Travel Tips For Tanzania and Kenya Game Viewing
Travel Tips For Kenya and Tanzania Game Viewing
Kenya and Tanzania are without doubt one of the major highlights of most African safaris but before taking a flight to these magical destinations, you should be fully prepared. It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time or a repeat traveler, there are a couple of things that you should put into consideration. In this article, we bring you important travel tips that you should know prior to setting off for your actual safari in Kenya and Tanzania.
Useful Travel Tips for Tanzania-Kenya Game viewing
What makes Tanzania and Kenya special destinations?
Kenya like any African destination is unique on its own. It prides itself on a distinct and breathtaking terrain and is generally endowed with abundant wildlife, one magical reason why it is a preferred wildlife safari destination.
The dense forests, scenic Mount Kenya, and the mighty rift valley exist in the Northern part while other areas feature plateaus of rocks. Some areas are noted for their rugged landscape but essentially, Kenya is a complete big five-game safari destination- hosting lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, Beisa oryx, crocodiles, hippos, birds- a total of about 1100 bird species.
Tanzania on the other hand also ranks among the best safari destinations in Africa, with the highest mountain in Africa (Kilimanjaro), the world’s eighth wonder (The Ngorongoro Conservation Areas), the Magical Serengeti National Park, and Gombe Stream National Park, home to Chimpanzees in Tanzania.
In the southern part of the park, we have untamed wildlife destinations such as Mikumi, Nyerere, Selous game reserve, Ruaha, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park among others. These are less visited and offer a True African Wilderness.
When to go for game viewing in Kenya and Tanzania?
Knowing the best time to go for wildlife viewing is essential if you are planning to visit Kenya and Tanzania soon. If it is Masai Mara or Serengeti wildebeest migration that you are interested in, then the best time to go to Kenya or Tanzania is during the drier months of June to early September. Observing wildebeest give birth is best done from January to March.
Great bird sightings are perfectly enjoyed from November to April. A huge profusion of migratory birds from North Africa and Europe converge in the different parts of Kenya being the breeding season for most birds.
Best places to see big five-game in Tanzania and Kenya
Kenya and Tanzania are celebrated big 5 game safari destinations- offering the best view of bush elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, and more. The best places to consider a must-visit for unforgettable big five game safaris include Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Tsavo National Parks, Amboseli National Park, Meru National Park, and others in Kenya. In Tanzania, we have Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Nyerere National Park, Mikumi and Ruaha among others.
What to carry for Kenya/Tanzania game viewing safari?
When choosing items to carry for your Tanzania and Kenya safari, it is important to consider essentials first. Your safari packing list should therefore include warm clothes- a long-sleeved shirt, sweater, socks, trousers, rain jacket; camera, insect repellents, pair of binoculars, first aid kit/medical kit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and more.
Money matters
The two safari destinations are largely cash-based economy and ‘Kenya shillings and Tanzania Shillings’ are the local currency. To ease transactions while in the remotest destinations, it is advisable to carry cash with you. You can have your dollars or euros exchanged into local currencies.
However, credit cards like Master Card/visas are acceptable particular in some accommodations. This means you can use your card to purchase some items. But, still, you will require some cash to help you make some transactions or tip a client for the good service rendered.
How Kenya and Tanzania safaris are built?
If you plan to visit Kenya or Tanzania soon, expect to spend your vacation in different places. Kenya and Tanzania Safaris are designed uniquely to offer you a range of experiences. Interestingly, all our Kenya and Tanzania safaris incorporate a number of experiences from wildlife to cultural encounters.
Not to get back home when disappointed, you require 5 days or more to explore in-depth about Kenya and Tanzania. Spending more days is a great opportunity to visit more tourist sites which means a wide range of exploration.
What is an average day on Kenya wildlife tour like?
All lodges or camps have their own personality through majority do follow the daily schedule. Your morning will mainly involve waking up, enjoying a heavy breakfast, and then leaving for 3-4 hours’ game drive in a 4X4 drive vehicle. The second phase of the game drive begins during afternoon hours and this is usually after leisurely lunch.
Where to stay
Visitor accommodation choices on Kenya safari mainly include budget, midrange and luxury. In a destination like Masai Mara, the key luxury lodges include Mara River Lodge, Richard’s River Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Roberts Safaris Mobile Camp, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Angama Mara, Mahali Mzuri; Midrange- Ashnil Mara Camp, Zebra Plains Mara Camp and budget Enkorok Mara Camp.
In Amboseli National Park, the key areas for visitor stay include Satao Elerai Camp, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Tawi Lodge, Sasaab Safari Lodge, Fairmont Maasai Mara Safari Club, Sentrim Amboseli, Amboseli Eco-Camp, AA Lodges Amboseli, Kibo Safari Camp, Ol Tukai Lodge etc.
Is tipping a must?
Most visitors who tip, do so from their hearts. It is not a must but whatever you give out plays an important part in the lives of many. Much us guides or driver guides, waiters, waitresses are paid a salary, at times it comes late and when it does, it isn’t much to cover the basic needs back home. Note, there is no standard amount to tip someone but you can tip from USD10 to USD15.
Where to eat from?
While on a wildlife safari, definitely, you will need to have something in your stomach. But this doesn’t mean that you find anything. Choose your eating points wisely while minding the hygiene. There are better restaurants, hotels, lodges, camps offering better meals with good hygiene fully kept.
Visitor safety
Visitor safety is key whether you are still at the lodge or enjoying game/wildlife viewing safari. Everyone on the Kenya Tanzania wildlife viewing safari is guided by available dos and don’ts or national park regulations.
Other essentials
Valid passports, visas, and vaccinations play a significant part in your safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Most often, some travelers take them as obvious but what is required is valid passport 6 months before you arrive. Kenya visas can be applied for online through evisa.go.ke, and Tanzania Visa is applied through eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. We recommend that you get vaccinated against some of the diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid, and others.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is another significant travel document anyone planning to visit Kenya and Tanzania should have. Though most travelers get insurance mainly to protect them from any kind of theft or baggage loss, it is essential to have travel insurance that also covers medical expenses.