I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy — Ernest Hemingway.
If you are anything like me then you know an African Safari is one of those lifetime bucket list items that you absolutely must do one day…but when? I found my opportunity in April 2021 in the middle of the COVID pandemic as it was one of the few easily accessible locations.
What to expect:
Picking a Safari Company: This is the most important and challenging aspect of booking your trip; when you first begin searching it can be completely overwhelming to sift through the THOUSANDS of options. I literally spent hours a day trying to decipher how much a safari should cost as there is such a wide range of options.
My favorite website to compare and request quotes was Safaribooking.com, it is the easiest way to find operators offering exactly what you are looking for. I would also cross compare reviews on trip advisors as well as their tagged photos on instagram- yes… very sleuth.
We have all seen the incredible stories, safari photos, and rave reviews posted by Instagram influencers who did not pay a dime for their trips- it is so easy to trust a friendly face, especially after you have binge-watched their amazing stories. I included all of these companies in my search and generally found that while they did have great reviews it was at a wildly inflated cost.
At the end of the day, the National parks, the animals, and nature are why you are here… so as long as you find a knowledgeable guide to lead your adventure, the rest is all about comfort. P.S. Obviously not even the best guide in the world can forecast what happens in the bush but all the companies communicate via radio to share info back and forth.
So how much should you budget?
There are several very tangible factors that can raise or lower your safari cost, they are:
Shared V Private tours. This makes sense, if you are splitting the cost of gas, and the guide among more people it will obviously be a cheaper rate. I booked a 5 day group rate but because the other patrons only signed up for 4 our first day was a private at no extra cost. So ask yourself, what do you value most?
The benefit of a private tour is being able to completely control your safari. You want to spend two hours photographing a lion pride eating their kill? You got it. Want to head to camp early ? That’s cool too. It is also nice to not worry about seat roulette in the jeep, everyone can generally see but some seats are obviously better than others and depending on your safari mates it could be less enjoyable if you are concerned with social dynamics.
However, a shared African Safari is still A FREAKING AWESOME EXPERIENCE! Don’t get me wrong- I loved being the solo safari boss, but most people, myself included, usually defer to the guide for decision making anyways. In my opinion, it is much more important to be comfortable with your financial decisions and not worried that you over extended yourself- that is an easy way to ruin what should be an incredible trip…Maybe sharing will give you more wiggle room for a luxury lodge or a few extra nights!
Every group is different, I was grateful that my group members were lenient when I wanted to spend extra time taking photos so I shared all of my edited images with them to say ‘Thank you.’ Now, are you down to cheers with some strangers and hopefully make some friends in the bush? Note: picking dates for a group safari is more limiting so be sure to stay flexible and book in advance.
Camping V Luxury. This is a no-brainer when it comes to setting the cost, are you more of a sleep under the stars or a 5-star resort kind of person? What does your budge say about that?
Most camping companies provide: the tent, sleeping gear and a cook to prepare hot meals; if you already like to be one with nature this is the most affordable option. However, because my trip was firmly in the beginning of rainy season I did not want to risk the possibility of being damp and muddy all week.
There are also 5 star world class resorts out in the bush , like the famous Four Seasons Safari Lodge- with an infinity pool perched right atop the local watering hole where you can see the big 5 from the comfort of your cabana. There is an argument to be made that you can opt for a resort like this and have a fulfilling “safari” vacation because you will still traverse the Serengeti by Jeep to and from the airport; Not exactly what I wanted for my adventure but definitely something to consider for anyone interested in immersing themselves in nature without abandoning the finest luxuries money can buy.
I stayed in 3 different mid ranged lodges, and was blown away by all of them. When you are selecting your tour company I recommend looking up the accommodations they set in their packages and inquiring about substitutions if necessary; researching the planned lodges helped me to better set expectations and understand the pricing behind different tour companies.
Angata Tented Camp Serengeti. Luxury glamping anyone? This was the quintessential African Safari experience and something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Imagine arriving at camp as the sun slowly sets, enjoying drinks by the fire, a delicious 5-course meal included, a hot shower, and a comfy bed IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREAKING SERENGETI! I literally heard hyenas, lions, and hippos just mere meters from my tent throughout the night. It sounds scary, it's actually very safe…but all I’m saying is there is no adrenaline rush like the kind you get waking up and realizing you are really in the thick of it!
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. A must see luxury lodge with unbeatable panoramic views of Ngorongoro crater! This was originally not my set lodge, it was a last minute upgrade from our tour company, one change that I sure am grateful for! The lodge is perched atop the crater rim, providing every room the same world class view. As an all inclusive it boasts daily entertainment, expansive buffets for breakfast and dinner with a 3 course menu set for lunch. After coming in from a long day of adventure, nothing compared to the tranquility provided at Serena- definitely worth a splurge.
Marera Valley Lodge was the one location we stayed at twice- on the way into our journey and again on the way back out, as it is conveniently located between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro crater. A simple yet refined lodge, it was everything it needed to be - our first impression and a positive one. Similar to both of the aforementioned accommodations, dining was included and we were certainly not left hungry. The pool was a lovely place to kick back and enjoy an apres safari beer.
What is the sweet spot Safari length? They can be anywhere from 1 day to several weeks! Damn. That is a lot of wiggle room… How to decide what is right for you?
After combing through countless blogs, reviews, and itineraries I finally settled on a 5-day, 4-night tour; I wanted the full meal, not just a quick taste. My itinerary allowed for time to see 4 distinct parks, all famous in their own right.
How did it go you ask? Well, that is A LOT of driving…and even though you aren’t physically doing much it is still quite draining. On day 1 I was elated just to see a monkey but by day 5 we were casually driving past giraffes, a major shift in midst. If I am being truthful, I would not have been left wanting on a 3 night/4-day tour but the only problem is knowing what park I would cut. Where to go? What park can’t you miss?
Hands down the most famous park are the Great Serengeti, it's the muse of many famous writers and for good reason; its endless plains cover 5,700 square miles of vast, alive, and humbling landscape. Known for being the location of the Great animal migration, you would do yourself a disservice to skip the Serengeti.
Modern-day Jurassic park? Ngorongoro crater is located in the Eastern(Great) Rift Valley; it was created when a giant volcano ( approx. size of Mt. Kilimanjaro) exploded and collapsed 3 million years ago. It is an extremely hospitable environment and home to over 30,000 animals including the endangered black rhino. Ngorongoro is often referred to as ‘The Garden of Eden’ for being such a beautiful Paradise for all who inhabit it - but you won’t find any giraffes here, as the steep crater walls are too much for them to traverse.
Of note: The Ngorngoro conservation area is also the best location to interact with the indigenous Maasai people. They are a semi nomadic, Nilotic group ( people from the Nile Valley) of Tanzania, known for cattle hearding, being exceptionally tall and drinking cows blood mixed with milk. Men will often have multiple wives; one tribe was led by a man with 14 wives and 90 children, the children will live with their parents until the age of 10 when they all move in together. The tribe on Ngorongoro conservation Area allows for visitors to come and see their way of life in exchange for donations. They sell goods made by the women and children to buy teaching supplies and fresh water.
Lake Manyara National park was by far the most forested location. It is most well known for its tree climbing lions are it was here that we saw the elusive leopard. The first park on our adventure we spent hours watching baby monkeys swinging from trees.
Tarangire National park is home to the famous African baobab trees and massive herds of elephants. We were on our last day of safari in this park and everyone was quite exhausted but I was quite content just watching the baby elephants play with their trunks. Elephants are well known for their advanced matriarchal social structure, you can truly feel the love and feelings they have for one another. If you LOVE ELEPHANTS, this is the park.
Are you looking to mix in a little adventure? At the base of Mt Kilimanjaro is the impressive Maturuni waterfall and nearby are the crystal clear waters of Kikuletwa hot springs. I booked this tour separate of my safari on Viator but later realized it could have been part of any company in the full safari package. While safari life was grand, this was the most adventurous experience and I highly recommend it for a change of pace.
Are you looking to see the Great migration of 2 million wildebeest and zebra? They move on a year-round loop dependent of weather- so witnessing one of the famed river crossings can be as hard to predict as …the weather! However, you will have the best shot during the months from May to September.
The Summer months are considered the best to spot animals as the dry brush is low and the animals tend to remain closer to watering holes. However, the dry heat comes with an increase in dust & the tourist season will drive rates higher so expect less bang for your buck.
I had little control over the dates of my trip and went during the last week of March, the beginning of the rainy season. This was a big gamble as many sites tell you the torrential rain will reduce visibility, restrict road access and cause animals to retreat from the storms. However, we were extremely lucky to not experience any of that. The risk paid off as we saw a beautiful lush Tanzania, and best of all IT WAS A BABY SEASON! Birthing peaks during January/February each year and there were still so many of these cute little guys roaming around.
Reputation. How can you know you are going with an experienced guide?
Even after narrowing down your safari search with location, duration, price, and itinerary, you are still left with countless options; there are new safari companies popping up every day! Literally, two of the guides I met have reached out to inform me they are starting their own companies- it is a cut-throat business. I booked with Suricata Safaris & had a great experience.
Before booking, first read all the reviews you can find! Do they not have reviews?Are the reviews for a different service than you are booking? Does it seem too good to be true? Why are your rates so much lower than competitors offering the same trip?
Second, reach out to the company! Are they prompt returning messages? Do they adequately answer your questions? Are these people you want to hangout with for multiple days in a row? Follow your well informed intuition before sending any money!
Currency
The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, 1 USD equals approximately 2,319 TZS. It is easiest to pay for things with local currency but most places were happy to accept USD as well. It may be daunting to carry around a lot of cash, you can use a CC (Visa) with most vendors, just don’t forget about tips. I was unable to get TZS in advance but it was easy to make a conversion at the airport or withdraw from the ATM. Notify you bank in advance to avoid any problems with fraud protection.
Get your shots!
Tequila! Wait… no! Hep A! Check the CDC to confirm you have had all appropriate shots prior to travel. The most difficult to obtain were the malaria pills, which can also be quite pricey, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Tipping
The Safari driver, the cook, the Maasai dancers & the lodge staff are all people who heavily rely on money from tips; they are away from their families for extended periods and working long days- while you go back to luxury accommodations they may be camping nearby. It is customary to tip in Tanzania, use your best judgement to determine how and how much. A common rule of thumb is $8-$10 per day/ PP for guides. $2-$5 per meal/ PP for chefs and wait staff. Help yourself out by bringing small bills or planning tipping envelopes in advance.
Language
The National language of Tanzania is Swahili ( a blend of Arabic and native tribal languages created during the slave era) but most people speak English to communicate as Tanzania is multilingual with different languages throughout the different regions.
Questions to ask your company:
How many seats in the Safari car?
Does the roof pop up?
Do you provide binoculars for use?
What can you expect as a typical day on safari?
Do you have the option to add extras? Like hot air balloon rides.
How experienced are the guides?
How well equip is the vehicle? Fridges? A/C?
Do the drivers communicate via radio with others?
Are park fees included?
Are there baggage limitations?
Can you opt to include tips?
Is lunch included?
Do you do airport pick ups/ drop offs?
Can I charge my phone in the car?
Can I book with a CC?
Does the driver speak my language? (Non English speakers.)
Safety
Tanzania is generally considered a safe country to visit, the people rely heavily on the tourist industry and would not do anything to jeopardize that. Resorts, organized tours & safari companies do everything possible to ensure your safety. As with anywhere be cautious of your surroundings and keep hold of your possessions as petty theft is always a threat.
Phrases worth knowing!
Hakuna matata: No worries- the most well
known phrase of all!
Asanta Sana: Thank you
Karibou: You’re welcome
Jambo: How are you?
Pole Pole: Slow slow…think like island time!
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