|
Transport on safari
We use comfortable Land Cruisers with three sun roofs so that
everyone can see and take photos during the game drives. The car
is equipped with communication radio, spare tyres, jack and
first aid kit.
We also have agreements with local airlines and can arrange
flights to and from the towns, the parks and beach resorts.
Practical tips for the traveller
You will need visas for Tanzania. If you travel via Nairobi you
will need a visa to Kenya as well. You can get visas at the
airport on arrival or at the Tanzania-Kenya border, but it is
less trouble to arrange it at the embassy before you start your
trip.
You will need vaccinations, so ask the vaccination centre for
relevant information. There are plenty of malaria mosquitoes in
some areas like Lake Manyara, Tarangire, the coast and Zanzibar.
The risk of contacting malaria on safari is very slight, though
a week of sun and bathing at Zanzibar increases the risk. We
recommend you to buy the malaria pills that have the smallest
side-effects like Malarone.
Bring a good mosquito repellent with you (Mosigard is best but
it leaks so tape the tin well); you will need strong sun cream
and wet paper napkins (specially during the dry season there can
be water shortages at the public toilets).
Some people have tummy trouble on safari. Usually this is only
in the morning but some people are more unlucky. It is hardly
ever serious , but there are plenty of foreign bacteria in
Africa that our spoiled, delicate tummies cannot deal with. We
recommend you to take medicine for traveller’s diarrhoea
(Ducoral) before leaving home. You can even bring rehydration
fluid, stomach medicine from the chemist, and ask your doctor to
give you a prescription for Lexinor: This is quick and efficient
in the event of more serious tummy trouble.
Change your cash to US-dollars before travelling. Big notes have
the best rates but you will need a few one dollar notes for use
when you arrive. Note that USD bills older than 2004 are not
accepted in Tanzania.
Remember that even if you can have 20 kgs luggage with you on
the international flights, the plane between Arusha and Zanzibar
can only allow 15 kgs. There is also limited room in the safari
vehicles. You can get clothes washed during your stay. A soft
bag is better than a hard shell which takes up more room. Many
guests long for salt and salt liquorice and it is a good idea to
buy these at home.
It is usually warm at midday all the year, but it can get cool
in the evening. Take a couple of T-shirts, shorts, a pair of
attractive slacks and a shirt or two, a warm top (e.g. fleece),
a thin rain and wind jacket, sandals, tough shoes for walking,
swimming gear and a sun hat and you will be well prepared for
the savannah.
It can be nice to change into something fresh in the evening,
but there is seldom any call for elegance. The exception being
the best hotels in Zanzibar where a cool summer dress and thin
summer slacks can feel right.
Finally, it is worthwhile to take a good camera with you with a
long focal length as well as binoculars, as the animals are
unlikely to pose alongside the vehicle. Remember to bring extra
batteries and battery charger. If you are using a SLR camera, it
is a good idea to bring a small textile bag to put rice in and
use instead of a tripod while in the vehicle, to get extra
support for the camera. It is possible to recharge your video
cameras at all the places we know of, but remember that the wall
contact takes the standard British three-pin plug.
|
|
