Planning your Tanzania Safari
There are many companies offering Safaris in Tanzania and ultimately they are all similar in the itineraries they offer and the camps they use. However, one has to choose one and we chose Gosheni Safaris who were recommended to us by our daughter who had used them the year before. They were excellent in every way. They have a wide range of standard safaris to choose from but were also happy to tweak our itinerary, We advised them that we didn’t want to go to Lake Manyara so they gave us good advice about what we could do instead.
Paying them directly involved a conversation with the bank who were dubious about us transferring large sums of money to Tanzania but apart from that it was very straightforward. When we arrived in Tanzania we were met at the airport by our driver who was then with us for the whole 8 days. He was a font of knowledge and a charming man as well as being fantastic at spotting animals which seemed to be a skill that all the drivers had.
One custom which I felt was not ideal about the Tanzanian safaris (it didn’t happen when we went to Kenya) was that there seems to be a tradition that the drivers eat with you in the evening. Happily, our driver did not do this which was something we were very grateful for. This was not because he wasn’t good company but at the end of the day you have usually spent about 12 hours together and it was nice to be together as a couple in the evening to chat about the day; I suspect he also needed a rest from our continuous questions! From looking at the other guests around us who were eating with their driver everything often seemed quite awkward with either a couple making polite conversation with the driver or sometimes in a bigger group the driver just being ignored. My advice would be if you are booking a safari I would make a request at the outset that you would like to have your meals by yourselves.
Visas
The electronic visa system was very straightforward and took about three weeks to process. The cost of a single-entry visa is $50. The information that you require for your application is
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Tanzania
One blank page left in your passport
Proof of your return flight
Name of a hotel you will be staying in
You can obtain the visa on arrival in Tanzania but I would advise getting it in advance online. There was a queue of people waiting to arrange their visa at the airport. For online application click on the button below.
Plugs
The type G plug is used in Tanzania which is the same as the UK
Binoculars
These are vital for a safari and it is well worth investing in a good pair as they will be your constant companion on safari and you definitely want your own
Medical Info
Antimalarials these are essential for travel to Tanzania. There are a number of possibilities for Tanzania see the medical travel link for Tanzania below. Even if you do not pay for your prescriptions antimalarials are not available on the NHS. They can be obtained online, possibly from your own GP or from a travel clinic.
Regarding vaccinations in addition to the standard UK vaccines, typhoid and hepatitis A are free on the NHS and I would certainly recommend having those before travelling. They should be available at your own GP. For most standard safaris the risk of contracting any of the other illnesses listed is probably quite small. However, if you would feel more comfortable having those they are not available on the NHS. You may be able to still obtain them at your own GP but there will be a charge or you can go to a travel clinic.
Currency
Local currency is Tanzania Schillings which can be collected from ATM’s. However, the preferred currency is dollars and you will need to bring those with you. You need to have cash for tipping. Most of our camps didn’t take credit cards for drinks so cash was needed for those as well.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania is dictated by the Great Migration and the seasons. The Great Migration of the wildebeest and zebras occurs throughout the year – see calendar. The spectacular part of this migration is watching the animals swimming across the Mara river which is a breath-taking sight. This tends to take place between July and September.
The season between November and March is called the ‘green season’ and is much quieter. It’s a great time for birdwatching as thousands of migratory birds arrive on the Serengeti. January and February are also the time to see calving in the southern Serengeti
The main rains are from March to May and this is a time best avoided.
For a calendar of the great migration click on the button
We had a wonderful time on our safari, click on the picture for our full itinerary and look at the video
