Tips when going on an African safari presents an exhilarating adventure that provides the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The safari destinations in Africa are diverse and offer various landscapes, from open savannahs to dense forests and desert terrain. The feeling of being surrounded by nature, listening to the sounds of wild animals, and observing the magnificent creatures up close is absolutely inspiring.
Before embarking on a safari, it is essential to choose a reputable tour company that offers knowledgeable guides, comfortable accommodations, and secure transportation. Guides are crucial for navigating the terrain and locating the best wildlife sightings. They also provide significant information on safety protocols and etiquettes in the wild.
Tips when going on an African Safari activities usually comprise game drives, guided walks, and cultural tours. Game drives are carried out in open-air vehicles and provide the best opportunity to view wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many others. Guided walks provide an intimate experience of the local flora and fauna, while cultural tours offer a glimpse into the customs and traditions of the communities living in the surrounding areas.
The best time to go on safari varies by region and is usually determined by weather patterns and animal migration. Tips when going on an African Safari In general, the dry season, which occurs during the winter months in Africa, is the best time for game viewing, as animals gather around water sources and are more visible in the open savannahs.
Tips when going on an African safari, it is important to respect the wildlife and their natural habitat. Follow the instructions of your guide and maintain a safe distance from the animals. Remember to keep your camera and binoculars handy to capture the incredible sights and sounds of the African wilderness.
Important travel information from Tanganyika Outdoor Safari and Adventure Company
Tips when going on an African Safari
Passports and Visas for entering Tanzania:
Tips when going on an African Safari Tanzania, an East African nation, requires all visitors to have a current passport. Visas are necessary for several nations’ citizens. Regarding the requirement for an entry visa, one ought to contact their closest embassy or the high commission of some East African nation. Tanzania required a second visa to enter its borders while Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda only needed one visa for tourists.
In Tanzania and Kenya, visas can be acquired at the airport for $50 for the majority of travelers. It is also possible to acquire visas in advance, saving time at the border. Visitors to Tanzania and Kenya (and other African nations) must obtain visas individually, whereas those going to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda just need a single visa.one visa is required for all three nations.
A transit visa may be required for visitors who stay in a nation for less than two days. Unless they have already left for their home country, travelers who arrive in one nation, travel to another, and then return to the first country are typically allowed to reenter on the original multiple entry visa.
Immigration: Travellers arriving from overseas must comply with immigration formalities on arrival. Travellers going between the East African countries (such as Kenya and Tanzania) need to complete immigration formalities. Landing cards are generally provided by the airline in advance and must be completed for each traveller.
Customs: On arrival, travellers must pass through customs for clearance. Tourists generally are not questioned; however, customs officials have the right to inspect all luggage.
Patience and courtesy are important. Personal effects including cameras and film may be imported temporarily without a permit. A customs bond may be demanded from visitors bringing in filming equipment, radios, tape recorders and musical instruments to ensure that the goods are re-exported. Firearms require a special permit.
Back Up Copies: Safari participants should make copies of their passports, visas (if purchased in advance), itineraries, emergency contact numbers, names of medication prescription and other important information. Also, it is required to carry the backup copies in a separate place or have a travelling companion carry them.
Arrival Delays and Group joining information: Should events such as missed or delayed flights mean that a safari participant will arrive late, the traveller or agent should contact their local tour operator as soon as possible so arrangements to be made for joining other safari members for their trip. Any additional costs must, however, be borne by the safari participant or airline.
Lost Luggage on safari to Africa:
Before departing the airport, a thorough report must be made to the airline company if a safari participant arrives without their bags.
If the bag has been locked, the airline must get the keys and combination to access it and clear it through customs. We will work with the airline to help the bag catch up with the safari participant once the luggage has been discovered. The safari participant is responsible for covering any costs of moving luggage and recouping them from their insurer or airline.
Game Viewing: The best times for game viewing are normally in the early morning and late afternoon, as animals tend to hide up during the heat of mid-day but it is also worthy to spend the full day out with picnic lunches as you might see great things as well.
Laundry: There are laundry facilities at practically all hotels; lodges and safari camps and laundry will often be returned on the same day weather permitting.
Insurance: We require that all clients arrange personal travel insurance to cover their medical, property, and other personal risks for the duration of their safaris.
Language: The official languages of Tanzania are Kiswahili and English, and in Kenya and Uganda is English. Kiswahili is spoken and understood by the great majority of East African. There is a wide usage of and understanding of English language, particularly, in the town centers.
Shopping: You will find woodcarvings, leather goods, batik, souvenirs, jewelry and precious stones in shops inside most hotels and lodges throughout the countries but the prices in the shops in hotel and lodges are fixed. Bargaining is possible in the souvenir shops. For anything you purchase, remember to keep a receipt with you for presentation at customs.
Food: You should feel confident in eating the meals at the restaurants and hotels that are included in your travel package. Your guide or local representative can give you advice if you are dining on your own. We can assist with special dietary requests given advance notice.
Clothing, What to wear on Safari:
It never gets really cold in Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda, so lightweight clothing is normal. However, in particular Arusha and Nairobi, they experience colder weather in months of June and July.
On safari, short sleeve shirts/blouses, and shorts are ideal. A light jacket/sweater may be needed in the evening at higher altitudes. Sensible walking shoes, a hat to keep off the sun, and sunglasses are essential too.
But pack a sweater, it can be cold in the evening/morning. If climbing, needless to say, warm clothing is essential. Read more on what to pack for safari in Tanzania
Electric Current: Africa uses 240 volt electric current. Plugs may vary from the UK standard square pin to European standard round pin. Some lodges generate their own electricity and may not generate 24 hours per day. The electric current is subject to voltage fluctuation and power cuts are possible, even in larger cities.
Litter: We request that litter is never thrown from vehicles. This includes bits of food such as banana peels. Also, at picnic sites, all litter should be collected and placed in bins provided.
If there is no bin, the litter should be carried to the next lodge where your guide will dispose of it.
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle. Smokers will have opportunities for breaks during their trip, but it is imperative that no lit matches or cigarettes be left behind. An accidental brush fire in the bush could cause severe damage to the environment and wildlife.
Children: Many visitors like to bring gifts for the local children. It is more than likely that children will be encountered during the trip and that they will look to visitors to share gifts with them. Confectionery is not a good idea. Gifts such as school supplies or clothes are much better options.
We also suggest that gifts and donations are made through local schools and orphanages. This gives our clients a chance to help the local community without reinforcing the culture of begging.
Street Beggars: We do not recommend that our clients give anything to street beggars and street children encountered in the towns and cities as this will encourage them to beg forever even for those who have an ability to work.
Dress Codes: Our holidays are generally relaxed experiences with casual dress codes. There are a few places where cultural considerations might dictate conservative dress.
This is especially true in Zanzibar and Mombasa. Here, shorts and swimming attire should not be worn outside of the grounds of the hotel or resort. Some lodges and luxury camps request that guests wear “smart casual” attire at evening meals.
People Photography: On your safari you will be meeting a lot of local people along the way, most of them feel offended if their photographs are taken without their consent, so ask your guide will advise you on local people.
Although every effort is made to adhere to schedules, it should be noted that occasionally routes, lodges, and camps may be changed while on safari as dictated by changing conditions. Such conditions may be brought about by seasonal rainfall on bush tracks, airfields and in game areas, by game migrations from one region to another, or airline or other booking problems, etc.
Tanganyika outdoor safari and Adventures shall not be held responsible for such itinerary changes as discussed above.
Inside the parks/reserve
Please be aware that our safaris may take you into close contact with wild animals. Tips when going on an African Safari Attacks by wild animals its rare, but no safari into the African wilderness can guarantee that this will not occur.
Tanganyikaoutdoor safari and Adventures shall not be held responsible for any injury or incident on the safari. Please note that many safari lodges and camps are not fenced and that wildlife does move freely in and around these areas.
Always follow the safety instructions from the lodge or camp’s staff with regards to moving to and from your tent and while on game activities throughout your safari.
Liabilities and Insurance
Tanganyikaoutdoor safari and Adventures acts only as an agent of the passenger in all matters relating to tours and accepts no responsibility for any personal illness, injury, accident, death, flights delay, any kind of loss, damage or irregularity of any kind, which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party
Payment of deposit indicates acceptance of above terms and conditions such as a hotel or airline, who is to, or does supply, any goods or services for Business etc.
Therefore, you should secure fully comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for any eventual loss of baggage or valuables, personal accident and medical expenses, or loss of any kind.