Safari - Top Tips?
Discussion
As per the title really, me and the Mrs are off to Zanzibar/Tanzania in June and going on safari for the first time. We will be taking in Lake Manyara (sp), Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti in a mix of lodges and camps.
Anybody been anywhere similar, if so would love to hear some of your experiences and advice on what to take.
Anybody been anywhere similar, if so would love to hear some of your experiences and advice on what to take.
Got little time to reply, but went to Tanzania this year and had a great time:
- Take dollars
- Take a big lens if you have one in fact every lens you can get hold of
- Malarone (Malaraia tabs) is needed as an anti Mozi help and a spray or 2 is also good)
- It can get cold at night, buy some cotton shirts
- Don´t forget to look at the animals as well as take photos
- If you are buying something.. barter.. very hard.. (They wanted $25 for a set of salad servers)
- Buy a whole heap of bottled water up front (Your driver will find you a good shop)
- We bought our visa when we arrived (In Kili) due to booking late... It was a random priced depending upon how rich you looked, so we got $50 each whereas others were $100 each. You could pay in Euro´s and you do need the yellow fever/hep A? cert (it might be something else, but it will say on the holiday firms details) You can do this through the embassy in London but you have to stay overnight I think (Thats what the other couple in our jeep said.
It´s a great place and we had a wonderful time. The people were great and we tipped the driver €50 as he went way beyond the norm. Some of the lodges are incredible and the picnics they prepared were stunning. The fruit tastes wonderful and the people very welcoming!
- Take dollars
- Take a big lens if you have one in fact every lens you can get hold of
- Malarone (Malaraia tabs) is needed as an anti Mozi help and a spray or 2 is also good)
- It can get cold at night, buy some cotton shirts
- Don´t forget to look at the animals as well as take photos
- If you are buying something.. barter.. very hard.. (They wanted $25 for a set of salad servers)
- Buy a whole heap of bottled water up front (Your driver will find you a good shop)
- We bought our visa when we arrived (In Kili) due to booking late... It was a random priced depending upon how rich you looked, so we got $50 each whereas others were $100 each. You could pay in Euro´s and you do need the yellow fever/hep A? cert (it might be something else, but it will say on the holiday firms details) You can do this through the embassy in London but you have to stay overnight I think (Thats what the other couple in our jeep said.
It´s a great place and we had a wonderful time. The people were great and we tipped the driver €50 as he went way beyond the norm. Some of the lodges are incredible and the picnics they prepared were stunning. The fruit tastes wonderful and the people very welcoming!
We went to Kenya last year on honeymoon - be ready for the mossies! Try Avon Skin So Soft spray oil - sounds bizarre but seems to work. I went armed with Deet but tried this first (was recommended on here but google it - loads of people use it) - didn't really get bitten and it's not bad for you (Deet is pretty toxic).
Ive done that exact same trip (twice in fact if you count travels at end of my GAP year - I lived in Tanzania for a year).
As above+
Safari:
Take something warm (fleece etc) as it can get surprisingly cold at night (especially lodges on rim of Ngororgoro).
Zanzibar:
Do a spice tour (not for everyone maybe but I found it fascinating)
Visit the Freddy Mercury Bar on the sea front near the port. On a busy night, with live music it is an experience.
Get lost at least once in Stone Town or you haven't done it right.
Go to the night food market (but maybe only if you have a strong stomach).
Jim
As above+
Safari:
Take something warm (fleece etc) as it can get surprisingly cold at night (especially lodges on rim of Ngororgoro).
Zanzibar:
Do a spice tour (not for everyone maybe but I found it fascinating)
Visit the Freddy Mercury Bar on the sea front near the port. On a busy night, with live music it is an experience.
Get lost at least once in Stone Town or you haven't done it right.
Go to the night food market (but maybe only if you have a strong stomach).
Jim
Quality tips so far, many thanks.
We are going to be staying at Kilindi, Fundu Lagoon, Olivers Camp, Plantation Lodge and Dunia Camp? Anybody stayed at any of these?
- Will be taking dollars now, was considering taking a mix of local and dollars.
- Cheers for the advice on the jabs and mossies, will get in touch with the quack to make sure we have all the necessary innoculations done.
- Although not specifically going for birds am definitely going to be taking some binos
- As for camera stuff will leave that to 'er indoors but I think she is looking at a 200mm lense.
- Freddie Mercury bar here we come!
We are going to be staying at Kilindi, Fundu Lagoon, Olivers Camp, Plantation Lodge and Dunia Camp? Anybody stayed at any of these?
Visa is key and check in with the Tanzania consulate/embassy in your country. Binoculars are very important (the eagles & Vultures are great!!) You will need to get the Malaria tablets in advance as you need to take them for 1/2 weeks before
Transfers are by car which is great as you get to see the country or by plane onto a grass airstrip which might have animals on it (Arusha has zebra on it when we went there)
If you can borrow a 400mm lens as well, then do so. Our pictures with a 200mm lens are good, but the 400 is brilliant!
Oh.. we lost our bags for 4 days, so keep any medication in hand luggage as well as wash kits, change of undies etc. We connected in Nairobi and knew somethings was wrong, but take spray and tablets in hand luggage.... you can always wash the clothes you have on!
As above, be prepared for being without your baggage for some time just in case as some African airports are a joke!
Don't stay up late while you're staying in safari lodges as you'll be getting up at 05.30 - 06.00 in time for game drives. It seems like you're being boring going to bed by 22.00 but it's worth it.
Just a little thing, but while you're on game drives in the dark sit back with your head on the headrest so you can only see the stars as you're driven along, the skies are beautiful (as are the sunrises/sunsets).
Chat to the game wardens about the bush and the animals, they'll have loads of great stories to tell.
You'll have the time of your life, it will blow your mind
Don't stay up late while you're staying in safari lodges as you'll be getting up at 05.30 - 06.00 in time for game drives. It seems like you're being boring going to bed by 22.00 but it's worth it.
Just a little thing, but while you're on game drives in the dark sit back with your head on the headrest so you can only see the stars as you're driven along, the skies are beautiful (as are the sunrises/sunsets).
Chat to the game wardens about the bush and the animals, they'll have loads of great stories to tell.
You'll have the time of your life, it will blow your mind
We found some great advice on the TripAdvisor Tanzania forum before we did our trip in Sept-09 (Tarangire, L.Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar! 
). I'd do some reading on there.
I'd also do some searching on here - there's a few of us written up very similar answers over the last year.
Camera - try and take 2 bodies so you don't need to swap lenses in the field - the dust genuinely gets everywhere! And as above, do take/borrow e.g. a 100-400 if you can. As an example, here are some of my photos from our trip - all with Canon 70-300IS lens - which was enough but a little more length would have been nice:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
(Contrast with one of the other guys who had some better kit and more skill, if you can find his thread, and you'll see the benefit of 'the right kit'!)
Finally, who're you going with, who's the local guide/operator, and where are you staying at each location?
Cheers,
M.
). I'd do some reading on there.I'd also do some searching on here - there's a few of us written up very similar answers over the last year.
Camera - try and take 2 bodies so you don't need to swap lenses in the field - the dust genuinely gets everywhere! And as above, do take/borrow e.g. a 100-400 if you can. As an example, here are some of my photos from our trip - all with Canon 70-300IS lens - which was enough but a little more length would have been nice:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
(Contrast with one of the other guys who had some better kit and more skill, if you can find his thread, and you'll see the benefit of 'the right kit'!)
Finally, who're you going with, who's the local guide/operator, and where are you staying at each location?
Cheers,
M.
Done quite a few safari's and there's one thing that will make it more special than anything else - GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE!
Seriously, where possible a walking (/horse riding/mountain bike) safari is far more atmospheric than being holed up in the back of a safari vehicle. You're still in a vehicle, it's like watching TV. A walking safari is so much better as you are acutally in the environment, crouching behind bushes, dodging dung, keeping down wind etc. There's something awesome about walking through the bush at sundown with zebra and giraffe wlaking round you. Bit like the scene in the first Jurassic park when they spot the dinos for the first time!
I've done a few, but none in Tanzania (though have been on a few game drives in TZ and bush camped in the sernegeti in a tiny tent!), closest places I know are okay on foot are Hells Gate NP and Lake Naivashia in Kenya/Uganda. If you can game tracking on foot with a guide is even better, especially when you've tracked a White rhino on foot for three hours following all the tracks, scents and other clues then it's there behind a bush!
Usually you're limited where you can do it due to the big preditors - anywhere with Lions is out I'm afriad. Worth it though.
Other general safari tips -
- Get the driver to turn the engine off when you take photos to reduce camera shake (esp with big engines
- Get up early for best light!
- Try and learn about the animals and the environment not just view them.
Theres a few photos from Zimbabwe and Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda/TZ on the link in my profile if you're bored.
Seriously, where possible a walking (/horse riding/mountain bike) safari is far more atmospheric than being holed up in the back of a safari vehicle. You're still in a vehicle, it's like watching TV. A walking safari is so much better as you are acutally in the environment, crouching behind bushes, dodging dung, keeping down wind etc. There's something awesome about walking through the bush at sundown with zebra and giraffe wlaking round you. Bit like the scene in the first Jurassic park when they spot the dinos for the first time!
I've done a few, but none in Tanzania (though have been on a few game drives in TZ and bush camped in the sernegeti in a tiny tent!), closest places I know are okay on foot are Hells Gate NP and Lake Naivashia in Kenya/Uganda. If you can game tracking on foot with a guide is even better, especially when you've tracked a White rhino on foot for three hours following all the tracks, scents and other clues then it's there behind a bush!
Usually you're limited where you can do it due to the big preditors - anywhere with Lions is out I'm afriad. Worth it though.
Other general safari tips -
- Get the driver to turn the engine off when you take photos to reduce camera shake (esp with big engines
- Get up early for best light!
- Try and learn about the animals and the environment not just view them.
Theres a few photos from Zimbabwe and Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda/TZ on the link in my profile if you're bored.
VxDuncan said:
Usually you're limited where you can do it due to the big preditors - anywhere with Lions is out I'm afriad. Worth it though.
You haven't lived unless you've been out of the vehicle when someone spots a lion, admittedly it turned out to be miles away but there's nothing quite like it for getting the old ticker going 
We went on what was billed as a 'walking safari' one afternoon from our permanent campsite between Tarangire and Lake Manyara parks.
Turned out to be a 2 hour walk out onto the dry lake-bed and then back again. Only wildlife were the zebra we could see from the campsite walkways. Sister in Law got heatstroke as a result and fainted the day after (in L Manyara park itself). Complete con - even the "Maasai guide" was just one of the campsite back-office staff dressed up...
So be very careful - we were advised to take an opportunity to 'get out of the vehicle where possible', but in TZ you're forbidden to within the parks (except in the rest-areas*), and outside there's not always much to see. Wasted an afternoon because of that, and worse for SiL.
I'd make sure your vehicle is up-to-scratch:-
- Pop top is better than alternatives
- Space to move around in is critical - 5 or 6 in one car will mean too much barging and shuffling, even if you know each other. 3 was fine for us, 4 would have been OK but a little cosy.
- Engine-off makes for much better photos, and gives you more of a 'feel' for the place
- Make sure there's enough water, plus binocs, plus ideally a beanbag to rest camera on (vital if you've a 400 or heavy L-series glass, not essential with my 70-300IS)
Turned out to be a 2 hour walk out onto the dry lake-bed and then back again. Only wildlife were the zebra we could see from the campsite walkways. Sister in Law got heatstroke as a result and fainted the day after (in L Manyara park itself). Complete con - even the "Maasai guide" was just one of the campsite back-office staff dressed up...
So be very careful - we were advised to take an opportunity to 'get out of the vehicle where possible', but in TZ you're forbidden to within the parks (except in the rest-areas*), and outside there's not always much to see. Wasted an afternoon because of that, and worse for SiL.
I'd make sure your vehicle is up-to-scratch:-
- Pop top is better than alternatives
- Space to move around in is critical - 5 or 6 in one car will mean too much barging and shuffling, even if you know each other. 3 was fine for us, 4 would have been OK but a little cosy.
- Engine-off makes for much better photos, and gives you more of a 'feel' for the place
- Make sure there's enough water, plus binocs, plus ideally a beanbag to rest camera on (vital if you've a 400 or heavy L-series glass, not essential with my 70-300IS)
DubaiJohn said:
We are going to be staying at Kilindi, Fundu Lagoon, Olivers Camp, Plantation Lodge and Dunia Camp? Anybody stayed at any of these?
We stayed at Fundu Lagoon as part of our honeymoon. It was lovely!!!It is mainly all newly weds that you'll meet there though.
You must leave some fruit on your "balcony" in the evening and the bush babies often come down to visit you.
We did some diving as we both have our padi, but their boat will take you to a nearby reef to snorkel if you don't dive.
Considering the location the food was tremendous, plus drinks are all-inclusive (I think we almost drank them out of red wine lol). They will also organise a private beach dinner which was a romantic touch.
To be honest I don't want to tell you too much about Fundu as it will spoil the surprise of this gem of a place.
Just to say in response to the comments above about a walking safari, we went on three of these leaving camp just before first light, where we were in Tanzania it was amazing and we saw plenty of animals. You had to be guided with a ranger (with gun) and the normal guide these were timed to avoid the midday sun.
Both our camps were based adjacent to the river so boat safaris were good for seeing Hippos reasonably close up.
As soon as the little lad (5 months old) is old enought to appreicate it we will be going back.
Both our camps were based adjacent to the river so boat safaris were good for seeing Hippos reasonably close up.
As soon as the little lad (5 months old) is old enought to appreicate it we will be going back.
I would agree with the messages that you should walk whenever you can. It's a far more exciting way to see the animals than from a car - you will feel more alert to noises than you ever have before! You will need a ranger as suggested. Our favourite area is Tsavo in Kenya, but have been to quite a few camps in Kenya Tanzania.
Steven Quas , Hamburg
Steven Quas , Hamburg
Shinobi said:
Anyone got any links for trips that are already planned that you can buy? Not quite sure I know enough to build my own trip.
We saved a LOT of money by doing some research on the web and on TripAdvisor, then talking directly to operators not to UK agents. And we got just what we wanted (private vehicle, chosen hotels/campsites, able to run to our schedule not someone else's), rather than your usual Travel Agent compromise...all of this at the expense of probably 20-30 hours of our time each in the run-up.Oh, and because they were overseas we lost some protection, but we still had travel insurance and we minimised the risk by only going to operators with a lot of good reviews, and still asked for references.
Up to you...
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