Other than just a few exceptions, most safari lodges and camps do not have air conditioning.

The climate in Northern Tanzania is usually pleasant enough that folks don't miss air conditioning (this is especially true in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, due to the high elevations). But if you want to have air conditioning for part (or most) of the time, we suggest considering the Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge, which is recommended year-round and can be utilized as a base to game drive both the North and Central Serengeti. January and February are the warmest months of the year in Northern Tanzania. So it might be best to avoid those months if you are particularly susceptible to warmer temperatures, though even in those two months it rarely gets above 85 degrees in the Serengeti. The slightly cooler months in Northern Tanzania are from April to September.

*NOTE: There is no air conditioning in our vehicles due to their open nature.

*Please see Seasonal Highlights section for more info

Download our checklist of 100 different species you can seek while on safari!

Learn about monthly seasonal highlights and where different species migrate throughout the year.

View Migration Map

We highly recommend the Arusha Layover option for all guests without any significant time constraints.

There are dozens of accommodations in Arusha with a wide range of prices including 5-star coffee plantation resorts, private multi-bedroom villas, large international resorts, and smaller boutique hotels.

Check out our Arusha Layover section to discover why adding an extra night in Arusha could enhance your itinerary, along with a variety of activities and sightseeing tours available in the Arusha-Kilimanjaro region.

A sunrise hot air balloon ride is a highly popular optional activity in Serengeti National Park.

The cost for the balloon ride is currently $595 per person (if booked in advance through ADS). You can expect to pay about $100 more per person if you book directly through the lodge or camp you will be staying at in the Serengeti. You can read more about the activity itself at the following link: africadreamsafaris.com/trip-enhancements/balloon-safariThe balloon ride is a lot of fun, and most participants do enjoy it very much, but we always like to set guest's expectations up fairly before they book the balloon ride to avoid potential disappointment later.

Visit our Balloon Safari section for full details on what to expect.

Your safari vehicle will be stocked with enough binoculars so that everyone will have their own pair.

Nikon Action 7 x 35 Ultra Wide View Binoculars are available for each person to use while on safari in Northern Tanzania. Binoculars are essential for game viewing. You need them to see small or distant animals clearly and they greatly increase your ability to observe behavior of larger animals. In addition, binoculars enable you to see much better in dim light. Binoculars between 7 and 12-power are suitable for game viewing. The higher the number, the greater the magnification will be. However, unless you have very steady hands, you may have trouble seeing clearly with a 10 or 12-power binoculars. Accordingly, we recommend 7 power binoculars for the average person. The second number on binoculars refers to the diameter of the larger, objective lens. The larger the objective lens, the more light is transmitted and the greater the relative brightness of the image. At the same time, though, the field of view becomes much smaller and the binoculars need to be much bigger. A good compromise is somewhere in the 30's. Putting both numbers together, we recommend a 7x35 or perhaps an 8x32.

There are two options for bathrooms while on game drives.

Since you will be conducting a private safari with plenty of opportunities where there will be no other vehicles in sight, the easiest, safest and most private spot is directly behind the vehicle. At any time, your driver-guide can find a safe and private area and you may simply just exit the vehicle and walk to the rear. There are large double spare tires at the back of each vehicle blocking the view from anyone else within the vehicle. Alternatively, you may also use a bush bathroom away from the vehicle that your guide checks first and deems safe. Every vehicle does come equipped with a roll of toilet paper but it's a good idea to pack a few miniature travel type rolls. Please act in an eco-friendly manner and bring small bags with you to carry out any tissue paper. There are small scented bags you may purchase at most travel stores in the U.S.

The second option would be to plan each day with your driver-guide to make sure that you pass by a bathroom every hour or when needed. This can easily be accommodated as there are ranger stations, lodges, camps, museums, visitor centers, etc. spaced throughout the various areas of your safari and each has public bathroom facilities. You might want to bring a zip lock bag with a bar of soap as some places are sometimes missing soap.

Our driver-guides are extremely sympathetic to the bathroom dilemma and will bend over backwards to make sure you are completely comfortable and accommodated with your bathroom needs. Most folks are a bit shy at first but then quickly adapt and become comfortable with bush bathrooms. Others are more inclined towards proper facilities. Regardless of your personal preferences, please rest assured that your requirements will be completely accommodated by our courteous and professional guides.

Q: When traveling across the plains, what toilet facilities are available when you are in the bush?

A:"Bush Bathrooms" are a concern that almost everyone shares to some degree or another. We host an array of different guests... some are just slightly shy about the prospect of using au natural facilities, and others have physical limitations that make it next to impossible. So there are a few different strategies we can employ, which may vary depending on the guest's specific situation.

One common way to manage this issue is to simply ask your guide to make a scheduled stop by a rest room facility every couple hours or so. There are lodges, camps and ranger stations sprinkled throughout the park, so with a little planning your guide can just plan to make a stop at one of these facilities every couple hours. Our guides are quite sensitive to the dilemma of bush bathrooms and will bend over backwards to accommodate your needs. Remember this is a concern that every single guest shares.

If you find yourself out in the wilderness without a facility in sight, you may opt to use a more au natural setting, such as behind a tree (after your guide has checked the surrounding area for safety, of course), or simply go directly behind the vehicle. There is always going to be a few rolls of toilet paper in the vehicle in preparation for this occasion. Folks catch on to the 'bush bathroom' etiquette and lingo pretty quickly! The verbal code for a pit stop is to say "Hey let's stop. I need to check the tires." Say that to your guide and he'll know exactly what you mean!

For folks that are genuinely concerned about their physical ability bend, sit or lean in the ways necessary to go behind a tree or such, we can utilize a port-a-loo, or mobile toilet, that travels in the vehicle with you. We have even hosted folks in wheelchairs using a port-a-loo, and it's been quite successful. If you need something like this, be sure to let me know ahead of time so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Fire plays a number of important roles in any savannah ecosystem.

In the Serengeti ecosystem, fire enhances the quality and productivity of the grasslands by removing mature, coarser grasses to make room for more palatable grasses that the Serengeti's great herds of grazers prefer. However, out of control fires that burn too hot can be damaging to critical and sensitive habitats. Accordingly, the Serengeti park authorities have implemented a comprehensive fire management plan that balances these opposing forces by initiating controlled burning at the beginning of the dry season to reduce the risk of larger wildlife fires at the end of the dry season. Throughout the dry season (June to October), smoke filled air along with dust may pose an annoyance or health risk for guests and especially those with asthma.

Using Your Cell Phone on Safari

Using your cell phone while on safari is easy these days thanks to more affordable packages and the addition of new cell phones towers throughout Northern Tanzania. There is relatively good cell coverage in most areas that you might be traveling including Arusha-Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar, the top half of Tarangire and many regions of the Serengeti National Park. Coverage is also good throughout the Central regions of the Serengeti though it can be spotty at times in some of the more remote areas of the North, West and Southern Serengeti. However, your guide will know the areas (sometimes even a top of a hill) where cell phone reception is best in these remote regions and can provide recommendations accordingly.

To use your cell phone on safari, you simply need to call your carrier and purchase an international package and have your phone 'unlocked' for use in Tanzania or any other country you may be visiting. The packages at least through AT&T and Verizon have become more affordable lately making purchasing one a wise decision when travelling abroad. For example, AT&T has a package that works in 200 countries (including Tanzania) called the AT&T Passport Package that is valid for 30 days beginning on your chosen effective date. The cost is $70 per device and includes unlimited texting, 2GB of data use and calls back to the U.S. are charged at only 35 cents per minute. Other plans are also available and please make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before selecting.

For those individuals that require the regular use of a phone in even the more remote areas that have spotty cell phone coverage, you may wish to rent a satellite phone in the U.S. before departure. An iridium satellite phone can be rented in the U.S. before your departure that you can use anywhere in Africa as long as you have a direct line of sight to the sky.

Temperate Climate

The majority of the famous wildlife parks of Northern Tanzania (situated just south of the equator) rest upon an elevated plateau creating a wonderfully temperate climate. Average highs are in the low 80s and average lows are in the 50s and 60s. The temperatures are very comfortable and there is little humidity due to the high elevation. The moderate climate creates a comfortable environment for wildlife viewing throughout the entire day. Even during mid-day it is rarely too hot for game viewing and many animals remain active. Wildlife viewing is a year round event due to the equatorial climate and there really is no preferred season in terms of weather though some individuals prefer the green season as it's not as dry or dusty. Full rainy days are rare and even during the green season (November to May), there is a greater proportion of sunshine and only brief and refreshing showers are the norm.

Altitude & Average Temperatures

The Serengeti National Park ranges in altitude from about 5,000 - 6,000 feet while Tarangire and Lake Manyara (situated in the rift valley) are lower in elevation (approximately 3,500 feet) and a little warmer. On the other hand, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater is situated at 7,500 - 8,000 feet and is significantly colder, especially in the early morning. During the slightly warmer months from October to March, the average high is 84 degrees while the average low is 60 degrees in the Serengeti. During the slightly cooler months from April to September, expect an average high of 81 degrees and an average low of 55 degrees in the Serengeti. However, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater can get significantly colder due to the high elevation and one needs a heavy sweater here year round. June, July and August are the coldest months and lows can sometimes drop into the 30s and 40s at the Ngorongoro Crater though daily high temperatures are unaffected. Make sure to bring a heavy sweater, gloves and warm hat during June, July and August for those early morning game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Learn about monthly seasonal highlights and where different species migrate throughout the year.

View Migration Map

At the end of the day, the single most important factor in our clients having a successful safari is the quality of their GUIDE.

You will have the same driver-guide for the entire trip. Our guides are all local Tanzanians, well-educated and they all speak fluent English. We hire only the very best, and once we hire someone great we treat them like gold, not only do they deserve it but we also want to keep them! We continue to invest in them and their training. It is important to us that our guides are the most educated and passionate in the industry. Our guides are well educated and happy to be working for ADS! Here at ADS, our guides are the heart and soul of our company. They are our employees, sure, but they are also our family.

*For more detailed information about our expert drivers, visit our Driver Guides section.

Even in the green season, dusty conditions can be aggravating while out on game drives. The Serengeti Plains are especially prone to dusty conditions due to the shallow soil base and lack of long grass roots. During the dry season, dusty conditions are significantly worse. Please be prepared for dusty conditions and let us know in advance if you're especially sensitive to dust and we will adjust your itinerary accordingly to help minimize any negative impacts. All guests sensitive to dust are advised to bring bandanas.

Photography and video equipment may be especially prone to dusty conditions. It is a good idea to bring a bag that can be easily opened and completely sealed so you may store your equipment when not immediately needed. Bring a couple photo soft cloths to wipe dust from the lenses. Contact lens wearers may be especially sensitive. Please plan accordingly and bring an ample supply of lens lubricant.

Type G Plug Adapter

A 3 rectangular pin United Kingdom (British) plug adapter (type G) is required to use electrical appliances including phones, tablets, cameras, battery chargers, etc. Please note that Tanzania electrical sockets are identical to those found in London, Hong Kong and Dubai. The 3 rectangular pin 'type G' plug adapter is placed onto your device plug so that it will fit into the 3 rectangular pin electrical sockets. You may wish to consider bringing several of these little adapters allowing charging of more than one device at a time. Amazon.com sells a package of 3 adapters (type G) for just $13.

Here's the link:

Ceptics Hong Kong Travel Adapter

Voltage in Tanzania

The electrical voltage in Tanzania is 220V while the electrical voltage in the United States is 120V. If you have a dual voltage appliance or a universal power supply capable of operating safely with either 120V or 220V, all you will need is the little plug adapter that adapts the American style plug to the Tanzanian style plug, mentioned above. All newer phones, laptops, tablets and cameras come equipped with a dual voltage power supply so again all you'll need is the little plug adapter. Check to make sure that the input reads 100V - 240V or 120V - 240V.

For more information, please visit: electricaloutlet.org/type-g

Recommended Properties with Family Suites

There are several lodges and camps in Tanzania that offer two-bedroom/two-bathroom family suites that are ideal for parents traveling with children. Please see further below for a list of recommended properties with family suites. We do recommend booking the family suites well in advance, as most properties only have one or two available and they quickly fill up, especially during the peak summer, spring, and holiday periods.

Hemingway Camps

All the Hemingway Camps (including Mara River Camp in the North Serengeti, Seronera Sametu Camp in the Central Serengeti, Woodlands Camp in the South Serengeti, Ngorongoro Lion's Paw Camp at the Ngorongoro Crater, and Elephant Springs Camp in Tarangire National Park) have two-bedroom/two-bathroom family suites that are perfectly designed for families. Each family tent has similar specifications and includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms along with a separate lounge or family room area between the two bedrooms. The master bedroom features a king size bed and the second bedroom includes two twin beds (and one additional bed can be added, as needed). There are two of these family suites at each of the Hemingway properties. These spacious family suites are highly recommended for families wanting an authentic 'under canvas experience' in the remote wilderness, but with the added safety and comfort of being under one roof with plenty of space and privacy. Extra benefits for kids staying at the Hemingway Camps include S'mores kits and various Junior Game Ranger activities.

Four Season's Serengeti Lodge

The sprawling Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge, which can be used as a base to game drive either the Central or North Serengeti offers one bedroom/two bathroom Terrace Suites. These Terrace Suites come with a large master bedroom with a king size bed and a separate living area that has a double trundle bed, and two full bathrooms. With a maximum occupancy of 2 adults and 2 children, these suites also feature an outdoor terrace with a private plunge pool that overlooks a waterhole. The Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge also has more expansive two and three bedroom villas, all with their own living and dining rooms and private pools.

Pick-Up in Arusha

You will be briefed upon arrival as to the exact pick-up time for your transfer to the Arusha Airstrip for your internal flight to the Serengeti, if applicable. The pick-up time from your hotel in Arusha (usually between 6.00am and 6.45am) will vary based upon the location of your hotel, current traffic conditions and your Serengeti flight departure time (usually 8.00am but it can vary by as much as 60-minutes). It is critical that you be ready and on time for this airport transfer, as the morning Serengeti flights board and depart promptly.

Multiple Stops

Please note that the flight to the Serengeti may make multiple stops before arriving at your destination airstrip, depending upon the destinations of the other passengers. This can be an inconvenience. The pilot will know each guest's destination airstrip, and he or she will make sure you disembark at the correct airstrip. The flights can be quite loud and you may wish to bring disposable ear plugs.

Additional Flights Between Game Drives

Though we do our best to minimize driving distances by including a flight to the Serengeti, there are a few long drives in our regular safari itineraries, which can be further compounded by rough dirt treks, uneven terrain, and a bumpy ride in the land cruiser. Accordingly, you may wish to add additional flights between game drive locations. Some of the longer drives include those from the Central Serengeti lodges to the Ngorongoro Crater lodges, and also the Ngorongoro Crater lodges to the Tarangire lodges. You may also wish to add a night by Lake Manyara in the town of Karatu to break up the drive between the Ngorongoro Crater and Arusha, or the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Please talk with your safari consultant if you are interested in adding additional flights to your itinerary to alleviate one or more of the longer drives.

Dinners

A typical dinner at many lodges and camps will consist of approximately 3-4 courses. You'll be able to order a la carte off of a menu most of the time, and have a choice of an appetizer, soup or salad, main course (consisting of baked or grilled chicken, beef, or fish) often served with delicate sauces, vegetables, and a starch (baked potatoes or cooked rice, etc.), followed by a dessert, such as a fruit torte or tiramisu, and tea or coffee.

Buffets

The buffets are also quite good. For example, the international dinner buffet at the larger lodges usually consists of many (many) items from which to choose; a salad bar with salads and vegetables, such as fresh avocados; a selection of fresh fruits, such as mango, watermelon, pineapple and passion fruit; fresh breads and cheeses; sliced meats or baked or grilled entrees (such as those listed in the first paragraph above), and a dessert bar with an assortment of fresh fruits, pastries, cakes, tortes, pies, etc.

Hot Lunches

Hot lunches may be lighter than dinners, but you'll still have a variety of many of the items listed above from which to choose. Hot breakfasts usually consist of eggs cooked to order along with a breakfast meat, such as sausage or bacon, as well as a cold buffet of cereals, yogurts, breads, fruits, and sliced meats.

Flexible Private Game Drives

Please be aware that the majority of time on safari is spent in a vehicle game driving and wildlife viewing. Please advise us well in advance of any potential problems with long duration game drives and we will plan your itinerary accordingly and alert your driver of the situation in order to minimize any negative impact. Our private safaris are completely flexible and if need be we can shorten game drives and transit times, add additional flights and eliminate areas of rough terrain from your itinerary.

Fly-In / Drive-Out Itineraries

Transit driving is a big turn-off for most people, and here at ADS we certainly don't like it! Nobody likes to waste their precious moments in Africa driving from point A to point B without anything interesting in between. The whole idea behind our "fly in, drive out" program is to minimize transit. Luckily, once you get to the Serengeti, most of the lodges are going to be logistically situated within an easy 1-2 hour drive from each other (if you were to drive straight without stopping that is). So there is some driving, but the vast majority of these drives are through the heart of the National Park so they are a "game drive", not just a "transit drive". (As a result, the drives themselves do take longer than they would have to, but that's only because you are stopping to enjoy all the animal viewing opportunities along the way!)

School Supplies

School supplies are in great need in Tanzania. You may wish to bring school supplies with you and present to a local school while on your safari. There are schools between the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara as well as in Arusha. Some items you may wish to consider bringing include pens, crayons, exercise books, composition/spiral books, small backpacks, coloring books, colored markers, chalk, chalk board and world maps (inflatable globes are always a big hit). Please note that our guests are increasingly being hassled to pay duty upon arrival at Kilimanjaro on donated school supplies. Accordingly, we recommend distributing school supplies among your regular clothes and luggage to reduce the chance of being asked to pay duty. A better alternative to bringing school supplies to Tanzania would be to bring a little extra cash and we can take you to a school supply shop in Arusha to purchase supplies and then assist you with delivering them.

Contributions

Rather than giving out school supplies on an impromptu basis along the way, you might consider making a more organized contribution to one of the schools we work with on a regular basis. One worthy school we are working with at the moment is School of St. Jude's. If you want to stop by the school and visit them in person to see the kids or deliver supplies, please let us know and we can set up a tour for you with one of the school administrators, as long as school is in session during that time.

Sponsor Opportunities

If you want to lighten your load completely, one alternative option would be to sponsor a child at St. Jude's or make a financial donation towards school supplies, which can help the school make curriculum specific purchases that you know will be used to their full potential. You can make a donation before your safari, while you are there, or after you get home as the school makes it very easy to do online: schoolofstjude.org/product/donate/

Gifts for Driver Guides

Some individuals like to bring a small gift for their driver-guide. A good option for this would be a t-shirt or hat with a logo of your local sports team of any other item identifying with your hometown. If bringing a t-shirt, a large size is usually appropriate. However, we do believe the best gift you can give is simply bringing your excitement about your safari. Also, we suggest bringing three questions that you think will 'stump' your guide.

Don't I need to visit Kenya to see The Great Migration?

The short answer is "No". You can see The Great Migration by visiting Tanzania alone, but if you just go to Kenya without visiting Tanzania you may miss it! For long answer, read more about this here: africadreamsafaris.com/faq/when-to-go

Famous Migratory Movements in the Serengeti

The Serengeti is particularly famous for the Great Migration, which describes the annual cycle of movements made by wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle and eland. Elands, weighing up to 2,000 pounds, are the largest of the antelope species while Thomson's gazelles, affectionately called Tommies, are the fastest. The movements of the dominant migrant, the wildebeest, define the borders of the Serengeti ecosystem. The migratory movements are slightly different for each animal but the general pattern is that the migration uses the Southern Serengeti Plains in the green season and the Northern Serengeti Woodlands in the dry season. The famous migratory movements between the Plains and the Woodlands usually occur in May-June (northward migration) and October-November (southward migration).

Learn about monthly seasonal highlights and where different species migrate throughout the year.

View Migration Map

Point of Entry - Kilimanjaro Airport

The most convenient and efficient point of entry into Tanzania is Kilimanjaro Airport (airport code is JRO), which is next to the small town of Arusha and the origination point for all our safaris. There are four airlines that service Kilimanjaro Airport from the U.S. and Canada including Delta/KLM Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines. There are pros and cons with each airline (discussed in the following sections) and the best choice will certainly come down to pricing, availability of direct flight routing and European layover plans (if any). In general, Delta/KLM is the most popular choice given the large number of connections from North America while Qatar Airways offers the most comfortable experience with a relatively new fleet and excellent amenities, service, and seats.

Minimize Flight Segments

Given the frequent flight delays in the U.S. that many of our guests have experienced in recent years, we recommend, where possible, to minimize flight segments from the U.S. to Tanzania and to schedule an extra night (two nights total) in the Arusha-Kilimanjaro area before your safari begins. Our safaris always include one night in Arusha-Kilimanjaro before the safari begins, and adding an additional night (referred to as an Arusha Layover) is a simple and cost effective adjustment. The vast majority of flight delays our guests experience last no longer than 24-hours and having two nights in Arusha-Kilimanjaro would ensure that you don't miss any time on safari.

Personal Assistance with Booking

If you'd like some additional assistance with booking your flights, feel free to call Cathy King who is an airline booking agent. Cathy has helped many of our guests with airline bookings to Tanzania in the past, and she is familiar with the appropriate routings. She is not tied to any one airline, so she really can make an unbiased decision based on your situation. She is based in North Carolina - Eastern Standard Time.

Cathy King (flight consolidator)

Phone: 828-421-5000

Email: adventuretrips@hotmail.com

*Read more details including pricing options in our International Flight Routing section, or Read More below to see a breakdown of different carriers.

Last Minute Changes

If a client initiates a last minute change to the safari itinerary including accommodations, flights, services, etc., the client is responsible for any additional expenses occurring as a result of that change; the same is true for changes occurring as the result of a flight delay or airline schedule change. It is usually impossible for Africa Dream Safaris to get refunds for accommodations, flights and other services that have already been arranged and paid for, and then canceled under 90 days prior notice. These additional expenses are the responsibility of the client to pay for directly in Tanzania. We will, of course, endeavor our level best to minimize the costs of any changes by appealing to the lodges, airlines, etc. Should you fail to join a tour, or join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no tour fare refund will be made. Airfare may also be non refundable. There will be no refunds from Africa Dream Safaris for any unused portions of the tour. The above policy applies to all travel arrangements made via Africa Dream Safaris.

Accountability

Furthermore, Africa Dream Safaris is not responsible for any airline changes or costs incurred as a result of those changes, including airline schedules, fares, cancellations, over-bookings or damage to or loss of baggage and property. Any and all claims for any loss or injury suffered on any airline must be made directly with the airline involved. Air schedule changes may necessitate additional nights being added to your tour. Again, these schedule changes are beyond the control of Africa Dream Safaris and any additional costs resulting from such changes are the responsibility of the client. Africa Dream Safaris shall not be held liable for any delays or additional costs incurred as a result of airlines not running to schedule.

*Please see the Travel Insurance section for more information.

Language

The official language in Tanzania is Swahili but there are hundreds of other local dialects. English is the second official language and the country's commercial language. It is also the main teaching language used for all higher education institutions. You will find that the majority of the people that you come in contact with are fluent in English and have a surprisingly good command of the language. Some useful and fun Swahili words and phrases are as follows:

English / Swahili

• Hello / Jambo
• Response to Jambo / Jambo or SiJambo
• How are you? / Habari?
• Good / Nzuri
• How's Things? (fun slang) / Mambo?
• Good (fun reply to Mambo) / Poa
• Have a good trip (safe journey) / Safari Njema
• Thank You / Asante Sana
• You're Welcome / Karibu Sana
• Yes / Ndiyo
• No / Hapana
• OK / Sawa
• No Problem / Hakuna Noma
• Good Night / La La Salama

Culture

Tanzania's culture is a result of African, European, Arabic and Indian influences. The mainland population is comprised of over 100 tribal groups. The Tanzanians are friendly people (especially to foreigners). Politeness, respect and modesty are highly valued. Handshakes are very important and it is also kind if you learn a few basic Swahili greetings before you arrive. Immodest attire or tattered clothing and open anger are disrespectful to the Tanzanian people.

Picnic 'In the Bush'

One of the key privileges you gain by choosing a private safari is flexibility in how you spend your time. Every day brings choices and one of the most important decisions you can make is whether to have breakfast and lunch at the lodge or rather a picnic box in the bush.

Early morning game drives at the first light of dawn are pure magic, and we strongly encourage you to partake in them! And there will likely be times you want to stay out on safari all day, either for an adventure game drive to a remote area of the park or to simply maximize each golden moment you are in "the bush". But even the most die-hard safari enthusiast still needs to eat! One way to get it all in without starving is to bring along a picnic *to go*. A picnic allows you to maximize your time wildlife viewing rather than delay your departure from the lodge or be forced to return to the lodge for a meal.

"Picnic boxes" (both breakfast and lunch boxes) are prepared on a daily basis by the kitchens at each respective lodge or camp on your itinerary. A typical breakfast box consists of a hard boiled egg, bacon or sausage, bread or pastries, juice and a banana or apple. A typical lunch box consists of a piece of chicken, bread, hard boiled egg, banana or apple, muffin, juice and bottle of water. These picnic boxes can be picked up from the kitchen before sunrise by your driver-guide.

Feedback from our returning clients suggests the quality of these picnic boxes is falling short of client expectations. Recent complaints include a lack of variety in the food choices, redundancy and over-cooked meats. Although we have committed substantial resources to lobby the various lodges and camps to improve the quality of their picnics, in the end we have little control over what food they prepare for the to-go boxes on a daily basis. We believe our efforts have been successful in working with some of smaller proprietors, though the larger lodges have proved more difficult to influence.

Although you can always choose a hot breakfast or hot lunch at the lodge, we still feel picnics are critical for maximizing the quality and quantity of your wildlife viewing experiences. Let's face it - a hot meal at the lodge will almost certainly result in a better culinary experience, but you can miss a lot with regards to wildlife viewing! So please keep that in mind when choosing breakfast or lunch (or both) at the lodge versus a picnic box to go.

With that being said, there are some days when it will be easier than others to return to the lodge for a hot meal should you desire to do so, and there is no reason you can't vary your decisions from day to day. Discuss the plan for each day's activities with your driver guide the night before so he can make appropriate arrangements. Your guide will certainly have suggestions, but the final decision about how to spend your time is ultimately up to you!

For those individuals who anticipate utilizing more picnic boxes, you may wish to consider bringing snacks (nutritional bars, turkey or beef jerky, dried fruit, granola, nuts, trail mix, etc.) to supplement your picnic boxes.