DISCOVER TANZANIA
Is it Safe to Do a Self-drive Safari in Tanzania?
A self-drive safari in Tanzania allows you to explore the breathtaking scenery, many species, and civilizations on your own
Home to the Great Annual Wildebeest Migration and Africa’s highest mountain peak, among others, Tanzania is a top East African Safari destination. A self-drive safari in Tanzania allows you to explore the breathtaking scenery, many species, and civilizations on your own. Explore Tanzania’s 4WD Land Rover or Toyota will allow you to explore Tanzania at your leisure. Self-drive is ideal for tourists who want to experience the true adventure of a safari since no one will be there to coach you on where you should be, what to do, what to see, and so many other things that can be done in a self-drive safari trip rather than a guided safari tour. Self-drive is permitted and guaranteed in Tanzania’s national parks all year.
Tips for a Successful Self-Drive Safari in Tanzania
Renting a Car for a Self-drive Safari
Renting a car is the first and vital step towards planning your self-drive safari in Tanzania which also includes choosing a suitable vehicle you’re your safari. While most sections of the nation have paved roads, there are still dirt roads. As a result, a 4WD vehicle capable of handling all types of terrain to any place of your choosing, such as the Serengeti National Park, where the roads are fairly harsh is always the best choice. The rental vehicles are four-wheel drive with a pop-up cover.
Most tour operators in Tanzania provide automobile rental services for self-drive safaris to foreigners, while others do not. It is essential to seek a good tour company that delivers automobiles of high quality that will suit your vacation without issue. Safari companies such as Safarihub provide great self-drive services, including automobiles of standard quality, that can assist in tour itinerary planning. The tour operator will also help arrange bookings for your lodgings at a lower cost than you’ll be offered when booking directly.
Acquire an International Driver’s License (driving permit)
Any foreign travelers looking to explore Tanzania on a self-drive safari ought to have an International Driver’s License. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a legal document that validates your license internationally and allows you to drive in a foreign country. An international driving license will enable a tourist to hire a car for self-drive and obtain a permit to descend into Tanzania’s National Parks, Game Reserves, and other Conservation Sites. International driving licenses can be obtained from the destination or the country from which the tourist is traveling.
Have Enough Money on You
It is important to have enough money on you while on a self-drive safari in Tanzania. Make sure you have a sufficient balance on your credit cards, especially if you need to settle some outstanding balances on your services, such as park admission fees, campsites, meals, and other extras. The credit card must be VISA or MASTERCARD, allowing you to access bank services throughout the country. Enough credit will also allow you to conduct additional optional activities not included in your tour programs, such as air balloon rides, buying certain beverages, and other extras that you may need to purchase.
Acquire the Required Mechanic and Navigation Skills
Embarking on a self drive safari in Tanzania also requires you to have a certain level of mechanic knowledge and navigation skills. Because you will be traveling alone, possessing these abilities will be beneficial, especially if your safari vehicle breaks down or you find yourself lost. You should have a basic understanding of mechanics. If your automobile has a little problem, you should be able to fix it instead of waiting for a technician who may take some time to come. In addition, navigation Skills may help you choose the best route for your journey by using tools such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), a compass, magnetic declination/variation, and maps.
However, while on a self-drive safari in Tanzania, we recommend that you use your travel map because Google Maps cannot usually distinguish undrivable pothole-ridden dirt roads with sharp turns, which might get you lost in the rural parts of Tanzania. More so, avoid taking shortcuts; despite Google Maps’ attempts to steer you along shorter private roads, we urge that you stay on main highways.
Health and Safety
It is critical to ensure that you are in good physical condition before beginning a self-drive safari in Tanzania safari. Remember to carry all your essential prescriptions and a first-aid kit with all the medical equipment you’ll need to treat minor injuries and illnesses. Also, before you go, ensure to acquire medical and travel insurance. This will allow you to seek medical treatment whenever you need it and wherever in the vicinity of your trip destination.
Safety and Security on the Road
Tanzania is a safe country to self-drive in: the roads are in good condition and are well-marked and demarcated. However, like any other country, you are not familiar with, it is not safe to drive in Tanzania during the night, especially in isolated safari sites surrounding the country. Moreover, in the Tanzania countryside, there are few street lights, and all cars use high beams at night, which may be dazzling and dangerous if you get into an accident. Also, on dirt roads with many potholes, it is difficult to see the road well in the dark. As a result, it is safe to drive during the day.
And while in Arusha Town, be prepared for traffic owing to the numerous roundabouts in the area. Drivers in town are courteous and will give you the right of way when it is convenient rather than attempting to overtake. Ensure to make use of traffic lights.
Routes
Depending on where you choose to go in Tanzania, all Tanzania safaris begin from Arusha Town and most of the country’s National Parks and Game Reserves are accessible. Inside the parks, however, it is crucial to have the necessary information about the several tracks for game drives and where the animals can be found. Of course, you can’t predict where the animals will be, and seeing them is more a matter of luck than excellent planning. Luckily, the guides and rangers in the parks especially those on the guided tours are all radio-connected to one another and can thus exchange information about where to find particular animals in the park.
Park Entry Fees
While on a self-drive safari in Tanzania, paying the park admission fee is simple. You do not require a special credit card that must be recharged or anything: you only need a standard credit card (Mastercard or Visa). It is used to pay the entrance fees (per day, per night, and automobile). It is important to remember that cash payments are not accepted when paying for park entry fees.
Accommodation
Accommodation services, which might include lodges, campsites, or mobile tents, can be reserved before the start of the safari. On the other hand, depending on your arrangements for renting a car, some vehicles come with mattresses and camping gear. In most cases, accommodation arrangements are done by your tour operator who will be in charge of booking and planning your Tanzania self-drive safari. Making previous plans for lodging helps relieve concern about where you will stay after the trip.
| Camping Gear Set | |
|---|---|
| 🛏️ | Folding foam mattress |
| 🛌 | Sleeping bag (with pillows and bed sheets) |
| 🪑 | Chairs and small table |
| 📦 | Storage box |
| 🔥 | 1 gas tank & 1 burner |
| 🍽️ | Cups, plates & bowls |
| 🍳 | Pots, frying pans, cutlery set |
| 🔪 | Knife, can opener, corkscrew |
| 🧀 | Cutting board |
| 🧽 | Dishtowel and detergent |
| 💡 | Solar table lamp |
| ⛺ | Roof tent or ground Tent |
| ❄️ | Fridge |
What to Expect on a Self-drive Safari in Tanzania
Tanzania is a country with a wide range of terrains, from cities and main roads to lonely rough roads leading to diverse safari sites. The roads in Arusha and on the trip to the parks are taxing (left-hand traffic, frantic driving), but you will not have any troubles if you adjust and observe what other drivers on the road are doing. We recommend that you respect the Traffic Rules and Regulations as well as those controlling the different safari locations while seated in your 4WD vehicle.
However, road conditions in the parks are quite different from those on highways. The road conditions are dirty and dusty; nonetheless, the side streets are frequently easier to navigate than the main roads. Furthermore, there is substantially less traffic there. However, you ought to drive much more slowly. If the road is severely rough, driving fast (60-70 km/h) is generally preferable to driving slowly.
When is the Best Time for a Self-drive Safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania is a country with a wide range of terrains, from cities and main roads to lonely rough roads leading to diverse safari sites. The roads in Arusha and on the trip to the parks are taxing (left-hand traffic, frantic driving), but you will not have any troubles if you adjust and observe what other drivers on the road are doing. We recommend that you respect the Traffic Rules and Regulations as well as those controlling the different safari locations while seated in your 4WD vehicle.
However, road conditions in the parks are quite different from those on highways. The road conditions are dirty and dusty; nonetheless, the side streets are frequently easier to navigate than the main roads. Furthermore, there is substantially less traffic there. However, you ought to drive much more slowly. If the road is severely rough, driving fast (60-70 km/h) is generally preferable to driving slowly.
