Driving Vs Flights on a Tanzania safari
Driving Vs Flights on a Tanzania safari : You can choose between a driving safari and a flying safari when organising your Tanzanian safari vacation. The kind of vacation you take will depend on your overall budget (flying safaris tend to be more expensive), the region and route you choose, and your own preferences for modes of transportation.
The more isolated regions of the country are only reachable by air, whereas the traditional “Northern Circuit” is generally the easiest to explore by road and may also be done by air. Whether you go by plane or by road, you will undoubtedly witness the same fauna and sceneries, but there are some important distinctions in the experience to take into account.
Driving safari.
For the length of your safari, your guide will take care of you. You will fly into Kilimanjaro airport when visiting northern Tanzania, where someone will pick you up and begin the safari. They are not the driver-guides you have in many other areas; they are guides who drive you. They will serve as both your driver and your personal guide.
Safaris with guides are driven in closed 4×4 vehicles with pop-up tops for game viewing and photo opportunities and windows that can be opened. When organizing a trip for a larger party, keep in mind that the vehicles are typically either 4 or 7 seats, and that the guides prefer to have at least 2 of these seats “spare” for luggage and general comfort.
Costs of vehicles.
Depending on the operator and the size of the vehicle, the daily cost of vehicle rental varies, but you should budget between £150 or $200 and £300 or $400. This covers the vehicle, the guide, and their accommodation; park taxes and accommodation expenses are not included.
Advantages.
The big advantage of driving safaris is that you get to know one another meaning they comprehend how you like your days to be put together, whether early or late starts are your style, and if you prefer to break for lunch or simply spend the whole day in the bush, they will plan things accordingly. One further benefit of having a private guide is that you may choose how much or how little time you want to spend at an animal sighting, instead of having other visitors dictate how much time you can spend there.
Disadvantages.
It is worthwhile bearing in mind that doing a road trip can decrease the amount of time you get to spend in lodges on travel days as journeys can be quite long and can only be done during daylight hours. For instance, the trip from the northern Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater takes up almost a whole day in a vehicle. Naturally, you can “break” many of these trips with overnight stays in specific locations, but it’s still a good idea to plan for the amount of time you’ll be spending in a vehicle each day. Naturally, the monotony of the trip is partially mitigated by the breathtaking scenery and abundant species found in these National Parks, but it’s still important to keep in mind. It’s also important to remember that not all of the roads will be in excellent condition, so occasionally expect a bumpy ride.
Generally speaking, full board hotels are reserved for driving safaris; this means that all meals are included and activities are led by your guide. Should you want to partake in specialized activities like walking safaris or hot air balloon excursions, these will be led by outside guides.
Flying safaris.
Flying safaris continue to be a well-liked choice for people with larger travel budgets and those who want to see some of Tanzania’s most isolated and distinctive regions. They’re the best way to see Tanzania because they provide quick access to some of the most breathtaking parts of the nation and an aerial view of the scenery.
When you take a flying safari, you are usually reserved at each resort at their “Game Package” pricing, which covers all meals, morning and afternoon safari activities, and house beverages.
Disadvantages.
The primary disadvantage is that safari activities are shared with other guests in the camp, usually up to a maximum of 6 guests, although this does depend on specific camps’ policies and is often lower depending on occupancy rates. Although these activities often follow a more “rigid” schedule about when to go and how long to stay, lodges do allow for some flexibility in order to maximize guest satisfaction.
Advantages.
The key advantage of flying is that it is far more time successful than driving, this does optimize the amount of time you spend in each camp, with flights scheduled at convenient times to enjoy a morning activity before a flight departs and an afternoon safari activity after they have arrived in each location. It also enables you to travel to farther-flung, less travelled locations.
Another benefit is that open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles are used for drives from lodges and camps, and guides are knowledgeable about animal movements and local to the area, so you may see the most wildlife possible. You cannot drive an open vehicle on the Northern Circuit; they are only permitted at the camps. These definitely provide the best photo opportunities, but keep in mind that because they are open-sided, it can get very cold in the early morning and late afternoon. The breathtaking flight over famous landscapes is a last benefit of a flying safari and is a truly amazing experience.
Cost of flights.
Depending on the airline and itinerary, costs might range from £150 or $200 for a quick trip (from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, for example) to £800 or $1080 for travel to the Mahale Mountains. The majority of flights fall somewhere in this range. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Safari Air Link are a few good operators.
