| First of all remember cheap is not always best. Spend | | | | Ask at the TTB for recommended safari companies |
| as much as you can afford, the trick is to try to get | | | | and where to find their offices. Also the Ngorongoro |
| a quality safari at a reasonable price. Don't believe all | | | | Conservation Area Office is next door - there is a |
| you are told. I recently met someone in Arusha who | | | | very nice lady here who can also help by pointing you |
| had decided to take a two day safari to Ngorongoro | | | | toward the right companies. |
| and Lake Manyara. He managed to get a very good | | | | Once you start to look for a safari, you will be |
| deal. The plan was to set off at 8 am sharp and | | | | noticed. Noticed that is by the 'fly-catchers'. These |
| returning the next day at 6 pm; he was also | | | | are pleasant young men who make a living by guiding |
| guaranteed window seat. | | | | tourists to safari companies; they then get |
| The following day he arrived at the safari company | | | | commission. It is best to avoid any temptation you |
| office in downtown Arusha. The safari set off at 10 | | | | have to make a deal with these young fly-catchers. |
| am and they broke down on the way to the National | | | | They have eyes set upon the commission only and a |
| Parks - twice. The passengers had to get out and | | | | quality safari is seldom purchased on the street. You |
| push the rather old safari vehicle to get it going again. | | | | will also be pray to the 'others' who sell curios. It can |
| The car was full resulting in one person not having a | | | | be an overwhelming and panicky situation the first |
| window seat. The following day they returned at | | | | time you are exposed to an onslaught of flycatchers |
| 8.30 pm as the car was only able to return at a very | | | | and the others. Remember as westerners we enjoy |
| slow speed. | | | | the luxury of a huge personal space - in Africa this is |
| If time is not an issue spend a day or two in Arusha | | | | an alien concept so up close and personal is the way |
| looking for the right deal for you. To be rushed for | | | | to do business. |
| time is not conducive to finding a good deal. | | | | Being nasty does not work. All negotiations and |
| IF you are to spend more than one night in the | | | | conversations should be carried out with good |
| Serengeti - try to ensure only one night is in the | | | | humour and to enjoy yourself is the order of the |
| Seronera Valley. This valley is the central Serenegeti | | | | day. |
| and has a high concentration of game year round. | | | | Low season is the best way to get a luxury safari at |
| Operators get lazy and just send all their clients to | | | | budget prices. Low season is through the long rains. |
| this area. To have at least one night in the northern | | | | However, it does not rain for the whole of the time |
| Serenegeti or Southern Serengeti will make the safari | | | | and in recent years the rains have been very sparse |
| more exciting. Which Area of the Serenegeti will | | | | indeed. The few tourists and low prices make any |
| depend on what time of year it is and where the | | | | safari a pleasure at this time of year. Each park has |
| migration is heading? If the operator tells you | | | | something special to offer in every season. |
| otherwise consider changing operators - there are | | | | Another way to make money go further is to travel |
| many in Arusha. | | | | to some of the amazing places in Tanzania, such as |
| Tarangire is a good park in the dry season - make | | | | Uru Village on Kilimanjaro, or the Usambara Mountains, |
| sure you are camping inside the Tarangire [a little | | | | Pangani, the Southern Pare Mountains - these areas |
| extra cost for a campsite inside the National Parks] | | | | have no big game and no park fees. They are easily |
| and make sure you travel to the wilderness area of | | | | reached on local transport, have reasonable budget |
| this most underrated park. If it is the rainy season | | | | lodges or home-stays on offer. For a very little |
| then don't bother with the Tarangire at all. | | | | money you can live for a time in Africa proper - |
| It is not all location either. If you are staying in lodges | | | | where there are very few or no other tourists for |
| then the more expensive the lodge the better the | | | | miles. What a way to experience Africa and get to |
| experience. Small lodges in remote parts of the | | | | know the Tanzania people. Take a rest from lion |
| National Parks can be expensive but the quality of | | | | spotting it can become very tedious for many people |
| safari makes the expense insignificant. | | | | after the first few prides... where as exploring the |
| In the centre of Arusha is TTB - the Tanzania | | | | Usambara or Pare Mountains could take you all your |
| Tourist Board. A nice clean air-conditioned office; it | | | | life with two days never the same. |
| has two desks and two very helpful staff. There is a | | | | For information on these or any issues pertaining to |
| notice board here that heralds recommended safari | | | | Tanzania see for cultural and safari information help |
| companies who are looking for extra people to fill a | | | | make the world a better place through responsible |
| safari vehicle. This is the place to start your hunt for | | | | tourism. |
| the bargain safari. | | | | |