Is it safe to travel to Tanzania?
Is it safe to travel to Tanzania? Tanzania is an East African country that is generally safe to visit and is also known for some of the best wildlife viewing safaris which take place across different national parks of the country.
Many tourists visit Tanzania at different times of the year to engage in various activities like game drives in the national parks, hiking, cultural interactions with the locals, visiting craft shops, going to the beach, canoeing, fishing, bird watching and many others.
The different ways of staying safe during a safari in Tanzania include the following;
Booking a safari with a tour operator
Among the different ways to stay safe during a safari or traveling to Tanzania is by booking an organized safari with a licensed tour operator. This ensures that the safari is taken care of right from pick up, to visiting the various destinations and also finding a comfortable and safe place to stay while on the safari in Tanzania.
Despite the busy city life of Tanzania, travels to Tanzania are memorable and getting around the country with the help of a guide who is knowledgeable about the locations to go to and also advising the tourists on what to expect during their visit is an added advantage.
Upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania such as Kilimanjaro international airport, the different ways to get around Tanzania include using road transport which includes private and public means of transport.
Another way to get to different destinations around Tanzania is by flying to the destinations. Tanzania has airlines which offer charter and scheduled flights across the country and they include coastal aviation, Air excel, Air Tanzania, precision air and many others.
Some of the questions first time visitors to Tanzania ask themselves includes whether visiting Tanzania is safe. The guides put safety of their clients as a top priority during a safari around Tanzania which ensures that the stay of the client is satisfactory.
Ranger guides
When visiting the wildlife viewing destinations around Tanzania such as Serengeti national park, tourists stay in lodges or tented camps which are located inside the national parks and as such wildlife species freely roam around the lodges.
Tourists are briefed about what to expect during their safaris to Tanzania and the different ways they can stay safe during their stay at the lodges inside the national parks. Guests staying at lodges inside the national parks are kept safe by being accompanied by their guides or escorted by lodge staff during their stay at the accommodations at the destination.
Following rules and regulations of wildlife viewing in the national parks
During a wildlife viewing experience in the various national parks in Tanzania, tourists are briefed on the different rules they are expected to follow as they engage in game drives and other activities at the destination such as staying inside the car during a game drive, avoiding noise during the game drives among others.
This also helps to keep the tourists safe as they drive around the wilderness in the national parks as they look out for various wildlife species such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, antelopes, gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, zebras, hyenas, dik dik and many others.
Keeping valuable items in a safe
Tanzania is a safe country to visit for a safari however crime is not completely absent as there have been some incidences when tourists are targeted and their valuable items such as money are stolen. A way to avoid losing valuable items is by keeping them in a safe at a hotel where you are staying during the safari.
Respecting local traditions
Another way to stay safe during safaris around Tanzania is by respecting the local traditions such as dressing decently while moving around the different destinations in the country especially in public places since a big population in the country is Muslim.
Avoiding crowded areas
Crowded places around Tanzania are a risk during a safari since it increases the possibility of pick pocketing hence avoiding such areas is recommended as a way of staying safe while traveling in Tanzania.
Drinking safe water
The tap water in Tanzania is not safe for drinking and therefore during safaris, tourists are briefed against drinking tap water and looking for alternative drinking water such as mineral water.
In regards to meals, food in Tanzania is safe however tourists are encouraged to take caution when eating or drinking during their safari for example washing fruits before eating.
Standard operating procedures
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic which has affected the world, there are also different standard operating procedures which are put in place during a visit to Tanzania and they include wearing masks, sanitizing, and social distancing among others which helps to stay safe and also reduce the spread of the corona virus while on safari. The SOPs are to be followed by the different stake holders in the tourism industry to ensure that the tourists are safe during their safaris in Tanzania.
When traveling to Tanzania, there are also certain COVID 19 entry requirements which are put in place to be followed by the travellers.
Best time to visit Tanzania
Tanzania is visited by tourists from different parts of the world all through the year as they enjoy exploring various destinations and engaging in a wide range of activities.
For wildlife viewing experiences, the dry season from June to October is recommended since wildlife species can easily be spotted around the national parks such as Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area, Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park, Arusha national park, Ruaha national park, and many others.
There is a variety of attractions around Tanzania and they include national parks and game reserves, islands such as Zanzibar and Pemba, mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, Lakes and Rivers and many others.
In conclusion, getting information about Tanzania and any other destination a tourist plans to visit also ensures that the tourists stay safe as they explore the destination.
