Where do you buy extra water from? Is a specific brand preferable? How much does one need to carry for a 7 day safari?

Check if your tour operator already provides water. Most lodges and camps will provide two bottles or a carafe of water in your room or tent daily. Between the two, we haven't found that we needed to buy additional water.

In Arusha there is a good supermarket from one of the South African chains--Shop-Rite, I believe. It sells plenty of bottled water as well as wine, toiletries, fruit juice, etc. I'm sure your guide will know where it is, or else your hotel can asrrange a taxi for you. It's a great place to stock up on all those little items you forgot to bring from home. If I recall correctly, they accept US dollars, but will give you Tanzanian shillings in change.

We stopped at a supermarket close to Roys Safari headquarters (I think you said you are going with Roy) and bought extra water etc. This is close to the Impala hotel and pretty convenient and is probably the Shop-Rite safarilover mentions.

We used Tz shillings, didn't know they would take US $$ but safarilover is probably right.

Huh?

Bottled water can be bought about everywhere including safari lodges(even at Barafu Camp at 16,000 feet on Kilimanjaro) - supermarkets not needed unless you want sparkling water. Water are often cheaper elsewhere!

There are several brands. As long as it is properly sealed you are OK t take whatever is available.

BTW Shoprite is not near Roys!

<b>Bottled water can be bought about everywhere including safari lodges</b>

True, but for double the price that the supermarket charges.

<b>BTW Shoprite is not near Roys!</b>

I didn't pay attention to the name of the market we stopped at but there is one on the way from the Impala or Kibo Palace to Roys (which is where dhruvgupta is going).

Bill

We all know that is more expensive to buy ANYTHING at lodges or Barafu Camp on Kilimanjaro. That is not the point!

My point is one can buy bottled water about EVERYWHERE! Most of the day the traffic near Shoprite is horrible (and checkout lines can be long) - as a result I do not recommend to go there or any other supermarket just to buy bottled water! And it is mostly cheaper elsewhere!

Look for a place with parking and fewer traffic and buy it there!

Roys will provide bottled water at 1/ltr day/person. As Patty mentioned above, the lodges/camps provide water in the bathrooms for teeth brushing, which should add to the allowannce from Roys. If you require more, you can purchase from lodge/camp (though more expensive than a local shop). If you feel you need additional bottle than provided, then wherever you see a shop, stop and buy.
This is real easy. It might be Africa, but you can get bottled water just about everywhere.

My final contribution to this thread:

I did not know the more expensive outfitters limit the water they provide! One liter is not nearly enough. And it warms up quick in the seat pocket.

Anyway, here is a tip.

Ask your driver/guide buy a case (box) at a wholesaler (Arusha, Mto Wa Mbu, Karatu, etc). Much cheaper. And you can place some in the cooler while you drive. Forget the supermarkets.

We stopped at a giant supermarket in Arusha, I think it was Nakumat's.

We definitely hit a Nakumat's in Nairobi &amp; we stocked up with over a dozen gallons. We hated to be too dependent on what they had at the lodges.

We visited a supermarket in Arusha on our way out of town which our Roys driver stopped at. It is definately the cheapest option. That way we had it in the vehicle and our driver would put some extras in the fridge in the vehicle for us. We always drank more than the litre Roys supplied and always seemed to want more than the 2 in the tent/lodge so it worked out well for us. I honestly can't remember how much we bought sorry probably something like a couple of bottles per person per day.

J

J

It appears I have to repeat my post

If your outfitter does not provide enough complimentary water (some do actually), the best alternative is to ask your driver/outfitter to buy a case or two at a wholesaler! Preferably BEFORE he meets you - it should be part of your preferences/dietary/allergy documentation.

Buying individual bottles at supermarkets are more expensive trust me! OK, we are not talking hundreds of dollars here, but you save a few bucks and you do not have to fight checkout lines and traffic.

We didn't buy individual bottles but a box. No check out lines at all we were in &amp; out in seconds. If I had had the forthought I would have perhaps done as Eben suggests and ask the op to pick it up for us before hand. It was really no hassle though.
J

If I drank that much water I'd never go out on a game drive... I'd be drowning instead. Bush pit-stops are never on my agenda

OK, maybe I am a bit depressed with the rainy dark skies outside. So I am just having some fun with this funny little water thread!

I just spent 2 months in East Africa and many weeks in Arusha - stayed a long time at the new East African Hotel with my own kitchen. Did lots of grocery shopping at many supermarkets and wholesalers. Still have my receipts. I know how much things cost, and where to buy cheaper and when the Shoprite is busy and the traffic is heavy but it seems I am talking to myself here!

Sandi, from your trip reports I read you prefer PM game drives only - you have no water worries

CHSL - You got me on that! When out on game drives, I only swish and spit out. A 1/ltr bottle can last me a week.

Knew you were gone and it seemed forever... lucky you. Hope to hear about your visit, which I'm sure will be before I get around to finishing my May/June trip report.

Welcome home!

Thanks for the pointers. Having Roy's buy a case in advance seems to make sense.

Do you really need to stick to bottled water for brushing etc. in lodges like Serena?

Instead of a sign that reads &quot;do not drink the water&quot; bottled water is provided for just that purpose in the bathroom. Use it.