Planning a Tanzanian Vacation? I learned a lot on my recent trip. Read more for what I wish I had known.
There is no way to fully prepare for any vacation. And honest, I would not want to be fully prepared. Part of the excitement of travel is the unexpended things that ALWAYS come up.
There are a few things however that will not only help you prepare mentally but also helps you prepare; physically, with time planning/agenda, with what to pack and not pack, and reserving activities before they sell out.
Since this was my first ever trip to not only Tanzania but any African country, I did a lot of pre-planning; check out my previous post-Tanzania Travel; Everything you need to know when planning a trip to Tanzania.
Now that I’m home, I need to share a few things I wish I knew before my Tanzanian vacation.
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Hakuna matata is a real phrase
I know I’m not alone but if there is a Disney movie centered around a place or country, I think about it the whole trip. I am guilty of snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and pointing out Dory and Nemo. Or scuba diving, looking up and thinking “I’m going to touch the butt.” Thank you, Finding Nemo and Disney.
My Tanzanian vacation was not different, Disney’s The Lion King was an influential part of the whole trip. I saw Zazu, Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Pumbaa, Timon, Mufasa and I’m even pretty sure I saw a lion that looked angry and beat up like Scar.
Disney is pretty good about making things as accurate as possible (Simba does mean “lion” in Swahili, but Pumbaa means “amuse” I guess it fits as I do find the character amusing….) anyway, Disney does take some creative license when making movies.
That was NOT the case for hakuna matata. Not only is the phrase hakuna matata used in conversations but it’s part of their way of life. You may read some people say hakuna matata is only used for tourists but I found that is not true.
I was relaxing around the pool one day and two of the lodge staff were talking several feet away, I heard one say hakuna matata to the other. I heard it several times and it’s even in the song I heard sung by school children and the staff at our Serengeti Camp “Jambo Bwana.”
While it was originally a song released in neighboring Kenya, it became a staple of my Tanzanian vacation. What to hear part of the song? Check out my Instagram Post of the school kids singing.
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
Not only will this not make you feel stupid for saying it, but it’s also important to know a few words in the local language. Sure hakuna matata is not as important as please and thank you, but using hakuna matata in the correct context will usually get you a smile from a local.
I had a mix-up with my bag at a hotel. The mix-up was not huge and it was fixed quickly but the manager was apologizing profusely and seemed worried I would be upset. I smiled and said, “I’m good, hakuna matata.” His whole body relaxed and he started to smile.
It was a simple thing but kindness can go a long way and knowing a few words/phrases in a local language will quickly build a connection.
Staying in a tent is not as rustic as you think!!
I personally was not overly worried about staying in a tent on my Tanzanian vacation, but my travel buddy need some convincing. I’ll be honest, it took a couple of years for me to convince her this would be a fun trip.
Her concern? The six of thirteen nights in a tent.
Growing up in a family that went camping all the time I know what tent life can be like. I’m not talking about the glamping tent life you see on social media. I’m talking about camping at places like Voyagers National Park where there is no running water, no electricity, and the bathroom is a stump with a toilet set…no walls… no doors… just you watching nature while doing your daily business.
Not all of our camping trips growing up were that rustic but still not today’s glamping. The tents we stayed in in Tanzania were without a doubt in the glamping category. Check out hotel option 2 in my previous post Hotels in Taznania: Three Places you Need to Checkout for pictures and description of Burunge Tented Lodge.
Burunge and the Serengeti Camp we stayed at had actual beds, electricity, flushing toilets, sinks to wash our hands, and a shower. While the Serengeti Campsite was powered by solar electricity, and the water in the tent involved a staff member filling the holding tanks at each tent, it did have running water. We flushed the toilets, we washed our hands, and we were able to take hot showers every day.
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
If you are one of those people who think camping should only be done at a hotel you will miss out on an amazing trip. I will admit, these tents were not the Four Seasons but don’t let that stop you from going. Seeing the animals in the wild, and experiencing the Tanzanian culture is worth a few nights of glamping.
Staying in a tent is not as SCARY as you think!!
have to admit, I was a little curious about this one before I left. Let’s be real, there is nothing between you and a lion but a piece of canvas or a mesh window screen. Now that I’m back that seems to be one of the most common questions I get, “weren’t you scared to sleep in a tent?”
I’ll be honest the first night was a little unnerving. It was about 3:00 am when I heard my travel buddy talking to me through the mosquito netting, “Are you awake?” Me “yea.” Her “something is outside and was breathing to the same rhythm as you were.”
That’s when I heard it; deep, heavy breathing that was not me and was not her…there was something just outside our tent. We both knew it but it was 3:00 am and I had to go to the bathroom really bad. I had no choice but to get up. Much like a little kid, I snuck out the side of the bed farthest away from the door…I’m not sure why that would not stop any animal from attacking but it gave me peace of mind.
I not only made it to the bathroom and washed my hands without dying, but I got back to bed too. For some reason the mosquito netting made me feel safe. It took me a while to fall back asleep but once I realized, the animal was asleep too, there was no reason it would try to get inside.
The rest of the nights I didn’t even hear a sound. I know there were animals outside but I realized they were not looking to come inside. They were just passing through or looking for a place to rest.
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
There is truly something special about being able to say you slept in a tent and heard the lions roaring, elephants scratching their back on your tent walls, or even having a story to tell when you are old.
Think about it, what sounds better:
So I was sleeping in a hotel room and an elephant woke me up scratching its back on the hotel wall.
OR
So I was sleeping in a tent and an elephant woke me up scratching its back on my tent wall.
Yup, I think so too.
Roads are rougher than you will ever imagine
This #$@% is real!!!! I had no idea, before my Tanzanian vacation, just how rough the roads really are. I’m talking about possible concussions from hitting your head on the side of the truck rough. Trust me, if you think you understand but have never been there, you don’t understand.
I’ve been on country roads, back roads, and off-roading, but I’ve never been on roads that bad.
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
This is for anyone who wears a bra…knowing this is important because you will want to pack enough sports bras to get through the trip. I ended up hand-washing the few I brought because I knew I could not wear a regular bra on those roads. Not only for comfort but your regular bra may be jostled enough to unhook itself.
Just trust me on this one…
Many people speak some English
I know a big fear many have with international travel is that they don’t speak the language. I get it, and I was a little worried about that for my Tanzanian vacation too. This was the first international trip I’ve taken where the local language was not either English or Spanish. I’m not fluent in Spanish but I know enough to navigate my way through a trip.
But I knew no Swahili. I quickly learned that many people know some English. At least in the places, you need to be able to communicate easily, like customs/immigration, airports, and hotels.
This does not mean you should expect everyone to speak English. You still need to learn a couple of basic words to show respect.
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
Don’t fear traveling to Tanzania because you don’t know Swahili. You will be fine!!!
A hot air balloon ride is worth the cost!!
I was so torn by this when planning my Tanzanian vacation. Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. Or save the money for my next trip? If you are thinking this too, it is not a cheap activity, just do it. The views are amazing. The excitement of anticipation gives you a jolt. And much like sleeping in a tent, it will give you a good story.
Don’t worry if you have a fear of heights. Several others in my same basket had a fear of heights and they loved it too!! If you can afford it, book it!
Why is this important for your Tanzania Vacation?
The hot air balloon rides are very popular in Tanzania. But only 12 people fit in the baskets which means there are often more people who want to go, than reservations available. If you are on a tight schedule, you will need to book this early. We booked about 90 days before we left, while others at our camp tried to get a spot three days before and were told no.
Book early and it’s worth the cost!!
What I’m glad I knew before taking a Tanzanian Vacation.
I’m glad I knew I could get over any fears, worries, doubts, and concerns. I know from my past travels, there is nothing like seeing something in person that you’ve only ever seen in a picture. Never let your fears hold you back from seeing the world.
You got this!!
Happy travels and remember the world is full of adventures all around you.
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