African safari travel tips help safari enthusiasts to book their Tanzania safari without stress. Traveling to Tanzania for the first time can be so overwhelming since you will be going to a different country that you know nothing about. However, there is no need to be stressed about it as the country is beautiful and blessed with hospitable people. Nevertheless, booking your African safari vacation with the local safari company saves a lot of money. Among useful tip to consider is to find reviews by other safari goers who have visited Tanzania before you. Usually, TripAdvisor reviews are useful for finding a reliable Tour operator in Arusha. wildlife safari destinations are many, however, with the wildlife safari itineraries page, you can choose one of them and ask for special customization.
The following tips will be of great help
1. When To Visit
The country’s parks and reserves are accessible throughout the year though there are seasons for high concentration of animals. The seasons include
- June to October(Dry Season)- this is the best time to visit Tanzania since the game drive in the park is mostly enjoyable and many animals can be spotted. It is also the best time for climbing Kilimanjaro due to the dry weather. Above all, the “Great Migration” usually occurs between this period.
- November to February– this is the wet season and the game drive is done though not like in high season. Wildebeests calving usually happen at this time.
- December to March – warm season and a good time for climbing Kilimanjaro.
2. Getting There
- Transfer to Tanzania- travelers can get to the country by air or land. There are international and local airports located in major cities. However, you can travel by bus from nearby countries like Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
- Transport within the country- modes of transport in the country include local flights, rental cars and buses.
3. Packing List
It’s recommended to pack the right and necessary clothing needed for the safari. They include:
- Right clothing- safari boots, sleeve shirts, raincoats, sunglasses trousers, socks, and sunhats
- Medical facilities – yellow fever card, malaria medication, pain killers, sunscreen and mosquito repellants
- Electronic devices- digital camera, binoculars, tablet/iPad
- Toiletries- toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo and toothbrush
4. Safari Activities
There are so many things to do while exploring the beautiful country. Major activities include
- Day and night game drive
- Walking safaris
- Cultural tours
- Zanzibar beach vacation
5. Health Issues
Traveling to tropical countries like Tanzania requires immunization for Yellow fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis, and Diphtheria. Immunization is for travelers coming from countries suspected to have those diseases.
Getting Malaria medication is highly recommended due to the presence of anopheles mosquitoes. Additionally, tourists are to cover themselves in the evenings and apply mosquito repellants.
6. Having Visa
Getting to Tanzania requires a visa which costs $50 for most citizens except for the US. Visa can be applied through the Tanzania embassy website before traveling. Tourists can also get their visas upon arrival at the airport.
7. Accommodations
Tanzania is filled with beautiful, quality, and comfortable accommodation facilities including hotels, lodges, resorts, guest houses, and motels. The facilities are abundant in major cities including Arusha, Moshi, Dar-es-salaam, Mwanza, Morogoro, Mbeya, Tanga, and Zanzibar.
8. Currency
Tanzania’s main mode of payment is Tanzanian Shillings (TShs) and the US. Nowadays credit card payment is widely accepted by safari companies, and many places in Arusha. You need to tell your bank that you will travel abroad, and they can allow small amount of purchase to go through. The current exchange rate is US$1= TShs 2270 for $50 and $100 and US$1= TShs 2000 for $1, $5, and $10. However, these rates vary according to economic fluctuation.
Traveling to Tanzania creates such a memorable and adventurous safari experience. Anyone who wishes to get a real bush safari experience should get to Tanzania.
