FAQs

Are You Planning A Tanzania Safari Trip?

Below are some of the frequently asked Tanzania safari questions.As Safari specialists in Tanzania we have compiled the list below to act as a guideline and provide answers in case you have similar questions when planing a safari trip to Tanzania. If you have further questions that have not been addressed here please feel free to write us and will get back to you with the answers.

  • What health precautions should I take when travelling in Tanzania & Eastern Africa?
  • May I make alterations to my confirmed safari schedule?
  • What happens if I get unavoidably delayed before the Safari?
  • What happens if I lose my baggage on a flight?
  • What kind of room can I expect ?
  • Why is there a single room supplement ?
  • What happens if the package price changes after I have booked my package?
  • Is the water safe to drink?
  • What Travel Insurance do I need?
  • What information will I need to file an insurance claim when I return?
  • What is included in my Tanzania safari trip?
  • What is NOT included in my safari trip?
  • Climate in Tanzania: What do I bring?
  • How much am I supposed to tip on Safari?
  • How much money am I allowed to carry on Tanzania Safari?
  • What sort of clothing and baggage should I carry on Safari?
  • Can wild animals be approached unaccompanied by a guide?
  • What kind of camera equipment should I bring?
  • Can I bring a flashlight/torch in my backpack?
  • Recommended Reading – Nature Books
  • What sort of electrical power outlets do they use in tanzania?
  • Can I bring my mobile (cell) phone, iridium or radio phone?
  • What happens should a problem occur?
  • Visa and Passport Information – Important
  • Can I climb Kilimanjaro if I am pregnant
  • Why Travel and explore Tanzania?

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What health precautions should I take when on Holiday in Tanzania & Eastern Africa?

Although Tanzania is generally safe in terms of health and other diseases, we strongly recommend that you start an anti-malarial course of tablets 2 weeks prior to your departure. Although most lodges provide mosquito nets on beds, insecticide sprays, mosquito coils, etc., we also recommend that you bring a personal supply of mosquito repellent.

Mosquitoes are generally most active during the evening, especially during dinner hours. Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants in the evenings will help you avoid being bothered by mosquitoes.

Please consult your local doctor for specific advice before departure to Africa. Although we have not had any client contracting malaria during our Tanzania Safaris, it can develop once you return home, in which case, visit your local doctor immediately and request a blood test, explain that you have been on a safari in Tanzania where you might have been exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes and advise your doctor to contact our Arusha Head Office for further details and explanation. Time is of the essence.

International certificates of vaccination are required for yellow fever and typhoid before entering either Tanzania, Zanzibar or Kenya – please contact your nearest Tanzania or Kenya embassy for an update and information before you depart for East Africa.

Please bring a sufficient supply of any special medications you may need, as there are not always a pharmacy within reach.

Can I make alterations to my confirmed Tanzania safari schedule?

Since our specialty is tailor made Tanzania safaris we will be flexible to try and accommodate your requests as long as space is available at your preferred properties. Accommodation may also be changed due to reservation problems, conditions of roads and airfields, game migrations or other reasons where your safety takes priority.

What happens if I get unavoidably delayed before the Safari in Tanzania?

We will be flexible but we cannot be held responsible for airlines running late. We will make every effort to reunite you with your group, but we have a responsibility for the others on the trip with you. We will try to accommodate your new travel schedule in order to catch up with the group.

If our professional Safari guide is unable to conduct his/her safari trip due to causes of illness or other circumstances, Smart African Travel will supply a substitute Safari guide of equal caliber for  your Tanzania safari trip.

What happens if I lose my baggage on a flight?

Losing baggage on a scheduled flight can be a nightmare. We recommend that you try to check your baggage in as a group at the same airport to avoid loss or misplacement.

If your bags are lost, your driver/guide will help you complete all necessary documentation required by the airline and our Arusha office will arrange to forward your baggage to one of the lodges if it is found at your cost (we cannot guarantee this). The airline will have to compensate you if your bags are lost or damaged. Please ensure that you keep your baggage tag numbers safe in your purse which will assist in tracing lost luggage.

What kind of room can I expect?

All of the Safari accommodations we offer in Tanzania provide private bathroom facilities which include sink, toilet, tub and/or shower. Room types and sizes vary depending on the destination. Single rooms are usually the same size as twins and doubles, In fact they are the same rooms but occupied by one person on request.

Triples are usually a standard twin/double plus a roll away or sofa bed. Here is a general guideline for bed types: Double: 1 double bed which sleeps 2; Twin: 2 twin beds which sleeps 1 in each; Single: 1 single or twin bed which sleeps 1; Triple: 3 twin beds which sleeps 1 in each or 1 double which sleeps 2 and 1 roll away or sofa bed which sleeps 1. Queen and/or King beds are not offered in any category.

Upgrades to superior rooms, executive rooms or suites are not available unless specified under the description of the package. Please note that check-in at all hotels is not guaranteed before 11:00am. Since most arrivals are before this time most hotels provide secure storage for your luggage until your room is ready. Standard check-out time is 11:00am.

Why is there a single supplement?

Tour packages are usually priced on a per person basis. This means the room cost or car cost is divided by two people. Therefore if only one person goes, he/she has to cover the whole cost of that room or the car.

What happens if the Tanzania Safari Package Price changes after I have booked my package?

Once a package is booked and paid in full, the price is guaranteed. If our prices change, no price amendments will be made to existing bookings.

Is the water safe to drink?

Not always. We do not recommend drinking tap water in any hotel, camp or game lodges during your trip. We recommend you drink only bottled water. The tap water in your room, however, can be safely used to brush your teeth and wash with.

Note:
To avoid effects of dehydration, please drink lots of bottled water and other beverages while travelling, especially in the hot months (August to November). On any  Tanzania walking safaris please take one or two bottles of water with you.

What Travel Insurance do I need?

We strongly advise you to purchase full and comprehensive travel insurance to cover any eventuality before travelling, including:Tanzania Safari Cancellation, injury, accident, illness, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, loss of money or personal belongings.

This is compulsory on all  Tanzania safari trips. Please arrange insurance with your personal broker or agent before leaving your home country.

What information will I need to file an insurance claim when I return?

If an incident(s) occurs, keep copies of every detail and document such as police reports, doctor’s notes, when and where it happened, etc. in order to enable you to make a claim on your return home.

Climate in Tanzania: What do I bring?

  1. The wet summer months are November, December, January and February
  2. Winter months are July and August which can be very cold with minimum temperatures of 36 degrees F/2 degrees C.
  3. Spring months , September and October and this is the best Safari season although hot with lowest temperatures of 60 degrees F/15 degrees C.

Pack clothing according to the season in which you will travel – frosts in an African winter are not uncommon. Choose neutral colours so as not to startle the animals. Here follows a suggested list:

Checklist:
Suggested safari Items:

  • Fleece or wool jumper/jacket
  • Windproof/waterproof jacket
  • Small towel and swimwear
  • 4 shirts/t-shirts, cool and breathable
  • Long-sleeved shirt or sweater for evenings
  • 1 pair of shorts
  • 2 pairs of long trousers
  • 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sport sandals
  • Sun hat, Bandana
  • Sunblock
  • Sunglasses
  • Watch or alarm clock
  • Water bottle
  • Purification tablets or filter (bottled water is also available for purchase)
  • Pocketknife
  • Flashlight or Headlamp (with extra batteries and bulbs)
  • Money belt
  • First-aid kit (should contain Lip balm with sunscreen, Aspirin, Ibuprofin , Malaria pills, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamine, Antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhoea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
  • Toiletries (biodegradable)
  • Hand sanitizer gel/Sanitizer wipes
  • Toilet paper
  • Camera and extra memory card/film
  • Extra batteries (recommended)
  • Electricity plug adapter
  • For fly-in safaris, a soft bag carrying no more than 15 kg are essential. Bring also a small day-pack (backpack type).

How much am I supposed to tip on Safari?

Tipping duringTanzania safari is not compulsory, and is at client’s discretion – only tip if you had a great safari and enjoyed the service given to you. A guideline is:

  • Safari guide  – around US$6-00 – 8-00 per person  per day.
    For your tour driver/guide who accompanies the entire Safari Adventure with you for 16 days – perhaps a little more than the above.
  • General staff at the lodges – around US$2-4-00 per client per day – usually lodges provide a tipping box and tips are shared amongst all the staff.
  • In hotels/Restaurants, around 10% is usual for excellent service.

How much money am I allowed to carry on Tanzania  Safari?

We would recommend you bring small denominations in cash for easy exchange, tips, airport departure taxes etc. – US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50. Many countries may not have change for large notes such as US$100.

The remainder of your money should be in Travellers Cheques as this is by far the best way to travel with your funds. Credit cards can be used in Tanzania. Ensure that your tour leader guide is close to you when using credit cards, as she/he will know the requirements of each country’s Credit Card facilities.

What sort of clothing and baggage should I carry on Tanzania Safari?

We would encourage you to keep your clothing and baggage to casual and comfortable basics. Do NOT bring the following clothing: ARMY/Camouflage print clothing, bright colours, army hats.

Baggage:
Due to the lack of space in our safari vehicles and weight limits in our small aircraft, clients are only permitted to carry ONE soft duffel type bag weighing between 9-15 kg and a small daypack for camera, binoculars etc.

It is a strict rule imposed by aviation regulations. Massive suitcases will not be allowed on the small Cessna 206/Caravan during your Safari trip; please do not be disappointed on arrival.

Most international flights allow 18-20kg per passenger but remember that you will be asked to leave excess weight behind at the hotel in Arusha. This can be collected on the day of departure (But we would not encourage this as you will be late for check-in). If you really need to to bring excess baggage, please first consult with our Arusha Office first.

Can wild animals be approached unaccompanied by a guide?

Never! Even if animals approach the lodge grounds, we are not in a Zoo or a Theme Park where animals are accustomed to humans. Your Tanzania safari will be conducted in real African wilderness with occasional close encounters with wild animals.

Attacks by these animals are rare, but we cannot guarantee that it will not happen. All wild animals need to be treated with respect. Clients are advised to adhere to rules and follow the instructions of the guide conducting your safari, especially on walking trails.

Smart African Travel & Safaris, cannot be held responsible for any injury or incident that may occur due to carelessness or negligence on your part.

What kind of camera equipment should I bring?

The less weight, the easier for you to carry during your Safari in Tanzania. Small hand held digital video cameras are excellent on a walk or game drive. The minimum lens when taking still photos will be 200-300 mm zoom lens with standard SLR cameras,and a lightweight telescopic lens if you wish to take pictures of birds or mammals at a distance.

We recommend that you visit your local camera shop in your hometown for advice before departure. We advise that you purchase lots of film or memory sticks as these are not always available in the more remote parts. Large camera tripods will take up too much space – a small hand tripod or monopod is ideal.

Can I bring a flashlight/torch in my backpack?

We recommend you bring a small, powerful flashlight/torch and spare batteries or recharger – although some of the lodges do equip rooms with flashlights/torches.

What sort of electrical power outlets do they use in Tanzania?

220v is the most commonly used electrical power outlet. In Tanzania we have square 3-pin plugs similar to British type. We recommend you bring a 50 watt Radio Shack multi-nation Travel Adapter that can convert 220/240v to 110/120v and will fit most sockets in Eastern Africa or Europe.

Most game lodges use diesel generators or solar panels for electricity in the camp, please bear with lodge staff and management as they will advise when the power will be available for our use.

Can I bring my mobile (cell) phone, iridium or radio phone?

Be informed in advance that any type of phone/Radio will not be allowed for usage during Safari, as this will hinder the privacy and the enjoyment of your holiday in Tanzania. Should you bring this equipment, please ensure that you keep and use it in your room only, not in the public areas at lodges and it should never interfere with any other guests on Safari.

E-mail facilities or internet cafes will be available only in cities or towns such as Arusha.Most safari lodges in Tanzania also have e-mail facilities that you can use to communicate with friends and relatives back home while on your Tanzania safari.

What happens should a problem occur?

We expect your Tanzania Safari trip to be problem-free but if any do occur, please do not hesitate to contact your Safari guide, management or the staff at any of the lodge/camps and they will be able to assist or attend to your problem immediately.

Visa and Passport Information

Important: Before your depart for your holiday in Tanzania, please ensure that your passport has enough blank pages (more than four) and is endorsed with a visa if required for any country to be visited.

In case you will be traveling to other countries as well, we urge you to check the immigration requirements to each of the countries covered in your itinerary, before departure for Tanzania. Immigration policies and regulations in each country can change from time to time without notice.

Although we will try to meet your safari requirements, smart African Travel & Safaris, their staff or agents will not be held responsible for any client travelling without a passport or without valid visa(s).

Tanzania airport tax: US$30-00 departure tax paid in cash by passengers at the airport. Zanzibar requires Tsh5, 000.00 departure tax from Zanzibar to any destination within Tanzania.

Information correct at time of writing. Please check with us/ travel agent and/or embassy before commencing a safari trip to Tanzania.

Can I climb mount Kilimanjaro If I am pregnant?
No, unfortunately we do not allow pregnant women to participate in strenuous activities such as Kilimanjaro trekking for safety reasons. However you can participate in other Tanzania safaris if the pregnancy is not advanced.

Why travel and explore Tanzania?
Discover your dream African vacation in Tanzania. Africa is a land of many contrasts with much to attract your interest. Not only does it abound in wildlife but it is also a land of stunning landscapes, Idyllic Indian, Atlantic & Mediterranean beaches, fascinating people and boundless  safari adventures.