Self Drive Tanzania

SELF DRIVE IN TANZANIA

With plenty of time to experience the beautiful open savannah plains, the coastal areas, vast Valleys, the Great Rift Valley, and the vistas of the remote areas, these are some of the magnificent areas that make self-drive road trips in Tanzania. These road trips can climax into a number of days on safari in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Nyerere (Selous) National Park, and any other Protected Area.

If you are a wildlife lover, then be prepared to see the big five game (lions, Rhinos, leopards, Elephants, and Buffaloes), get ready to witness the great annual migration (involving millions of wildebeests, and hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras), see lots of birds and antelopes. If you are a history lover, then the Zanzibar Islands will interest you and for food and spice lovers, the Islands of Zanzibar will still blow your mind. Whether you wish to travel through the jaw-dropping mountain passes or sweeping savannah plains and the countryside, then embark on a self-drive in Tanzania.

Tips for epic self-drives in Tanzania

Avoid cheap Car Rental deals

If you have any hope of driving off-road, then a 4WD vehicle is mandatory because you are likely to go through gravel roads or worst-case scenario potholes. Always plan your route in advance- if you wish to stay on tar roads or hope to go off-road during your self-drive trip. It all comes back to the type of car and budget. You might opt for the cheap car and face lots of challenges along the way.

Always watch out for the animals along the way

It is a common thing to come across domestic animals (cattle, dogs, goats, and sheep) while driving through the countryside but for the highways, but you might come across elephants and giraffes crossing highways in Tanzania so always keep alert to the road signs warning of animals, especially during sunrise and sunset when these animals are most active.

Avoid driving after dark

There are many reasons why driving after dark is a bad idea and these include the fact that animals tend to be more active in the evenings. Also, depending on which part of Tanzania you are driving, some places completely don’t have streetlights or road signs hence it might be difficult to maneuver through.

Always fill up on fuel

On your road trip in Tanzania, we recommend first filling up on fuel prior to embarking on the journey. You must be wondering why? There are some remote places in Tanzania without Petrol stations, and you wouldn’t want to get stuck in a rural area without fuel. It is always advised to have some cash on you because even when you find a petrol station, most of them don’t accept credit card payments or even ATM machines. While your vehicle is getting filled, also put it upon yourself to check the tire pressure, water, and oil level.

Find a perfect travel companion

It is very boring to get stuck in a car with someone for many hours, yet you have nothing in common. However, if you are stuck with someone with whom you have many things in common, your time in the wilderness will feel easy.

Keep and stay safe during your self-drive in Tanzania

Many travelers have the habit of driving with windows rolled down. This is absolutely fine while driving through an empty road/highway but if you are stationed in a crowded place or in traffic, make sure that the window is locked because petty theft in Tanzania is inevitable. It is better to be safe than sorry and if you have any valuables in the car, make sure that they are out of sight.

When crossing the borders

Crossing the borders during self-drive is common in Tanzania and some of the requirements you need are the vehicle registration documents, purchase of a Temporary Import Permit or 3^rd Party Insurance, in addition to abiding by the traffic laws in the neighboring countries.