Your Complete Safety Reference for Tanzania Safari Travel
Safety is not about eliminating risk — it is about understanding it, preparing for it, and managing it properly. This guide covers everything you need to know before your Tanzania safari: health precautions, wildlife safety protocols, travel insurance requirements, emergency procedures, and exactly what Bobby Safaris does to keep every guest secure.
We have operated in Tanzania for 48 years. We know the risks, we manage them daily, and we share them honestly. Read this guide before you book — and keep it accessible during your trip.
Safety at a Glance
Tanzania Safari Risk Profile
Low Risk
Violent Crime
Very rare in safari circuit areas. Standard precautions in cities.
Manageable
Wildlife Incidents
Eliminated by following guide instructions. Zero serious injuries in 48 years.
Moderate
Road Travel
Long distances on unpaved roads. We use custom Land Cruisers with roll cages.
Moderate
Medical Facilities
Limited in remote areas. Helicopter evacuation available through us.
Before You Travel
Pre-Trip Safety Preparation
Travel Insurance — Non-Negotiable
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all Bobby Safaris bookings. Safari areas have limited medical facilities; emergency evacuation from remote areas can cost $15,000 to $50,000 or more.
Medical evacuation coverage: minimum $100,000 USD
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
Personal belongings and camera equipment coverage
Adventure activity coverage (confirm policy includes game drives)
Tanzania explicitly listed in coverage area
Vaccinations & Health Prep
Consult a travel clinic 6-8 weeks before departure. Requirements and recommendations change, and some vaccines need time to take effect.
REQUIRED
- Yellow fever (if arriving from endemic country)
RECOMMENDED
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Routine: MMR, DTaP, Polio
- Rabies (for extended bush activities)
Malaria Prophylaxis
Malaria is present in Tanzania below 1,800m elevation — including the Serengeti and Tarangire, but NOT the Ngorongoro Crater rim or Kilimanjaro. We strongly recommend malaria prophylaxis. Consult your doctor for the latest recommendations.
Personal Medications
Bring sufficient supplies of all prescription medications in your carry-on luggage. Pharmacies in Arusha may not stock your specific medication.
Essential Documentation
In the Bush
Wildlife Safety Protocols
Wildlife on a Tanzania safari is wild. These animals are not tame, not predictable, and not domesticated. Your safety depends entirely on following your guide's instructions without exception.
Follow your guide without exception
Your guide is trained to read animal behaviour. If they say stay in the vehicle, stay in the vehicle. If they say be silent, be silent.
Never approach wildlife on foot
No matter how calm an animal appears, never approach any wildlife on foot outside designated areas. This includes elephants, which can charge without warning.
Stay in your vehicle during game drives
In national parks, the standard rule is: remain in your vehicle at all times during game drives. The only exceptions are designated picnic sites.
Keep voices low near predators
Lions, leopards, and cheetahs hunt by ambush. Loud voices or sudden movements near these animals can trigger a predatory response.
Animal-Specific Safety Guide
Elephants
Risk: Can be aggressive if they feel threatened. Will charge without warning.
Safety rule: Never approach on foot. Maintain distance. If charged, move sideways slowly away from the animal.
Hippos
Risk: Most dangerous animal in Africa. Kill more humans than any other animal.
Safety rule: Never approach hippos on foot. They are faster than humans over short distances. They can capsize boats.
Lions & Leopards
Risk: Apex predators. Unpredictable near kills or cubs.
Safety rule: Stay in vehicle. Keep voices low. Never position yourself between a big cat and its escape route.
Buffalo
Risk: Unpredictable. Often in large herds. Can charge without provocation.
Safety rule: Maintain vehicle distance. Never approach a solitary buffalo. They often accompany elephants.
Cheetahs
Risk: Generally less aggressive but can be unpredictable near prey.
Safety rule: Standard vehicle-distance rules apply. They are more habituated to vehicles than other big cats.
Rhinos
Risk: Endangered and increasingly rare. Can be aggressive when surprised.
Safety rule: Rare sightings require complete silence and no sudden movements. Follow guide's instructions exactly.
Health & Wellness
Health & Medical Safety
Water Safety
- •Drink only bottled or filtered water in safari camps
- •Tap water in Arusha is generally safe — use bottled as precaution
- •Avoid ice in drinks outside major hotels
- •Brush teeth with bottled water
Food Safety
- •All luxury camps maintain high food safety standards
- •Avoid street food in Arusha
- •Stick to well-cooked foods from reputable establishments
- •Fresh salads may be washed in local water — use caution
Sun Protection
- •Sun protection factor 50+ sunscreen is essential
- •The African sun is significantly stronger than most visitors expect
- •UV index can be extreme even on cloudy days
- •Wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective clothing recommended
Altitude Considerations
- •Ngorongoro Crater rim: 2,400m — mild effects possible
- •Kilimanjaro climbs reach 5,895m — altitude sickness is serious
- •Descend immediately if symptoms worsen (headache, nausea, confusion)
- •Bobby Safaris monitors all guests on combined safari/Kili trips
Medical Emergency Protocol
All Bobby Safaris vehicles carry comprehensive first-aid kits and satellite communication devices. In a medical emergency:
- 1Notify your guide immediately — they carry a radio for emergency communication
- 2Bobby Safaris base coordinates emergency response and evacuation
- 3For serious injuries, helicopter evacuation is arranged to Nairobi or Arusha
- 4Your travel insurance emergency evacuation coverage is activated
- 5We stay in contact with the receiving medical facility throughout
Getting Around
Travel & Transport Safety
Bobby Safaris Transport Standards
Airport & City Safety
Arusha Airport: Use Bobby Safaris transfer — we meet you inside arrivals with a namecard. Do not accept rides from airport taxi drivers.
Arusha City: Standard urban precautions apply. Remain in hotel/lodge grounds after dark. Avoid displaying valuables. We provide vetted transport for all city movements.
Baggage: Keep valuables, medications, and travel documents in your carry-on. Lock checked luggage. Do not leave bags unattended.
Long Safari Drives
Safari days involve long drives on unpaved roads. Our Land Cruisers are designed for this — elevated seating, large windows, and suspension for rough terrain. Drives typically range from 2-6 hours between locations. We stop for comfort breaks and wildlife viewpoints regularly. Motion sickness medication is advisable for sensitive travellers.
Where You Stay
Accommodation Safety
Camp & Lodge Security
All luxury camps and lodges in Tanzania's safari circuit maintain security standards. Bobby Safaris personally audits every property before recommending it.
In Your Tent or Room
Night Safety
At night in camp, always be escorted by a camp staff member or guide if you need to move between your tent and the main camp area. Wildlife — including elephants — can move through camps at night. Carry a small torch but use it sparingly — light attracts animals.
Our Promise
Bobby Safaris Safety Commitment
48 Years of Experience
We have operated in Tanzania for 48 years. We know every road, every camp, every guide personally. This experience is your safety net.
Vetted Transport & Drivers
All ground transport uses our vetted drivers with GPS tracking. No public transport, no unmanaged transfers. Airport pickups at any hour.
Certified Safari Guides
Every Bobby Safaris guide is certified by Tanzania National Parks Authority, first-aid trained, and personally known to the Kassim family.
Camp Security Audits
We personally visit and audit every camp and lodge we recommend. Security infrastructure, staff vetting, and wildlife protocols are all assessed.
24-Hour Emergency Line
A Bobby Safaris emergency contact is reachable 24 hours a day throughout your trip. Not a call centre — a real person who knows your itinerary.
Satellite Communication
All vehicles carry satellite phones and SPOT trackers. In remote areas with no mobile signal, we can still communicate and coordinate emergencies.
Continue Planning
Related Planning Guides
PLANNING
What Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
Transparent pricing for ultra-luxury safaris — park fees, camps, guiding, and where your investment goes.
FIRST SAFARI
First Time Safari Guide
Everything you need to know before your first Tanzania safari — operator choice, timing, preparation, and what to expect.
ACCOMMODATION
Safari Camp Guide
Luxury tented camps, fixed lodges, and mobile camps — how to choose the right accommodation for your safari.
Questions Answered
Frequently Asked Safety Questions
Have Questions About Safari Safety?
We answer every safety question directly. No scripted responses — just 48 years of on-the-ground experience. Message us before you book.
Ask About Safety Before Booking