Heading off for a Tanzania safari? There are many things you should know before booking your flight and leaving your country. It’s easy to enjoy a safari, but you can make your life much easier by ensuring you have everything you need before coming to Tanzania.

Safaris in Tanzania is one of the best travel activities you can do in Africa. From the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro, you get to see the natural beauty of East Africa’s top tourist destination.

Tanzania is also home to the famous Great Migration where hundreds of thousands of Zebras and Wildebeests can be seen trekking across the Serengeti National Park.

One of the best things about safaris is that they can be enjoyed alone, with friends, with family, or with your significant other. Tanzanian Safaris are also perfect if you’re traveling with children.

No matter who you’re traveling with or which national parks you are going to, here is everything you need to know before heading to Tanzania.

Decide On Your Budget

Safaris in Tanzania can range in price from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. You will need to decide on your budget before booking, so you know exactly how much you have to spend.

The more parks you want to visit and the more days you want to spend on a safari, the higher your budget needs to be. The safari cost also largely depends on the accommodation you choose. All parks and companies offer budget and luxury accommodations.

Safaris in Tanzania can be quite expensive, especially if you are going for a week or longer. We at Tanzania Safaris offer different types of packages from affordable safaris to high-end luxury safaris.

Choose Your Accommodation

The money you pay when you book a safari with us mostly goes towards the safari car, the fuel, and your lodging. Since your accommodation plays a huge factor in how much you will spend on a safari, make sure you do some research beforehand and choose the lodging you will be most comfortable with.

Budget Lodging

Most budget lodging on safaris is permanent tented camps. They are high-quality tents with beds and electricity. Depending on the camp, your tent might have its own bathroom. Other camps offer communal bathrooms.

The campgrounds have restaurants where you can sit and eat with your tour group. Some campsites also have bars and swimming pools. Many places also offer nightly entertainment like dancing and singing that you can enjoy once your safari is over.

Lodges

If you want to stay in accommodation at the mid-range price, you can choose to stay in a lodge. Lodges are similar to hotels where you’ll have a private bedroom and a private bathroom.

There’s always a restaurant on-site where you’ll have all your meals while not in the parks. Most lodges have air conditioning, bars, and swimming pools.

Luxury Lodges

These lodges are the top tier of accommodation. They are perfect if you’re visiting Tanzania for a special occasion like your honeymoon. The rooms at luxury lodges are beautifully decorated and have extra amenities like WIFI, in-room bars, and bathtubs.

The food at luxury lodges is also better and you have the option of getting room service. You also get alcoholic beverages included in the price.

Book Your Flights and Get Your Visa

Many airlines from all over the world fly into Tanzania’s airports including KLM, Qatar, Emirates, and Ethiopian Airlines. Your flight price will depend on the season you’re flying in and what country you are coming from. Read more in detail on how to get to Tanzania

Make sure to start looking for flights a few months earlier than when you plan to leave. This gives you enough time to prepare.

Most safari tourists fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar Es Salaam.

Tanzania Safaris offer airport pickups services as part of your safari package. Once you leave the terminal, you will see our representative from our office with a sign with your name. They will then take you to your Hotel, lodge, or campsite.

It’s easy to get a visa to Tanzania for most nationalities. You can get one on arrival at the airport. For most nationalities, it’s $50. It’s $100 for Americans. Some nationalities might need a visa before arriving. Always make sure what’s required before booking your flight.

Get Packing

Once you have your safari booked, you need to get started packing. Safaris are much more comfortable when you bring all the right things. Here is a list of what to pack for your Tanzania safari and some of the essentials to put in your suitcase. 

• Sun protection and bug spray: Make sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and insect spray
• Shoes: If you are doing a driving safari shoes don’t matter as much. For walking safaris, make sure you get a comfortable pair of footwear that is waterproof and durable. You should also bring sandals for when you’re back at the lodge and by the pool.
• Layers: Weather can vary depending on the park and season you’re visiting. Bringing layers makes it easier to have the right clothes. Make sure to bring long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a jacket, shorts, thin shirts, and a swimsuit. Tsetse flies are attracted to darker colors so try and avoid wearing black or navy blue.
• Binoculars: These can come in handy when you want to spot animals that are a little further away. You can also use the zoom feature on your camera if you have a nice one.

Consider Getting Vaccinations

If you are coming from a country that has a risk of Yellow Fever transmission, you are required to show proof of vaccination before you can enter Tanzania. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is not required to enter the country.

There are some vaccines that are recommended for travelers to Tanzania, although none are required. It’s always a good idea to meet with your healthcare provider before leaving your country. Some of the most common vaccines that Tanzania travelers get are Hepatitis A and Typhoid. You should also stay up to date on your routine vaccines.

Some areas of Tanzania have Malaria transmission. There is no vaccine for malaria, but your doctor can give you medicine that you will take during your time in Tanzania. Some medications need to be started before leaving, so make sure to read the directions on your prescription.

Most illnesses in Tanzania are preventable by following safe food handling practices and wearing bug spray when you are outside. 

Learn About Tanzania

Before going to any country, it’s important to learn a little about the culture and place you’re going to. Here are some quick facts about Tanzania:

• Official Languages: Swahili and English
• Currency: Tanzanian Shillings (TZS)
• Tipping for safaris is optional, but highly recommended. You can tip in US dollars or Tanzanian Shillings.
•  Always greet someone before just going up to them and asking a question.
• Most local people dress modestly, so only wear shorts and beachwear when you are swimming or inside the lodges.
• Only drink bottled or boiled water as water straight from the tap can potentially carry bacteria.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep your bags and electronics close to you at all times even though Tanzania is a very safe country

One of the best things about going with Tanzania Safaris is that your guides are there to help you learn about the local culture. They can also give you safety tips and give you advice about traveling in Tanzania.

Preparing For Your Tanzania Safari

Taking a safari in Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you will remember forever. Before heading out to this beautiful country, you can follow the tips in this article to make sure you’re prepared Once you’re in Tanzania, We at Tanzania Safaris will do the rest of the work for you!