Guest Post by Tom Lithgow
Meet Tom Lithgow
Born and raised in Tanzania, Tom grew up on a farm on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater. The son of a noted guide back in the day (who once led John Glenn and Roy Rogers on safaris), Tom spent time at his father’s camp in the Selous Game Reserve, his first memories setting the foundation for the safari business later in life. Assisting his father, first as a walking guide, and later as an independent guide in Tanzania and other African countries, Tom is the founder of Firelight Safaris Tanzania.
Q: Why should people consider traveling to Tanzania?
A: There are a number of reasons people should consider Tanzania.
First, it a safe country to travel to. Close to 24% of our country is set aside for conservation and forest reserves, one of the highest in the world. Tanziana is the home of the annual Wildebeest and Zebra migration across the famous Serengeti National Park. Kilimanjaro National Park attracts many visitors a year on their quest to scale the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world. Lake Tanganyika is the 6th largest lake and the longest lake at 650 kms long, has the most diverse collection of cichlids up to 250 indigenous fish, contains 18% of all the worlds fresh water and only has a couple of million people living on its edges as most of the edges are steep with mountains up to 11,000’ tall. Ruaha National Park is 7,809 sq miles and is the largest park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa.
Q: What’s the best time of year to visit?
A: Essentially there are 2 seasons from end May to middle October and then from mid-December to mid-March.
Q: How long should one plan to visit Tanzania?
A: My advice has always been that if you are travelling half way around the world from USA you need to spend at least 10-12 days.
Q: How safe is it to travel to Tanzania?
A: As I mentioned above its one of the safest countries to travel to in Africa
Q: When traveling from the U.S., what is required? Visa? Immunizations? Other?
A: A Visa can easily be obtained online and on landing in Tanzania as well. We generally recommend that you make sure your tetanus is up to date, you take Malarone anti-malarial tablets, otherwise no other mandated immunizations, unless you plan to travel to one of our neighboring countries in which case you would require Yellow Fever.
Q: What are key items to pack when traveling to Tanzania?
A: Less is better when it comes to clothes as most lodges and camps will do laundry daily. 4 changes of clothes works well as well as jacket and sweater and comfortable shoes and sandals.
Q: What’s the best airport to fly in/out of? What airlines do you recommend?
A: The main tourist attractions are in northern Tanzania, so Kilimanjaro airport is the best one, if you consider Southern Tanzania then Dar es Salaam is the best. The main airlines to Tanzania are – Qatar air, KLM, Turkish Air, Ethiopian Air.
Q: What’s the best form of transportation upon arrival? Taxi? Rent a car? Bus?
A: Most tour operators will arrange transportation for you into Arusha, the main starting point of all the safaris. Taxis are available at the airport.
Q: What are the must-visit areas of Tanzania? Which towns or cities are not to be missed?
A: The national parks are the most visited, but when it comes to towns then Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza are the most visited.
Q: What is the best safari option in Tanzania?
A: Always book your safari with a known safari operator and look at private guides that add that extra adventure to your experience. Adventurous guests should look at staying in camps or a combination of camps and lodges and should look at booking with a reputable operator to make sure they get the best experience. Tanzania has wildlife diversity not seen in other countries on the continent, the most area set aside for wildlife and national parks, the most famous being the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro Parks.
Editor’s Note: Tom is the owner/operator of Firelight Safaris, providing personalized luxury safaris in Tanzania since 1989. Tom has a vast and intimate knowledge of the terrain and wildlife of Tanzania. Firelight Safaris accommodations are the best in bush luxury and all guest’s needs are enthusiastically met. You can choose from all-inclusive safari itineraries or allow Firelight to create a custom safari tour. Either way, Tom will ensure that your safari holiday in Tanzania is the absolute best!
Q: Outside of safaris, what are other must-do activities to do while in Tanzania?
A: The more travelled guest could look at cultural visits to Maasai village and to the more remote areas of the Datoga and Hadzabe that speak a click language only spoken by one other tribe in Botswana.
Q: Can you briefly describe the culture in Tanzania?
A: We have a very diverse culture in Tanzania as there are approximately 127 different tribes and dialects.
Q: Let’s talk food! What does a typical Tanzanian meal look like?
A: The meals served in our restaurants and cosmos and lodges are mostly international cuisine and some with a Tanzanian twist utilizing many spices that come from our spice Island, Zanzibar.
Q: What beverages are consumed in Tanzania? What’s a must-try drink?
A: We have great beers, Kilimanjaro and Serengeti beers being the most favored, Konyagi the local gin, we feature mostly South African wines.
Q: Where can you find the best local arts, artisan crafts and other shopping?
A: The cultural Heritage in Arusha has an amazing array of local arts and crafts, the Maasai market is a good place to shop.
Q: Any additional tips or recommendations for travelers visiting Tanzania?
A: Mostly covered above, but some might look into horseback riding, mountain climbing, not just Kilimanjaro but Meru, Longido, Hanang, to name a few.
