These are tips for enjoying a comfortable and safe safari. There are many, so I recommend printing this out to refer to during your trip. Additionally, I’ve included some personal thoughts, so I hope this will serve as a useful reference.

Use drinking water for brushing teeth and cleaning contact lenses.

When staying in accommodations within national parks, please use the provided drinking water for brushing your teeth. The same applies for cleaning your contact lenses. In accommodations in the town of Arusha, it’s okay to brush your teeth with tap water, but don’t drink it.

Use local medicine when necessary.

The vehicle is equipped with general medication for stomach pain. These medicines are sourced from local pharmacies and have minimal side effects while being effective. If you experience stomach issues such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, you can use the medication at your own risk. Be cautious if you have allergies. If you notice any health changes, it’s a good idea to consult with your guide early.

Keep valuables with you or use the safe.

When you’re away from your room during dinner, the hotel staff may enter your room using a master key to set up mosquito nets or make the bed. It’s recommended to either keep your valuables with you or store them in the safe. Large hotels with many rooms may sometimes have theft reports, so be cautious. Valuables include smartphones, cash, passports, cameras, tablets, etc.

Hairdryers are available at a lounge.

If you need a hairdryer, ask for one when you check in. At Tented Lodges, most of the electricity is supplied by solar power, and there isn’t enough power in the rooms to operate a hairdryer. Therefore, you can borrow a hairdryer from the lounge and use it there. Some Tented Lodges don’t have hairdryers at all, and there are no dryers at campsites. In such cases, shower in the morning and let your hair air dry.

Be cautious of animals at night.

Wildlife is most active at night. After sunset, walk to the restaurant with a staff member carrying a flashlight. Make arrangements with your guide on what time you’d like to be picked up from your room. When returning to your room, ask the staff for assistance in guiding you.

Pay for drinks in USD at check-out.

During meals, the staff will ask what drinks you’d like. In most lodges, drinks ordered are not included in the accommodation fee and will be settled in cash in USD at check-out. Some lodges accept credit cards, but communication issues may arise, so it’s recommended to have cash available. Bottled water is free in your room, but drinks ordered at the restaurant will cost extra.

Laundry service is available.

In many accommodations in savanna, laundry is done by hand and air-dried. For stays of two nights or more, you can request laundry service. At Four Seasons, you can use laundry services up to $50 per room per night. At luxury lodges, laundry service is often free with no limit, and it’s done using a dryer, so it’s ready in a few hours.

Tips go in the Tip Box.

Many lodges have a “Tip Box” for tipping, typically found in lounges. The recommended amount is $5-10 per room per night for standard lodges, and $20-30 for luxury lodges where the nightly room rate exceeds $1000. Tips in the Tip Box are distributed among staff, including those who don’t interact with guests. Sometimes, an envelope for tipping is left at the bed during turndown service. Tipping is optional, and you are not obligated to leave one.

Use the restroom early.

Safari drives often cover long distances at once, so ask your driver for a break early on. There’s no need to worry about inconveniencing him. In national parks, public restrooms are limited, and you may have to use a bush toilet. Your driver will stop at a location with a good view where there are no other vehicles or animals around, and you can go behind the vehicle. Do not throw toilet paper on the ground. Once you get used to it, you might prefer the cleanliness and openness of bush toilets compared to public restrooms.

If you don’t like bush toilets, let your guide know.

If you prefer to use public restrooms every 3 hours, inform your guide in advance. Keep in mind that this might limit your route and the types of animals you’ll see.

Game drives are flexible.

National park rules allow game drives from 6 am to 7 pm, but at Ngorongoro Crater, the drive must end by 6 pm. Your daily schedule can be adjusted as long as it follows the park’s rules. Feel free to let your guide know your preferences for the next day.

Getting stuck in the mud or having a flat tire can happen

During the rainy season, the savannah can get muddy, and vehicles can get stuck. Sometimes, your driver may be able to avoid this, but other times, it may be unavoidable. Similarly, flat tires can happen on rough roads. Your guide is trained to handle these situations, so don’t worry, and trust him. In the wild, communication and trust are key to solving problems quickly.

Help other vehicles if they get stuck.

In safaris, helping others is the sensible choice. If you see another vehicle stuck, it’s polite to offer assistance. Most of the time, it will take less than 30 minutes to free them, but if it’s taking longer, the park rangers or lodge staff may need to be contacted for help.

The key to a successful safari: trust, surrender, and relax.

The guides are highly skilled and experienced, and they work together with other rangers to find animals. The most important thing for you is to trust your guide and the situation. Relax and immerse yourself in nature.

Set up WhatsApp with your guide.

Add your guide as a friend so you can stay in touch even at lodges. Many lodges offer free Wi-Fi in public areas, but signal strength can be weak or non-existent. Discuss your plans for the next day with your guide at the end of each day.

Solve the problem on the spot

If you have something you need to discuss with your guide, please do so clearly and kindly on the spot. If something’s wrong at a lodge, such as no hot water in the shower or missing shampoo, address it kindly and promptly with the staff. If it’s difficult to communicate, ask your guide to help. Keep in mind that Tanzania is a developing country, and be patient and understanding with the guide and staff.

Check the domestic flight stops for the Cessna.

You won’t know the Cessna’s stopover locations until the day of your flight. Sometimes it’s a direct flight, sometimes it has multiple stops. When flying from Arusha to the parks, make sure not to get off at the wrong destination. Confirm your stopovers when you get your boarding pass. When exiting the plane, confirm with the pilot before getting off.

Wear warm clothing and take motion sickness medicine for the Cessna.

The inside of the Cessna can be quite cold at times, so bring something warm to wear. Also, since the Cessna may shake, motion sickness medicine is recommended if you’re prone to it. There is no bathroom on the plane, so be sure to use the restroom before boarding.

Cessna departure/arrival times are only estimates.

Cessna departure and arrival times may vary by 30 minutes to 2 hours. Flights from Serengeti may depart early if all passengers are on board, which can cause an earlier arrival. On the other hand, more stopovers can cause a delay of 30 minutes to 1 hour. Please understand that Cessna flights are flexible with time.

Food tips: Avoid spaghetti or pasta.

In Tanzania, spaghetti and pasta are usually overcooked, sometimes resembling soggy noodles. If there are other options, it’s best to avoid spaghetti.

Pancakes are crepes.
In Tanzania, “pancakes” refer to crepes, which are typically served with sweet syrup, jam, or fruit.

You can request Ugali.
“Ugali,” a staple Tanzanian food, can sometimes be ordered at lodges. If you’re staying at the same lodge for multiple nights, ask the lodge manager.

The water in Ndutu is slippery.

If your itinerary includes Ndutu, know that the alkaline water in this area can feel slippery, as it comes from underground aquifers in the region. The water may make it feel like soap doesn’t wash off completely, so be patient and conserve this precious resource.

Beware of pickpockets while walking around town.

Although Tanzania is a wonderful country, pickpocketing and petty theft can occur. Take precautions such as not walking alone on quiet streets, avoiding flashy jewelry, and keeping your bags close.

Don’t take photos without permission.

If you encounter interesting people, like a woman carrying bananas on her head or men playing a hand-made board game, please ask for permission before taking a photo. If you want to take a picture, kindly ask, and tipping in local currency is appreciated for showing gratitude.

Boost your immunity before traveling.

Before traveling to Tanzania (1-2 weeks in advance), make sure to focus on strengthening your immune system. Get enough sleep, eat quality meals, avoid stress, exercise moderately, and consider taking probiotics. If you’re in good health, your body will be better able to withstand small stresses. It’s also recommended to continue taking probiotics during your trip.