Safari in Tanzania – practical information

We didn’t organize the safari ourselves; we purchased a package tour from a local agency that has been organizing safaris for years. The package included pick-up from our hotel in Zanzibar, a flight to Arusha, a driver with a jeep, 2 nights in a lodge (including breakfast and dinner), lunch during the safari, a visit to Tarangire National Park (approximately 6 hours), a visit to Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 7 hours), and a visit to a Maasai village located near our accommodation – the lodge.

The organization of the entire safari was very efficient. Directly from the airport, we headed to Tarangire National Park, and by late afternoon, we were checked into the lodge. The next morning at around 7:00, we had breakfast and set out for Ngorongoro Crater at approximately 8:00. The return to the lodge was also in the late afternoon, around 5:00-6:00.

Vehicle: We had a jeep with a convertible roof, so we observed the animals from a safe vantage point. We could also open our windows, but we mainly took photos from the roof. The whole journey was safe, and I never felt threatened, even though at one point, a lion passed by our vehicle, but it wasn’t particularly interested in us.

Clothing: Before the safari, I did some online research to know what to bring and wear, so I had lightweight, loose-fitting pants, which were comfortable for moving around the vehicle. I wore a short-sleeved shirt but also carried a long-sleeved blouse (mornings are chilly, and in the afternoons, insects can appear—not just mosquitoes but large flies that bite).

Lunch during the safari and restroom facilities: There was a designated area for having lunch in Tarangire – it was a parking space or an open area between the trees with places to eat and also restroom facilities. However, our guide chose a large cage with tables and chairs. This was very secure because, as it turned out later, other tourists had lunch without such protection and unexpectedly lost part of their food to the monkeys.

In Ngorongoro, it was also an open area near a pond, and there were many vehicles, so we weren’t alone. There were restrooms available before parking. We had lunch on the grass, but we had to be cautious about our food because this time, eagles were eyeing our lunch 🙂

Exploration: If you think you’re the only wildlife enthusiast, you’re mistaken. There were many of us! In some places, there was even traffic!

However, throughout the entire journey, we had the feeling that it was just us and nature after all!