Tips and Recommendations
We recommend that you spend your first day in Tanzania resting to acclimatise. It is better to begin your safari after you have rested and we also suggest perhaps another rest day in the middle of your safari.
Vehicles and lodges can be expensive in the main tourist areas. In order to reduce your costs, you may wish to consider sharing a vehicle or booking a double room instead of two single rooms? Camping is also another option. Many lodges have camp sites with bathroom and restaurant facilities.
On safari, you will need a hat for protection against the sun as well as sun cream. During game drives you may be in a vehicle with an open roof under the hot sun for hours and, in moderate temperatures and light wind, you may not realize until the evening just how much sunburn you can get.
Those wishing to add adventure to their safari might contemplate camping in some of the national parks among the wild animals. Reservations should be made well in advance. At night, by the camp-fire, shining your torch into the darkness you are likely to see all sorts of wild eyes staring back at you. It's possible for animals, such as, lions, elephants or other big mammals, to wander through the camp. You can get a sense of how the first pioneers in the country felt. Needless to say, only those who are really enthusiastic about spending the night this way should consider it. Some camp sites in the parks are very basic and some have no water.
Never drink tap water, except when you are told it is safe to do so. You can buy bottled water almost everywhere.
You may get more from your holiday by learning some of the more common
Kisuaheli (Swahili) words, such as:
Jambo (Hello),
Habare Yako (How are you?),
Asanta Sana (Thank you), etc. Tanzanians are very amiable people who are very happy to meet a tourist who knows some words in their language. Simple Swahili greetings are usually sufficient to start friendly conversations. Swahili dictionaries and common phrase books are readily available.
In Africa, time has a different significance than what you might be used to back home. Sometimes situations occur, beyond your control, where the difference in thinking is apparent. Africans have some ingenious clichés:
"You Whites, you may have a watch, but we Africans, we have the time" or
"Haraka, haraka haina baraka" which literally translates:
"Hurry, hurry, hasn't any blessing." Time goes slowly in Africa and that's just the way it is here with much less stress. To get the best from your holiday, we advise "slowing down" a little and adapting to this outlook.
Leave your jewellery at home. It is not advisable to flaunt valuables or money. Tanzania is a poor country and one should exercise caution and remain guarded at all times. Bear in mind that the average monthly income, compared to the tourist's lifestyle, is very low. In the year of 2003 it was about 30 USD per capita. Tips are expected but try and follow the prevailing rates because overgenerous tipping can result in overzealous attention and expectations.
Don't take pictures of government institutions, administrative buildings, police stations, military institutions, etc. If you wish to photograph something and are unsure about doing so just ask someone. Don't take pictures in an obtrusive manner. Some people, the
Maasai for example, may get angry if they believe that you are taking a picture of them so it's best to ask permission. They are less likely to object when offered a small fee.
When buying souvenirs you don't need to pay the price quoted; in Africa bargaining is normal and expected and the initial price asked, therefore, is invariably higher. Some traders are also not averse to bartering so you may be able to exchange some of your own possessions as payment or part-payment for the sale item.
Dress conservatively, modestly, and appropriately. Casual wear such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals are acceptable (except perhaps for some luxury hotels). Ladies should not wear provocative clothing, such as mini-skirts, hot pants or anything with too low a neck-line. Please be aware that there is a strong Islamic influence in many parts of the country.
Please make sure that you have visas for entry, travel insurance, and take medical advice regarding inoculations and malaria prophylactics.
Money exchange. Most large towns have banks or money exchangers where you can exchange currency. Large lodges and hotels will also accept travellers cheques, cash (usually USD), credit cards for payment and also change some foreign currencies to Tanzanian shilling.
The artist,
Tom Linton, is a wildlife painter residing in USA. At the moment he is working on a collection of African wildlife/landscapes which can be ordered as limited edition prints or, if you prefer, you may commission a painting from him, as we did (lion's eyes).
Profile
About us
Recommendations
