A frequently asked questions

WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR TRAVELING TO TANZANIA?

When visiting Tanzania, having the appropriate safari packing list is crucial. To ensure a hassle-free travel experience in Tanzania, make sure you have all the required documentation, including valid passports, visas, Tanzania travel insurance, and other vaccination certificates, along with the appropriate apparel, gear, electronics, and other equipment.

It’s also advisable that you bring along enough Tanzanian Shillings, the country’s currency, for tipping safari guides and other expenses. It is advised that you bring the following items with you on the safari:

sunscreen
insect repellent
conditioner
lip balm
plug adapters/convertors
USB flash drive
Memory cards for your camera
first aid kit
3 layering tanks or T-shirts
utility jacket
light scarf
sports bra
wide brim hat with chin strap
closed-toe shoes like trail runners or fashion sneakers with good traction
waterproof dry bag
moisturizer
duffel or soft-sided bag
TSA approved clear toiletry case
2 pairs of pants in the breathable fabric in earth tones
1 – 2 long sleeve shirts in chambray or earth tones

To save trouble at the airport, we advise purchasing your Tanzania eVisa as soon as possible. Although it takes longer due to lengthy lines, you can also obtain a Tanzanian visa upon arrival at Tanzanian airports.

TANZANIA: IS IT SAFE?

There is no need to worry about Tanzania travel safety, despite the fact that many tourists worry about it all the time. You will be able to take advantage of the safest and most secure safari in the nation with our guided excursions and Tanzania Travel Advice.

However, we urge you to store any pricey possessions, including computers, cash, essential travel documents, or other electronics, safe while your stays at lodgings.

In addition, we advise against walking alone in uncharted territory, particularly in Tanzania after dark. It is advised that you always travel with your safari guides when visiting Tanzanian towns and cities.

SHOULD I MAKE TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS AFTER I LAND IN TANZANIA?

No, Our driver will be there to greet you at the airport, so you won’t need to make any arrangements for your transfer when you get there. In addition, a knowledgeable Meru slopes Safari Guide will be assigned to you, offering you the most up-to-date knowledge on Tanzania and its animals. We will also make arrangements for additional domestic transfers to get you from the national parks to your lodgings.

WILL WILDLIFE GOING BY AT THE LODGES AND CAMPS?

While traveling with your kids, exercise caution near the campsite as most campsites are inside national parks; although it’s a mostly animal-free area, you can expect some grazers near your accommodation. Seeing zebras or giraffes grazing near your campsite or an antelope hiding in the bushes near your mobile camp isn’t surprising. Wonderful opportunities for Tanzania Wildlife can be found in the national parks.

WHO IS GOING TO BE ON SAFARI WITH US?

Along with you will be a private driver and wildlife guide. A cook who prepares the majority of your delicious meals while on safari will travel with you if you choose a Camping Safari.

WHAT MAY I PRESUMED ON A DAY AT SAFARI?

This safari adventure is yours; it is your experience! You get to choose how much effort you want to put into this trip. A day safari entails spending an entire day on safari, where you go around the nation’s national parks in 4×4 safari vehicles. At the national park picnic areas, you will relish a well-packed, delectable meal. There will be many suggestions from your guide; the choice is ultimately yours.

WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT WEAR ON SAFARI?

We advise against wearing black or dark blue clothing on your Tanzania safari since they both draw tsetse insects. Additionally, we advise leaving white stuff at home. As safari parks are sometimes dusty it is recommended that you avoid wearing white garments as they may grow dingy. Bring light-colored, comfortable safari attire with muted hues. Wear khaki colors because they go nicely with the safari’s surrounding hues.

THE SENSE OF THE GREAT WILDEBEEST MIGRATION?

Details of the Great Migration
You should definitely include viewing the Great Migration in your itinerary for your Serengeti safari. How do you, then, make sure you’re present when it occurs? The gist of it is that it is not possible. Recognizing that there is always some element of risk when choosing a time to visit the Serengeti is crucial. The Great Migration is described in full below; however, bear in mind that there are no guarantees. This is the general course of events.

The largest animal show of its kind in Africa, if not the entire globe, occurs every year when two million ungulates—wildebeest, zebra, Grant’s gazelle, and eland—migrate through Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti migration is governed by local rainfall conditions and follows a generally predictable annual cycle, but fluctuations do occur from year to year. The following time periods comprise the Great Migration cycle:

December – April
The primary calving grounds are located southeast of Seronera; the usual Serengeti plains extend as far as the Ndutu region, which is close to Ngorongoro. The little rains in November and December are what brought them to this location. The wildebeest stay in this area until the end of April or the beginning of May, when the long rains stop. The good news is that this area of the Serengeti National Park is very accessible, and the vegetation gets lush during this time of year. The greatest time to explore the Ndutu region and the southeastern plains is usually around February, when calving season occurs. Predators are drawn to the sight because wildebeest, zebra, and other ungulates are so abundant and give birth to so many offspring. The herd may reposition itself in quest of greener pastures as early as March or April. Although it is more difficult to witness the migration in action during this time, it is likely that you may come across enormous herds of animals in motion.

May–July
At this time, the wildebeest begin preparing for their 800-kilometer journey after feeding on the short green grasses of the southeastern Serengeti and giving birth to their young. The real commencement date might fall anywhere from the end of April to the beginning of June. Now is your chance to witness one of nature’s most amazing spectacles: a column of up to 40 kilometers long, made up of over a million marching animals. The herd will migrate toward the Western Corridor, where they will have to cross the Grumeti River, which will be their first significant challenge. Because the large crocodiles in the area are waiting to feast, many animals do not make it across the crossing. Before crossing the river, the herd may gather on the southern bank and remain there for up to two weeks.

August–September
The herd goes further north and begins to cross the next major obstacle, the Mara River, in July or August, once they have successfully crossed the Grumeti River. Numerous famous photographs of the Great Migration were shot near the Mara River crossing. Following this crossing, the herd moves on to the plains in the northwest of Kenya and the Masai Mara National Reserve. When the herd migrate into Kenya’s Masai Mara, August through September is said to be a horrible time to visit Serengeti National Park and witness the Great Migration. Nonetheless, migration trends indicate that roughly 50% of the herd remains in the Mara Serengeti region of Tanzania. During this time, smaller groups of wildebeest—well, we say small—frequently cross the Mara River back and forth for no obvious reason. Herds can consist of 500–2,000 individuals. Now is a great time to book a stay at a Serengeti Mara camp.

October–November
If the herd is traveling north across the Mara River, they will eventually have to cross the river again before starting their journey back south. Usually in October, but occasionally sooner, this takes place. The herd will go via the Lobo region and the northern plains during this time. Since there aren’t many visitors to this area of Serengeti National Park, now would be the ideal moment to witness the migration in peace and quiet. In late November, the wildebeest migrate back to the short-grass plains and calving grounds surrounding Ndutu. And that’s where the Great Migration begins anew.

Take note
As previously stated, the times listed on this page are suggestions only because there are many exceptions. Just as the wildebeest were beginning their arduous journey back to the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti in November 2013, it began to rain north of the Mara River. The herd reversed course and returned to the Kenyan Masai Mara. Nature operates as it always does. Before continuing their southward journey, the herd remained there for almost three weeks. Unusual rains in the southern Serengeti in 2014 resulted in a large portion of the herd staying behind and not moving northward into the Western Corridor until July.