An African safari is a dream vacation on many people’s bucket lists, and Tanzania is a great place to experience an exotic and adventurous luxury safari where you can stalk big game, sleep under the stars and make unforgettable memories. Prepare yourself to get the most of this once-in-a-lifetime trip with the tips below.

How to prepare for an African safari

The basics

Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Tanzania. Although it’s possible to get a visa-on-arrival at the airport, obtaining one in advance will ensure a stress-free arrival and let you start your holiday sooner! If you’re travelling from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you’ll also need proof of vaccination. Regardless of whether it’s mandatory for entry, getting the yellow fever vaccine—along with prophylactic malaria medication and vaccination against typhoid and hepatitis A and B—may be advisable, so visit a travel doctor at least a month before your trip.

Tanzania’s currency is the shilling (TSH). Tipping isn’t expected in small towns or rural areas, but in big cities and popular tourist destinations, 10 to 20 percent of the total bill is customary in restaurants.

What to pack

While temperatures in Tanzania are comfortable year-round, it can get hot in the sun and cool after dark. In addition to typical warm weather gear, be sure to pack long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in breathable fabrics for both sun protection and warmth. For evening and early morning safaris, a light jacket and layerable clothes are ideal. For your feet, closed-toe shoes are best. Tuck in laces to make sure they don’t get caught while getting in and out of your safari vehicle.

Since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure to pack sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen, along with insect repellant containing at least 20% DEET to protect against malaria and dengue fever.

To capture every moment, a camera is a must! Bring extra batteries and memory cards, too. Binoculars are helpful to spot animals at a distance or get an even more detailed view of the beasts in the wild.

What to know

Make your safari experience even richer by learning about animal tracking—as well as the animals you’re likely to encounter—before you go. Animal trackers have been around for thousands of years, and use subtle clues like the pattern in the grass or a broken branch to determine where animals have been and where they’re going. A single footprint may tell an animal’s age and size, which way it was headed, how long ago it was there, which animals it was follow and which ones were in hot pursuit.

Jielin Zhang, Anantara Vacation Club Owner since August 2013:

“Joining Anantara Vacation Club’s African Safari was the trip of a lifetime for our family; a truly amazing experience. Between the magical tree houses and lodges, the knowledgeable guides, and exquisite dining, our entire family was in paradise. It was an unforgettable trip!”

One of the great benefits of being a Platinum Club Owner is that you can enjoy this  Sky Safari in Tanzania within the Royal Adventures Programme.  Ask more information from  your Club Guru and start to plan your next vacation!

If you are not an Owner and would like to learn more about the benefits of Shared Ownership at Anantara, or would like to enjoy a special offer for a short holiday to try the Anantara Shared Ownership experience, please call us at +66 (0) 7633 6155, or click here  for more information

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