Planning a family vacation to Africa can be confusing…and expensive! I would suggest using a travel agent who has experience planning African safaris. Here are some helpful tips:

• Plan a stay of at least 2 weeks so you can visit all the places you want to see. You paid a lot of money to get there, so take advantage of it!
• Plan to have an English-speaking tour guide show you around. Many people will speak a little English, but people will take advantage of you if you’re not careful. Traveling with an African guide will keep you out of trouble.
• Vendors will try to get you to pay outrageous prices. You must barter and bargain to get a fair price for your souvenirs.
• Be sure to tip porters, waiters, etc. fairly, but don’t over-tip. Giving handouts increases the problem of people taking advantage of Americans. Generosity is a good thing, but please give to area missions, charities, schools, orphanages, or other organizations. They will be able to make sure your money is put to good use.
• If possible, bring clothing, medical or dental supplies, school supplies, etc., to donate to local organizations. There is a great need and these types of supplies are difficult to obtain in some areas. You may want to contact an organization before you travel to see what specific needs they have.
• Carry water, Pepto-Bismol tablets, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer with you wherever you go.
• Note: if you stay somewhere near the city, you will hear the Muslim call to prayer through loudspeakers. The chant-like prayer can be a bit unsettling if you’re not expecting it, so be sure to prepare your children.

Best places to visit near Arusha, Tanzania:

• Mount Kilimanjaro – Actually a dormant volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. Believe it or not, this mountain that sits just 3 degrees from the equator has an ice-covered peak year-round. I haven’t hiked the mountain myself, but I’ve been told the trails are easy. They have different treks, some last from 5 to 12 days.
• Ngorongoro Crater – Ngorongoro is a massive volcanic crater that is home to many different species of wildlife and vegetation. In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, I saw African lions, zebras, black rhinos, wildebeests, ostriches, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, baboons, dik diks and much more. I even saw a cheetah hunting an impala! It was like watching the Discovery Channel up close and personal.
• Lake Manyara National Park – Located on beautiful Lake Manyara, this park is also teeming with wildlife. We saw lots of elephants, giraffes, baboons, hippos and hundreds of flamingos.
• Arusha Cultural Heritage Center – The Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha is a must see! Take a lot of cash to go shopping with you. You won’t want to leave without some tanzanite jewelry or ebony statues. Please take a moment to view the linked video. The video shows exactly what the store looks like. It is necessary to plan at least half a day for this visit.