Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you safari in Tanzania. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do when going on safari, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you safari in Tanzania.
Don’t Get Out of the Jeep
African safari animals are extremely dangerous; for no reason should you ever get out of the Jeep! Your safari guide will reinforce this constantly during your drive; make sure you listen to them! Going on safari can be a very safe experience…if you follow the rules!
Don’t Feed the African Safari Animals
Again, these are WILD animals, not a zoo attraction. You absolutely cannot feed the animals on safari. It can be illegal to bait the animals with food, as this can desensitize them to humans. Likewise, be careful about leaving food around camp or dropping food accidentally.
Don’t Expect a Toilet
Game drives can be long and take up a full day. As you enter each park, make sure you take the opportunity to use the toilets at the visitor center. Once you’re out in the bush, there are no toilets to use. If you do have to go to the bathroom while you’re out on safari, you can’t wander out behind a tree for privacy; you have to stay right next to the Jeep.
Don’t Be Loud
Loud noises can easily scare away the animals, so a successful safari depends on your group remaining calm and quiet while out looking for animals. Conversely, in camp, you might actually attract some animals, which you don’t want to happen.
Don’t Expect a Smooth Ride
Safari roads are very bumpy; they call it the “African massage.” It’s not terrible, but after a whole day, you will feel jostled around a bit. If you are prone to motion sickness, it’s always a good idea to have some medicine on hand, just in case! And because they are dirt roads, it gets very dusty. We found it helpful to have a scarf to cover our faces and keep some of the dust out.
Don’t Overpack
It can be tempting to overpack for your safari trip, but it’s not necessary. You can wear the same safari outfit multiple days in a row, and just have a few casual things to wear around camp. Your luggage will take up space in the Jeep, so the lighter you pack, the more room you will have to move around inside the vehicle. (This is extra important since you can’t really get out and stretch your legs!)
Don’t Assume You’ll See the Big 5
The “Big 5” are the top five animals that everyone wants to see on safari. This includes the Cape Buffalo, Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and the Black Rhino. Some of these animals are easier to find than others. Black Rhinos are not as common and are pretty hard to find. Similarly, leopards are really hard to see, so you aren’t as likely to see a leopard on safari.
Don’t Worry About Seeing Animals
Even though the Big 5 are not a guarantee on safari, you’ll still see a TON of animals on the Serengeti. There’s much more to see besides the Big 5. You’ll see zebras, giraffes, gazelles, hyenas, and so many more exotic animals.
Don’t Forget to Bring Cash
There’s no ATM on the Serengeti. Chances are, you will be staying in rustic camps. Many safari packages include food but drinks are at an additional cost. You will need cash to pay for anything while you’re out on safari. You may also want to purchase souvenirs at some of the stops; cash is always preferred. Check with your tour company to see what you need to pay for out of pocket. Nice, crisp US Dollars are preferred.
Don’t Forget to Tip
When you take a safari trip, you’ll have a lot of people helping you out along the way. From your drivers and guides to the cooks at your camp. This is another reason to have some cash on hand. You will tip them at the end of the trip. Some guidelines for tipping on safari include:
- Safari Guide and Drivers: $5-$10 per day per person, with a minimum of $20 (meaning if you are traveling alone, tip $20)
- Camp Staff: Average tip is $10 per day per tent. Typically, your camp will have a tip box where you can leave a gratuity for the camp staff. The more luxurious your camp, the more you should tip.
Don’t Leave Your Tent at Night
For the same reason you shouldn’t get out of the Jeep, you should not leave your safari tent at night. You will have escorts to take you anywhere in camp, even to the restroom. Many of the animals in Africa are more active at night; we had a cheetah right by our tent one night! Even if you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, make sure you follow camp protocol and get an escort. You will probably have a walkie-talkie that allows you to communicate with camp staff. You can also call them if you think animals are getting too close to camp.
If you are bringing kids on safari, make sure they are old enough to understand this very important rule!
Don’t Sleep In
Going on safari in Tanzania is not a leisurely vacation, so don’t plan on sleeping late in the morning! Early morning is one of the best times to spot animals out and about. They will disperse as the day warms up, so make sure you are up early! You can nap later when you get back to camp!
Five Things You’ll Love and Hate About Package Tours
Don’t Forget Your African Safari Clothes
Your tour operator will probably give you a packing list for safari. African Safari clothes are not just for show; there are very practical reasons for buying clothes just for your safari trip. The color should be brown, khaki, or green. Your clothes should cover your skin, so long-sleeve shirts and long pants are a must! This is to keep bugs off your skin. Because you are so covered up, you want to make sure you have lightweight clothing so you don’t get too hot. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun off your face and neck.
While it’s hot during the day, it gets cold at night, so bring plenty of warm layers to wear around camp and to bed each night.
Don’t Forget Extra Batteries & a Power Bank
Safari days are long, and you will probably take thousands of photos each day. Make sure you have extra camera batteries, extra memory cards, and a power bank with all the cables you need to charge your devices. We averaged three camera batteries per day on safari, so we always had one charging.
Don’t Expect Hot Showers
Depending on the level of camp you choose, your accommodations might be quite rustic. If that’s the case, don’t expect a lot of hot water to shower with each morning. Some higher-end camps may have better systems but just be prepared for a refreshing cold shower in the morning.
Don’t Expect to Stay Connected
It’s pretty hard to go off the grid these days, but on a Tanzania safari, you won’t have much, if any, cell phone service or WiFi. I was able to make phone calls but did not have 3G or 4G service for data. Our camp did have WiFi, but it was very slow and a lot of people are trying to use it at the same time.
Don’t Think You Have to Rough It
Safari camps can run the gamut from rustic to ultra-luxurious. Some of the safari tents are fancier than some hotels we’ve stayed in. You can really splurge on safari and get an amazing camp with fantastic food. Don’t let the image of dirt roads and rough tents keep you from taking a safari trip. There are many different ways to safari.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a safari vacation. A Tanzania safari is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a really amazing family vacation. With the right preparation and tour agency, you will be talking about your safari trip for many years to come! Want more of our Africa travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: