Tanzania: Should we use a local agency and/or guide to organize the trip? (page 2 of 2)

leave the rental car if you hire a guide on-site), etc.

I don’t understand this sentence.

Why hire a guide if you have a car? 😮

I guess this is your first "safari" trip, so you think it’s an expedition.

That’s normal—I felt the same way the first time. 😄

Starting this kind of trip with Tanzania wouldn’t be easy. Most self-drivers have first been to South Africa and Namibia.

But since it’s Tanzania that’s caught your eye, not an easier country, and given your negative feelings about self-drive safaris that come through in your post, it seems more suited to your needs to book a fully organized trip (car, driver/guide, accommodation and meal logistics, prepaid park entry fees) for the wildlife portion.

For those who went through an agency, did you travel with a group or just a guide? (I think I’d prefer the latter option)

Hello,

No matter which agency you choose, you can always decide: - whether to join a group, which lowers the cost per person. - or to have a private tour.

However, I recommend setting your own itinerary and the number of reserves you visit. Many people think that rushing from one reserve to another means seeing more animal species. That’s not true—it’s better to spend time in 2 or 3 reserves. The best moments, with the best light, usually happen early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Packing up, settling bills, and moving around wastes time. Staying at the same lodge longer also lets the driver (!!) gather more info from colleagues. Agency programs often involve racing between reserves, which is counterproductive (in my experience).

Best regards,

Puma2A

...

Hi Joséphine

I’ve traveled with a driver-guide three times: in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, simply because I didn’t feel comfortable driving a 4x4 on tracks that can be tricky (even when choosing what seemed like the right season, which was the case in Tanzania).

Generally, I prefer traveling independently—you do what you want, more or less, without having to ask someone every time, even if that someone (not always the case in my three experiences) was always very kind and accommodating.

When it comes to safaris, I find the thrill of spotting an animal is much more intense when self-driving than with a guide... though I can’t quite explain why.

Anyway, for Tanzania, it really depends on your experience driving in those kinds of countries and on rough tracks. In my opinion, it’s not the ideal destination to try self-driving for the first time (Kenya and Uganda seemed easier to me).

Hi Joséphine,

Just for fun, a few friendly and close encounters in Tanzania:











Happy planning, and most of all, have a great trip!

Puma2A

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The photos are all more beautiful than the last. It’s dreamy—I didn’t realize you could get that close to an elephant.

Elephants are pretty easy to spot.

It’s even possible they’ll shake your bed (Marakele NP) or block your lodge (Mapungubwe NP)...

The place I’ve seen the most of them is Chobe (Botswana) or Imfolozi (South Africa).

It’s dreamy—I never thought you could get so close to an elephant.

Hello,

If but with a trusted driver who knows the wild well ... 😉

For more info, check this out: it’s in southern Tanzania!!

https://voyageforum.com/forum/retour-ruaha-selous-tanzanie-sud-d11460499/?vfk=vfk8mg52x01 and,

https://voyageforum.com/forum/mikumi-selous-dans-sud-tanzanie-juin-2024-d10707408/?vfk=vfk06fmjh5j

Cheers. Puma2A

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I also came across elephants up close on a self-drive trip.

Even a trusted driver isn’t a guarantee of wildlife encounters.

Nor of safety—some are willing to take risks hoping for a big tip.

More of a way to meet people, no. A safety guarantee, you can hope so if the driver knows his stuff, but there are still quite a few accidents (sometimes fatal) involving elephants. 🤪

Yeah, it's always the biggest one that wins—never mess around with an elephant, whether you're in a self-drive car or one with a driver-guide. 🤪

... I didn’t think you could get that close to an elephant.

Hello, Of course, with some animals, it’s best to strictly follow the "jungle trail code"... .... 😏 😉 ...





Only 10 months to go!!

Cheers.

Puma2A

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Hi there,

We’re pretty much self-drivers, so we explored Southern Africa on our own and loved that way of traveling.

For Tanzania, we had no issues visiting the parks in self-drive. You can check out our travel journals here: https://www.girardinphoto.net/girardinPHOTO/Accueil.html