| If you are looking at booking a safari for the first | | | | tented camp. They are exactly the same as |
| time you may be bewildered at how many | | | | above but sacrifice just a little luxury to be semi |
| different types of safari are available. There are | | | | mobile. Meaning they move location several times |
| many different grades and types of safaris, but it | | | | of year in order to follow animal movements |
| is not so difficult it is really a case of budget; in | | | | around the huge parks and will always to be in the |
| other words how much are you willing to pay for | | | | best positions for game spotting. This is especially |
| your safari. When planning with a tour operator it | | | | useful for the great migration in Tanzania. |
| will help if you know what you want from your | | | | The luxury mobile camp is your own private |
| safari. The more information you arm yourself | | | | luxury tented camp but the whole camp moves |
| with the better the whole safari experience will | | | | with you. These tend to be for the very rich, if |
| be. | | | | you have to ask the price you can't afford it - |
| There is the budget safari which is generally | | | | this is the price range here. |
| camping in two-man tents this is the cheapest | | | | Then there is a matter of what do you want |
| type of safari. An advantage with this safari is | | | | from your safari is it big game only or birds |
| that you are able to go into remote areas away | | | | maybe some walking/hiking and do you want to |
| from the throngs of tourists. The tour operator | | | | involve some cultural interaction. Tanzania does |
| will generally provide all the camping equipment, | | | | not allow walking safaris in the National Parks as a |
| cook and food unless you make other | | | | general rule with some exceptions. The wonderful |
| arrangements. Some operators will allow you to | | | | wilderness area of Tarangire allows walking; |
| cook for yourself and buy your own food from a | | | | Arusha National Park also allows walking with an |
| local supermarket before you head out of town | | | | armed ranger. Some privet concessions next to |
| and into the bush. All you need to bring is a | | | | the National Parks have private camps and |
| sleeping bag. These can be hired but it is better to | | | | walking safaris are a part of the culture. |
| use your own bag - even if you leave it with | | | | Then there are National Parks such as Udzungwa, |
| someone as a tip when you leave. | | | | a park without roads so to walk is the only way |
| There are also budget lodges, which may appear | | | | to explore. This park was created primarily for |
| to be wonderful if you have limited funds. These | | | | the protection of flora rather than fauna. This |
| lodges can be quite large and should generally be | | | | park offers hiking safaris over several days is for |
| avoided at all costs. If you are prepared to go on | | | | the adventurous only. These safaris must be |
| a safari out of season then it is possible to get | | | | done in dry season as they become quite |
| some good deals even taking a luxury safari at a | | | | impassable when the rains start. |
| budget price. | | | | There are opportunities to canoe in Lake Manyara |
| The top end hotels are very nice. However I | | | | and Arusha National Parks and this is a great way |
| would also say they do not really give a full safari | | | | to see Africa from a different perspective. |
| experience. However nice they may be when on | | | | Remember too that a safari vehicle will take |
| safari you should aim to get as close to nature as | | | | either five or six people and this is the most cost |
| possible and these lodges are not the best way | | | | affective way to go on safari as the numbers |
| to do this. | | | | decrease in a vehicle so the price of a safari |
| The tented camp, now this is the ideal way to | | | | increase quite drastically. Many lodges seem to |
| take a safari; the disadvantage is they are very | | | | penalise the lone travellers, single rooms are |
| expensive. They are usually a hotel room under | | | | expensive in high season. |
| canvas; in other words a tent with beds, furniture | | | | A good operator will be able to advise you step |
| and bathrooms ensuite. Some even boast private | | | | by step and give you a brief and a detailed |
| butlers. They are luxurious, in exclusive areas of | | | | itinerary. If they cannot the simple rule is to look |
| the park and small in size. In these camps you get | | | | around and find someone who can help you with |
| a true out of African experience. | | | | what you want. |
| A variation on the above is the semi-permanent | | | | |