Hello. Outside of the Snake Farms, has anyone ever seen/ gotten close to a snake during Safari in Tanzania? I am extremely fearful of them and will be on Safari in a few months. Of course my biggest fear is that they will enter my tented camp. Thanks!

Of course there are snakes in Tanzania, but believe me... they don't want contact with us anymore than most of us with them!

Have I seen snakes? Yes!
One dead mamba in the middle of the road; a small garter-type snake which is harmless, I even held it.

Tents should be zipped closed, it's unlikely for entry, but it is suggested that you cover your shoes at night, always shake them out in the morning, for any type of creepy/crawlie.

There are poisonous snakes out there, yes. But you have more chance of winning the lottery than of getting biten by them. We saw one black mamba on our way from Tarangire to Manyara, but did not stop (we were doing 80km/h on asphalt anyway).

Actually, in total, I don't think there are THAT much snakes around. For comparison, on the Greek island Lesbos, we took an offroad walk and got about ten that slipped away in front of our feet. Now that is what I call snake country!
And yet... I guess people who dislike snakes would gladly book a beach holiday there without even thinking about snakes. But if they think of any African country their alarm bell rings.

We saw only one snake, a python, I think. About 12-15 feet long crossing the road in front of us. We were safely esconced in the jeep. My husband didn't even see it. I hate snakes, but this was okay, even exciting to see it. www.pbase.com/pattyroth

We saw various black mamba's and two spitting cobra's.

I was the only stupid one to not roll my window up....

In all of my safari travels, whether in Tanzania or not, I have only seen a couple of snakes. In total. Let's say that I am on safari 9 to 11 weeks per year, starting back in 2003. So more than 1 year of accumulated safari time since then, and only 2 snakes so far. And one was roadkill.

Don't worry about a thing.

<b>So more than 1 year of accumulated safari time since then, and only 2 snakes so far. And one was roadkill.
</b>

Wow Andy, you are lucky (or unlucky if you are lQQking for snakes) ... we go to the same places as you at the same time and have always seen 2 - 4 snakes per trip.

<b>Of course my biggest fear is that they will enter my tented camp. </b>

We've seen four in camps or on the grounds of lodges thus far. Once while lowering the flaps on our tent a snake in a tree 2 ft behind me jumped off and floated to the ground near my feet, then scurried off.

Watch carefully around grassy or brushy areas, especially at night. I take a powerful flashlight, though more to scare off the buffalo at Ndutu.

Here are pics of two snakes from trips earlier in 2008 in case anyone thinks I'm making this up

http://www.hiltonphotography.net/afr...dex.htm#python

http://www.hiltonphotography.net/afr...ndex.htm#adder

Bill

I have slightly less time on Safari than Andy, approximately 260 days since 1999. I have not seen mamy snakes. But have seen a Python being attacked by a Leopard (see my video featuring Amber) A python killing a honey badger and its pup. Several Cobra including ones being eaten by Mongoose and another by a Honey Badger,several Puff Adder and a couple of Black Mambo. Unless you go looking for them you are unlikely to find one and most run away, the notable exception being the Puff adder. You are far more likely to catch malaria.

Never in Tanzania. Not even a worm.

Don't be concerned. Your tent will be zipped to protect you from the elements, including snakes. The snakes prefer to avoid us.

If you are really scared, have your escort back to the tent at night come in with you and do a snake check. You can even request a snake check during the day to ease your mind. There is no sense in being scared or uncomfortable.

What is common in tented camps are small toads or frogs or little lizards that skitter around. You should expect those, but they flee at the sight of you.

If you think a fear of snakes will make you too nervous, do all lodges. Only rarely have I seen small gecko-type lizards in lodges, suctioned to the walls.

Camps do not advertise it but during the turn down service while guests are out on an activity it is part of the job to look and make sure there are not any snakes or other concerns to be dealt with so it would be extremely rare to find one in the tent.

It seems that I have had much more good luck with sightings (sounds like some would consider it bad) than most others. I do try and get in walking time on every safari though and try to visit desert areas and almost all of my sightings have been on foot. I've seen numerous harmless species as well as rock pythons, two boomslangs, night adder, many puff adders, and an unbelievable black mamba that was around the size limit of 14 feet long.

Like Kiki, I have been terrified of snakes since a family friend died of a rattlesnake bite years ago.

Unfortunately, my favorite camp in Tsavo East (Kenya) has many deadly snakes. I have had six close calls in my 14 safaris there (one, a cobra in my bathroom found by the tent steward), green mamba slithering up on my veranda three feet from my bare feet, etc.

I have learned a bit about them and would like to share the knowledge I have with you.

1. Be sure the steward knows of your fear of snakes. They will pay particular attention to being sure your area of free of snakes.

2. Watch where you are walking (even if you don't go on bush walks). Look ahead and to both sides of the paths for any movement or for anything that looks out of place.

3. Look at any limbs of bushes that might overhang your path.

4. Learn to listen to the birds. When their regular chirping changes to squawking, ask someone to check and see if there is a snake near by.

5. If you have to get up to use the loo at night, unzip the back tent zip, and always shine your torch on the floor, walls and up into the shower basket area before entering the loo.

I have recently learned that very few camps/lodges have antivenom on hand. THerefore, be sure to sign up for Flying Doctors (about $25.00 for tourists).

I recently tried to buy antivenom to donate to my favorite camp. I can get the polyvalent antivenom, no problem (good against black and green mamba, cobras, adders and others) However, when I contacted several places in Kenya to ask if they would train responsible people to initiate the antivenom, use an Ambubag, give epinephine if someone is going into shock while awaiting Flying Doctors or driving to the nearest hospital, I was told that ONLY physicians should give antivenom.

Their reasoning was that because about 10 - 12% of the people who get the antivenom have a bad to deadly reaction to it, only doctors should give it.

Now, if I receive a black mamba bite (not a dry bite) I could die within 20 - 30 minutes (much too short a time for a doctor to get there or for you to be driven to the nearest hospital). If I am dying anyway with my airway closing down, lungs shutting down there is only one thing that would save me -antivenom. I would want anyone to at least try giving it - but everyone is discouraged from doing so.

I am not trying to scare anyone. I would just encourage everyone to pay particular attention to your surroundings, both outdoors and inside your rooms/tents.

It is unlikely that you'll have any close calls, but it does pay to be extra careful.

Hi Jan - long time no hear from you.

Kiki - Jan is right, and though most of our replies tried to reassure you, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and most definitely advise the lodge/camp of your concern.

The only reason I didn't mention Jan's name and her many encounters with snakes is because she seems to have been the only person who came upon snakes... we've all decided not to travel with her on safari

But, if anyone knows snakes, up-close-and-personal... it's Jan.

the majority of snakes won't be seen at all as they leave as soon as they feel vibrations of the ground. so the chance of seeing them is quite low.
just watch your steps so that you don't step onto a puff adder. these are lazy snakes and don't give way

regarding tent: we have never encountered a snake in tent. if there are no mice, frogs etc. they have no reason to enter.

just check your clothes and shoes in order to make sure nothing has sought refuge there ;-)

BTW
we are always quite excited when we come across a snake because it's one of the creatures you seldom see.

div

Just to allay your fears slightly. I stepped on a Mozambique spitting cobra and the only thing the snake wanted to do was slither away. So even in that extreme situation bites seldom occur. Other than puff adders the snakes will really try to avoid you and try to escape.
Have a great time.
Regards,
Eric