The safari trip in Tanzania was one of the best trips in my life and one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. Firstly, let me provide you with some important facts and answer questions I am receiving:
WHAT IS A SAFARI?
A safari is an overland journey to observe wild animals from inside a specialized vehicle. Africa is the best place on earth to experience it! The so-called “Big 5” animals of Africa form an important part of the safari experience for wildlife viewing primarily.
It is so touching to see the animals in their natural environment, watch them hunt for food, interacting with the nature and enchanting you with just one look.
WHICH ANIMALS CONSIST THE BIG-FIVE?
The big 5 animals of Africa are the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and Cape buffalo. The most rare one to bump into is the rhino. 
WHERE ARE THE BEST COUNTRIES FOR SAFARI?
Many of the countries in Africa are suitable for the safari experience. The most famous ones are Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. I went to Tanzania and it was amazing – Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming up with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and more than 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I GO FOR SAFARI?
Despite the fact that many people decide to go for 2 weeks in Africa for a Safari, I understand that this is not easy since it is an expensive “hobby” and difficult too, since you need to wake up very early and follow certain rules.
I recommend you to devote as many days as you can. I went for 4 days (and I wanted more) but you should go at least for 3 days (just the safari).
CAN I ORGANIZE THE SAFARI BY MYSELF?
I think it is very difficult and dangerous if you don’t have experience. The guides are trained and knowledgeable on the dos and don’ts with the nature. They will not only ensure that you get the most out of your safari but also keep you safe.
Angel’s tip: So, yes you can book your flights by yourself and maybe the hotel and the whole trip to Zanzibar island for example like me but for the safari itself speak with a travel agency and book the package according to you preferences (days, accommodation type etc)
WHAT TRAVEL AGENCY DO YOU SUGGEST?
I used an agency that a friend of mine suggested, owned by a Greek girl and her husband who is a local. It was even easier for me due to the language! The name is Active Tanzania Adventures (link here) and I really recommend them, speak with Mrs Mary. (Info@activetanzania.com)
A local friend of mine created its own agency and it is called “Higgan Adventure Tanzania” and another friend that went after me used “Great Escape Trails” and she was super satisfied.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE WITH ME?
It depends on what you have booked. There are many different sizes of vehicles and please note you will have a driver who will be your guide too.
I was with 2 friends so we were in total 4 people but there were bigger groups as well.
TANZANIA HAS MANY AIRPORTS? WHERE I CAN FLY TO?
Yes, the country has 3 international airports and more than 20 smaller airports and airstrips for domestic flights. The 3 main ones that you can fly to are Julius Nyerere International Airport(AR) in Dar es Salaam, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport(ZNZ) in Zanzibar island, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Arusha.
Many parks, such as Tarangire, Manyara or Serengeti and smaller ones have their own landing strip. (airstrip)
So you can fly from the one park to another or from the one airport within the country to an airstrip.
WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN FOR THE SAFARI?
My entire trip was 13 days. If you exclude my flights, I enjoyed 5 days safari and meet up with local tribes and then 6 days in Zanzibar island.
My safari in Tanzania took place mainly in Serengeti National Park. The plan was to explore all the area from the North to the South.
Angel’s tip: The international flights that I used were from the Greek capital Athens to Zanzibar island in Tanzania and back. I had to use some domestic flights as well. First, I landed in Zanzibar from Greece, I spent a day mainly in its capital called Stone Town and next morning I took a flight for the mainland in Tanzania in order to start the safari !
1st day in the morning : I landed from Zanzibar to Arusha airport and then again a flight with a small airplane straight to the north side of Serengeti National Park in Kogatende airstrip. It is a spot close to Kenya .
We spent the day in Serengeti NP(National park) where the safari drive started – break for picnic/lunch and at sunset, arrival at Karibu River tented camp in central Serengeti.
2nd day: Migration day, watching the river crossings of the wild beests and zebras – picnic lunch – enroute game drive to the camp – dinner and overnight stay at Karibu River camp .
https://karibucamps.com/visit-serengeti/serengeti-river-camp/
3rd day: Full day exploring the wildlife from northern to central Serengeti with break for picnic lunch – at sunset arrival at Embalakai tented camp for dinner and overnight stay.
4th day: Time to head towards Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive & picnic lunch – transfer to Marera lodge in Karatu for dinner and overnight stay.
Volcanic craters form stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa! The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest inactive caldera in the world. Some peole say that before it erupted, it would have been higher than mountain Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa!! Today, 2 million years since it eroded and collapsed, it is a highland area with more than 25000 animals! The crater floor covers about 260 square kilometers and the crater is about 600 meters deep.
Angel’s tip: this is where I saw the endagerded black Rhino.
5th day: Cultural day with the bushmen and some other local tribes in Lake Eyasi – in the afternoon transport to Olerai lodge in Arusha .
https://www.enashipaicollection.com/
06th day: After breakfast, transport to Arusha airport where I took a flight to Zanzibar island with Flightlink airline. Details for my Zanzibar trip will be found in my other article!
IS SAFARI EXPENSIVE?
Yes it is. You need to pay fees to enter the parks and by paying these you directly finance wildlife conservation and give local communities a tangible incentive to protect Africa’s ecosystems. For me the whole trip costed 3500 euros all included with the flights, tips, food, safari and 6 days in Zanzibar island in a triple room.
Angel’s tip: You can always decrease these costs if for example you choose to stay in a tent and not a small lodge with toilet for example like I did.
An important note: Tipping is so important during safari and worth mentioning expense which you don’t know & calculate before your first safari. To be honest it was not something I had not even thought about ! Although tipping is fairly normal for Americans usually, other nationalities (Europeans for example like Greeks) are less accustomed to it. Consequently they might not budget for it appropriately like I didn’t. Tips add up. A lot!!! You need to give tips every day to your driver and guide(I had the same person), the chef for the lunch you take as picnic with you every day, the people helping you with the luggage in the lodges, the lodges generally for their hospitality etc
Angel’s tip: I am sure that you will not regret it since they try so much for the best every day, they are so kind & helpful but for 5 days you may need 300-400$ more for tipping !
IS SAFARI SAFE?
Yes it is, as long as you follow the rules and listen to your driver/guide.
DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE ANY VACCINES?
The CDC and WHO recommend a few vaccinations before you visit Tanzania but sometimes we have already done them from young age.
- I checked my antibodies for Ηepatitis A (vaccination required every 20 years) and Tetanus (vaccination required every 10 yrs)
- I had my vaccination for Yellow fever (lasts for your entire life)
- I took pills for Malaria 1 day before I arrived in Tanzania, during my whole stay there and 5-6 days after I returned.
DID YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA?
Yes, you need a visa to enter the country. Either you can do it in advance online or upon arrival. Cost is around 50 usd. Angel’s tip: better to apply online in advance in order to avoid the long queues at the airport. Link here https://visa.immigration.go.tz/.
Furthermore, you need to complete the Domestic Public Health Surveillance Form online before departure or upon arrival at your domestic destination. Link here https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/
BEST TIME TO VISIT?
During the dry season from June to October. The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February.
November/December: short rains
March/April/May: long rains
WHAT SHOULD I PACK WITH ME?
Check my other article with details and information of what exactly you will need and you should definitely to have with you! Link here.
LANGUAGE?
Swahili is the main language of the country. You don’t need to worry though as long as you speak English as they are very familiar due to the tourism! (apart from the local tribes that you need usually a local guide to translate)
8 words you will use when you will visit Tanzania:
- Jambo = Hello
- Hacuna Matata = No worries
- Asante = Thank you
- Pole Pole = Slowly
- Karibu = you ‘re welcome
- Habari = any news?
- Habari za asubuhi = good morning
- Lala salama = sleep well
PLUGS?
The plug is the same as used in the UK, and the voltage is 220-240, the same as in the UK. A power cord would be useful as well.
CURRENCY?
Tanzanian Shillings but they accept USD (and sometimes EUROS) as well. I would say to have Tanzanian Shilling for smaller expenses like shopping at local markets, small restaurants and super markets since it is difficult by credit card. Angel’s tip: I had converted my EUROS to USD from my country and then I converted at the local airport some USD to Tanzania Shillings.
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