What can I expect on a typical safari day?

Your Tanzania safari is eventually here. The daily itinerary will differ depending on where you go. No wonder that each game drive, lodge or camp has its own feel and ‘flavour’. Just one more reason why going on safari is so remarkable!

The most common safari activity is a game drive, but what actually happens on a game drive? 

There are small variations between locations, but the general experience is that a game drive is conducted in an open-sided 4×4 vehicle. If you happen to stay inside the park, start the day with the smell of fresh coffee or tea served in your room. To get some of the best game viewing of the day, an early start is needed to beat the heat of the sun. Although it might be tempting to stay in bed and wait until the afternoon to explore, I promise you this is a game drive you don’t want to miss!

Your driver-guide will accompany you and talk you through the area, the animals and their culture. Don’t be offended if he goes silent for a while – his job is to keep an eye out for animals and this does require a large amount of concentration. You will be surprised by what he can spot at such a great distance.

There are no stops on a game drive, unless for a picnic lunch or sundowner, which are always conducted in a safe and pre-allocated space. Unfortunately, there are no toilet stops on safari so please make sure you go before you leave. If there are any emergencies, always let your guide know, and they will instruct you on the best course of action.

Upon arriving at a sighting, your guide will stop a slight distance away to ensure the animal is comfortable and calm, before approaching to a closer distance. Remember to keep as quiet as possible, while you are near the animal.

You will have as much time as you want at each stop to observe and take photos, and your guide will only move on once you are ready. The only exception is in certain parks which restrict a maximum number of vehicles per sighting. If the maximum is reached, then the first vehicle to arrive must move on.

Sometimes it is permitted to go off road to reach more isolated areas of the park. This offers a unique and wild encounter with a larger variety of animals. It does however often mean a bumpy ride or a free ‘Tanzania Massage’. Hold on tight and ensure that all loose items are safely stowed away. Our guides are expert drivers and have all completed advanced driving lessons. You’ll be in very safe hands throughout the journey, so you can sit back and enjoy this exhilarating adventure. 

You will normally check-in/return at the lodge/tented camp late afternoon. After an excited safari during the day it’s time to take a hot shower and get ready for dinner accompanied with drinks. Dinner may be a buffet, plated or á la carte but is generally a multi-course affair accompanied by wine. If the night is clear, it may be served in an open-air area around a warming campfire. The staff often sing and dance – if they call you up, just go with it! Whenever you wish to go back to your room to sleep, rest assured that you will be accompanied by the night guide. Your safety is their number one priority.

Don’t forget that you can plan your daily itinerary the way you like. Our safari planner experts will be happy to advise you accordingly. Let’s hear from you today!

What can I expect to eat and drink on safari?

It is no secret that food is an important part of any safari experience. One would typically wonder about the itinerary, the accommodation, the different activities on offer and of course, the food. This is why when we pick an accommodation for you, the quality of food served is among a top consideration for us. Whether the Chef is flexible and meets the needs of a vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low-sugar diet is considered.

Food on safari is of a very high standard and you will find a good mix of African, European and international cuisine. Fresh vegetables, seafood and meats make it an exceptional culinary experience to travel here. Excellent imported wines are in all lodges, tented camps and hotels, and make an excellent addition to a filling meal after a tiring day out in the bush! There are also plenty of very refreshing local beers to try out, as well as imported ones. Tap water is not drinkable in most areas, and only bottled water should be consumed. Many lodges will offer complimentary bottles of drinking water, and we supply plenty of bottled water in our safari 4×4 to be consumed during the way.

Depending on your day schedule, very often, after breakfast, the driver guide will assist you to collect your picnic lunch box before you depart for the game drive. The typical lunch boxes consist of various items such as a piece of chicken, bread, sandwiches, banana, apple, juice, boiled-egg, muffin, vegetable and chocolate. In some lodges/tented camp you can select food you want to bring in your lunch box. Hot bush lunch can be arranged as per your itinerary. 

If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand at the time of booking, so we can advise the lodgings accordingly. Most places will be able to accommodate your preferred meal options. If you require any special health supplement, kindly bring it with you.

What happens if I get sick or injured on safari?

Any health or medical emergency will be attended immediately. If the condition requires hospitalization, you will be evacuated to the nearest hospital immediately. Make sure you have the travel and health insurance cover. It’s highly recommended. There are a number of hospitals around. If you get seriously sick or injured you will be evacuated by a flying doctor. Your safari packages include ‘Emergency Evacuation Services with AMREF’s Flying Doctors’ for two weeks.

What are the optional activities during a Tanzanian safari?

There is so much more to a Tanzanian safari than game-driving. Certainly, seeing the wildlife is undoubtedly the motivating factor for many safari goers, but there are different activities available to polish your itinerary and make it unique and more enjoyable as well.

Check the list of available activities here.

How close can I get to see the animals during the safari?

With some luck, you won’t have to try too hard anyway! Our guide will ‘read’ the animals by interpreting their behaviour to determine how close to approach. If the animal changes its behaviour due to the vehicle than the approach has been made too close, normally in such a case the animal will simply move away and return to its relaxed behaviour.  Often the guide will be familiar with individual animals and have a feel for the animal’s comfort levels but even in this case, just like people individual animals can feel and act differently one day to the next. Fortunately, in areas like Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara and the Ngorongoro crater there is a lot of safari activity with vehicles traversing the area on a daily basis, as a result many of the animals have become completely accustomed to safari vehicles and formed a habituation where they will largely just ignore the presence of tourists on a game drive. Predator species often become habituated and very relaxed allowing for close approach and you may well find yourself within 25 feet of lions, hyenas, cheetahs, African wild dogs, and even leopards in some areas. 

Do you have any tipping guidelines?

Tipping in Africa is not a compulsory affair. It is only done on the merit of good service; a simple acknowledgement for a job well done. However, most service-industry workers have come to depend on it.

We know that the tips really help them to support their family. So, if you know that you are in a position to give, we highly recommend this. If for a reason you are really not in a position to do so, then of course it will not be forced on you. Giving material things (in the form of a gift) instead of cash is also an acceptable and charming gesture.

No doubt that safari packages can be expensive but if you can give the tip this can create an unforgettable moment for the service-industry workers. Remember, you are not obligated to tip everyone who attends to you.  Most hotels, lodges and camps have a tip box in the main area or lounge. You can put in some cash when you check-out.

For your driver-guide, tips are also more than just a “merci !” for driving you around, for showing you the Big Five or for sharing his knowledge and experience during the entire safari. This is a person you will spend the most time with on your trip, so an appreciation and acknowledgment for the things he does will be greatly treasured. We recommend tipping at the end of safari.

Is there internet access while on Safari?

Staying connected is key especially if you will be spending time in the wild. Letting your loved ones know everything is okay is vital and showing off the wild experience you are enjoying is even more satisfying. Unfortunately, you cannot expect a marvellous phone coverage on a safari. Most areas, especially remote camps, offer zero mobile phone coverage. When it comes to internet connectivity, almost all camps and lodges (even the remote ones) have WiFi so you can still go online. 

Which language will I use?

Although you’ll hear several dialects spoken in Tanzania, Swahili is the country’s official language. But don’t worry, English is widely spoken throughout the country. You may think that you don’t speak a word of the Swahili language, but without realizing it, you probably do… You are organizing a trip to Tanzania to go on ‘safari‘. Well, the word ‘safari’ is the Swahili for ‘journey‘.

Lion King fans will know the phrase ‘hakuna matata‘, the Swahili for ‘no worries‘. Indeed, you’ll hear ‘hakuna matata’ and ‘pole pole’ (slowly, slowly) being said everywhere, all the time! In any case, you’ll find it relatively easy to pick up the most common words of this Bantu-derived language.

Rest assured that during your safari you will be accompanied by a driver-guide who speaks your language fluently ie. French, German, Italian, Spanish, English just to mention a few.