park. Although we do spray insect repellents in the accommodations provided to our guests. You must still carry anti-malaria pills, and other necessities to stay safe here.

• Electronics: Carry your Camera, portable power bank, binoculars, batteries, solar torch. etc

• Toiletries: Shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel, tampons for ladies, toilet papers and other requirements

• Cash: US dollars accepted in most of the Tanzanian restaurants and hotels some shops accept only Tanzanian Shillings. So you must exchange your currency to Tanzanian Shillings and carry some cash around in the country.

• Other Travel Documents: Visa, Travel insurance, passport and other travel documents

What to wear on safari in Tanzania?

Casual clothing is expected in Tanzania so you do not need to pack any extravagant clothes. Loose-fitting and lightweight clothes are the best choices in Tanzanian safari that they keep you cool and even dry quickly in case you get caught in a rain shower. Carry a good fleece or jacket for warding off the chilly cold mornings of game drive activities. You can wear long sleeves at night as there will usually be a campfire to keep you warm but you will need to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

What’s the climate like?

Tanzania offers tropical type of climate in the Tanzanian mainland whereas the coastal areas are hot and humid. The climate of the north-western highlands is cool and temperate. There are two rainy seasons one is a short season of rains are generally from October to December, and the other is the long season of rains lasting from March to June. However the central plateau tends to be dry and arid throughout the year.

When is the best time of year to go on safari in Tanzania?

MaaLand Expeditions suggest you to experience Tanzania in all seasons. However the Best Time for Safari In Tanzania or for trekking Kilimanjaro or other mountains is the dry season (late June-October) as the climatic conditions are the best excellent with clear skies and very little humidity.

When is the best time to see the migration?

To witness Africa’s biggest mass movement of wildebeests in Serengeti you must visit this spectacular country in August and September. During this period your chances of witnessing river crossing of various herds of different animals are quite high. From early October onwards due to the rainy season the herds journey back to the Serengeti.

What kind of weather can I expect on safari?

Due to the closeness to the equator, a seasonal fluctuation of temperature is observed in Tanzania. The weather is generally warm here however the temperatures can drop significantly during and after rainy weather, and at night. The coastal region is hot and humid throughout the year.

Can I make my own itinerary?

Yes! You can definitely plan your own personalised travel itinerary with Lifetime Safaris. We provide private Tanzania Safari Tours which are customised according to your needs. For planning a perfect Tanzania Safari itinerary, you can speak to our Travel experts who will guide you about the destinations of your choice. We also take utmost care of the safety, hygiene of our clients. The Food will be of your choice requested as per your recommendations during the time of safari bookings.

Can I take my children on safari?

Yes you can surely bring your children on Safari. But you must be aware of the minimum age restrictions at various national parks and lodges which is about 4 and 12 years of age. As all safari activities are not open to children, you must check with our travel exerts regarding the age criteria at the different destinations planned in your itinerary.

Will I stay in tents or lodges?

Whether you stay at tents or lodges depends on the type of packages you have purchased like luxury safaris, budget safaris or a standard Tanzania Safari where we will bring our own tents, camping, a cook to prepare your meals, food and other cooking equipments.

You can choose to upgrade your accommodation, to enjoy a more comfortable and luxurious experience as well.

What size are your safari groups?

In a safari group in Tanzania we take anywhere around 4-6 people in our vehicle depending on the type of safari you have chosen. In group tours six people are taken at max. While for a private tour less than three guests will accompany in the safari vehicle.

What Kind of vehicles do you use?

The safari vehicle provided by Lifetime Safari is a 4×4 safari vehicle. Mostly we accommodate around six guests in throw rows of seating in our closed safari vehicles which has a pop-top roof hatch that will allow you to view wildlife from a height. These safari vehicles can also be minibuses or 4X4 Land Cruisers or 4X4 Land Rovers.

I am interested in a Tanzania safari… What is my next step?

It’s a great choice to choose Tanzania safari as your next travel or vacation destination. As you have already made up your mind for visiting this spectacular country, we suggest you to call our Lifetime Safaris travel experts to inquire about and book a suggested itinerary of your choice. You can accompany us in our group safari trips or even plan a personalised private Tanzania safari which offers flexible dates, location and safari durations. After selecting your package or travel itinerary you can proceed with booking the safari.

Will I have a chance to interact with local people of Tanzania?

Tanzania for many years has been a home to thousands of native tribes and people of different origins, and culture. Tanzania is the home of 120 African ethnic groups and more than 26 million people live in this East African country. You will be amazed to encounter and closely interact with the Maasai people of Tanzania who will show you how to light a fire without any combustibles. Other lesser-known tribes like the Datoga and Chaga and their rich cultural tapestry can be explored in your Tanzania walking or cultural tours.

What additional costs can I expect when traveling in Tanzania?

In your Tanzania Safari Cost the following expenses are not included in your safari package:

• Airport departure taxes

• Travel Insurance

• Excess baggage fees

• International Flight Travel expenses

• Tanzania Visa or passport costs

• Medical expenses, meals or activities included in the safari package (up gradation of stay or additional activities included after travel bookings)

• Tips to drivers/guides/tour leaders

How far in advance should I book my safari?

It is advisable to book your international flight tickets at least three months in advance if you do not wish to face problems getting seats on British Airways or KLM. If you are planning your trip in the peak season, it is advisable to book your safari to Tanzania at least nine months before.

Can I use a credit card to pay?

Yes you can use credit cards to pay your bills however these are only accepted in big hotels or restaurants. However in other local markets only Tanzanian Shillings are accepted. There are ATM machines in Arusha, Dar and Zanzibar where you can get local currency with your Visa or MasterCard.

Should I bring some cash with me?

Yes you can bring cash around in either Tanzania Shilling (TSh) or American dollars as cheques and cash are acceptable in many places here around town.

What will my means of transport be?

Uber is the least expensive means of road transportation in the Tanzanian town as for 30-40 min ride they charge a minimum of $3.50. There is affordable public bus transportation in Tanzania called Dallas-Dallas, which can be difficult to navigate in town, as the bus stations don’t have any name on it and you will have to ask around for directions. To go around the towns you can take the Rapid Transit System as well but these do not go into the peninsular areas.

What about Tanzania Safari Tips?

Tanzania Safari Tipping is not compulsory but customary. Lifetime Safaris recommends you to tip moderately depending on the level of satisfaction you have received from the services.

• Safari guide(s) US $10 per day;

• Cook US $7,

• Camp staff US $3 $5 per day.

Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?

To enter this marvellous country of diverse wildlife and unique culture, some countries like USA, Australia, UK, require a Tanzania Visa which cost around $50 US cash for non US citizens and $100 for US citizens. You can obtain this visa on arrival at the airport as well.

What Are The Entry Requirements?

The various documents needed to enter Tanzania are listed below in the Tanzania Travel Requirements :

• Passport valid for at least 6 months

• Two Blank Passport pages

• A Tourist Travel Visa for entry

• Yellow fever vaccinations are required if travelling from a yellow fever endemic country. You can consult your physician for any other vaccine requirements.

Can I get a visa upon arrival?

Yes you can purchase a Tanzanian Visa on arrival at the Airport upon entry by paying $50 after some document verifications (which is a 30 min procedure only). American citizens need to pay 100 US$, and get only a multiple entry Visa (since September 2007).