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Things I wish I knew before doing a safari

Ben S.

Experience Coordinator

Published April 2, 2020Updated September 2, 20261 min read

You just came back from Africa and are excited to share the joy of doing a 5-day safari in several Tanzania Safari Parks. Your social media feeds are full of images of amazing wildlife. Your friends are so jealous of all your pictures. They can't get you to stop talking about how magical it is to have a front-row view of some of the world's greatest wild animals that call these parks home. But before they go, you have some advice for them regarding how to make a safari even more enjoyable.

Things I wish I knew before doing a safari

Click on the images below to continue seeing these helpful safari tips.

Bring a buff or bandana to cover your face when you drive along the dusty roads.

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Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS.

What camera should I bring on a Tanzania safari?

Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with at least a 300 to 400 mm zoom lens. A smartphone or tablet usually cannot get you close enough, and photos of animals often turn out as a small, blurry smudge rather than a clear shot. A long zoom lets you capture detailed wildlife photos from inside the safari vehicle.

Can I ask the driver to stop for a bathroom break during a game drive?

Yes, but give your guide or driver advance warning rather than asking to stop right away. You cannot simply step out into tall grass, because wild animals may be hiding nearby and stopping in the wrong place puts you at real risk from a lurking predator. Always wait for your guide to pick a safe spot.

Why are there blue boards or cloths hanging around Tanzania safari parks?

Those blue panels attract tsetse flies, which are drawn to the color blue. Hanging them around lodges and park buildings pulls the flies toward the boards and away from people. If you see blue boards or cloth near buildings during your safari, that is their purpose, not decoration. It is also a good reason to avoid wearing blue on game drives.

Should I bring binoculars on a Tanzania safari?

Yes. You generally do not need binoculars while climbing Kilimanjaro, but on safari they let you watch wildlife behavior in detail, such as a lioness stalking a gazelle, even as the animals move away from your vehicle. If you are combining a climb with a safari, store your binoculars at the hotel while you are on the mountain and use them once the safari begins.

Is it safe to approach or disturb wild animals on safari, like hippos?

No. Never approach, provoke or bother wild animals on safari, and treat hippos with particular respect. Hippos are widely regarded as Africa's most dangerous large animal, and an agitated hippo can react aggressively, including spraying dung at anything nearby. Give every animal its space and let your guide set a safe viewing distance at all times.

Written by

Ben S.

Experience Coordinator

Ben has spent the better part of two decades in various aspects of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. He is passionate about adventure, but it must always be sustainable, where the people and places directly benefit.

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