Tips for a Safari to Tanzania

It is confusing I think, for the first time traveller to plan a safari to Tanzania. Many subjects are covered about travel to Tanzania on the web and in an amazing selection of specialist travel books. Emphatic statements and sage advice is churned out ad nauseam in order to help plan a safari. The problem is that so much misinformation is given and how do we sift the bad from the good?

I will try to cover some basic concerns here and maybe put right some of the misinformation. A little learning is a dangerous thing and with the internet so accessible decrement has to employed. If you look at many sites for Tanzania you see how many of them seem to copy each others content. This morning I visited three sites of three independent safari companies based in Arusha, Tanzania and word for word they have the same script about camping safaris; so reading something more than once does not always make it more reliable.

Statement: The best time to come to Tanzania is in the dry season from July to October. This is a little misleading. It is the most popular time to come to Tanzania and if you come to visit the Serenegeti and Ngorongoro crater I would advise you do not come at this time as it is truly madness. There are so many tourists coming to Tanzania during these months that I would advise against travel to the northern Tanzania National Parks during these months - if it can be avoided.

November is a time of short rains and it is usually dry again from Mid December through to March. However, the rains of late are unpredictable and East Africa tends to suffer from droughts. As with anywhere the off season or low season offers a magic of its own with the bonus that safaris are offered at bargain basement prices.

Statement: June and September to plan to visit the Serengeti during this time frame would not be a good idea as this is when the wildlife has migrated to the neighbouring country Kenya. Again this statement is a little misleading. The migration follows or is dictated to by the rains. The migration follows a certain pattern however this can be disrupted if [as is often the case] the rain pattern changes. Also this sounds as if all the animals leave Tanzania to move into Kenya. Whilst it is true the migration of Wildebeest usually migrated to Kenya there is a constant crossing back and forth at this time. Some nomadic lions and predators follow the migration but other prides remain in Tanzania year round. The Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti has a high concentration of game year round.

Park Fees have changed and some web pages have not updated there pages. I will not list them here but advise you to check for your self on the official site http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/regulation.htm - any other information you might want can be found from the tourist board http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/

Statement: Roads are in bad condition and there are very few paved roads. Again this is a general statement covering a huge country which has large cities as well as wilderness areas. The road to Ngorongoro crater has been improved and can now be reached in a few hours from Arusha town. Major towns have decent roads and the roads between Arusha and Dar es Salaam and then from Dar to Iringa - Mbeya and on to Malawi and Zambis are fine. A much needed road from Arusha to Dodoma is planned and we hope work will begin soon on this project.

All statements on tipping are wrong - this statement will upset many people but I stick by this one - let me give my advise here. Remember, many people in Tanzania are poor. Many have an extended family. If you happen to over tip it is not a sin and maybe you have helped change someone's life. I have seen children die for the want of a few dollars. I don't believe in pooled tips. Whatever anyone says, ignore them, tip the person you wish to reward for good service. It is the only way to ensure the person deserving the tip gets the tip.

Remembering every time you make an extra stop on your safari and buy a curio, or a coffee [recommended by your driver perhaps] the driver will get commission. Cultural Heritage a huge curio hypermarket in Arusha will pay drives a commission for bringing tourists through the door.

I would encourage you to buy your curios from the people who make them, where possible. And although bargaining is part of the fun and is expected - always keep it good natured and don't be too hard.

Tanzania is a wonderful country; the people of Tanzania are friendliness personified. Most of all enjoy the wildlife and make new friends. It is a place that will steal your heart.

For more information on Tanzania see http://www.betheladventure.co.uk or for more comprehensive advice and comments go to http://www.tanzania-info.co.uk - responsible tourism can change lives.