Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the best place to go on safari?
2. When is the best time of year to go on safari in Tanzania?
3. Where is the best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa?
4. What kinds of animals will I see on safari in Tanzania?
5. What is the Migration?
6. Will I have a chance to interact with the local people of Tanzania?
7. What if I want a custom safari?
8. Can I take my children on safari?
9. Will I stay in tents or lodges?
10. How big are your safari groups?
11. What's the weather like in Tanzania?
12. What clothes should I bring on safari?
13. What's the food like on safari?
14. Can special dietary requirements be accommodated?
15. Are safaris in Tanzania safe?
16. Is it OK to drink the water?
17. Are there a lot of bugs in Tanzania?
18. How far in advance should I book my safari?
19. What shots should I get?
20. What additional costs can I expect when I travel with African Photo Safari?
1. Where is the best place to go on safari?
Safari in Kiswahili, the language of East Africa, simply means a journey. Today it is synonymous in English with a
wildlife viewing adventure in the African Bush. If your primary reason for traveling to Africa is to experience an
abundance of African wildlife in unspoiled wilderness, then Tanzania should be your destination of choice. Tanzania
protects over 25% of its land through national parks and reserves, more than any other country on the continent.
You simply cannot beat the wildlife concentrations found in Tanzania.
The parks and wildlife reserves of Tanzania
are inhabited by vast herds of wildebeest spread across the Serengeti savanna,huge populations of elephant and buffalo,
as well as plains game and their predators. All these animals interact and roam freely, as they have for thousands of
years. Here you'll witness an incredible diversity of ecology and will find the vegetation and bird life as fascinating
as the big game. This is the home to 90% of the film series produced on African animals. Tanzania also boasts a
remarkable number of World Heritage Sites including Serengeti National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Ngorongoro
Conservation Area, Selous Game reserve (this reserve alone is the size of Denmark), Kilwa Kisiwani and the Songo
Mnara Ruins.
2. When is the best time of year to go on safari in Tanzania?
Anytime other than during the long rains (April and May) is a wonderful time to be on safari. At African Photo Safari, we adjust our safari itineraries to take advantage of the best possible game viewing in accordance with the seasonal concentrations of wildlife.
3. Where is the best place to go for wildlife viewing in Africa?
You simply can't beat northern Tanzania for wildlife concentrations. Most people have heard of the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater and the wide array of wildlife dwelling on the crater floor. Most have heard of the vast Serengeti savanna, which hosts the annual migration of wildebeest and the predators that follow in its wake. Examples await in the gallery. This is only the beginning of the natural phenomena awaiting your discovery on a safari to Tanzania. Guests of African Photo Safari consistently tell us the wildlife they experienced far surpassed their most optimistic expectations.
4. What kinds of animals will I see on safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania is home to over 35 species of large four-legged mammals and has over 1000 species of birds. On a typical safari in northern Tanzania you can expect to see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, baboon, monkeys and a variety of plains game such as wildebeest, hartebeest, zebra, impala and gazelle. Most people see lion and hyena, and possibly cheetah or leopard. In Ngorongoro Crater you may see one of the few remaining black rhino to be found in Tanzania. You'll undoubtedly see several different species of mongoose and some hyrax and other small mammals. If you're lucky you'll see one or more of the smaller cats, foxes, wild dog or the more reticent antelope like lesser kudu, bushbuck, oryx or eland.
5. What is the Migration?
Every year, over one million wildebeest move through the Serengeti plains in search of food and water. The phenomenon
of these animals moving en mass through the African savanna is known as the Migration. Their movement is driven by the
seasonal rains that water their grazing pastures. It is impossible to predict in advance exactly how or when this
progression will take place, but there is a pattern.
Generally from mid-December through May the herds feed in the
southern Serengeti. During February thousands of calves appear on the plains. Between June and July, the wildebeest
begin their annual migration north reaching the Mara River that marks the Kenyan border sometime between the end of
July and beginning of August. After the first short rains, usually in the beginning of November, the herds move back
into Tanzania's Serengeti and make their way to the southern pastures where they rest and feed through the rains until
their search for better grazing leads them to begin their annual migration once again.
Even when the "migration" moves into Kenya for the summer months, there are many resident herds in the Serengeti and there is always an incredible
array of wildlife to experience there. Also, in the summer months, which are the height of the dry season, thousands
of elephant congregate around the Tarangire River. This park is at its prime during these months and we adjust our
itineraries to take advantage of the prime wildlife viewing there. Each time of year offers the visitor to Tanzania a
special opportunity for wildlife viewing.
6. Will I have a chance to interact with the local people of Tanzania?
The vast majority of Tanzanians still live a lifestyle very close to their traditional lifestyles. Most people are subsistence farmers. The Masai people, favored by photographers for their strikingly colorful décor, live a pastoral existence following their herds of cattle to better grazing areas, still adhering to the traditions and ceremonies of their ancestors. Their villages are located throughout northern Tanzania. Other small tribes of hunter-gatherers, living according to their ancient customs and traditions can also be found in this area.
7. What if I want a custom safari?
We would be delighted to work with you to help you and your family, friends or organization plan the best possible safari to match your interests and budget. We organize custom safaris for individuals, professional photographers, honeymooning couples, and families.
8. Can I take my children on safari?
YES! African Photo Safari has a personal understanding and deep commitment to meeting the special needs of families. We have designed our unique family safari programs to allow you and your children to experience the wonders of Africa together. Special options for children ages 6 - 16 include pen pals with whom kids will correspond and then meet in Tanzania, Young Adventurers Serengeti Workshop, 40 page Safari Logbook including a journal, bird lists, mammal lists, games, sketchpads, and address lists of safari guides who enjoy and relate to children. You'll have a chance to deepen your understanding of cultural diversity, discover the many miracles of nature, and at the same time play, laugh, and enjoy the pleasure of one another's company. Our trips are well suited for children six years and older.
9. Will I stay in tents or lodges?
Our safaris offer a wide array of safari styles to suit your interests and budget. Please see our Lodging page for a description of the different types of accommodations we use on our trips.
10. How big are your safari groups?
Our scheduled safaris vary in size depending on the nature of the safari. We typically keep our groups small to allow a more intimate connection with the African bush.
11. What's the weather like in Tanzania?
Located at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,600 feet, northern Tanzania's dry sunny climate is nothing like the steamy African jungle of Tarzan movies. The weather is spring-like year round, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s, evenings in the 60s. From June until August, temperatures are slightly cooler, ranging from the 50s to the mid-70s. The coastal and lowland areas tend to be more tropical in temperature.
12. What clothes should I bring on safari?
Safari dress is comfortable and casual - layers are recommended. Keep it simple and bring things you don't mind getting dusty. After you have booked your safari, we send you a pre-departure information booklet including a detailed packing list to help you prepare for your safari. Please refer to our packing advice.
13. What's the food like on safari?
You will be pleasantly surprised by both the quality and the variety of the food available on safari. In most lodges, meals are served buffet-style so you can choose what you like. The food is prepared according to western tastes, with some curries and local cuisine included. If you choose a camping safari, fresh meat and produce is prepared by our expert chefs to the highest sanitary standards. Most returning guests rave about our camp food!
14. Can special dietary requirements be accommodated?
Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian or diabetic meals can easily be arranged with advanced notice. If you are vegetarian or vegan you may wish to bring along some alternative protein sources. If you have multiple food allergies, you'll definitely want to bring along supplemental snacks. It is important we know of any possible dietary restrictions as soon as possible.
15. Are safaris in Tanzania safe?
Today's modern safari is a far cry from the rugged safaris of the past. After a stimulating day of game viewing, you can relax at comfortable, attractive lodges, with amenities like swimming pools, full service restaurants and en-suite bathrooms. Located right in the scenic settings of the wildlife reserves, the lodges are close to nature, but not too close for comfort. Tanzania is one of Africa's most stable countries, where you'll receive a warm welcome from its gracious people. Every precaution is taken to ensure your health and safety on safari.
16. Is it OK to drink the water?
We provide bottled water on game drives and in at the campsite, and you can purchase good quality bottled water at all the lodges and camps.
17. Are there a lot of bugs in Tanzania?
There are more bugs in places such as Europe or the USA than you will encounter on safari. Again, remember that most of the areas you'll be visiting are arid (especially from July - November). The bugs you will see are fascinating, but certainly not anything to be concerned about.
18. How far in advance should I book my safari?
It is better to book as far in advance as possible to ensure availability at the time you wish to travel, especially during the peak seasons (July, August and Christmas time). This is especially important for those wishing to travel on private custom safaris and those adding extensions to their scheduled trips.
19. What shots should I get?
For medical advice it is always best to consult your doctor or travel clinic. The minimum requirements for entry into Tanzania are a yellow fever vaccination and anti-malarial medication. Bear in mind that you will be staying in camps and lodges oriented to meet the needs of American and European guests.
20. What additional costs can I expect when I travel with African Photo Safari?
Our safari packages include all accommodation and meals while on safari, airport transfers, park fees and services of African Photo Safari tours and Safaris guides and drivers. It is customary to tip your guide and driver, as well as the camp staff if you are camping during your safari (we suggest typical amounts in the pre-departure information we send you after you book on one of our safaris). You will also need to pay for your own beverages and personal items like laundry service and phone calls. Before you go, you are responsible for any passport and visa fees. We also highly recommend you purchase travel protection insurance. And finally, if you know yourself to be a big souvenir shopper you'll need to budget accordingly.