6 Tips That Will Change Your Tanzania Safari For The Better
When is it best to visit Tanzania?
It really depends on where you are going.Tanzania Safari is a huge country and has different weather patterns. Areas around Moshi, Arusha and Kilimanjaro are generally cool throughout the year. Generally the country is warm, experiencing rain between March and May. If you are interested in sunny beaches and coastal tides, then end of the year and January is the best time. The weather is perfect for the beach and the festive season will not disappoint. The National Parks are open throughout the year.
Where is the best place to stay?
Tanzania prides itself in indelible lodges and country motels. Areas near the national parks are replete with several lodges to choose from. Tanzania is a beautiful and affordable country to live in. The towns also offer great places to stay. However, if you are up for a lush holiday, you may want to look for hotels like Ngurdoto.
How do you choose the best tour operator?
There are several tour operators in Tanzania. The Tanzanians are reputable for being easy-going and relaxed. Despite this, a good tour operator will respond to your questions in good time. They will also provide clear information concerning any questions you have. Unscrupulous tour operators will withhold information and give excuses such as, “Fly in and then we will talk about the price.” A good tour operator will give you the ratings and even issue you an ETR receipt. This receipt is evidence that their business is legit and that they are playing by the rules of the government. Don’t be satisfied with websites. Be convinced by their customer service and their aptness in service. Some tour operators will even volunteer to call you.
What about my visa?
Tanzania allows many foreigners to get their visa on arrival (VOA). If this is possible, you don’t need to spend time in your mother country sending your passport via mail to the embassy. East Africa is en route to delivering a one-entry visa by early 2014. Tanzania is not yet onboard with the project. However, once they come on board and join Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, tourists will get more value for their money. Traversing across these nations will be as easy as pie.
How do I ensure I get the best deal from the trip?
The cities and towns in Tanzania are separated by huge stretches of country. There are two ways you can use this to make the best of your trip. If you love travelling and site seeing, a drive will be beautiful. However, you will take hours on the road. The upside is that the roads in Tanzania are great. If you would like to save some time, then perhaps using air travel between the towns will be better. However, Tanzania is huge. Not every town has an airport or airstrip. Arusha, Kilimanjaro area, Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma and Zanzibar are key areas for air travel.
What should I absolutely not forget to carry?
Your camera (preferably a Single Lens Reflex)
An Internet device (laptop, smartphone, tablet etc)
A Kiswahili guidebook.
Your sense of adventure!
