And of course you get the whole experience to yourself. A balloon safari is a very personal experience, and you will get a viewpoint that simply can’t be beaten. For photographers, the option of a balloon safari opens up the possibility of unique photo opportunities, and is therefore highly recommended for anyone who wants to get the most out of their safari.

Serengeti Balloon Safari

How it Works

Anyone can go on a balloon safari but it is imperative to book in advance. Balloon safaris take place during the early hours of the morning, before you head out on your day of game viewing. You will be picked up in your lodge and driven to the departure point where you can see the whole team including the captain set-up the hot air balloon. Seeing all of these will certainly make you even more excited and you will be guaranteed amazing photo opportunities. You and your group will be up in the air by the time the sun rises, the best time of the day for game viewing when activity is at its height.

You’ll usually be in the air for about an hour, which is plenty of time to admire the view and take some amazing shots. You’ll be carried on the air in complete silence and will observe the animals below as they begin their day. You may even be able to get lower to the animals for a close-up experience that cannot be beaten. The views are spectacular and it will surely leave you breathless. Being up on the hot air balloon across the plains of the Serengeti National Park just brings the excitement and appreciation to a different level and you will love every minute of it.

After the balloon safari, you will be served champagne breakfast in the most amazing setting you can ever imagine!! I will not go through much detail and let you experience it yourself.

Photography Considerations

Balloon Safari Photography

A balloon safari clearly introduces new problems when it comes to taking photographs. One thing you will have to remember is that you cannot simply stop the balloon like you can a vehicle. So although the movement will be a lot smoother, you will still be constantly moving. You will therefore need to be aware of your shutter speed to prevent blurring. Also remember that a balloon safari typically begins at dawn and therefore the initial part of your flight will be under fairly dim lighting conditions.

A good telephoto lens (400mm to 500mm) sounds like a good idea to get in on the action but be aware of camera shake from the movement. Also there are opportunities for spectacular panoramic and wider angle shots from up above hence we would recommend having a wider zoom lens on a balloon safari. We found that a 70-200mm F2.8 works very well and have a second camera equipped with an even wider 24-70mm.

Clothing Considerations

Balloon Safari

To make the whole experience even more fun and comfortable, we highly recommend you bring the following with you when you go on a balloon safari:-

• Hat – there will be hot air blowing on top of you so make sure to bring a hat to protect your head and hair from the heat.
• Light Jacket or fleece – it can be really chilly in the morning so make sure you dress up warm

What is Malaria?

Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by protozoan parasites. However, it is much more commonly linked to mosquitoes, which are the carriers of the disease. Every year there are an enormous 350-500 million cases of malaria across the world, which lead to between one and three million deaths, most of which are in children. Malaria occurs around the world, but the fact that 90 percent of all malaria deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa shows just how much of an African problem the disease is

How is malaria spread?

Anopheles mosquito

Malaria is spread through the blood, but it is almost always spread through infected mosquitoes. Only Anopheles mosquitoes can carry the parasites that cause the disease. They get these through biting an infected person, and then transfer it to a new person upon biting them. If you avoid blood contact with someone who has malaria and you don’t get bitten by an infected mosquito then you cannot catch the disease.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of malaria can range from slight chills and light-headedness to a fever, nausea and flu-like symptoms. In the most serious cases it can lead to a coma, convulsions and death. Even after treatment malaria can stay in the blood and reoccur throughout the infected person’s life. If you ever experience any of these symptoms when you are in Africa or when you arrive back home then go to the doctor immediately. A simple blood test will confirm whether you have the disease, and the quicker you get treatment the better.

Protection

Malaria is an unpleasant disease to get, but there is no reason for you to worry as long as you take precautions. These include taking anti-malarial drugs up to two weeks before you leave for your photo safari and throughout your time in Africa. These drugs are developing all the time as resistance to certain drugs increases, so make sure you check with your doctor about which is the best option for you. Two of the most commonly used are the antibiotic Doxycycline, which is taken in a daily dose, and Larium, the trade name of Mefloquine, which is taken in one weekly dose. However, Larium can have some unpleasant side effects to always check with your doctor before you start taking it.

As well as taking anti-malaria medication, the most effective way to prevent malaria is to wear insect repellent and long sleeves, especially in the evening when mosquitoes are most likely to bite you. At night you should also sleep under a mosquito net. These are cheap and highly effective, and if you douse it in insect repellent before you leave it will prove even more of a deterrent.

If you’ve booked your safari through a reliable provider then you will no doubt be able to tap into the expertise of some really helpful and experienced guides while you’re there. It is still a great idea to read up before you go though, as this will give you a much better idea of what to expect when you actually get there.

Richard Estes

In particular, look out for things such as:

a. Weather conditions – plan your clothing and other items around this

b. Wildlife – learn about the wildlife and their basic characteristics so you will know what to expect when you arrive at your destination

c. Types of photographic conditions you might encounter – this will help to plan which equipment to take

There are different books for different countries, but one of our favourites is the Photo Safari Companion.

2 – Watch Some TV

Another great way to get prepared is to watch some of the fantastic documentaries which are out there – especially those made by the BBC, such as Planet Earth or Wild Africa – and these can be even better preparation than reading a book. These documentaries will give you a great idea of what kind of animals you are likely to see on safari, and what kind of things you would expect to see them doing. This will prepare you so you can understand when you are going to get the best photographs and can plan your trips around this.

BBC documentaries

3 – Make a List and Plan Your Packing

If you’re anything like me, you probably tend to leave your packing until the last minute, but it’s really important that you don’t do this when you are going to Africa for the first time. If you’ve invested in a good safari companion guide, this might give you a pre-prepared packing list. Otherwise, think carefully about what you will need when you are there – nothing ruins a safari quicker than realising you’ve forgotten something important. Planning your safari packing will also make sure you don’t take too much.

4 – Sort Out Your Health

MASTA Travel

Nothing will ruin a safari quite like being ill, so make sure that you pack everything you think you might need, especially if you are on medications. You also need to make sure that you get all of the appropriate travel vaccinations for the area you are going to, and some good travel insurance in case anything does make you ill. MASTA Travel is one company we always recommend our clients to go to if their local GP does not offer a travel clinic. You will be welcomed by knowledgeable physicians who will make you even more excited about the trip and at the same time ensure that they can assist you in making this a wonderful holiday from start to finish.

The real key to getting the most out of your safari is to research and plan, which I’m pretty sure you will be only too eager to do if this is your first time. We regularly run photography safaris to Africa, so if you’d like any more info from us about planning your trip, please get in contact with us.

If you are the type of traveller who plans on going on a safari holiday for a specific purpose like photography safari, bird viewing, educational research on the characteristics of a certain animal, or for a romantic honeymoon, we would highly recommend you to hire your own vehicle and ranger. This will give you full flexibility when you are out in the bush and it will certainly guarantee you more enjoyable game drives.

Private 4x4 Vehicle

A standard 4×4 vehicle when you go on a safari in Tanzania can easily fit 6 to 8 people. It is of course, absolutely fun to make new friends and share the exciting moments together. But you also have to bear in mind that everyone inside the vehicle will have different interests. There might be first timers who want to see only the Big Five, bird lovers who would stop every time they see one of East Africa’s beautiful and colourful birds and there might be a photography enthusiast who wishes to stop longer than usual to capture the moment a male lion wakes up from its long slumber. Each sighting no matter how different your interests are will be very exciting for sure.

But if you are looking for the total freedom to do whatever you want, to stop wherever you feel like or to have the privacy for you and your love one, then having your own vehicle will eliminate all the things I mentioned and you will be rest assured that your plan for the day will be just as how you want it to be. The ranger’s attention will be solely dedicated to you and your interests, and you can have the flexibility all day long. This may include starting earlier than usual to see the beautiful sunrise, or you can stop in one spot for as long as you want and patiently wait for the return of a leopard to have its fresh lunch that is visibly hanging on a tree branch. And if you are interested in photography, then having your own private vehicle will give you the total freedom to move around the vehicle so that you can position yourself well whenever you see an interesting subject to photograph. The list can go on but I am sure you know what I am trying to say here.

The only down side of hiring your own private vehicle is the cost as it can be an expensive option. Depending on the lodge you will be staying or the company you will be travelling with, the cost of a private vehicle will vary considerably and it can go up to £400.00 per day. It is a lot of money to pay on top of the total safari package costs but depending on your interests and goals, then this price might be easily justifiable and I can guarantee you that the monies spent will be worth it should you opt to take this route.

So before you go on a safari, it is best to think about what you want to do, what you want to see and think about what kind of safari holiday you want to have, and think about your goals. This will help you clarify, prioritise and decide on whether or not a private vehicle and ranger is good for your planned safari holiday.

For the photography enthusiasts out there, you can always join one of the photographic safaris we organize to be with like minded people and a professional photographer to guide you in taking your award winning safari wildlife photographs. You can contact us at info@aranetatan.com if you want to get more information.

Tsetse Fly

Tsetse flies are bloodsucking flies that are most active during the day in Tanzania and they sting like a bee. To be more specific, it feels like being pierced by a needle!

Every safari traveller experience being stung by a tsetse fly when they are on their game drives. The proboscises that they have to suck blood from their prey – animals or human, are unbelievably long and strong. This can easily penetrate through your clothing and mosquito repellent does not work either. So you will definitely not miss their presence and you can never say you have been on a safari without being bitten by one.

When you are out in the bush for your game drives, most of the safari vehicles are well equipt with a few fly whiskers that rangers give their clients. This is commonly used especially in National Parks where open vehicles are used. These whiskers help prevent tsetse flies from coming too close and too often.

We also usually recommend clients to wear long sleeves, long pants or to dress up in layers for example t-shirt and a light jacket. This will help lessen the direct contact of tsetse flies and therefore, their sting less painful and less noticeable. And it works wonder and you will definitely find your games drives more enjoyable.

Fortunately, tsetse flies do not really carry any harmful bacteria, their bites do not cause you to have any swelling nor leave any marks.  The pain is distracting and causes one to itch a little and scratch a little but all these are absolutely tolerable.

Tsetse bites are all part of any safari holiday but be rest assured that all these will be overpowered by the joy, fun and excitement you feel when you are out in the bush!!

See our ESSENTIAL Safari packing list below.

What is the safari luggage alowance?

There is a 15kg maximum luggage allowance when you go on a safari that we strongly recommend you to  follow. The aircrafts are small and can only accommodate a small amount of luggage space and weight. So for your own comfort and safety, it is good to stick to the rules.

Soft duffel bags are preferred than the hard cases as it makes it easier to store and squeeze in both the light aircraft compartments and the vehicles that take you to your safari destination.

You are also allowed a small hand bag or back pack inside the aircraft as long as they are light and can be placed on your lap.

What to wear on a safari?

Comfort is paramount when you go on a safari so always bear this in mind.

Neutral colours are also very important and again, one we highly recommend you to follow. So please stick to colours like beige, brown, khaki, grey and olive.

Most lodges offer complimentary laundry services and you get it the next day so you can really get away packing very little clothing with you.

• 1x Hiking shoes or walking shoes
• 1x walking sandals or flip flops – you can also wear this in the hotel/lodge
• 1x Hat – full bream hats with strap to keep it in place
• 1x Fleece or vest
• 1x Light water proof jacket
• 1x Polarized sunglasses
• 2x Long sleeved shirts
• 2x Cotton t-shirts – long sleeves are better than short sleeves especially in Tanzania to give you extra protection from tsetse flies
• 2x Zip-Off trousers or normal cotton/linen trousers
• 1x Short pants
• 2x Pajamas
• 3x Socks
• 1x Swimwear
• 1x Scarf *

* Optional

What medicines to bring on a safari?

Please consult your GP or go to travel health clinics like MASTA Travel for advice on what to bring. The following are just guidelines on top of your other personal medications.

• Malaria tablets
• Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
• Mosquito repellant
• Paracetamol
• Diarrhoea tables
• Antihistamine tablets
• Motion sickness pills
• Antiseptic creams
• Plasters
• First Aid Kit
• Eye wash and eye drops
• Sun block
• Lip balm with SPF
• Wet wipes
• Pocket tissues

What gadgets to bring on safari?

• Camera – a good SLR is worth the investment and worth the weight carrying
• Zoom lens – a good zoom lens 300mm, 400mm to 700mm ideal
• Extra memory cards
• Binoculars – 8×42 or 10×42
• Video cameras
• Electrical plugs – 230AC, 50HZ, round pins or 3 square pins
• Camera chargers
• Laptop chargers*
• Memory card readers*
• Torch
• Dry bags to protect equipments from dust and/or rain

What documents to bring on a safari holiday?

• Passport + visa
• Yellow fever vaccination
• Insurance details
• Lodge/hotel confirmation
• Flight tickets
• Emergency contact details – family and agent
• Credit cards
• Sterling pounds, Euro, USD are accepted everywhere in Tanzania

Happy packing and enjoy your safari holiday!!

Safari Hat

Here are some tips to help you find the perfect safari hat for your holiday in Africa.

1. Wide brimmed hat

We highly recommend buying a wide brimmed hat for your safari trip. This will give you full protection on your face, ears, neck and also nape which other standard hats can’t do. The sun in Africa can be quite strong and it is always good to protect yourselves from it.

2. Breathable fabric

For the absolute comfort during your game drives, we strongly advise you to buy a safari hat that is breathable. It is normal to feel really hot during the day when you are out in the bush and sweating will be part of it. So having a breathable hat will ensure you get enough air circulating in your head to help you cool down especially when the heat is at its peak.

3.  Adjustable strap

Having straps on your hat is one thing we strongly emphasize to all our clients, family and friends. Going on a safari in Africa is one of the best things you can experience in life and you want to enjoy it as much as you can without having to worry or think about anything. We have seen many people or first timers on a safari with their hands constantly holding their hats in place so that it does not fly away. It is very restrictive so please do not overlook this and do not make the same mistake. Get a safari hat with an adjustable strap and enjoy your safari drive.

4. Waterproof

It can rain really heavily in Africa so it is always advisable to have waterproof hat to protect you from the deluge should it happen when you are out in the bush.

5.  Soft fabric

A safari trip means limited luggage space with only 15kg maximum baggage allowance. Because of this fact we usually prefer buying the softer hats available in the market. Not only are they light, easy to pack, easy to wash, breathable but they also do the job perfectly well. It will save you from worrying it will get creased or out of shape when you squeeze it in your tiny bag. So it is definitely a good option to get!

Safari hats are widely available in the market today. You can get it in any sports shop in U.K. like Decathlon, North Face, Snow and Rock to name a few. Shopping centres like Harrods and Selfridges also have a few in their sports department.

Enjoy shopping for your perfect safari hat and hope you find our tips useful.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Required Vaccinations for Tanzania:

1. YELLOW FEVER – this is spread and transmitted through mosquite bites. There are higher risks when you are in rural areas and lower risks in the cities where outbreaks are not as common.

This is the most important vaccination you will need for your journey to Tanzania. You will not be allowed to enter the country without a proof that you have had your vaccination before your trip. The immigration officer at the airport will request that you show your Yellow Fever Certificate. This is given to you by your GP or travel nurse when you get your vaccination in UK or your home country. This certificate becomes valid 10 days after the vaccination and it lasts for up to 10 years.

Children are recommended to have their yellow fever vaccination from 9 months of age.

2.  Diptheria - is transmitted through close respiratory contact with an infected person. The immunization lasts for 10 years.

3. Hepatitis A - is a faecal and oral infection that spreads through the contaminated food and water which causes severe liver disease. The immunization lasts for 20 years.

4. Tetanus - is a very serious infection that is contracted through dirty cuts, scratches and wounds. This is highly recommended when travelling to countries where limited medical care is available. The immunization lasts for 10 years.

5. Typhoid – is a bacterial infection that is transmitted though ingestion of contaminated food and water especially in areas where hygiene is poor.

Vaccinations to be considered:

1. Cholera – is common during rainy seasons and when during floods. This spreads out through contaminated food and water.

2. Hepatitis B – is a viral infection that is transmitted through blood, blood products and sexual intercourse. It is highly recommended for long-stay travellers, children. Vaccines are given in 3 doses in a period of six months.

3. Meningoccoccal Meningitis (ACWY)

4. Polio - a viral infection that causes paralysis. Vaccination lasts up to 10 years.

5. Rabies – is spread through direct contact with infected animals and can be fatal.

6. Tuberculosis – is transmitted through close contact with an infected person and sometimes through infected milk or milk products.

Malaria Prevention

Malarone tablets

Malaria is a very dangeroud disease that is common in Tanzania. It is widely spread by mosquito bites and is present all throughout the year. It is important to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites from dusk to dawn. Malaria tablets are also highly recommended for any one travelling to Tanzania. Please consult your GP and travel nurse with regards to the following Anti-Malaria drugs:-

1. Doxycyline – One tablet a day to start the day before departure and four weeks after leaving the malaria area. It is slightly cheaper than Malarone.

2. Malarone - One tablet a day to start the day before departure and one week after leaving the malaria area. Malarone is known to have minor side effects compared to other anti- malaria drugs.

For a more enjoyable holiday, we highly recommend that you take all the necessary precautions to protect you from any health risks when travelling to Tanzania.

British Passport

There are two ways to apply for a tourist visa to Tanzania:-

1. Personal Application

This is a very straight forward way to apply for your tourist visa. Payments are cash basis only and it takes about 3 days to process your application. They also offer a 1 day service at an extra cost of £5.00

2. Postal Application

This will take about 10 days to process providing you have all the supporting documents. Payment methods are as follow and ensure to enclose original receipt with your visa application and a self addressed envelope.

• Barclays Bank – payable to High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania
  • Sort Code 200-47-35 Account Number 50914126
  • Please include the following details on the payslip: date, name and passport number
• Postal Order – payable to High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania

Visa Requirements:-

1. Application form – must be signed and completed accordingly

This visa application form can be downloaded on the website or it can be obtained directly at the embassy.

2. Passports – expiry should be no less than six months from date of entry

3. Two passport size photographs

4. Supporting letter – company letter, university letter or invitation from hosts

5. Visa Fee – £38 for single entry only

If you require more information, you can get in touch with the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania directly. Their details are as follows:-

3 Stratford Place

London W1C 1AS

Tel: + 44 (0) 207 569 1470

E-mail: visa@tanzania-online.gov.uk

www.tanzania-online.gov.uk
Visa Application : 10:00 to 12:30

Visa Collection: 14:00 to 15:30