(updated May 2024)
Embarking on a safari in Tanzania is an unparalleled experience, offering the opportunity to witness some of the most incredible wildlife and landscapes on Earth. However, planning for this adventure requires careful consideration and preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
We recently traveled extensively throughout Africa and can share useful information to help you plan your African safari. From choosing the right time of year to visit to packing essential items, there are several key tips to keep in mind when preparing for a Tanzanian safari. In this article, we will explore some important tips that will help you make the most out of your safari experience in Tanzania. If you dream of searching for endangered rhinos or want to witness the raw power of lions firsthand, keep reading!
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The Great Migration
One of the main reasons to go on a luxury safari in Tanzania is to witness the spectacle of the Great Migration. This is not a singular event, but a constant cycle of movement for African mammals searching for resources to survive. Year-round wildebeest, zebras, and other ungulates move in predictable patterns across the Mara Triangle. As the dry season progresses, the herds are driven from Tanzania towards Kenya, following the rains to plentiful grasslands.
Tourists flock to see these giant herds crossing croc-filled rivers. The wildebeest skitter back and forth, appearing to follow their instincts about when to go. While lurking in the dry brush, large predators wait to hunt the sick and weak. Watching the spectacle is intense, emotional, and downright gruesome at times.
How to Get to Your Safari Locations
Getting to Tanzania is no easy feat. I recommend booking a flight to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. From the United States, it is common to transit through Qatar or Dubai, UAE. I highly recommend flying Qatar Airways in their spacious and luxurious QSuites. The service and food are amazing! Seriously, you won’t want the flight to end!
We stayed in Dubai for two nights before our safari adventure and I highly recommend seeing the city. Next, fly from your layover city to Tanzania. It’s a 5+ hour flight from Dubai or Qatar.
It is common for the safari resorts to handle your round trip transportation to the remote air strips for charter flights between locations. The following morning, board the aircraft in Dar Es Salaam to Lake Manyara airstrip. From there, it is a 1.5 hour drive to Ngorongoro Crater.
Seeking Stamps Tip: Don’t be alarmed by changes to flight times or charter companies. For example, it is common to arrive at the airstrip and be told you are leaving a few minutes earlier or later than you have written in your itinerary. The small charters function more like a taxi back and forth, so reservations are less structured than we are used to in the US. Follow the instructions of the person in charge and you will be good to go.
Find Out What to Do on a Stopover in Dubai– Check Out My Blog Post For Details.
Where to Stay In Dar Es Salaam
If you choose to stay overnight, consider the Oyster Bay Hotel. It is a charming boutique accommodation in Dar Es Salaam that feels more like you are staying with friends than sleeping at a hotel. This location offers luxurious ocean view suites and specializes in hosting guests for brief stopovers. Dining is included in your stay, so there’s no need to venture out. The hotel is tucked away in a quiet sanctuary away from the bustling city nearby. A one night stay is optimal before getting on your way to your safari. This is a perfect location for an excellent night’s rest before your flight in the morning.
Luxury Safari in Tanzania Tips
1. Hire a Reputable Travel Agent to Coordinate Your Safari
First and foremost, use a reputable travel agent when you plan a luxury safari in Tanzania. You will most likely be in VERY remote destinations. If there is an issue with a booking or transportation, there isn’t another hotel down the street you can move to.
Do your homework and compare different companies and itineraries. To find out if an operator has competitively priced packages, try to compare “apples to apples”. For example, have the travel agents price out your estimate with the same safari lodges as one another, so you can see how prices stack up.
Ideally, contact at least three travel agents and compare three different itineraries. Find out if the national parks on your itinerary have the animals and experiences you are looking for. Pay special attention to what is included (i.e. game drives/meals) and where the accommodations are located. For example, at Ngorongoro Crater we had one quote with a resort that was over an hour away from the crater. While the lodge was beautiful, driving back and forth for several hours a day, in addition to driving for the safaris, wasn’t what we wanted to do.
Seeking Stamps Tip: Look for an operator that has safari expertise. Otherwise, you will not have the same quality experience.
For our luxury safari in Tanzania, We used Giltedge Travel because they specialize in the African continent. They gave us excellent customized itineraries and included the resorts we desired, at highly competitive prices.
2. Buy Safari Travel Insurance
Obviously, a trip to remote locations in Africa is not without risks. We felt safe during our visit, but there are inherent dangers and medical facilities are remote. Consider what you are personally comfortable spending in the event of an emergency and plan accordingly.
3. Check Vaccinations Required For Your Safari
Importantly, verify what vaccinations are required before your arrival in Africa. The requirements vary from country to country. Some necessitate anti-malarial medications and yellow fever vaccinations.
4. Bring Travel Medicine With You
Most importantly, don’t forget to pack DEET mosquito repellent. Malaria is endemic in Tanzania, and can be lethal. Wearing long sleeves and pants in the evenings helps prevent bites.
Additionally, consider bringing anti-nausea medications for the small charter plates and bumpy jeeps. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications, pain relievers, and anti-itch medications for bites are also nice to have on hand.
5. Check African Visa Requirements
Visa rules and restrictions are ever changing, so make sure to know whether one is required before traveling. US citizens did need a visa at the time we traveled and the application process was simple. Make sure to read the rules about online submission because it may be within a specific time frame before travel.
6. Understand the Typical Safari Schedule
Undoubtedly, the most important component of your luxury safari in Tanzania are the game drives. Therefore it helps to familiarize yourself with the usual safari schedule. There are typically early morning and evening safaris to view the animals during their most active state.
At dawn, coffee and snacks are delivered to your room before your departure. A bush breakfast is served midway through the game drive. By mid-morning, the sun begins to drive the animals into the shade. This is typically when you return to your room to rest and grab lunch.
Game drives resume in the late afternoon until dark, when animals are active and hunting. This is a thrilling time to be watching all the activity! After dark, return to your accommodation to shower and freshen up for dinner.
7. Expect a Luxury Safari in Tanzania to Be Physically and Emotionally Tough
In contrast to most vacations, a luxury safari in Tanzania can be physically challenging. For morning games drives, you will be on the road as the sun rises. Riding over rough terrain is taxing on your body as the vehicle bounces along. You will experience fluctuations in weather and temperatures. At the end of each day, you will probably be dusty and sweaty.
In addition to the physicality of safaris, the emotional component can also be difficult to endure. Watching animals hunt is intriguing, but also gut-wrenching. You are likely to see and SMELL a ton of dead animals during the Great Migration. In one encounter, we saw a baby wildebeest get snatched by a croc at a river crossing. I was heartbroken watching the mama stare at the water, calling for her baby. It brings tears to my eyes every time I reflect on the experience. Prepare yourself for the in-your-face brutality of nature.
8. Follow the Rules While On Safari
Rules are NOT made to be broken on a luxury safari in Tanzania! When your guides tell you to do something, they have a good reason for it. Do not let your guard down because the animals here are often well camouflaged. Children are allowed in certain resorts, but check the rules and restrictions. Animals are unpredictable, so obviously always use caution. Do not walk without guards at night. I advise always wearing secure footwear. I let my guard down once and almost stepped on a deadly, baby black mamba snake in my flip flops.
9. What to Wear on Safari in Tanzania
Are you wondering what to wear in Africa? In one word- layers, layers, layers! Comfortable, stretchy fabrics that can get dirty are the best options. It can be freezing cold, especially in the Ngorongoro Crater area. Mornings in the jeep are windy, so I advise bringing a warm puffer jacket. A light scarf is also a nice addition to keep your neck warm and help with the dust from the jeep. The luggage restrictions can be a real challenge, but you can rewear items and have them laundered during your trip.
As the African sun comes up, so does the temperature. It is convenient to wear a short sleeve t-shirt, add a long sleeve shirt over it, and top with a jacket. Then, you can remove items as needed. I recommend breathable athletic fabrics or cotton. Skip the linen- it will be wrinkled and itchy. Additionally, wear comfortable athletic pants. Jeans will probably be too hot and uncomfortable.
Seeking Stamps Tip:Ladies, you might need to use the “outdoor bathroom” so wear something you can squat in, if you get my drift.
What Accessories to Bring on Safari
Last but not least, bring a few essential accessories with you. A tight-fitting hat will help shade your face from the sun and help manage your hair in the wind. BUFF face covers or neck gaiters are also nice to cover your nose and mouth to help reduce dust. You won’t want to forget sunglasses either. Regular sneakers are fine, unless you plan to do extensive walking tours over rough terrain. Shop here for my favorite BUFF face covers.
What to Avoid Wearing on a Luxury Safari in Tanzania
It is also important to NOT wear certain items while on safari. Camouflage clothing is generally reserved for military officials and is prohibited in some African countries. Also, do not wear metallic, blue, black or dark clothing in areas with tsetse flies. Their bite is painful and can transmit African sleeping sickness which can be lethal. Tsetse flies are found in Tanzania and their bite HURTS. Please don’t wear a head-to-toe safari outfit and pith hat, or you will look ridiculous.
10. Visit Ngorongoro Crater
First, begin your safari in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive caldera has been affectionately named, “the African 8th Wonder of the World”. Unlike other destinations in Africa, animals in the crater do not typically migrate. The 100 square mile conservation area provides the perfect ecosystem that sustains life here.
If you are including a stop to Ngorongoro Crater, I would begin your itinerary here. In contrast to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation area has implemented strict rules to protect the animals. Enclosed vehicles are mandated to stay on the main road, and the park closes at sunset. If this is your first safari destination, you probably won’t mind the limited access as you see the majestic animals for the first time. It will be less enthralling to have full 4×4 access to wide open terrain of the Serengeti, and then be confined to the narrow roads here. In that case, the crater might seem more “zoo-like”.
Don’t let this deter you from visiting, it is a remarkable stop on your itinerary filled with close up views of animals such as lions, elephants, wildebeest, hippos, ostriches, warthogs, baboons, and buffalo.
Where to Stay Near Ngorongoro Crater
Located in close proximity to the conservation area, is the five star AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. This charming lodge is perched above the crater and offers expansive views of the sunken caldera. Its decor is reminiscent of an old African hunting lodge with eclectic decor, dark wood tones, ornate crystal chandeliers and romantic velvet fabrics. Huge brick fireplaces impart coziness in the main dining area. It may sound over the top, but the environment screams “you are on a safari”, which is an exhilarating feeling. Plan to stay for at least two nights to get the full experience here.
Without a doubt, the level of service and hospitality is what sets AndBeyond resorts apart from competitors in Africa. Dining options are all-inclusive with your stay and taste fresh and delicious. Personal butlers add extra touches such as adding bed warmers during turn down service, having your favorite cocktails in your room after an exhausting day, and drawing bubble baths strewn with rose petals. The environment, views and decor here ooze with romance.
11. Visit a Maasai Village
AndBeyond offers a multitude of activities such as wine tasting, hiking, massages, lion conservation and the option to visit a local community. A visit to a Maasai village was an enlightening addition to our time in Tanzania. Learn about local culture, hunting, animal interactions and more. Small purchases of jewelry and trinkets can be made to directly benefit the community.
12. Visit the Serengeti
Following a 1.5 hour flight from Ngorongoro, you will arrive at the expansive Serengeti National Park. In comparison to the confines of the crater, wide open spaces and more relaxed rules make the Serengeti feel like the “Wild West”. You will off-road over rocks, splash through streams, and really crank up the adrenaline level here. The Serengeti encompasses over 5,700 square miles and according to US News and World Report, “it houses the highest concentration of land mammals in the world.” In this designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, prepare for masses of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles and other animals gathering by the millions.
Where to Stay In the Serengeti
For our tented camp experience, we chose Asilia Africa’s Sayari Camp. After you arrive at Kogatende Airstrip, the camp is a short 20 minute drive. Situated near the Mara River, this location offers a prime spot to witness explosive river crossings. This camp is not fenced, so animals trek within the camp areas. For this reason, Sayari Camp is only operational from June to March. In addition, guards are recommended when walking across the property and jeep shuttles are required after dark. Plan to stay 3-4 nights minimum to have the best opportunity to see the thrilling river crossings and the Big Five.
Despite the name “tented camp”, these accommodations are luxuriously appointed with wood floors, porcelain bathtubs, mini fridges and front decks. Additional features of the property include a swimming pool and a solar-powered micro brewery. In room “security”, include an air horn and walkie-talkie, which are only to be used if an animal is inside the tent. Yikes!
Dining here is all- inclusive and each morning coffee and biscotti are dropped off at your tent. Bush breakfasts consisting of eggs, fruit and muffins are served mid-morning on game drives. Buffet lunch is served after the morning game drive and that allows time for a quick afternoon nap. Daily “sundowners” (a.k.a.cocktails) are offered near the campfire which might get you hooked on gin & tonics! Dinners are served, family style, in the main lobby. It is enthralling to share stories around the table with other fellow travelers each night.
Luxury Safari In Tanzania: Continue to Additional Countries
A luxury safari in Tanzania is plenty of adventure all by itself. However, you might consider continuing your journey to the Masai Mara of Kenya for added Great Migration excitement. Consider a combination of safaris in Tanzania with Kenya followed by a relaxing visit to the Seychelles.
Read More For a Thrilling East African Safari Itinerary.
Tanzania Safari Tips: Final Thoughts
In conclusion, embarking on a Tanzania safari is an unforgettable experience that requires adequate preparation and planning. By following the tips outlined in this article such as packing appropriately, and selecting a reputable tour operator, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable safari adventure. Remember to respect the wildlife and environment, support local communities, and cherish every moment spent in this beautiful country. With careful consideration and attention to detail, your Tanzania safari will be an enriching journey filled with incredible sights and memories that will last a lifetime.
