Tanzania Travel Answers

Hello! I'll try and answer some of your questions - others will come along and answer a few as well I'm sure. Those questions you may not get a direct answer to, you may find by looking at our tips under "Choosing the right tour operator" on our home page/Kenya page. Basically, all of your questions can be summed up with one answer - depends on the tour operator and the package you choose. Many work similarly but, depending on the budget and your comfort level, some tour operators have more budget friendly - no frills safaris available. Most Safaris require a minimum amount of people in order to make it worthwhile for them - so no, unless you're booking a private safari, you will either join a group or have a set date of travel. If you arrive at 10pm (as we did coming in late from the USofA) - you would be transferred to your choice of hotel and then picked back up the following morning to either join group or strike off on your own - depending on how you set up your arrangements. Options such as walking tours, bush breakfast, balloon rides, etc. are usually indeed add-ons and cost extra. I would not worry about lodges to beware of. Safari companies (reputable ones) have it down to a science. Sopa, Serena, and other lodges are from quite nice to quite luxurious. Even tented camps are quite comfortable - ours was raised on a platform, had queen sized bed, marble bathroom - with bidet - storage space for clothes and nightly turn down service. Even safaris where you go and have your porter erect your tent or, takes you to a pre-determined location, you will feel like you're in a very comfortable setting. As I said, they have this down to a science. Lodges (and most safari companies) are all inclusive room/board. This means following: DAYBREAK: early morning tea/coffee/snack Safari and return to Lodge Breakfast Safari Return to lodge and have lunch then relax and enjoy the pool or nap during hot part of day Tea service Safari until early evening "Sun Downers" (drinks and snacks) Dinner Although not required or necessary, we tipped our wait staff as well as our housekeeping as we would in the USofA. Ditto for driver/porter/guides. The rule of thumb is: Baggage Porters - about 50-100 Kenya Shillings a day (about USD 50 cents to1.00 Airport Taxi Driver: - about1.00 Bar/Restaurant Staff - 10% of bill Safari Guide - about5.00/per person/day Room/housekeeping - about.60 -1.00/day Keep in mind that most staff's weekly earnings are less than USD20.00/week. October for us was a GREAT time to go on Safari. All the hoofed animals were already in the Mara, the madness of the large groups flocking in to see the mass migration was over with and we had quieter time in the different parks. We got to see all the main animals within the first 2 days of our safari. I hope this has helped. Homer

I forgot to reference - if you're going to Tanzania - the hoofed animals will be in the Kenya side (Masai Mara) in October - not yet having crossed back to the Serengeti side. That having been said, places such as the Ngoro Ngoro crater are a self contained ecosystems which retain all animal species year round.

Hi Homer has given you a very comprehensive answer, so I won't repeat what he's said. Can I suggest that you also peruse other postings under the Tanzania and Kenya fora, as there is much excellent and detailed advice from other VTers who may not see this posting? These include details on reliable tour operators and how to check out whether the companies you're considering are reputable. A few words on cost. I presume that you are aware that as a general rule, Tanzania is more expensive than other safari destinations (such as Kenya and South Africa)? This is not meant to deter you, as you probably have some very good reasons for choosing that country in particular, but it does come at a premium to other destinations. Linked to that, the tips and gratuities can deal a hefty body blow to your budget, so make sure you factor these into your calculations. I personally find it a little wearing and there are cynical moments when it feels as though the animals themselves will be the next to expect a tip, but that's just the way safari culture has evolved. As a general rule of thumb, although tour operators can add on a bewildering range of extras to the basic safari package you sign up for (hot air ballooning, game walks, intimate moonlit suppers with a loved one in the bush etc) they usually charge through the nose for these extras. I would therefore strongly recommend that you identify an operator which includes the activities you're interested in as standard (or at least a clearly priced additional option) so that there are no unpleasant surprises once you're already committed. Lastly, safaris are a curious blend of relaxation and sensory overload, and although relaxing, they can also be exhausting (particularly if you're not used to rising before dawn). If you're going all the way to Tanzania, then a nice addition (yes, I know I cautioned against them in the previous paragraph!) might be to add on a few days on Zanzibar and treat yourself to a few days R&R on the beach. Hope this helps to get you started, and feel free to revert with further queries. Regards Cathy

Hi Harold, I was on safari in February 2011 and used Warrior Trails for my safari company. They were wonderful. They helped with the planning, the packing list, the paperwork etc. And on top of that their price was reasonable. All safaris through Warrior Trails are private. The owner took the time to meet with us prior to our departure on safari. The accommodations were much better than expected, a few tented camps and one place was like a modern motel. After our safari we spent a few days at Ocean Paradise in Zanzibar, which was just beautiful. All in all the trip of a lifetime and I can't wait to go back.Hope you find this helpful. Best regards, Pat