June 25, 2025

How to prepare your Safari Adventure to Tanzania?

Embarking on a Tanzanian safari with Grafton Safari Company is a journey you’ll remember forever. With insights from Tanzania’s top operators, this guide will help you arrive relaxed, equipped, and ready for the wild. Follow these steps to ensure nothing stands between you and Africa’s iconic landscapes and wildlife.

Embarking on a Tanzanian safari with Grafton Safari Company is a journey you’ll remember forever. With insights from Tanzania’s top operators, this guide will help you arrive relaxed, equipped, and ready for the wild. Follow these steps to ensure nothing stands between you and Africa’s iconic landscapes and wildlife.

1. Select the Best Time to Visit

The dry season (June to October) offers optimal game viewing as animals gather at waterholes. The Great Migration typically sweeps through the southern Serengeti from January to March. For fewer crowds and lush landscapes, consider the shoulder months of November or May.

2. Select Your Safari Destinations

Tanzania’s parks each offer a unique flavor of adventure. Plan your route around these must-visit reserves, or ask Grafton to craft an off-the-beaten-path extension.

3. Pick the Right Safari Style and Operator

Decide between guided group safaris and private or self-drive adventures. Guided tours deliver local expertise, hassle-free logistics, and deep wildlife insights. If you value independence, a self-drive option offers flexibility but requires navigation skills and confidence on rugged roads. At Grafton, our expert guides combine safety, stories, and safari savvy in small groups for maximum authenticity. 

4. Secure Travel Documents and Visas

Verify that your passport has at least six months’ validity beyond your planned departure. Apply for a Tanzanian eVisa online or obtain one on arrival, fees and procedures can change, so check current requirements before you go. Always carry printed and digital copies of your passport, visa, and confirmed itinerary as backups.

5. Health Precautions and Insurance

Visit a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure for vaccinations such as yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Begin your malaria prophylaxis regime as directed, and pack insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET. Comprehensive travel insurance should cover medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and lost baggage.

6. What to Pack: Essential Gear and Clothing

Stick to neutral hues—khaki, olive, tan—to blend into your surroundings and avoid startling wildlife. Pack lightweight, breathable layers: long-sleeve shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat to shield you from sun and mosquitoes. Don’t forget sturdy, broken-in walking shoes, binoculars, a quality camera with backup batteries, and dry bags for electronics. 

7. Electricity and Connectivity

Tanzania uses 230 V AC power with UK / Irish-style three-pin sockets—bring a universal adapter. An external battery pack is a lifesaver on long game drives where charging points are limited. Download offline maps, ebooks, and podcasts for areas with patchy cell service.

8. Booking, Payment, and Arrival

Secure your safari dates with a deposit, then complete payment according to Grafton’s flexible schedule. Upon landing at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam airport, our friendly driver will greet you and handle all transfers to your hotel. Domestic flights between parks and beaches are easily arranged in advance to maximize your time in the field.

9. Final Checklist and Pre-Departure Tips

Notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent card holds abroad. Register your trip with your embassy and reconfirm all flights, accommodation, and safari pickups one week before departure. Pack a compact first-aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, and any personal prescriptions.

With these preparations in place, you’re ready to leave logistics behind and focus on the thrill of the wild. Book your Tanzania safari with Grafton Safaris today, and let us handle every detail of your next great adventure.