Seeing lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes on a safari is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. But understandably, safari safety is a concern for many. With a reputable, local tour guide, basic guidelines for wildlife viewing, and a general understanding of the area you are traveling to, an African safari through Tanzania can be a completely safe and once in a lifetime experience.
Are African safaris safe?
In short, yes, African safaris are safe. But that does not mean there are no risks.
Any time you are in a foreign land and surrounded by wild animals, some of which are predators, there are dangers involved. This makes choosing a reputable safari company and understanding wildlife safety incredibly important.
Choosing a safe safari company with reputable guides
When traveling to a new country, it can be hard to trust what you see online. But reviews are one of the best ways to determine the trustworthiness and reputation of a potential safari company. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a reputable safari tour guide:
- Reviews from real people on multiple different platforms
- Don’t just trust testimonials on a website, look at sites like TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings.
- Look for reviews that help identify authenticity, like a personal story or mentioning guides by name.
- Look for a local
- Local knowledge is imperative to keeping you safe. A lifetime spent in the northern Tanzanian parks gives local guides a leg up on others. Locals can also help provide additional experiences, like add-ons to your safari that let you experience culture and recommendations on other things to do in the area. All of Roam Serengeti Safari’s guides are local to Tanzania and have years of experience leading safaris through the country’s parks and conservation areas.
- Search for a company with emergency resources
- Most safari excursions take you to remote areas of the parks and conservation areas, and emergency resources that allow safe exit from these remote areas can be the difference between minor and major incidents. Roam Serengeti Safaris is a part of Flying Doctors of Africa. This program aids with emergency medical evacuations, in addition to raising funds specifically to finance medical outreach work in Africa. With Roam’s partnership with Flying Doctors, you can feel safe experiencing the remote parks of Tanzania.
Safety around wildlife
If you’ve got a good and knowledgeable safari guide, they will make sure to give you tips and guidelines for animal encounters. It’s important to listen to their instructions. Some of these could include:
- Always stay in the vehicle unless you are on a camping safari or are otherwise told it is ok to get out
- If you are on a camping safari, make sure to zip up your tent at night, stay in your camp, and dispose of food properly
Is Tanzania dangerous for tourists?
Tanzania is generally regarded as a safe country for tourists, but there are some helpful things to know before you take off for your Tanzanian safari.
Before visiting Tanzania, the country requires that all visitors be vaccinated against hepatitis and yellow fever. This is more about keeping you safe as a precaution.
Other than potential dangers related to your health, there are no dangers present for tourists in Tanzania that you would not also find in other countries.
General travel safety tips like securing your belongings in a bag or purse that closes, not getting into taxis that already have people in them, and carrying your passport or a copy with you all apply for Tanzania tourist safety as well.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols in Tanzania
Updated March 31, 2022: All travelers entering the United Republic of Tanzania are required to present a negative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out within 96 hours of arrival. All tourists will also be subjected to a COVID-19 a Rapid Test, the cost of which is ~$25 per person per test upon arrival. Travelers will also be required to submit a Traveler Surveillance Form via afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz 24 hours prior to arrival and will undergo a temperature screening. You are not required to quarantine upon entry if the above criteria is met.
Requirements for travelers departing Tanzania will be in line with the requirements issued by the travelers’ respective airline or destination country
Ready to inquire about a safe Tanzanian safari with Roam? Contact us today.