About Sara Macdiarmid Expertise For all forms of travel within Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar. Especially for visiting the National Parks, viewing wildlife, climbing and hiking, diving, visiting local tribes and learning about their culture.
Experience 8 years as a tour leader and guide for adventure travel tours.
Education/Credentials BA(HONS) degree in 'Film, Video and Photographic Arts.
Expert: Sara Macdiarmid Date: 7/3/2003 Subject: Safari in Tanzania
Question Hi Sara,
I am in charge of planning the honeymoon! My fiance is determined to go on safari in Africa.
We are both around 40 and fairly fit. We do alot of backpack/budget travel through Asia and South America, so we are familiar with 3rd world travel.
I backpacked through Africa 10 years ago including Tanzania. It was a bit rough then but now I am even more concerned by terrorism and increasing crime.
How do you currently rate or analyze the risk in Tanzania and Kenya? We are also interested in Uganda as a possible add-on.
Also if you could recommend some mid-range safari providers. From what I remember from 10 years ago Kenya was the most bang for the buck and Tanz was fairly expensive. Is that still true? ....On my trip 10 years ago I used Savuka tours out of Nairobi. They were great but a bit basic so I think we might want to go a little more mid range without breaking the bank if that is possible.
Where is best to fly into Tanz? I saw that flights are stopping alot near Kili as opposed to Dar?
Thanks so much!
Kirk Markus
Kirk Markus
Answer Hi Kirk,
Certain airlines are restricting or stopping flights to Kenya at the moment due to threats to the American Embassy!
Tanzania is as good as any '3rd world' African country to visit and in my opinion has a lot more to offer than Kenya and the atmosphere less tense.
For wildlife safaris there are basic to luxury tours to choose from. E.Africa is not a cheap 3rd world country as some in Asia. I can put you in touch with a safari company in Arusha (base for Tanzanian safaris) and they can give you more information on the different price ranges available.
basecampafrica@habari.co.tz
They also have a website, I will find the address.
For a two week honeymoon - perhaps fly into Kilimanjaro airport, take a week on safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, take a internal flight over to Zanzibar and take a week or a few days to unwind. Palm trees, white sandy beaches, exotic atmosphere and history. Then fly out of Dar es Salaam.
If you want 'fit and active', combine a safari, a climb up Kilimanjaro (6 days, rewarding but very hard), and then Zanzibar.
I don't know how much time your have, or what your budget is.
I recommend Tanzania as containing some of the best wildlife I have ever seen in E.Africa and the least at political unrest.
I can't think of many places more romantic than Zanzibar.
There are websites for Tanzanian tour operators which you should look at.
