The Bobby Safaris Tips Guide
After nearly five decades of running Tanzania safaris, we have accumulated a collection of insights that make a genuine difference to the experience. These are the things we tell every guest — the small details that, attended to, transform a safari from good to extraordinary.
01 — Wildlife Photography
Photography on safari is about seeing, not equipment.
The best safari photographs are rarely the result of the most expensive camera. They are the result of patience, positioning, and understanding your subject. Your guide's knowledge of animal behavior — where a lioness will walk, how a leopard uses a drainage line, where elephants cross — is the foundation of every great wildlife photograph.
Shoot during the golden hours: the first and last hours of daylight. The harsh midday sun flattens images and creates harsh shadows. The light at dawn and dusk is warm, directional, and transformative. A game drive that starts at 5:30am is not an inconvenience — it is the best photography hour of the day.
Spend more time watching through your eyes than through the viewfinder. The photographs you will most value are not the technically perfect ones — they are the ones that capture something you felt. Watch the behavior, understand the moment, and then capture it.
02 — Game Viewing
The best sightings require the most patience.
Resist the urge to move on when a sighting seems quiet. The most extraordinary wildlife moments often begin quietly — a lioness watching a herd of wildebeest for an hour before anything happens. The guides who find the most remarkable sightings are the ones who wait, who read the landscape, and who trust that the bush will deliver if given the time.
Learn to read behavior. When a lioness watches a particular direction, she has seen something. When a herd of elephants suddenly becomes alert, something is about to happen. This is what separates a good game drive from a transformative one — the ability to read the story as it unfolds.
Switch between naked eye and binoculars constantly. The full-frame view gives you context and atmosphere. The binoculars give you detail and behavior. The best guides switch between the two constantly, and so should you.
03 — Safari Etiquette
The bush has its own code. Respect it.
Keep noise to a minimum. Loud conversation, engine noise at high volume, and sudden sounds can disturb wildlife and disrupt the experience for everyone in the vehicle. The bush is quiet, and that quiet is part of what you came to experience. Your guide will manage when to approach and when to hold back.
Stay in the vehicle at all times in the national parks. The vehicles are designed to allow wildlife to ignore them — a leopard will walk within meters of a parked safari vehicle. But a human standing outside changes the dynamic completely. The safety protocols exist for good reason.
Follow your guide's instructions without exception. They are reading the landscape in ways that are invisible to you, and their judgment about when to approach, when to wait, and when to move on is the product of decades of experience. Trust them completely.
04 — Health & Comfort
The small comforts that keep you present
Sun protection
The African sun is significantly stronger than what most visitors are accustomed to. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, reapplying every two hours during game drives. A wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap is essential — the wind on an open vehicle will take a baseball cap. Quality sunglasses with UV protection complete the picture.
Hydration
Dehydration in the African heat is insidious — you do not feel thirsty until you are already dehydrated. Carry water in the vehicle and drink consistently throughout the day. Your guide will ensure a cold supply is always available. The effort of staying hydrated is repaid in energy and alertness.
Dust management
A light scarf or bandana pulled over your nose and mouth on dusty roads makes a significant difference to comfort. The dust on Tanzania's safari roads is fine and omnipresent. Sunglasses with side protection help. Most vehicles carry a supply of cooling wipes and tissues for the heat.
Motion sickness
If you are prone to motion sickness, take preventive measures. The vehicles move slowly over rough terrain, but the combination of looking down, reading, or looking at the screen while in motion can trigger nausea. Face forward, look at the horizon, and take medication preventatively if you know this applies to you.
05 — What to Bring
Pack less than you think you need.
The impulse to bring everything you might need is understandable but counterproductive. Luxury safari camps provide excellent facilities — quality bedding, premium vehicles, wildlife guides, and everything in between. What you need to bring is yourself, appropriate clothing, and the willingness to be present.
The essentials: neutral-toned clothing in layers, good walking shoes, a quality sun hat, binoculars (8x42 or 10x42), and any personal medications. Your camera or phone camera is sufficient for most photography. A headlamp for evening use at camp is useful. That is genuinely all you need.
Leave the formal wear at home. Leave the multiple changes of clothes at home. Leave the books you will not read at home. The bush asks you to be present, and the less you have to manage, the more present you can be.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day for wildlife viewing on a Tanzania safari?
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times for wildlife viewing in Tanzania. Animals are most active during the cooler hours around dawn and dusk. A typical game drive starts between 5:30 and 6:00 AM — earlier than most people are used to, but the wildlife is extraordinary at this hour. The light is also ideal for photography, and the chances of encountering active predators are highest.
Should I bring binoculars on my Tanzania safari?
Yes, absolutely. Quality binoculars are one of the most valuable pieces of equipment you can bring. We recommend 8x42 or 10x42 magnification — the higher the magnification, the more you will see at distance. A good pair of binoculars will transform your ability to observe wildlife behavior that would otherwise be invisible, and they are equally useful for birds, which are extraordinary in Tanzania.
What should I wear on a game drive?
Wear neutral, earth-toned colors — greens, browns, khakis — that blend with the bush environment. Avoid bright colors, white, and especially black or navy, which can attract unwanted attention from insects. Dress in layers, as temperatures change dramatically from early morning to midday. A light jacket or fleece for the morning drives and a sun hat are essential. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are practical for getting in and out of the vehicle.
How do I get the best wildlife photographs on safari?
The key to good safari photography is patience and positioning. Stay close to your guide — their knowledge of animal behavior and positioning is invaluable. Shoot in the early morning and late afternoon for the best light. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze animal movement. Keep your camera settings simple and be ready to shoot quickly when wildlife appears. Most importantly, spend time watching the animals rather than through the viewfinder — the best photographs come from understanding what you are observing.
Is it safe to get out of the safari vehicle?
On a professionally operated luxury safari, you will only exit the vehicle in designated safe areas — typically at designated picnic sites and camps. Your guide will brief you on safety protocols before every exit. Walking safaris at designated areas, led by armed rangers, are a different experience offered by some camps. These are conducted with strict safety protocols and offer a completely different perspective on the bush.
Have questions about preparing for your safari?
We have answered every safari preparation question there is. There are no foolish questions — only questions worth asking before you leave.
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