Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Coastal Travels
( 022-211 7959, 022-211 7960; safari@coastal.cc; Upanga Rd, Dar es
Salaam; midrange) A reliable, long-established outfit with its own fleet of planes, and safari
camps and lodges in Ruaha, the Selous and on Mafia island; offers frequent 'last-minute'
flight-and-accommodation deals.
Foxes African Safaris
( in UK 44-01452-862288, in Tanzania 0784-237422;
www.tanzaniasafaris.inf
o
; midrange to top end) Runs lodges and camps in Mikumi, Ruaha
and Katavi National Parks, on the coast near Bagamoyo, in the Southern Highlands and in
Selous Game Reserve; organises combination itineraries using plane and road.
Hippotours & Safaris
( 0754-267706;
www.hippotours.com
;
midrange to top end)
Tent with a View
( 022-211 0507, 0713-323318;
www.saadani.com
; upper midrange)
Runs lodges in Selous Game Reserve, Saadani National Park and Zanzibar; midrange and
upmarket combination itineraries in these and other areas.
Wild Things Safaris
( 0773-503502;
www.wildthingsafaris.com
;
budget & midrange)
CHOOSING AN OPERATOR
When booking safaris and treks, especially budget level, the need for caution
can't be overemphasised.
»Get personal recommendations, and talk with as many people as you can who
have recently returned from a safari or trek with the company you're considering.
»Be sceptical of quotes that sound too good to be true. Don't rush into any deals,
no matter how good they sound. If others have supposedly registered, ask to
speak with them.
»Don't give money to anyone who doesn't work out of an office, and don't ar-
range any safari deals on the spot, at the bus stand or with touts who follow you
to your hotel room.
»Check the blacklist of the
Tanzania Tourist Board's Tourist Information
Centre
(TTB; 027-250 3843) in Arusha - although keep in mind that this
isn't necessarily the final word. Also check the TTB, and the
Tanzanian Asso-
ciation of Tour Operators
(TATO; 027-250 4188;
www.tatotz.org
)
lists of
licensed operators. TATO isn't the most powerful of entities, but going on safari
with one of its members will give you some recourse to appeal in case of prob-
lems.
»Ask to see a valid, original TALA (Tourist Agents Licensing Authority) licence
- a government-issued document without which a company can't bring tourists
