Steps to take to book a safari in Tanzania

From the seasonal Great Wildebeest Migration from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Tanzania safaris are dominated by game safaris.

Since Tanzania has several options for what to do while on safari, you must select what interests you. Some of the activities you can do on Tanzania safari include game drives, visiting the Olduvai gorge, water activities because Tanzania has an active coastline of Dar el Salaam plus Zanzibar Island, chimpanzee trekking, cultural tours in Tanzania, and much more.

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3 Day Serengeti National Park Safari

4 Day Kenya Game Safari

To book the Tanzania safari, you also need to know the time of visiting because some occurrences, like the great wildebeest migration, are seasonal from about July to September as the peak season. 

Where to go on a Tanzania safari is important as the country has several destinations with similar but different activities. Some of the Tanzania safari destinations include Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro National Park, Mahale National Park, Ngombe National Park, Ruaha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and others; hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro is exciting for Mountaineers worldwide. 

You must consider the cost of park entrance fees to be paid before visiting Tanzania's national parks. Some of these funds support the conservation programs of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.

Book accommodation to use while on a Tanzania safari per the destination. For game safaris, to get the best game experience, you start early as the animals emerge from the night hangouts and late afternoon as they return home.

Secure transport means to use while on Tanzania safaris, as road transport is the most common means to get around Tanzania. Still, the journey to most countryside destinations in Tanzania is long. 

Book air transport on domestic or charter flights while on safari in Tanzania, but advance booking is required to make all the necessary clearances.

How To Book Tanzania Safari

Step1: identify activities to do on the Tanzania safari

Game drives are the main safari activity of Tanzania, with the great wildebeest migration being the shining star of all. Since Tanzania is the point of commencement for excellent wildebeest migration on the bucket list of most safari lovers, you need to keep up to date with what is happening since its starting time is not. 

During the game drives in any Tanzania Game Parks, you may spot wild animals like wildebeests, lions, hyenas, leopards, Rhinos, Impalas, Zebras, Elands, bushbucks, hartebeest, cheetahs, herds of cape buffaloes, herds of elephants and others. 

Some game parks you can visit while on a Tanzania safari include Serengeti National Park. Ruaha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro National Park, Tarangire National Park, Nyerere National Park, and others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania is exciting, but you need to book a chimpanzee permit. The chimpanzee conservation program is under the care of Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), a Jane Goodall program. Chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania happens in Mahale and Gombe National Parks. In these forested parks of Tanzania, you may spot other primate species and many birds. 

Hiking Mountain Kilimanjaro is epic to many Mountain climbers worldwide because of its stunning view as a block topped with glaciers annually. The Kilimanjaro provides a unique scenery for taking photographs.

Visiting the Masai homesteads gives you a glimpse into the life of the local people. The Masai are very conservative with the culture which they have maintained since the past. They are cattle keepers, and women have the role of home maintenance. You can visit the Masai Manyatta to enjoy their dance moves, but it requires prior arrangement.

Water activities while on Tanzania safari as the country has a coastline. You can visit the Dar-el-Salaam port area to enjoy beach activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, Kayaking, boat cruising, and much more. The epitome of beach activities in Tanzania is the visit to Zanzibar, one of the territories of Tanzania. You will visit the sparkling beaches on Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean to feel the cool breeze and stunning blue water.

Step 2: book accommodation to use during the Tanzania safari

Tanzania has several safari destinations you can include in your itinerary, but accommodation is vital while on safari. Where you spend the night while on holiday contributes an excellent part to the feeling you get when you get back home. Everyone would want to stay home away from home while on safari but within your budget.

For seasonal safari activities while on Tanzania safari, like the great wildebeest migration, you need accommodation within or closer to Serengeti National Park. Accommodations at Serengeti National Park are categorized into luxury, mid-range, and basic. It is best to secure where to spend your nights in advance as they sell out, especially during the peak season, which is June to September and December to January.

Serengeti accommodations: Ndoto Serengeti Camp, Anantya Serengeti, Africa Safari Maasai Boma Camping, Zawadi Camp, Mawe Tented Camp, Olmara Camp, Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma Camping

Step 3: Book Transport For The Tanzania Safari

Road transport is the most common means to get around Tanzania, but since the country is vast, using road transport depends on your point of commencement. Some of the Tanzania safari destinations are far apart, requiring long drives. 

When booking a vehicle to use during the Tanzania safari, you need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition. Hiring a well-trained and experienced safari driver guide keeps your excitement about the Tanzania safari up. The vehicle tires must be good to withstand the hot conditions in most of the game parks, as temperatures may get extremely high during the dry seasons.

Air transport is available in Tanzania to the various airstrips closer to the different safari destinations in the country. Other domestic flight companies can offer flight services. Charter services are also possible on Tanzania safari if you make the booking and relevant clearing in advance.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we arrange Tanzania safaris and all the supporting logistics to make your time on holiday memorable. We hand-pick our safari guides and choose accommodations to use while on safari with the help of your input.

Step 4: Pack the necessary Safari gear for the Tanzania Tour

 As you shop for what to pack while on a Tanzania holiday, you need to follow the suitable list. You do not need to carry so many bags, which may inconvenience you, especially if you share space with others.

 Step 5: Process a Tourist Visa For Tanzania 

If you need a visa while traveling to Tanzania, apply in time to avoid on-ground inconveniences. Although you can book the visa on the ground, the process of getting the visa may be too long for you since there are usually many people on the ground.

Some of the items to Pack for the Tanzania safari include

•  A pair of binoculars to get a clearer view of far-ranging features in the wilderness.
• Canvas boots to use during the walks to find the chimpanzees, nature walks, walking safaris, and game drives in Tanzania. 
• Safari foldable shirt and convertible trousers protect your body from stinging insects in the wilderness and other rough surfaces in the jungle like chimpanzee safaris in Tanzania.
• Use garden gloves to protect your palms from the rough surfaces in the jungle if you go for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale or Gombe National Parks.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects
• Safari hat for protecting your head from buzzing insects.
• Backpack with your safari gear and other items you hand over to the porter.
• Camera for taking photos and capturing moments to return to later, such as the great wildebeest migration experience. It is memorable and deserves to get back to for safari memories.
• Raincoat as it falls in the forest anytime without warning
• Additional clothes to change into after the game drives, chimpanzee safaris, walking in the Masai homesteads
• A first aid kit with medication can be used in an emergency.
• A sweater or warmers are needed during the early morning or late afternoon, as most Tanzania safari destinations experience cold conditions.
• Extra batteries to change with after one runs low.
• Hard cash to change into local currency in case you wish to make on-ground purchases, as credit cards are not commonly used in Rwanda. This is because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them.

How Safe is Tanzania For A Safari?

Tanzania is a safe safari destination in Africa, but you must mind your safety, too, while on safari. Most of the safari destinations of Tanzania are in the game parks where predators are. While at the lodge, you are advised to stay in your room as you may be food for these predators.

The park rangers are present to protect the wild animals, their habitats, and tourists. You need to follow the safari instructions given by the park rangers because your safety is paramount. 

Don't walk around with your valuables as you may attract the wrong company while on safari.

While on a game drive in Tanzania, do not hang around your limbs through the windows because there are predators that may pull off your body parts. 

Do not stop for short calls while on safari in Tanzania, as you may not know what is watching you.

When Is The Best Time To Book Tanzania Safari?

The best time to book the Tanzania safari is when you are ready. Tanzania is open for safari booking, but the dry season offers better chances to see more animals in the wilderness. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January.

The wild animals are quicker to spot since the grass is lower. The tracks in the national parks of Tanzania are easy to navigate, although very dusty and bumpy because of the many tourist vehicles in the Tanzania National parks.

For the exceptional great wildebeest migration, you need to secure your safari in Tanzania to Serengeti National Park at least three months in advance. The accommodations for the peak season sell out fast, so you need to secure yours upfront.

For the low season, which is normally the wet season, which is March to May, you need to book the necessary accommodation in advance. Chances of seeing many infant births are more common during the wet seasons. This is because there is sufficient grass for them to feed on and hide from the predators.

To enjoy the best Tanzania safari experience, you need to book and plan your adventure in time so that all the relevant logistics are planned for. Last-minute safari booking may take a lot of work to process.

Guidelines on Tanzania Safari

• Do not go off track while on a game drive in Tanzania, as this is punishable, and you may kill some animals. In case you have to seek permission from the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.
• Only enter any national park with a ranger guide, especially if you have to walk. The wilderness has other occupants that may be harmful to you.
• Dumping garbage is forbidden while in the wilderness, as plastic wraps can alter the nature of the habitats where wild animals thrive.
• Shouting or making noise while in the wilderness is forbidden as this scares the wild animals.
• Feeding wild animals is forbidden because they must depend on the supplies from their habitats and not on human provision.
• When traveling with children, let them always be in the company of a guardian or parent.
• During the game drive, only drive off track if you seek permission from the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority.
• Drive on the speed limit advised by park authorities because you are penalized when you knock on an animal.
• Open your mind to the park's different features, animals, and sceneries, and expect to see only some of the animals in the pack. These wild animals move freely, so enjoy your Uganda safari and do not focus on spotting particular animals.

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