Everything you need to know for your safari trip
Tanzania
Officially known as United Republic of Tanzania (Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. The name was born after the union of Tanganyika (Tanzania mainland) and Zanzibar (the Islands of Zanzibar). It is the biggest of the East Africa countries and the fifth in Africa in size.
Tanzania’s population is composed of about 120 ethnic, linguistic and religious groups, with Christianity making up the largest religion followed by Islam. Mountainous and densely forested in the north-east, where Mount Kilimanjaro is located, Tanzania shares three of Africa’s Great Lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. The eastern shore is hot and humid, with the Zanzibar Archipelago just offshore.
Over 100 different languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa. The country does not have a de jure official language, although the national language is Swahili while English is used in foreign trade and in diplomacy.
Top Safari Destinations
Serengeti
Greatest wildlife destination on earth
Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size.
Serengeti
Greatest wildlife destination on earth
Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size.
Serengeti
Greatest wildlife destination on earth
Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size.
What to expect on your safari trip with Go-Safari
How a typical day might unfold ...
Early morning
Animals are typically most active early in the morning as the weather is still cool, while the big cats are on the way back from a night of hunting. After a hearty breakfast, you are off to start your morning game drive from around 6am. Watch the iconic African sun rise from the horizon while looking out for animals grazing in the plains.
At around 10am, your driver guide will organise for a pit stop coffee break so you can stretch your legs and enjoy some local African coffee before continuing your game drive.
Bush lunch
Lunch is usually a specially prepared picnic box, what we call a bush lunch in the plains.
Afternoon
Depending on the group’s stamina level, you will usually continue your game drive in the afternoon to continue photo-hunting the animals.
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. The predatory animals begin to stir from their heat-of-the-day slumber, and similarly, their prey become ever more active and alert as darkness falls. Vehicles usually return just before dark in time for a shower, pre-dinner drinks and then dinner. The evenings are often rounded off with a few drinks around the campfire, warming toes and swapping safari stories.
What to expect on your safari trip with Go-Safari
The Luggage
Lightweight duffel bags or cabin bags with no wheels are strongly recommended. The weight of luggages is very limited on small aircraft in Africa. The boots of safari jeeps are also limited to handle multiple big luggages.
Safari Essentials
- Comfortable sneakers/sandals/walking shoes for game walks
- Flip-flops or similar for pool or in-room use, or even in safari vehicle
- Baseball cap or hat to keep dust/sun from head
- Windbreaker/fleece jacket for layering during game drives and evening
- Jeans (one or two pairs)
- Khaki or cotton pants/slacks, for dinner time
- Four T-shirts for daytime wear
- Button-down long-sleeve sport shirts (optional at dinner for men)
- Long-sleeve and mid-sleeve women’s cotton shirts for layering
- Shorts/cut-offs—two or three pairs for mid-day wear
- Sleeveless shirts for warmer days—very necessary for summer
- Bathing suit for lodges with swimming pools
- Underwear (sports bras are recommended for game drives)
- Socks
Medications / First Aid
Always consult your doctor before flying to obtain the list of prescriptions necesary for your travel, and also specific to your personal needs.
The list below serves as just a general guideline:
- Malaria tablets (Get a prescription from your doctor)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Anti-nausea tablets
- Cough drops, earache drops
- Z pack for the flu, just in case
- Basic medical kit (aspirin, band-aids, Imodium, antiseptic /anti-histamine cream)
- Moisturizer and sunblock — SPF 20 or higher
- Insect repellent (30 percent DEET or above for anti-malaria use)