Your Guide to Additional Things to Do on Tanzanian Safari

How to Get Most of Your Safari in Tanzania and Kenya?

Everybody wants to have an unforgettable experience when it comes to safaris in Africa. Booking a safari is first step to do so, but many people don’t know or don’t think of all possibilities! To truly enjoy and experience African landscape and wildlife from all possible angles, we have compiled ideas to consider when planning safari to Tanzania and Kenya.

Chose mobile tented camps.

If you are after specific event then make sure you will book your safari in right season and time of the year. Although safaris are without a doubt exciting all year there are certain times of the year that can deliver much more.

Great Migration is one of them. If you are after great migration in full swing, we recommend booking your safari stay in mobile camps.

Mobile camps have the best locations, primarily focused on superb viewing areas. They are usually found in more remote areas, which means less tourists and big chance to witness animals from the comfort of your safari tent verandah!

Book a lodge with elephant waterhole.

Alternative option for those who want to be close to animals and great views of wildlife is to book a lodge that has on site waterholes, one of them is Four season Serengeti Lodge and some lodges in Tarangire, while in Kenya you have properties where giraffes wander around in the backyard gardens! Contact us for more advice!

You can save on a night.

Look for offers we regularly publish, often times we have special deals for booking two nights and get on for free and similar. If you are lucky, you can get even more than a night for free. Some offers like recent; include many activities that are usually available for additional cost, for free. So, be flexible and you may end up with free night and additional freebies like free night game drive, free walking safari or free bush romantic dinner. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about safari deals!

Go for hikes and trekking’s or walks.

To truly feel the nature, it is worth to book a walking tour during safari – available are short walks to several trekkings in Ngorongoro, which, will reveal an amazing scenes and panoramas not visible from safari vehicle.

Go for hot air balloon ride!

Fly over the plains in hot air balloon safari, available in Tanzania in Serengeti and Tarangire as well in Kenya (Masai Mara). This flight takes place in early morning hours before the breakfast at sunrise. To observe the wildlife from the air is real privilege!

Spend a night in Masai village and get an insight of daily routine and life. Or include a trip to Hadzabe tribe on Lake Eyasi region,where you spend a fair amount of time to learn hunting with spears, and how to make fire.

As you see there are exciting possibilities to enhance your safari. Once you are done with decision where to go and where to stay, all you have to do is bring you camera, for the rest Shadows of Africa takes care of.

Mount Lemargut Trekking

Mount Lemagrut is on the western part of Ngorongoro Crater and is one of 9 craters in the Ngorongoro conservation area. It is relatively easy trek and it offers gret views over Serengeti plains.

Mount Lemargut 3155m Trekking

A trek in these areas is guaranteed to give you an amazing experience.

Safari for the adventurous trekkers to Tanzania

On the western part of Ngorongoro Crater lies Mt Lemagrut.

It takes under an hour to drive to the lower slopes and about 4 hours trek to the top. On a clear day, there is amazing view over the Serengeti plains, Lake Eyasi and the Ngorongoro Crater.

On a hike is the best to wear trekking boots because the ground is covered with short thorny bush. The thorns can easily poke right through light shoes.

While you are walking you will encounter some buffaloes and lion on the way so armed ranger from The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority must lead the trek. The trekking takes about 4 hrs up and down. This trek can be part of your safari to the Ngorongoro Crater area.

This is best done as an add-on trip to a regular lodge or camping safari.

Olmoti Crater Trekking

Great Migration In Masai Mara

Undoubtedly Masai Mara, located in the South West of Kenya is one of the best holiday destinations in the World. A true Kenyan safari is not complete without a visit to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, which is an adventure like no other. It is home to the Big 5 and thousands of bird species and other wildlife.

But what makes Masai Mara more adventurous is the spectacular wildebeest Migration between July and October every year, an event that already dubbed as the 8^th Wonder of the World.

Millions of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and other types of antelopes migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, crossing the Mara River, which is inhabited by some of the largest world’s crocodiles. Why do the animals migrate? It is purely in search of water and pastures when supplies of pastures dwindle in the Serengeti.

The migration follows a cycle calendar every year BUT timings may vary. In between January and March, it is the calving season in the Serengeti in the short grass. There are plenty of pastures and all expectant mothers congregate to give birth. The calves are born in labor duration of 30 minutes and a few minutes after birth they are ready to walk and join their mothers. They have to feed properly in anticipation of journey before them.

After this, the wildebeest migration starts when the rains are over in the Serenegeti because it is dry. As the Serenegeti is drying up the Masai Mara side is flourishing. Since the wildebeest herds are in millions they quickly deplete grazing pastures very fasts whereas their water needs are great. They have to keep on moving and in fact the whole reason for wildebeest migration. The migration journey to Masai Mara is a hard one. Many animals collapse and die on the way as they are weak due to lack of enough food and water, while others fall to predators.

By around June and July climaxing in August and September the great phenomenon takes place in Masai Mara . Millions of the wildebeests have already arrived in Mara a plain where there is much lush grass pastures.  The wildebeests try to close the Mara River to access the plains that have plenty of pastures. At this time the Mara River is swollen because of heavy rains on the Mau Escarpments and crossing becomes a dangerous affair for the weak wildebeests and they end up drowning and also because of the great stampede resulting from crossing at one point.

But what makes the Migration drama more thrilling is the presence of predators. From the Mara River crocodiles that pounce on the wildebeests in the waters to lions and hyenas that take advantage of the drowning and injured animals on the shores, it is a feast carnival for the predators. This drama makes the crossing a spectacular event. Just what the cameras have been waiting for.

Animals feed in Mara plains in October and start heading back to Serengeti in November for another calving season. During migration over 200,000 animals perish under the harsh conditions. But as soon as they get back to Serengeti, there are approximately 500,000 new births and ready to start the cycle again.

This cycle repeats itself every year BUT being a natural occurrence there is no precise timing and directions because of conditions influencing grass growth.

Empakai Crater Trekking

Tanzania Among Top 5 World's Most Stunningly Beautiful Countries To Visit

Fox News Tv Named Tanzania one of the world's most stunningly beautiful countries to visit!

Along with Brazil, Australia, US and China, Tanzania was put on 4th place. Fox news arguments the reasons to outline Tanzania: "Tanzania packs a lot of game reserve into a land area that is only two-fifths larger than Texas, including the incomparable plains of the Serengeti — 6,000 square miles of savannah teeming with hordes of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras and their predators. Their annual search for new pasture and waters is the largest remaining unaltered animal migration in the world. Tanzania can also boast Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, whose forest slopes and savannah are a last refuge for many endangered species."

article source

Beside safaris and kilimanjaro climbing we can assure you Tanzania has even more to offer. Rich cultural diversity and one of the most beautiful islands in indian ocean are another reason to visit Tanzania as soon as possible.

South Africans Now Require Visa For Kenya

As of July 1st, 2014, South African visitors to Kenya will now require a visa.

The High Commission of the Republic of Kenya just announced new visa requirements for South Africans.

Ordinary Visa applicants travelling to or transiting through Kenya will be required to pay a service charge of R 750 ($70).

Holders of Official or Diplomatic Passports travelling on Government business are not affected by these changes and will continue to get visitor’s Passes on arrival at the ports of entry.

The High Commission further wishes to inform that the Visa Service Fees payments should be made at the Kenya High Commission/Embassy premises and Visas will no longer be issued on arrival in Kenya. It should be noted that the processing period for the visas is strictly five (5) working days.

As with other nationalities, South African nationals are now required to apply for their Kenyan visa in advance.

Read more about how to apply for a Kenyan visa online

Meaningful Travel Tanzania

Shadows of Africa is proud to present the Meaningful Travel Tanzania, program that will make your traveling experience in Tanzania unforgettable and in same time at customized prices participating in this program you will contribute to education of orphans. Each traveler in Meaningful Travel Tanzania will sponsor a child with school fees for 1 year. Travel, explore and contribute for the development of Tanzanian children to have better education, better future.

Thanks to partner local NGO From Arusha - Green Hope Organization, we are able to offer you an voluntaristic experience in Tanzania. You will spend one week  exploring Arusha and  its surroundings by  visiting local projects covered by Green Hope and additional three days will be spent on Tanzanian safari. If you want to add a meaning and personal growth to your visit in Tanzania, then this program is perfect for you.

During your stay in Arusha, Tanzania

• You will learn few useful Swahili words that you will find useful while you are here
• You will engage with the most vulnerable children (orphans) Visit 3 different orphanages. Hear their needs and wishes, sing a song, play football or any other game activity that you and children will find mutually interesting.
• You will visit the Green Hope Dispensary and look at the procedures and the way that clinic operate; talk with the Doctor at the clinic and find out more about the most common diseases and care, treatment of patients.
• You will meet with HIV positive community and visit 3 different families for home base care visit. Deliver them a small package of food as donation. Hear their challenges and problems they are facing on day to day basis.
• You will visit other NGO that is working on education and community development to the most vulnerable children. Get more information about their work and what they are trying to achieve.
• You will visit the only glass recycling place in town, where the people with disabilities are recycling glass and creating different types of useful decorations, tools and gifts.
• You will visit local craft market, where you will find unique carvings and gifts to buy for family and friends at home.
• You will go out clubbing to party and see the night life of Arusha.

NOTE: Depending on the traveler interest and profession these activities can be edited and changed.

Safari part of the program will start in Arusha and you will visit Lake Manyara, Tarangire National park and Ngorongoro crater!