Q: How does Savannah Eagle choose lodges and tented camps on safari?
A: We’ve made it our business to research in depth the lodges and tented camps available for your safari adventure, and we only choose to work with the ones that maintain excellent guest care standards. We’re very confident in our choices and this has been supported by our guest experiences and comments. We work hard to choose the best accommodation for you from our favourite lodges and we do this on the basis of what you want. You might want a luxury experience, or to be up close to the animals, or to have a pool, or all three! Maybe you’re budget-conscious, so we’d choose somewhere that’s still wonderful but suits your budgets. We’re not all millionaires! But we do have a great range of different kinds of lodging, from private luxury tented lodges to adventure camping to mobile camping and beyond.
Q: On camping safaris, what equipment does Savannah Eagle provide?
A: We provide camping equipment including tents, sleeping mattresses, tables and chairs. We also provide all cooking equipment for safari. Please see our Safari Packing List for items you should bring with you to Tanzania. If you need to rent equipment such as sleeping bags or other gear, that’s not problem but please let us know in advance.
Q: Can I request special diet for safari?
A: Yes, of course. Just because you’re on safari doesn’t mean you can’t eat how you want or need to! We want to make sure all our guests are well fed and watered.We can cater for most dietary requirements, whether they’re medical (Coeliac, food allergies), ethical (vegetarian, vegan) or religious (kosher).
We do need advance notice so that we can prepare everything for you, so make sure you tell us beforehand.
Q: Do I need to bring a water filter?
A: No, we filter the water so you won’t need to bring one.
Q: What is a typical menu on a camping safari?
A: We love food and on a safari you’re going to work up an appetite so we’re very focussed on mealtimes to make sure that you’re well-nourished, healthy and happy. You won’t go hungry! On camping safaris, our chef will feed you well with three hearty meals daily (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner). We’ve selected our menus to make sure that you are well nourished and that you enjoy what you eat. We cater for special diets like veggie, vegan or gluten-free (see above), too.A typical safari day’s meals might include:
Breakfast: Hot drinks such as coffee, tea, porridge and other cereals, fresh fruits prepared carefully, scrambled or fried eggs, sausage, toast, butter, honey and jam.
Lunch: A tasty packed lunch which usually includes things like sandwiches and chicken wings, boiled eggs, biscuits and crisps (oops, how did that get in? We love crisps) and well-prepared fruit. Juice to drink and we always have water available.
Dinner: Stews, soups or bakes (meat and vegetarian), rice or noodles, carefully-prepared salads and fruits. Tea and coffee.
Q: What is Tanzanian food like and should I try some?
A: Tanzanian food is hearty, tasty and filling and yes, you should definitely eat like a Tanzanian. Staple foods found throughout Tanzania include ugali (maizemeal), chapati (thick naan-like bread), kichumbari (tomato, cucumber, bell pepper salad), nyamachoma (barbecued meat- goat, chicken, beef) and mchicha (green vegetable stew). Dishes specific to Northern Tanzania include ndizinyama (banana beef stew) and mahindimaharage (maize and bean stew). If you would like to try local Tanzania food, let us know prior to your climb or safari and we’ll include some local dishes on your menu.
Q: Do you offer join group safaris?
A: Yes, we offer many routes and dates for group safaris. Group safaris are great if you’re a group of friends or family (obviously) but they’re even better if you’re a solo traveller and you’d like all the fun and awe of a safari but you don’t want to go it alone. It’s cheaper for you, too. Group safaris can be magical. At the beginning of the tour, you’re a group of like-minded strangers but through your amazing safari experiences you’ll be best of friends by the end. Many people have made lifelong friends through our group safaris, and visit us again the next year!
Q: What are Topy Tours’ safari vehicles like?
A: Our safari vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers with an open roof, which is perfect for wildlife viewing. The seats have been adapted to full-size seats to make the time you’re sitting down comfortable.
Q: What are the road conditions in Tanzania?
A: Roads between towns and the national parks of the Northern Safari Circuit are generally well-maintained and a comfortable ride (except for the road to the Serengeti). Inside the national parks all roads are pretty rough and not maintained so well. They become muddy during the rainy season and dusty during the dry season. But you didn’t come here for the fast roads!
Q: Will I be able to charge my electronic devices on safari?
A:Most lodges have outlets so you will be able to recharge batteries. However, because the lodges are run on generators, the electrical current is not as strong as traditional electrical currents, and some lodges turn off their generators at midnight. Keep in mind Tanzania uses 220v electricity and you’ll need to bring the right converters and adaptors (Type D & Type G). Some of the campsites offer outlets in the dining area. Campsite etiquette dictates a first- come-first-servedprinciple.Our safarti trucks have charging ports that you can use when you’re on the move.
Q: How much shall I tip the crew?
A: Gratuities in the Tanzanian tourism industry generally follow the US system. Tipsare not included in your tour price but we’ve put together helpful guidelines for tipping your safari crew:
- 1 Safari Guide- $20.00 per day
- 1 Safari Cook- $20.00 per day
Q: What are the Big Five?
A:The Big Five are the rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. The Big Five is a term that originated with hunters who hunted game. The Big Five were the most difficult to hunt and at that time it was believed that the Big Five hunted people. These days the Big Five is just a marketing term used by safari companies. Tanzania is home to the Big Five but it’s also home to so much more than that – from the smallest Kilimanjaro mouse shrew to the biggest bull elephant, Tanzania’s native fauna is something to get excited about and be proud of. We’re hoping that our guests are happy to enjoy the full range of the beautiful creatures that live here, and not be hung up on the Big Five at the expense of other animals.But on safari with us there is a good chance that you’ll meet the Big Five up close and in the wild.
Q: What is the Great Migration?
A: The Great Migration is the annual movement of 1.2 million wildebeest and zebra between Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Q: What is a game walk?
A: A game walk is a walking safari inside or near a national park. You’ll enjoy a stroll or hike surrounded by the wildlife, but, don’t worry, you’ll be escorted by a professionally-trained armed guard with radio. We recommend a walking safari at the quieter Arusha National Park.