Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

I have an opportunity to spend 3-4 days in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania this coming October. I would welcome any advice and/or cautionary tales about shooting pictures in the area. My inner 20-year-old self is suggesting finding a driver or tour operator when I arrive. My present day 60-something self is urging me to find a reputable company and book a 3-4 day tour ahead of time. I welcome any responses from folks who have been and have experience with the area. I shoot raw with a Canon 70D and have a variety of lens I could take including a 24-105, a 100-400, and a 100 macro. Thanks to all who respond in advance.

Carlo Loc: Maryland, NW.Chesapeake Bay

I like your 60 something plan....Book ahead with a reputable operator, take the worry out of planning site visits, and focus on taking quality images of what you see and discover...Looking forward to seeing your shots from this trip...!!

MtnMan Loc: ID

An incredible dump. Very unsafe. Don't go anywhere alone.

You might want to visit Zanzibar. I think there are one day tours. I didn't so can't say if it is worth it.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

I can recommend KIBO as a tour guide, we visited Tanzania in 2013. The Guides were knowledgable and were able to take us to see the African wild life safely. The guides spoke English, but as mentioned above the sights are in the African plains, not the city.

http://www.kiboguides.com

rando Loc: Rochester NY

Look up AaronWinter.com on the internet. Just saw a photo presentation from his safari in Tanzania and he's going back in January to shoot the babies.

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thanks for the reply. I have decided to go with the 60 something plan myself. There has to be some advantage to accumulating more birthdays. Presumably a little extra wisdom is part of it!

rjallen Loc: Wales

Hi, I lived in Dar Es Salaam for 8 months between Sep 2012 Apr 2013. Dar is relatively safe but remember that you are in Africa, the whole culture is different. I used to take a camera around with me but unless actually shooting kept it in a low key bag, not to attract attention. The Msasani peninsula is the safest place to stay, Where there is a decent Double Tree Hotel with a few decent restaurants and bars also on end of peninsula is a very nice hotel called The Sea Cliff. Down town dar Es Salaam is a nightmare to drive, travelling 10km can take 2+ hours, keep your windows shut, and doors locked, beggars will try to sell you rubbish and any opportunity to steal from inside vehicles will be taken. Unfortunately the Airport is at opposite end of Dar, so to get anywhere you have to drive through the centre of the city.
I went up to Arush (by Air) where I visited the Ngorongora wildlife park, great place to visit and shoot!
I used my old 7D with 400mm f/5.6, 24-105 and 17-40 lenses.
If you need any more specific information just ask.
I am looking at going back to Tanzania to work in a few months so can't be that bad!
Richard

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thanks for the advice. I will look into Zanzibar.

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank you for the recommendation and link. I will check them out.

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank you for the reference. I'll check it out.

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Richard, thank you for the detailed reply. I will take all the information you've provided into consideration. If any more questions occur to me, I'll get in touch.
Alan

CA_CanonUser Loc: Friendswood, TX

I was in Tanzania for a couple weeks in late February - early March 2015. I agree with Richard regarding the Ngorongora Crater; I got some excellent black rhino shots there. Lots of elephants and buffalo there in addition to about a dozen black rhinos. A few lions (lots of inbreeding has had an adverse effect on them) but not really good for cheetas or leopards. Ndutu Park is great for cheetas and lions; Tarangire Park for its elephants. And, of course the Serengeti has all the animals plus the great migration if there at the correct time of the year. Since you will only have 2 or 3 days - if you even decide to go to the parks - you would need to choose what you most want to see. I took four lenses and three cameras with me; I would leave the 16 - 35 mm lens home next time. I used my 70 - 200 and 500 mm lenses the most. My guide was Ngomi of Makasa African Safaris; educated at Texas Tech in zoology so very knowledgeable. On www.safaribookings.com Makasa has 114 reviews: 113 5-star and 1 4-star. Tanzania is a great place and I certainly hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Mathman Loc: Bellingham, Washington

Thank you for the detailed reply and suggestions on a tour company and lenses. Any time I don't have to carry a lens I won't use is a good time!