TAILORMADE LUXURY SAFARIS
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TANZANIA - SAFARIS, TOURS AND TRAVEL
Tanzania offers endless safe and exciting safari travel options, so it’s worth planning ahead to ensure that you experience the very best of your holiday in this magnificent country. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
ABOUT TANZANIA
ACCESS Q: What method of transportation is recommended to reach Tanzania? A: There are regular international flights from Europe and South Africa to Nairobi (Kenya), Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports. Daily scheduled domestic flights combine these gateways with the wildlife areas of Tanzania. We can pre-book and package all of your regional/internal flights and transfers.
Q: How do I get around in Tanzania? A: Scheduled and private charter flights are the most popular way of covering the vast distances. Self-drive options are not recommended. Guided safaris and tailormade itineraries can be arranged. Our expert travel consultants will assist you every step of the way to ensure seamless and safe travel arrangements…read more. [link to ‘Getting around Tanzania’ page]
AFRICAN WILDLIFE Q: What are the characteristic animal species of Tanzania? A: Tanzania’s spectacular wilderness highspots and national parks feature a wealth of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah, wild dog, hippo, zebra and giraffe – plus the famous ‘Jane Goodall’ chimpanzees on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The annual Great Migration of millions of herbivores is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and can be viewed at various Tanzanian and Kenyan locations throughout the year. Tanzania also boasts over 1000 species of birds and 35 antelope species. A great diversity of fish species is found in Africa’s three largest lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika and Niassa) all of which border Tanzania.
CLOTHING Q: What should I wear? A: You will require comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothes for your safari to Tanzania. Please note that bright colours are not suitable for game-viewing. It is best to have some warm clothing for early-morning and evening game drives, especially in winter.
Q: What should I pack? A: Packing Suggestions:
Light cotton trousers
Cotton shorts
Light cotton shirts (long and short sleeved)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sandals
Shower-proof rain jacket/windbreaker
Sunhat
Fleece
Insect repellent
Small torch
Bathing suit
Suntan lotion
Sunglasses
Camera (telephoto lens recommended)
Binoculars
For winter, pack an extra:
Warm jacket
Woollen hat
Scarf and gloves
FAMILY SAFARIS Q: Is Tanzania a good family destination? A: Tanzania offers wonderful value for families, although some establishments cater more for children’s enjoyment than others. Please note that the recommended age for children on safari in Tanzania is eight years and older. Some lodges do not take children under 12 years – we will advise you of the best family travel options.
FOOD Q: What style and type of meals are on offer? A: Most lodges, hotels and restaurants in Tanzania serve delicious, hearty meals of Pan-African cuisine – fresh ingredients, simply prepared with an African flavour. Vegetarian and halaal dietary requirements may be catered for but it is difficult to find strictly kosher meals.
GUEST SAFETY Q: Will I be safe? A: Guest safety is of paramount importance and even though Tanzania is a safe destination, it is wise to take certain standard security precautions. Please carry a record of your passport number, airline tickets and travellers cheques, and ensure that these items are kept in a safe place. Make use of your hotel safety deposit box for expensive items and never leave baggage or personal items unattended, especially at airports.
HEALTH Q: What kind of medical precautions do I need to take? A: Please consult your physician or health department for the latest health and anti-malaria precautions.
MONEY Q: Where can I change currency? A: You will be required to declare all foreign currency in any form when entering/exiting Tanzania and we therefore advise that you only change money as required. Most international airports have banks where money can be changed and facilities are usually available at hotels and lodges. The unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh). Foreign currency is widely accepted and prices are usually also displayed in USD.
Q: Can I use my credit card? A: Visa and MasterCard are accepted by most top hotels and lodges around the country. In addition to credit cards, we advise that you also have US dollars and traveller’s cheques available.
SAFARI SEASONS & TEMPERATURES Q: Which are the best months to visit Tanzania? A: Tanzania offers excellent game-viewing opportunities throughout the year. The climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands and in the Selous area. It is temperate in the other parks. Temperatures on Mounts Kilimanjaro and Meru can drop to below freezing. Maximum temperatures are about 30°C/86°F during summer (September to April) and 25°C/77°F during winter (May to August). Mid December to March is great summer weather. It is dry and very warm until March. Due to its altitude Ngorongoro Crater is much cooler than elsewhere and June, July and August can be very cold on the rim of the Crater. The best climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro is from August to October and from January to March. Our consultants will advise when and where are the best times to view the Great Migration.
Q: When is the rainy season? A: Late March to late May is traditionally the ‘long rainy’ season and is considered the winter period. June to late October is the dry season. Late October to mid December is when the ‘short rains’ occur, usually in the form of magnificent and short-lived thunderstorms.
TIPPING GUIDELINES Q: What should I tip? A: We recommend that you tender small amounts to your lodge/hotel staff and lodge managers will provide you with guidelines for tipping if required. Where restaurant meals are involved, the tipping standard is usually 10% of the bill.
WATER Q: Can I drink the water? A: We do not recommend you drink the tap water. Bottled water can be purchased.
