Traveling to Tanzania/ FAQ'S

 

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most stable countries.  You’ll be welcomed by its friendly people and always taken care of by our attentive staff.

 

Packing the right gear is essential as you’re not going to be able to just run to the store to pick up Benadryl, for example. There’s a broad range of safari experiences. Your final checklist will depend on the nature of your safari- is it lodge based, camping, five star luxury or hiking Kilimanjaro? Today, most lodges now have small shops with a limited selection of items.

 

Outlined below is a guideline of essentials that will cover the basics. Once your trip is booked, we will send a detailed packing list & FAQ’s to help you prepare for your trip.

 

Camera & Binoculars

Photos photos and more photos. Your trip to Tanzania will have memories of a life time that you will want to capture on camera. Make sure you bring a good quality camera to snap & shoot those memories. We also recommend you get your hands on a good pair of quality binoculars. Be sure to try out the binoculars if you’re buying a new pair, take them outside and focus on something way off in the distance.

 

Clothing

We recommend that you dress in comfortable, casual attire- remember you are guaranteed to get a little dusty out in the bush.  You’ll need to do some research on the season of your visit. Winter and summer temperatures can vary drastically.  The common denominator across all seasons is to have long sleeved shirts and pants for the early mornings and dusk. This is when the mosquitoes are at their most active and your clothing plays a huge part in the defense.

 

A word on color: Insects are attracted to dark colors (blacks and dark blues).  There’s a reason people wear khaki or lighter colors: they blend in with the bush which is the idea.  Natural fibers (such as cotton) are generally more comfortable and durable than synthetic gear in tropical climes.

 

Hat and sunglasses

A good hat for protection from the sun and a sunglasses are vital for your eyes . They’re also useful for keeping bugs and flies out of your hair & face.  We recommend having your sunglasses attached to a neck cord too as most of your time is spent taking off your sunglasses to raise the binoculars to your eyes and back down.

 

Small Flashlight

One real joy during a safari is taking in shiny bright stars on a clear night. Most campsites and lodges have a lights out policy relatively early in the evening. Having a small flashlight will come in handy.

 

Reading Material

Game-viewing normally takes place in the cooler hours of the day: the early morning and late afternoons. The hours between are perfect for reading your novels, magazines or writing in your journal. It is generally appreciated to leave your used reading material and magazines for local lodge or camp staff. 

 

Insect Repellent

Deet-based repellents and citronelle-based products work well for mosquitoes or other small insects. This is a must have on your trip.

 

Shots and Medication

For all medical advice, it’s always best to consult your local travel doctor. Most travelers receive a vaccination for yellow fever and antimalarial pills. Keep in mind that you’ll be staying in tented camps and lodges designed to accommodate American and European guests.

 

Cash

Have sufficient $US dollars on you to tip local guides and staff. There may also be curios or handicrafts in the area. Assume that credit cards aren’t accepted and settle in cash.

 

Baggage

Your best bet is to go with a soft duffel bag. Your luggage may need to go in the nose of a small light aircraft or cram into a vehicle. It needs to be durable and flexible, small and compact is needed. A small daypack is indispensable to keep your belongings together too.

 

Water

Drink only bottled water on your trip.  Bottled water will be provided during all wildlife-viewing drives. You can also purchase bottled water at all tented camps and lodges.

 

Food

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of food on our safaris. In most lodges, meals are served buffet-style. The food is often prepared with western palates in mind (some local dishes are included). Chefs prepare fresh soups, breads, entrees, and desserts daily.  It’s always a good idea to bring a few snacks: nuts, granola bars and other small snacks to enjoy while in the bush.

 

*Please note that with advanced notice we can accommodate guests that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or need certain diabetic-friendly meals. Please make sure to inform us upon booking your trip.

 

Other Odds & Ends

A full supply of any medication you’re on (including malarial prophylactics); sufficient toiletries; small sachet of biodegradable washing detergent; hand wipes; sunscreen (non-scented); extra pair of glasses or contact lenses if you can’t see without them; extra memory sticks, camera batteries, chargers and all things camera related; electrical converter and plug adapter; a good pair of comfortable walking shoes.

 

Simple FAQ’s:

Where is the best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa? If you dream of traveling to Africa to see an abundance of African wildlife in unspoiled natural environments, to visit the Serengeti plains, or to gaze on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, then make your dreams come true with a visit to Tanzania.

 

What kind of wildlife animal I will be able to see in Tanzania?

All kinds! Herds of wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, hippos and buffaloes. If you come at the right time of year, you can witness many migrations across the great Serengeti savanna.  Prides of lions, cackle of hyenas, and dozens of jackals roam freely as they have for thousands of years. Many people, however, know only of these big animals, but Tanzania is also to home to many exquisite birds, vultures, eagles, hawks, buzzards and many other raptors.  We have huge salt lakes which are home of millions of flamingos and many other aquatic birds.

 

When is the best time of year to go on safari in Tanzania?

Tanzania has the best year-round wildlife viewing, and we adjust our itineraries, departure dates, and accommodations based on wildlife migration patterns. So with Beyond Adventure, any time is a wonderful time to be on safari. Dry season from June to mid December is also good. March to April tend to be rainy but adventurous. We normally adjust our safari itineraries to take the advantage of the best possible game viewing in accordance with the seasonal animal migration or game movements.

 

For example in February in the southern part of the Serengeti, millions of wildebeests and zebras give birth.  This takes place mainly because it is so flat so they feel safe as they can easily detect any approaching danger.

 

Weather in Tanzania

Tanzania has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) in the highlands during cold and hot seasons, respectively. The rest of Tanzania has temperatures that rarely fall lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period is usually November to February (25–31 °C / 77–87.8 °F), and the coldest period is generally May through August (15–20 °C / 59–68 °F). The overall annual temperature is 32 °C (89.6 °F). The climate is cool in high mountainous regions.

 

Tanzania has two major rainfall regions: December–April, October–December and March–May. The former is experienced in southern, south-west, central and western parts of the country, while the latter is found to the north and northern coast.

 

Will I have a chance to interact with local people of Tanzania?

Many of our trips provide opportunities to visit local villages and interact with the people. However, if your itinerary does not include these visits, you’ll still gain valuable local insight from your expert guide, a native of Tanzania.

 

Can I take my children on safari?

Sure why not! We think taking your whole family on safari is a wonderful way to learn and grow together. We offer designed for families traveling with kids six years of age and older.

 

Will I stay in tents or lodges?

We know how important choice is when planning a trip. That’s why we offer an array of accommodation options. Do you want to stay in all tents? All lodges? A combination of both? Wherever you want we can arrange.

 

What size are your safari groups?

We specialize in small group travel (about 18 people or less), but the exact size varies trip to trip. One thing’s for sure: you’ll have plenty of elbow room, access to the pop-up roof hatch, and a guaranteed window seat. We do however arrange larger groups as well.

 

How far in advance should I book my safari?

We recommend booking as far in advance as possible to ensure your spot. We require an initial deposit and the remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

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Visa for Tanzania

Travelers to Tanzania require a valid visa each time you enter the Republic. Obtain a visa easily before traveling to Tanzania. Visa cost for US citizens $100. https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76.

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