Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar are among the Tanzania safari adventure that you can take on anytime you have the time.
Tanzania is a country rich in culture and wildlife. It’s one of Africa’s top go-to safari destinations and has become synonymous with Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.
The country is home to Africa’s most famous national parks, like the Serengeti National Park. The most popular thing to do in this wildlife-rich country is primarily visiting safaris and wildlife-related adventures.
But, how do you get the most out of your Tanzania Safari adventure? First, you’ve got to plan and list the tourist places you want to visit mainly. In other words, have an itinerary.
Itineraries help you maximize your travel time and make your safari adventure more smooth sailing. Learn more about this and others using the tips given below. a
10 detailed tips to get the most out of your Tanzania safari adventure
Traveling is exciting, but it’s not as simple as one might think. It’s not only about booking a plane ticket, getting accommodation, and hopping in and out of a plane.
So, what’s the secret of those adventurers who seemed not to have any major travel hitches? The answer is itinerary and other travel preparation.
Tanzania safari tip #1: Make an itinerary
To make the most out of your safari tour in Tanzania, you have to plan ahead. Make an itinerary to ensure maximizing your time.
Your travel itinerary should include the following:
- Travel time to specific attractions you want to visit
- Leeway in case unfavorable circumstances happen (traffic, weather condition)
- Although unforeseen events might occur in the journey, having an itinerary can make you flexible. This ensures that your time will not get wasted.
Itineraries of travel can also help you manage your expenses, prioritize your most desired destinations, and travel smoothly from point A to point B.
Tanzania safari tip #2: Prepare and pack essential things
After making your itinerary, prepare and pack essential things, such as the following:
- Passport
- High SPF sunscreen
- Medical kit (bandaids, pain killers, antiseptic ointment electrolyte tablets or powders, travel sickness tablets, strong insect repellent, and eye drops)
- Varied clothing for different types of activities
- Comfortable shoes
- Binoculars
- Day bag
- Toiletries such as shampoos, moisturizers into reusable travel bottles to save space
- Gadgets (mobile phone with a camera or a DSLR), chargers
- Get a handy Swahili phrasebook (Swahili is the most commonly spoken language, so it’s best to learn simple phrases to help you on your trip)
- Money
Prepare these essential travel items weeks before traveling to avoid forgetting these necessary things.
Tanzania safari tip #3: Get travel insurance, book a flight and accommodation
Getting travel insurance could be the most overlooked part of traveling. Some travelers, if not most, often don’t get this essential as this means extra expenditure.
However, this ‘extra expenditure’ can come in handy during your travels. For example, if you’ve lost your passport, baggage, or other documents, you’ll have help at hand.
Your insurance will compensate for the cost of the things you’ve lost so that you can acquire a new one. So, it is beneficial to get travel insurance for your next tour.
Opt for an insurance policy that covers the following:
- cancellation
- emergency evacuation
- associated hospital treatment
- medical illness
Make sure to bring your policy number/details and travel insurance emergency numbers with you for faster transactions.
Tanzania safari tip #4: Take precaution while traveling
When traveling, it’s always best to take some precautions; you’re in a foreign land, after all. So, you must make sure that your safety and security aren’t overlooked.
While traveling on an African Safari, consider taking the given precautions below:
- Never carry a large sum of cash and pieces of jewelry while traveling.
- Put your money, passport, and other required documents in a pouch. Ensure that they are perfectly hidden under your shirt or in your backpack or camera bag. Make sure that they’re out of sight.
- Watch your personal bags closely, particularly in crowded places, such as markets, airports, restaurants, and on the street.
- Never walk at night alone. Make sure to walk with someone you know if you want to take a night stroll.
- As much as possible, leave your airline tickets, cash, passport, and other valuables in a safe place before going out. Some hotels have safety boxes where you can put your valuables like your passport, money, and other travel documents. However, if you’re anxious to put your valuables in a safe, you can always hand them to the management.
Tanzania safari tip #5: Follow the country's COVID-19 travel guidelines
As you might already know, most countries have strict travel restrictions due to COVID-19. While traveling during this time, it’s best to follow the set of travel guidelines of the Tanzania government for a smooth travel experience amidst the COVID pandemic.
Tanzania safari tip #6: Bring cash, debit cards and credit cards
Whenever you visit Tanzania, make sure to bring a combination of cash, debit cards, and credit cards. This way, your travel is problem-free monetarily. If you decide to bring USD, make sure that the bills are from 2009 onwards.
Remember to exchange money only with legitimate money traders to avoid getting tricked.
Tanzania safari tip #7: Bring a travel adaptor
With so many things to do and see in Tanzania, almost everything requires planning, especially if you plan to go to Serengeti. There are many breathtaking spots in the country that you surely don’t want to miss capturing.
Thus, it’s essential to bring an adapter to keep your gadgets adequately charged. As you might already know, US plugs won’t fit in the standard Tanzanian power outlet.
Thus, it’s crucial to bring suitable adaptors for your gadgets in your Tanzania safari tours.
Tanzania safari tip #8: Take a bottled water with you all the time
Dehydration is highly possible on safaris. Thus, it’s vital to drink water at regular intervals to keep your body hydrated.
If bottled water isn’t available, use a purification tablet to ensure you’re drinking safe water. It’s also best to bring a tumbler to support the joint effort of the safari industry in reducing the use of plastic bottles.
Tanzania safari tip #9: Wear eye protection
The safari road is often dusty. Thus, it’s essential to remember wearing eye protection like eyeglasses to prevent eye irritation, especially if you’re wearing contact lenses.
Ensure to clean your camera lenses frequently and put them safely in a camera bag while on safari, if not in use.
Tanzania safari tip #10: Give a tip!
Although giving tips isn’t required, it’s customary. You can give a tip as big or as little as you want. Bear in mind that what you might consider small could be significant to the local African staff.
To finish off
There are so many great adventures awaiting you in Tanzania. The endless safari landscapes and wildlife make this country something from another world, and you’re about to soak it all up. Make sure to pack the right essentials (water bottle, sunglasses, etc), follow the COVID-19 guidelines, and make a detailed itinerary. Oh, and most importantly: your travel insurance! Once you’ve got all the above-mentioned boxes ticked off, it’s time for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the land of Tanzania.
