Preparing for the adventure of a lifetime
PREPARE FOR YOUR EXTREME EXPEDITION
A safari in Tanzania is an adventure, and part of the thrill of any adventure is that you are entering the unknown. Fortunately, it’s not unknown to us, and we are here to guide you every step of the way, making sure that you are fully prepared for your African safari.
We have put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you prepare and pack for your trip. It’s not exhaustive, but it gives you a good starting point and we are always here to answer any other questions you may have.
Advice changes regularly, and the information from us should only be seen as a guideline.
For the latest information, we recommend that you visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania before you travel.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
You may need a visa to enter Tanzania, so check in good time before you leave. You can get one from your local Tanzanian High Commission before you travel or get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at main ports of entry to Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. The cost will vary depending where you are travelling from.
Do I need vaccinations?
You will need a number of vaccinations prior to travel. If you are arriving from certain countries, you will need to bring your yellow fever vaccination certificate. When you are in the bush (or we recommend for the entire stay), it’s sensible to take malaria prophylaxis.
As with all medication, please ensure you check with your GP or a medical practitioner first to obtain the correct advice.
What currency should I bring?
You will need to bring a few Tanzanian shillings and US dollars. Most of your adventure is paid for in advance so the cash you require is minimal, just bring enough for gifts, memorabilia, drinks etc. You can exchange money at many of the country’s banks. Travellers’ cheques are not widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted in many locations but there may be a large extra charge on card payments.
We recommend that you take a debit card or a topped up Visa or Mastercard travel card – there are many ATMs now where extracting local currency is quite easy and the commission charged not excessive.
The main currency in lodges and camps is US Dollars – so take as much as you are comfortable with carrying. It’s a good idea to split the sums around your luggage and travel partners for security.
Is it safe?
Most visits to Tanzania are trouble free. However, you should, of course, take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings, as you would when travelling anywhere.
Do I need insurance?
Absolutely. You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Is the local water safe to drink?
Some people risk it,
but bottled water is safer.
Food and drink
The food in Tanzania is probably some of the freshest and least adulterated you will find in the world. Almost all of the food is organic and without nasty chemicals and preservatives – as a result, it is very fresh and very tasty.
Our main concern is the quality of water and all camps and trucks rely on plastic bottles to guarantee safe drinking water. We are investigating how to provide safe water in our trucks without plastic, but for now we are making sure all plastic used is returned to a recycling plant.
What clothes should I wear?
Just like you see in all the safari films, go for neutral colours that help you to blend in with the surroundings so you don’t disturb the wildlife. Do not wear blue unless you want to make the trip more comfortable for your friends - it attracts the tsetse fly.
Shorts or those weird trousers with zips that convert into shorts are ideal. Walking boots, comfortable shoes or trainers are essential (remember to break them in first!), plus flipflops or sandals for the camp or lodge. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best, and it’s advisable to cover your arms to avoid sunburn and insect bites.
Don’t forget to bring a fleece or cardigan for evenings, as it can get chilly. A hat is very important too, to keep the sun off the back of your neck. You could also pack a smarter outfit to wear in the evening if you are staying at a luxury lodge. Some lodges have swimming pools so you might want to pack your Speedos or cossie, too.
What else should I bring?
You are guaranteed to see spectacular scenery and animals during your African safari. Undoubtedly, you will want to get as close as you can, so a good pair of binoculars is helpful or a camera with a telephoto lens. We recommend a 150-600mm zoom lens (best buy from Tamron or Sigma).
Smartphones can take great pictures but are not so good for zooming – however, they are amazingly good at landscapes and sunsets, so don’t be a purist, just give it a try and you might be pleasantly impressed with the results.
If you are a professional photographer, or a very keen amateur, make sure you request our photographer’s custom truck – this has special adaptations such as a detachable side window section with tripod mounts, flaps and even bean bags.
The safari is a great opportunity to take photographs like the ones you have seen in this site, all taken by members of the Extreme Expedition team, which you can continue to enjoy when you get back home. Some of our guides are also keen photographers and we will set up a shared folder for you to download photographs after you return. So if you do miss the action, we often have a back-up plan.
You may like some quiet time in camp or at the lodge, so bring games, books, cards etc. Part of the charm of the bush is that there is not much Internet or TV – in fact, the campfire is affectionately called Bush TV!
Bring a torch. There will be one in the tent, but it is best to carry yours along, too.
Don’t forget to buy Tanzanian electrical adaptors (old UK with round pins and new ones with square pins).
And definitely don’t forget lots of sunscreen and insect repellent!
What is included in an Extreme Expedition safari package?
- 24/7 access to a guide from the moment you arrive at JRO airport until you depart
- Privacy when you want it - typically, parties invite the guide to dinner, however, if you prefer a cosy dinner with your loved one or just family, they will not be offended and nor will they go hungry! After dinner, they will leave you to yourselves and make arrangements for the morning and a breakfast rendez-vous
- Full board accommodation (typically a lunch box for the game drive or a return to the camp is possible if you prefer)
- All TANAPA (Tanzanian National Parks Agency) park, camping and concession fees
- - All fuel costs
- - Airport transfers
- - Happy memories
What is not included in an Extreme Expedition safari package?
- Flights - unless by special arrangement, we recommend you book your own flights
- We find that too many variables make offering a package less flexible, for example original destination, travel class, Airmile
- schemes part-payments, etc. If required, we can help you with routes and airline information. And don’t worry - should your flights be disrupted in any way, we will make the necessary adjustments to the schedule to minimise the impact
- Drinks other than water and coffee or tea
- Food outside of meal times
- Laundry services (available at additional cost at camps or lodges)
Thank you to Sammy Gonsalves and Colin Dobbyne for the beautiful images used throughout our website.