Do's Don'ts
True vacations African Safaris are publishing about dos and don't pick your perfect Tanzania safari and these tips will guide you to plan for a perfect safari and such a planning will also ensure that you and your family stay safe from menace during your Tours & also stay blissful till the completion of your Safari. The instructions that have been given below will do a lot in ensuring your safety and enhance your enjoyment. To know more, let's go through these instructions mentioned below are as follows:-
ü The Do's
· Dress code. There is no such thing as a dress code in Tanzania. In the workplace, some women wear a skirt with strapless sandals and t-shirt. Other women wear a more formal outfit with shoes and jacket. In some offices, trousers are not allowed. For men, shiny polished shoes, long sleeves shirts, and tailored pants are common. In an academic environment like a university, it is common to see female students wearing party dresses or working outfits to class and male students dress like office workers. Jeans are rarely seen. Seeing men in a suit and vest are also common at church and as a daily outfit. This dressing style indicates that Tanzanians, despite their low income and poor condition, like to appear and dress well. For some areas where Muslims are dominant, women are supposed to wear decent clothes that cover the whole body. So carry a scarf to cover your head in such places. Tourists, showing their bare legs and shoulders, and chest are tolerated but not liked in public.
· English is spoken by almost all the tourist guides. You can also ask for Government- trained and approved guides who also speak Italian, French, Spanish German, Russian or Japanese.
· Pack Light. Be sure your bag is less Than 20kg. During your Tours always make sure that you have to pack light during the trip because heavy backpack will result in carrying some sort of burden on your shoulders and it will dampen your spirits and enthusiasm for the safari trip. Moreover, locals some of whom are even thieves will figure out that you are carrying some valuable in the bag and they will all their smart tricks in the book to steal it. Thus, it will better for you to carry bags that are less than 20 kgs. Moreover, several airlines charge extra money for luggage weighing more than 20 Kgs.
· Wear Neutral Colored, Lightweight Clothes That Dry Quickly. Please wear neutral coloured and lightweight clothes that are capable of drying fast and easily. Moreover, such clothes will also help you a lot to blend in the environment. If possible, also take proper trousers and shirts along with a lightweight jacket so that you will not feel chilly in the night and during the early morning drives.
· Prepare For A Range Of Weather Conditions. You might like it or not, but please prepare for a range of weather conditions because here in Tanzania and especially in Serengeti, weather is always unpredictable, but it is a natural and usual thing. Thus, it will be better for you to take at least a raincoat and some warm clothes as a backup while on your Tanzania Safari Tours.
· Bring Ready Money With You. Normally, a place like Tanzania provides ATMs, but we are certainly doubtful that you are going to get one in the remote regions especially safari parks and jungles. Thus, it is advised to keep some urgent cash with you in order to use it during emergency purposes. It will come in handy while paying bills for your snacks and another form of light food and snacks. It will also be useful for tipping purposes. Please also note that dollar printed before 2004 will be rejected immediately.
· Stay Hydrated Make Sure Your Drinking Water Is Clean. During the Tanzania Safari Tours, it is very necessary for you to stay hydrated especially during walking tours and trekking. It is better if you are carrying your own bottle of clean mineral water and in case your bottle of water gets empty to make sure to get clean drinking water. If possible, ask the guide or the forest ranger to arrange for clean drinking water for the trip. Even your safari vehicle also carries lots of clean bottled drinking water.
· Read About Tanzania Wildlife And Customs Before You Go. As it is well said by our elders that preparation is the key to success and in the same way, reading and learning about Tanzania's wildlife and customs will help you to integrate or blend in with the locals in a much better way.
v The Don'ts
· Do Not Approach The Animals On Foot. It is a request not to approach wild animals by foot. There is a big reason why they are called wild. While on your Tours, you might be feeling adventurous, but it is better to approach an animal only under the guidance of your guide and forest rangers. Moreover, any kind of naive mischief on your behalf will make matters worse. So always follow the guide and stay out of trouble.
· Avoid Displays Of Wealth. Please avoid displaying wealth because doing so will cause security problems for you.
· Do Not Extend Your Hand To A Woman (If You Are Male), Unless She Does So First. Don't try to get close to a woman because during the Tours, any kind of public show of affection will not be appropriated and thus, it will appropriate, if she is approaching you first.
· Do Not Photograph People Without Their Permission. Last, but not the least, please don't try to photograph people without their permission because capturing photographs without permissions will bring troubles for you and for the rest of the members of your group during the tours.
- In the beaches is not allowed to bathe topless and although there is no dress code is best to keep it simple and modest. (wearing long pants or long skirts)
- Homosexuality is not welcome, so don't publicly show any same sex affections.
- No expression of affection between straight couples
- During Ramadan, the holy month, do not eat, smoke or drink neither alcohol nor water in public.
- In hotels with Muslim management alcohol is prohibited but not in resorts.
- Bargaining on markets and local shops is expected but has reasonable limits, unless you want to insult the vendors. It's best to ask a local before shopping about the prices, so you can negotiate later.
- Maasai people find it taboo to talk about unborn babies, so don't ask pregnant Maasai women about the unborn child.
- People on general are very religious and Christians attend every Sunday a mass. You will be oftentimes asked about your religious views.
· It is prohibited to illegally remove wildlife products from Tanzania, remove corals, shells or to export products made from rhino, elephant or sea turtle derivatives.
· It is not permitted to photograph the president or any other military objects without prior permission.
- Mob justice exists. If you are mugged on the street, or pickpockets steal something from you, don't make panic like its the end of the world as locals might start beating them till death or severe injuries.
