Tanzania Safari – Frequently Asked Questions

From the postcard-perfect beaches and large open skies to the majestic animals and spectacular wilderness, Tanzania offers children mesmerising sights and wildlife adventures. Tanzania is a family-friendly safari destination, but before you hop on to the plane, you’ll need to do some research. There are some safari lodges and camps that have age restrictions for children. When you book a safari tour, discuss this with your tour operator and find out details about the restrictions; it might be a lodge or camp which only accepts children over a certain age, or it could be some of the activities where there are age restrictions such as walking safaris or game drives. Some camps offer children-specific activities for families. In terms of safety, it is quite safe to take your kids on a safari, just ensure that they listen to the guide at all times.

Tanzania is one of the safest destinations in East Africa. The locals are generous, friendly and eager to help visitors. However, you need to take the necessary precautions, including storing your valuables in the hotel safe and carrying only what’s necessary (camera equipment, cards, cash, jewellery, or any other valuables). On a safari, your safety will be in the hands of your guide. Make sure that you follow everything your guide says and do not wander around in the wild.

Pack comfortable clothing suitable for sitting in safari vehicles and other safari activities. Don’t pack bright colours (or camouflage patterns); stick to neutral brown, beige, khaki and white. Bring light-weight cotton clothes which can be layered up in cooler weather. Pack long sleeve shirts and trousers to wear from dusk to prevent mosquito bites. During the winter months, mornings and evenings can be very cold so pack a fleece, hats and gloves. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and swimwear for both safaris and beach holidays. If you plan to visit mountain areas such as Mount Kilimanjaro, you need to pack a fleece, rain jacket, and walking boots or shoes. Additional items which are good to take on safari include binoculars, torch and adapter, and of course don’t forget your camera! 

Even though Swahili, a Bantu language, is the official language of Tanzania and majority of the population speak it, not everyone in Tanzania speaks it. They might speak a variation of the Bantu languages as there are quite a few Bantu and Nilotic languages spoken throughout Tanzania. English is the second official language, spoken by a large number of Tanzanians – a remnant of colonial rule (formerly known as the Tanganyika territory). 

Although Tanzania’s official currency is Tanzanian Shilling, which is accepted throughout the country, US Dollars are also widely accepted in a majority of tourist areas. However, the locals don’t usually accept US dollar notes printed before 2009. We recommend visitors exchange money at authorised dealers in Tanzania plus there are options to use ATMs to get the local currency. Most of the Tanzanian outlets accept Mastercard and Visa.

Usually, safari tours and packages are prepaid which includes airfares, meals, vehicles, lodges, camps and some or all activities. Once this is settled before you depart from home, on safari you’ll will need money to tip the guides and accommodation staff, buy any souvenirs, drinks and optional activities. Some of these can be paid for with credit cards, some you will need cash for. Around 50-100 pounds or dollars is probably the most you’ll need to spend per day in Tanzania, plus you can carry traveller cheques and credit cards.

The majority of visitors travelling to Tanzania require a visa to enter Tanzania. There are certain exceptions to that rule. Visitors can either obtain a visa on arrival or get a visa prior to travel from the Tanzania Consulate in their country of residence. Some visitors (from specific countries) may not require a Tanzanian visa at all. Refer to Tanzania Immigration website for the complete list of visa-exempt countries. You can also refer to the same page for Referral Visa Cases, as it provides a list of countries that can acquire a visa on arrival. There are numerous types of visa, but visitors who want to travel to Tanzania for leisure require a Single Entry or an ordinary Visa. In addition make sure your passport has at least six months validity.

As malaria is present safari lodges and camps will all provide mosquito nets – whether you’re staying in a luxury lodge or a mobile tented camp, mosquito nets play an important part in preventing malaria. In addition, mosquito repellent is often provided, but it’s well worth bringing your own, plus don’t forget to pack a full sleeve shirt/blouse, and slacks or trousers to wear at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

The food in safari lodges and camps should be really good as meals are a huge part of the safari experience; relaxing over brunch after an early morning game drive, enjoying a delicious dinner at the end of an active day. Avoid drinking tap water and stick to bottled water provided by your safari guide and accommodation. If you are being more independent, choose any restaurants you visit wisely, and eat only at places that have good reviews and come highly recommended.

It’s unlikely that you will have to worry about transport once you arrive in Tanzania. Many safari packages include a vehicle with a driver guide who will can take you around Tanzania on your safari. The vehicle included in the package will be your primary mode of transportation together with any charter or scheduled flights to take you to remote game areas or off shore islands such as Zanzibar.

To reach emergency services in Tanzania dial 112 and ask for the required service.

Arusha National Park: The park has more than 400 bird species, the most well-known amongst them the pink flamingoes that can be seen in the shallow waters of the Momela Lakes in Arusha National Park. Lake Victoria: Home to more than 200 diverse bird species: cormorant, goliath, great-white egret, sacred ibis and malachite kingfishers are some of the most frequently spotted species. Lake Natron: Boasting a diverse population of 127 bird species including ostrich, helmeted guinea fowl, coqui francolin, flamingoes, buff-crested and kori bustards, red-chested cuckoo and white-backed vulture. As well as Lake Victoria and Lake Natron, other lake destinations which are great birding locations include; Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara-, and Lake Tanganyika are also ideal birding locations are Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara and Lake Tanganyika. Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park: With the highest number of bird species around 750, its diverse habitats are home to numerous turaco species, four of which are Hartlaub’s turaco, rose turaco, Schalow’s turaco and violent-crested Turaco. There are also more than 30 species of cuckoo in the park, including klass cuckoo and emerald cuckoo. Ngorongoro Crater: Home to 500 bird species we mention some of the common bird species found in this area in FAQ 18. Ruaha National Park: One of Ruaha National Park’s attractions is its large concentration of bird species, 450 bird species, including night-heron, storks, kingfisher, glossy ibis and goliath. Rubondo Island National Park: The park has around 300 bird species, which include egrets, herons, flamingoes, kingfishers, spoonbills, African fish eagles and vultures. Serengeti National Park: More than 500 bird species call Serengeti National Park  home. Some of them are grey-crested helmet shrike, grey-backed fiscal, Schalow’s turaco, Rupell’s vulture, Verreaux’s eagle and silverbird. Usambara Mountains: Usambara Mountains region is teeming with birds including little yellow flycatcher, east coast akalat, dapple-throat arcanator, southern banded snake-eagle and Fischer’s turaco.

Arusha Game Reserve Lake Manyara National Park Lake Victoria Mount Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Conservation Area Ruaha National Park Selous Game Reserve Serengeti National Park Tarangire National Park Zanzibar Beaches and Historical Sites

The most famous spot in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. Formed from a collapsed volcano, the crater provides year-round food and water for a remarkable amount of wildlife, including the Big Five, which lives here. Animals African buffalo Black rhino Black-backed jackal Blue monkey Crocodile Elephant Eland Golden jackal Leopard Lion Oribi Serval Spotted hyena Thomson’s gazelle Topi Waterbuck Wildebeest Zebra Birds African spoonbill Capped wheatear Great white pelicans Flamingoes Hartlaub’s turaco Hildebrandt’s francolin Jackson’s widowbird Northern anteater chat Kori bustard Scarlet-chested sunbird Silver-cheeked Hornbill Verreaux’s eagle