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Where is the best place to go on safari?
Safari in Kiswahili, the language of East Africa, simply
means a journey. Today it is synonymous in English with a wildlife viewing
adventure in the African Bush. If your primary reason for traveling to
Africa is to experience an abundance of African wildlife in unspoiled
wilderness, then Tanzania should be your destination of choice.
Tanzania
protects over 25% of its land through national parks and reserves, more
than any other country on the continent. You simply cannot beat the
wildlife concentrations found in Tanzania. The parks and wildlife reserves
of Tanzania are inhabited by vast herds of wildebeest spread out across
the Serengeti savanna, huge populations of elephant and buffalo, as well
as plains game and their predators.
All these animals interact and roam
freely, the same as they have for thousands of years. Here you'll witness
an incredible diversity of ecology and will find the vegetation and bird
life as fascinating as the big game. This is the home to 90% of the film
series produced on African animals. Tanzania also boasts a remarkable
number of World Heritage Sites including, Serengeti National Park,
Kilimanjaro National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous Game
Reserve (this reserve alone is the size of Denmark), Kilwa Kisiwani and
the Songo Mnara Ruins.
When is the best
time of year to go on safari in Tanzania?
Anytime other than during the long rains (April and May) is a
wonderful time to be on safari. At African Walking Safaris we adjust our
safari itineraries to take advantage of the best possible game viewing in
accordance with the seasonal concentrations of wildlife.
Where is the
best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa?
You simply can't beat northern Tanzania for wildlife
concentrations. Most people have heard of the spectacular Ngorongoro
Crater and the wide array of wildlife dwelling on the crater floor. Most
have heard of the vast Serengeti savanna, which hosts the annual Migration
of Wildebeest and the predators that follow in its wake.
This is only the
beginning of the natural phenomena awaiting your discovery on a safari to
Tanzania. Guests of African Walking Safaris consistently tell us the
wildlife they experienced far surpassed their most optimistic
expectations.
What kinds of
animals will I see on safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania is home to over 35 species of large four-legged
mammals and has over 1000 species of birds listed. On a typical safari in
northern Tanzania you can expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo,
baboon, monkeys and a variety of plains game such as wildebeest,
hartebeest, zebra, impala and gazelle.
Most people see lion and hyena, and
possibly cheetah or leopard. In Ngorongoro Crater you may see one of the
few remaining black rhino to be found in Tanzania. You'll undoubtedly see
several different species of mongoose and some hyrax and other small
mammals. If you're lucky you'll see one or more of the smaller cats,
foxes, wild dog or the more reticent antelope like lesser kudu, bushbuck,
oryx or eland.
What is the
Migration?
Every year, over one million wildebeest move through the
Serengeti plains in search of food and water. The phenomenon of these
animals moving en mass through the African savanna is known as the
Migration. Their movement is driven by the seasonal rains that water their
grazing pastures. It is impossible to predict in advance exactly how or
when this progression will take place, but there is a pattern. Generally
from mid-December through May the herds are feeding in the southern
Serengeti. During February thousands of calves appear on the plains.
Between June and July, the wildebeest begin their annual migration north
reaching the Mara River that marks the Kenyan border sometime between the
end of July and beginning of August. After the first short rains, usually
in the beginning of November, the herds move back into Tanzania's
Serengeti and make their way to the southern pastures where they rest and
feed through the rains until their search for better grazing leads them to
begin their annual migration once again. Even when the "migration" moves
into Kenya for the summer months, there are many resident herds in the
Serengeti and there is always an incredible array of wildlife to
experience there. Also, in the summer months, which are the height of the
dry season, thousands of elephant congregate around the Tarangire River.
This park is at it's prime during these months and we adjust our
itineraries to take advantage of the prime wildlife viewing there. Each
time of year offers the visitor to Tanzania a special opportunity for
wildlife viewing.
Will I have a
chance to interact with the local people of Tanzania?
The vast majority of Tanzanians are still living very close
to their traditional lifestyles. Most of the people are subsistence
farmers. The Maasai people, favored by photographers for their strikingly
colorful décor, live a pastoral existence following their herds of cattle
to better grazing areas, still adhering to the traditions and ceremonies
of their ancestors. Their "villages" are located throughout northern
Tanzania. Other small tribes of hunter-gatherers, living according to
their ancient customs and traditions can also be found in this area.
At African Walking Safaris we consider the cultural
component of any safari to be subtle yet essential. All of our guides are
Tanzanian born. They are an excellent resource to help you gain greater
insight into the local culture. We don't promote specially staged dances
and tourist oriented presentations. Instead, on most of our trips, we
begin with a visit to a traditional village where you are welcomed as
friends of African Walking Safaris into their lives and invited to get to
know them as they get to know you. As we drive between parks, we pass many
villages and Masai Bomas giving you further glimpses into the lives of the
Tanzanian people. We also offer a special trip in which our guests travel
well off the beaten path to spend time among the Wahadza people and
observe their ancient hunter-gatherer ways.
What if I want a custom safari?
We would be delighted to work with you to help you and your
family, friends or organization plan the best possible safari to match
your interests and budget. We organize custom safaris for professional
photographers, honeymoon couples, families and many museums and
educational institutions to name a few.
Can I take my
children on safari?
YES! African Walking Safaris has a personal understanding
and deep commitment to meeting the special needs of families. We have
designed our unique family safari programs to allow you and your children
to experience the wonders of Africa together.
You'll have a chance to deepen your understanding of
cultural diversity, discover the many miracles of nature, and at the same
time play, laugh, and enjoy the pleasure of one another's company. Our
trips are well suited for children six years and older.
Will I stay in
tents or lodges?
Our safaris offer a wide array of safari styles to suit
your interests and budget. Please feel free consult us for a for
additional information regarding your safari.
How big are your
safari groups?
Small. Our scheduled safaris vary in size depending on the
nature of the safari. We keep our groups small (the very maximum is 15
people) to allow a more intimate connection with the African bush.
What's the
weather like in Tanzania?
Located at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,600 feet, northern
Tanzania's dry sunny climate is nothing like the steamy African jungle of
Tarzan movies. The weather is spring-like year round, with daytime
temperatures in the 70s and 80s, evenings in the 60s. From June until
August, temperatures are slightly cooler, ranging from the 50s to the
mid-70s. The coastal and lowland areas tend to be more tropical in
temperature.
What clothes
should I bring on safari?
Safari dress is comfortable and casual - layers are
recommended. Keep it simple and bring things you don't mind getting dusty.
After you have booked your safari, we send you a pre-departure
information including a detailed packing list to help you prepare for
your safari.
What's the food
like on safari?
You will be pleasantly surprised by both the quality and
the variety of the food available on safari. In most lodges, meals are
served buffet-style so you can choose what you like. The food is prepared
according to western tastes, with some curries and local cuisine included.
If you choose a camping safari, fresh meat and produce is prepared by our
expert chefs to the highest sanitary standards. Most returning guests rave
about our camp food!
Can special
dietary requirements be accommodated?
Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian or diabetic
meals can easily be arranged with advanced notice. If you are vegetarian
or vegan you may wish to bring along some alternative protein sources. If
you have multiple food allergies, you'll definitely want to bring along
supplemental snacks. It is important we know of any possible dietary
restrictions as soon as possible.
Are safaris in
Tanzania safe?
Today's modern safari is a far cry from the rugged safaris
of the past. After a stimulating day of game viewing, you can relax at
comfortable, attractive lodges, with amenities like swimming pools, full
service restaurants and en-suite bathrooms. Located right in the scenic
settings of the wildlife reserves, the lodges are close to nature… but not
too close for comfort. Tanzania is one of Africa's most stable countries,
where you'll receive a warm welcome from its gracious people. Every care
is taken to ensure your health and safety on safari.
Is it OK to
drink the water?
We provide bottled water on game drives and in our Classic
Camps, and you can purchase good quality bottled water at all the lodges
and camps
Are there a lot
of bugs in Tanzania?
There are more bugs in many places in the world than you
will encounter on safari. Again, remember that most of the areas you'll be
visiting are arid (especially from July - November). The bugs you will see
are fascinating, but certainly not anything to be concerned about.
How far in
advance should I book my safari?
It is better to book as far in advance as possible to
ensure availability at the time you wish to travel, especially during the
peak seasons (July & August and Christmas time). This is especially
important for those wishing to travel on private custom safaris and those
adding extensions to the scheduled trips.
What shots
should I get?
For medical advice it is always best to consult your doctor
or travel clinic. The minimum requirements for entry into Tanzania are a
yellow fever vaccination and anti-malarial medication. Bear in mind that
you will be staying in camps and lodges oriented to meet the needs of
American and European guests.
What additional
costs can I expect when I travel with African Walking Safaris?
All
accommodation and meals while on safari, airport transfers, park fees and
services of guides and drivers. It is customary to tip your guide and
driver, as well as the Camp staff if you are camping during your safari
(we suggest typical amounts in the pre-departure information we send you
after you book on one of our safaris). You will also need to pay for your
own beverages and personal items like laundry service and phone calls.
Before you go, you are responsible for any passport and visa fees. We also
highly recommend you purchase travel protection insurance. And finally, if
you know yourself to be a big souvenir shopper you'll need to budget
accordingly. | 
