Home Safari FAQ

Safari FAQ

How soon do I have to book your tour?

We recommend booking your trip as soon as possible. Lodges and tented camps on safari are booked quickly, so we need to reserve those before they fill up. However, sometimes we do have space last minute as well.

Can I Travel with children?

You can surely travel with children in Tanzania. Tanzanians love children and are especially helpful to mothers. However, canned baby foods, powdered milk and disposable nappies may not be available outside major towns. However, it is not appropriate to go on safari with babies as the roads are bumpy.

Can I hire a car?

Self-drive vehicles are available mainly for local running or tarmac use. 4×4 vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver but where necessary self-drive is also accepted at Eastland Adventures.

In Tanzania we drive on the left. An international License is required. Plan long safaris carefully, ensuring your vehicle is road worthy with two spare tires, an operational jack and tool kit. Carry extra fuel and water.

What do you mean by “Unlimited Game drives?

In Eastland Adventures our safari packages include unlimited game drives with no restriction on mileage or fuel. This gives our guests more freedom and flexibility allowing the exploration of more secluded regions for exclusive wildlife viewing. Unlimited Mileage means that you are able to drive for as long as you want within the parks’ operational hours (6am to 6pm), and the designated area for game drives on the given day. For example, if the itinerary designates Central Serengeti, then you are able to stay within the Central Serengeti region as long as you want, stretching to the borders of Western Serengeti. However, we cannot, for instance, drive from Central Serengeti to the Mara River then back. Some companies quote you for limited game drives with restrictions on mileage and fuel. You wouldn’t make it very far from the main road or have the ability explore the more exclusive areas of the park. With unlimited game drives, you can fully enjoy your safari completely worry-free

Are drinks provided in Safaris Vehicles?

Absolutely we provide unlimited beverages in our safari vehicle including mineral bottled drinking water, your preferred soft drinks, juice, domestic beer, French-press coffee and tea. All our safari vehicles are equipped with a small refrigerator to keep your drinks chilled for you to enjoy during your safari.

What type of vehicles do you provide?

In Eastland Adventures we use 4 or 7 passenger 4-wheel-drive modern Land Cruisers, all with pop up roof for viewing, our jeep are facilitated with WiFi, High Frequency radios, Refrigerator, Binoculars and first aid kits.

What about roads on Safaris?

You will experience bumpy roads when traveling throughout the region and during game drives. This may pose a problem for some individuals with back problems. Please inform us in advance and we can provide additional back pillows for extra comfort. While our vehicles are customized and equipped for rough roads, we still recommend our guests to always fasten their seat belts at all times, and hold on when standing on their seat to enjoy the view through the popped up roof. Please also make sure that your cameras and other electronic equipment are safely stored at all times in case of any damages due to bumpy roads

What is the migration?

The migration in East Africa is world-renowned. Millions of wildebeests participate in the migration through Tanzania and Kenya. Hundreds of thousands of zebra join them. Although lions and other carnivores do not migrate with the grazing animals, they feast on them when their paths cross.

When is the best time to see the migration?

The best time to see the migration in Tanzania is often January-March and June-August. In the Kenya, it is often best September-October and December- January. These are also the most popular times to go, so you will need to book well in advance. You will see an abundance of wildlife all year round.

Our safari guides are certified?

They are licensed, certified, trained, friendly and have years of experience

What happens if gets sick or injured on Safaris?

Our safari packages include ‘Emergency Evacuation Services with AMREF’s Flying Doctors’ (http://www.flydoc.org). This will cover the guests in case they require immediate evacuation from where they are to the nearest hospital. If you are feeling ill, but not having any serious symptoms or injuries, there are nearby hospitals and clinics (in Karatu and Serengeti) available. We strongly recommend all our guests to purchase extensive travel insurance

Am I allowed to walk around the national park?

It is recommended to stay inside your vehicles at all times when you are in the national parks, unless your driver guide find a safe area to stop for lunch, or to stretch your legs. If you are keen on hiking, there are guided walks that are available in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. Within the Serengeti National Parks, long walks are not permitted during to conservation reasons; however, some lodgings will offer short walks near the lodge or camp.

What about bathrooms in the bush?

Throughout your safari, there are various areas with public bathroom facilities such as ranger stations, museums, visitor centers, camps, lodges and picnic sites. Since you will be on a private safari, there will be plenty of opportunities where no other vehicles are in sight. At any time, your driver-guide can find a safe and private area where you may simply exit to the rear of the vehicle. Two large spare tires at the back of the vehicle, blocking the view from anyone else within the vehicle. Most guests are a bit reluctant at first, but gradually adapt and become with comfortable to the convenient bush bathrooms. Others prefer proper bathroom facilities. Don’t worry, our driver-guides are extremely professional and sympathetic to bathroom dilemmas and will ensure you are comfortable and accommodated to your needs.

What to Bring on Safaris?

Safaris are casual vacations! Dress comfortably and pack lightly. As you will be spending most of your safari viewing in the vehicle, loose-fitting and light colored clothing are recommended. Avoid dark colors (i.e. black, dark blue) as they tend to attract unwanted attention from insects such as the tsetse fly.

SAFARI CLOTHING

  • One pair of comfortable walking shoes (i.e. sneakers, hiking shoes)
  • One pair of sandals or flip-flops
  • Casual, loose-fitting clothing
  • Swimsuit
  • One warm fleece or sweater
  • Extra Cotton socks and underwear
  • Hat
  • Lightweight jacket or windbreaker 

Other items

  • Passport, plane tickets
  • Money mainly US Dollars (both large and small denominations) and credit cards
  • Sunglasses
  • Contact Lens Solution, extra contact lenses and spare glasses.
  • If you wear contact lenses, be sure to bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from the dust
  • Sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher)
  • Lip balm (SPF 45)
  • Insect repellant (DEET 30%)
  • Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
  • Camera and extra batteries
  • UK plug adapter
  • Journal for recording daily observations and encounters
  • Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable
  • Small Personal Medical Kit including aspirin, anti-malarial pills, cold and allergy medicine, cream of itches (i.e. Benadyl itch relif), stomachache mecidine (i.e. Pepto-Bismal), antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin), prescription antibiotic effective against a broad range of bacteria including travelers’ diarrhea (i.e. Ciprofloxacin or also known as Cipro)

What about those annoying tsetse fly?

When you are on safari, you may encounter the tsetse fly in woodlands of Tarangire and some regions of the Serengeti, some more concentrated than others. Tsetse fly resembles larger flies with a stinger, and while most have no adverse reaction to the bites, some may experience swelling and itchiness. A recommended medication for this would be “Benadryl Itch Relief stick”. Tsetse fly is attracted to dark blue and black colors. Light natural colors such as khaki, brown, olive, beige and green are recommended and should be worn during the day. Tsetse flies are most active during the day, and become inactive during the night.

What about snakes and insects?

Snakes are common throughout Africa, but they are seldom encountered on safaris. In bushy or wooded areas, wear boots closed-toe shoes or boots and long trousers to avoid insect bites and minimize risk. If you are staying in a mobile or canvas camp, please make sure that the canvas flap is zipped all the way down in order to prevent insects from entering your tent. The staff at each accommodation will spray your room while you are out for dinner and it should be as “bug-free” as possible upon your return.

What about tipping at the lodges and camps

When it comes to tipping at the safari lodges, camps and hotels in town, our recommended tipping guideline is as follows:

-1 to 2 USD (or equivalent of 1,500 to 3,000TSH) for the porters, who will be helping you with your luggage upon arrival at the tented camps & lodges

-10 to 15 USD (or equivalent or 22,000 to 32,000TSH) for each night stay.

Typically the safari accommodation will have a General Tipping Box attached at reception desk, where you can leave your tip at the end of your stay

What about tipping for our Safaris drivers guides?

Our tipping guideline is 25 to 50 USD per jeep per day, though it is ultimately up to the clients’ discretion to decide what amount is appropriate. For instance, for a 7 Days safari with two guests, the average tip that is given to Safaris driver guides at Eastland Adventures are between 150 USD to 300 USD, or even higher, depending on number of clients in the jeep’ overall satisfaction with their driver guide & their safari experience.

When you have a personal cook for mobile camping, the tipping guideline is between 10 to 15 USD per person per day, which is also up to the client’s discretion.

The recommended currency for tipping is in USD cash or Equivalent to Tanzania Shillings and it is customary for the clients to tip at the end of their safari.

Will there be wildlife roaming at the camps and lodges?

It is important to never assume that any of the animals encountered on your game drive are tame. Though attacks by wild animals are unusual, nothing in the African wilderness is predictable. While you are staying in your safari lodges and camps, it is important to be especially cautious and aware of your surroundings as many of these areas are not fenced and contain wildlife roaming freely. If you have children with you, keep them in sight and do not let them wander alone. At smaller tented lodges, you will always be escorted to and from your tent for dinner or during the night. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to raise them to the staff or your guide.

What if I have special dietary requirements?

If you have any allergies or special dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand at the time of booking, so we can advise the lodgings accordingly. Most places will be able to accommodate to your preferred meal options, though sometimes vegetarian/vegan options may be a bit limited and repetitive. If you require any special health supplement, please kindly bring it with you.

Is there any luggage restriction on Charter flights?

Most flights within East Africa have a luggage restriction of 15kg per person in soft or duffel bags. The 15kg per person which includes all hand luggage and bags. Excess luggage may be subjected to $3 per kg if it can be accommodated. It is important to note that during high peak season the pilot may refuse to carry extra weight. Please carry-on all valuables and do NOT check-in any luggage containing expensive items such as camera equipment, laptops, iPods etc.

What about solar protections?

Tanzania resides just south of the equator, where the sun will hang near its zenith for most of the day. The intensity of the equatorial sun can quickly lead to sunburn and sun poisoning. The solution is simple, use high-factor sun block, lip balm, wear a hat and stay hydrated. Don’t forget your eyes also need protection, and be sure to wear sunglasses.