What your safari consultant will not tell you before travelling to Tanzania
Tanzania provides the ultimate safari experience – a country so vast, its horizons so wide, some of its big game strongholds are the size of small countries. Nowhere are animals as visible as on the high plains of the Serengeti and nothing as humbling as seeing the snow-peaked Mt Kilimanjaro when the sun rises. To look down into the immense bowl of the Ngorongoro Crater is to stand at the gates of heaven itself.
Ways to travel
1. On a budget – travelling by road helps keep the cost down and is a good way of seeing more of Tanzania. Journeys between parks average around five hours by means of the ubiquitous 8-seater minivan with raised roof hatches for better game viewing
April - May is the rainy season, when bush roads become impassable and camps close down. The dry season from June - October is a popular time too.
Health
Ensure your immunisations are up to date, specifically for hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria and tetanus. Antimalarial tablets are essential as malaria is widespread and immunisation against yellow fever is recommended.
Visas
A single-entry tourist visa for Tanzania costs around US $50. It is valid for three months from the day of entry and can be obtained when going through customs at official entry points throughout Tanzania.
Money matters
American dollars are the habitually accepted. Many camps and lodges accept credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard, but expect a surcharge of up to 5%.
How to dress
Wear comfortable and practical clothing and avoid bright colours. Blend into the landscape with greens and khakis. Avoid camouflage (military type) clothing or anything black or blue (both colours are known to attract tsetse flies). Go for lightweight cottons, long trousers and shirts with long sleeves to protect against thorns and insect